Relive the early days of mobile technology with this showdown between the Sony Ericsson C903, a feature-rich camera phone, and the Huawei Ascend G300, an early foray into Android. Both were budget-friendly options in their time, but how do they stack up today? Let's dive in and see which one offers a more compelling experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Ascend G300 wins due to its Android operating system, offering more app availability and a generally smoother experience. However, the C903 boasts a superior camera for its time and a more premium feel, making it a nostalgic choice for camera enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C903a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, July | 2012, February. Released 2012, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 97 x 49 x 16 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.63 in) | 122.5 x 63 x 10.5 mm (4.82 x 2.48 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 96 g (3.39 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~37.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 200 |
| OS | - | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | - |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 16 GB | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 105MB | 4GB (2.5GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator 7 | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | - |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
YouTube application
TV-out
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) | Up to 320 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 5 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1350/1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lacquer Black, Techno White, Glamour Red, Metal Pink, Warm Silver | Black, Silver |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.55 W/kg (head) | - |
Sony Ericsson C903
- Excellent camera for its time
- Vibrant OLED display
- Premium build quality
- Unique design
- Outdated operating system
- Limited app availability
- Slow performance
- Difficult to find accessories
Huawei Ascend G300
- Android operating system
- More app availability
- Slightly larger screen
- Easier to find replacement parts (potentially)
- Lower camera quality
- Less premium build
- Slow performance
- Dated design
Display Comparison
The C903 features a 3.2-inch OLED display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks, a significant advantage over the G300's likely lower-quality LCD. However, the G300's screen is slightly larger at 3.5 inches, offering a bit more viewing space. Resolution is likely similar, both being relatively low by today's standards.
Camera Comparison
The C903 was renowned for its 8.1-megapixel camera with Xenon flash, offering excellent image quality for its time, especially in low light. The G300's camera is likely a 5-megapixel unit, which is noticeably inferior in terms of detail and flash performance.
Performance
The Huawei Ascend G300's 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 processor provides a noticeable performance edge over the C903's likely proprietary chipset. While neither phone is fast by modern standards, the Android OS on the G300 allows for more efficient multitasking (though still limited).
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to compare precisely without specific data. However, the C903, being a feature phone, likely offers slightly better battery life than the G300, which runs a more power-hungry Android OS.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Ericsson C903 if you're a collector of classic phones or prioritize camera quality and a unique design. Buy the Huawei Ascend G300 if you want a basic Android experience and appreciate a more modern (though still dated) interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. Network compatibility may be an issue depending on your carrier. App availability is extremely limited on both devices. They are best suited for nostalgia or as collector's items.
❓ Which phone is easier to find?
The Huawei Ascend G300 is generally easier to find on online marketplaces, though both are becoming increasingly rare.
