Remember the days of feature phones and physical keypads? The Sony Ericsson Cedar and Elm represent a slice of that era. Both were budget-friendly sliders, but which one offered a better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Ericsson Elm edges out the Cedar due to its confirmed camera functionality. While both are basic phones, the Elm's ability to take photos provides a slight advantage. Both are relics of the past, best suited for nostalgia or ultra-budget users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/1.8 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, June. Released 2010, September | 2009, December. Released 2010, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 111 x 49 x 15.5 mm (4.37 x 1.93 x 0.61 in) | 110 x 45 x 14 mm (4.33 x 1.77 x 0.55 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 84 g (2.96 oz) | 90 g (3.17 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~27.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~30.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 280MB | 280MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | 1000 entries, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p@15fps | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | No | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| | MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
MP4/H.264 player
YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter apps
Organizer
Widget manager
Eco friendly materials
Voice memo
Predictive text input | HD Voice ready
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
SensMe, Track ID
MP4/H.264 player
Photo editor
Widget Manager
Organizer
Eco friendly materials
Walkmate, CO2 Calculator
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 420 h (2G) / Up to 475 h (3G) | Up to 336 h (2G) / Up to 424 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43) | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Silver, Black/Red | Metal Black, Pearly Rose |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.16 W/kg (head) | 1.24 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -87.2dB / Crosstalk -85.9dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 61dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 69dB |
Sony Ericsson Cedar
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Long battery life
- No camera
- Basic features
- Low-resolution display
- Limited functionality
Sony Ericsson Elm
- Affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Long battery life
- Basic camera
- Basic features
- Low-resolution display
- Limited functionality
- Camera quality is very low
Display Comparison
Both the Cedar and Elm likely featured small, basic LCD screens typical of feature phones from that era. Expect low resolution and limited color depth. Neither phone prioritized display quality.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Elm has a clear advantage. The Cedar had no camera. The Elm, while offering a basic 'Photo' camera, allowed for rudimentary image capture, a feature absent in the Cedar.
Performance
Performance was limited by the processors of the time. Expect slow menu navigation and basic functionality. Neither phone was designed for demanding tasks. Both would likely perform similarly in this regard.
Battery Life
Battery life was a strong point for both phones. Expect several days of usage on a single charge, given the limited functionality and lack of power-hungry features. A draw, assuming similar battery capacities.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Cedar is for those seeking the absolute cheapest possible phone for calls and texts, prioritizing simplicity above all else. The Sony Ericsson Elm is for those who want a slightly more feature-rich experience, including the ability to capture basic photos, while still maintaining a budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What year were the Cedar and Elm released?
Both the Cedar and Elm were released around 2006-2007, during the peak of the feature phone era.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
Yes, they can still make calls and send texts. However, compatibility with modern networks (4G/5G) is unlikely. They are primarily of interest for nostalgic purposes.
