Sony Ericsson Elm vs Hazel: Which Retro Phone Reigns Supreme?

The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. The Elm and Hazel, both released around 2006, offered stylish designs and decent functionality for their time. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

Both the Elm and Hazel offer a nostalgic experience. The Hazel likely edges out the Elm due to potentially slightly better build quality and a marginally more refined design, though both are very similar. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference for color and minor aesthetic details.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Elm	Sony Ericsson Hazel

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/1.8 Mbps	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 2100

Launch
Announced	2009, December. Released 2010, March	2009, December. Released 2010, May
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	110 x 45 x 14 mm (4.33 x 1.77 x 0.55 in)	102 x 49.5 x 16 mm (4.02 x 1.95 x 0.63 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	90 g (3.17 oz)	120 g (4.23 oz)
	Splash resistant	Splash resistant

Display
Protection	-	Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)
Size	2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~30.3% screen-to-body ratio)	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~41.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 256K colors	TFT, 16M 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	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	480p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	-	Yes
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP, EDR	2.1, A2DP
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation	GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	USB 2.0	USB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront), RSS reader
Games	Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable	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	Accelerometer
	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	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 336 h (2G) / Up to 424 h (3G)	Up to 469 h (2G) / Up to 588 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 40 min (3G)	Up to 4 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 20 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43)	Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43)

Misc
Colors	Metal Black, Pearly Rose	Superior Black, Passionate Rouge
Price	About 100 EUR	About 110 EUR
SAR EU	1.24 W/kg (head)	0.68 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -87.2dB / Crosstalk -85.9dB	Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB
Camera	Photo	Photo
Loudspeaker	Voice 61dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 69dB	Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB

Sony Ericsson Elm

Classic, understated design
Comfortable grip
Simple and easy to use
Good battery life (typical for the era)

Low-resolution display
Poor camera quality
Limited performance
Outdated technology

Sony Ericsson Hazel

Slightly more refined design
Potentially better build quality
Simple and easy to use
Good battery life (typical for the era)

Low-resolution display
Poor camera quality
Limited performance
Outdated technology

Display Comparison

Both the Elm and Hazel featured relatively small, standard-definition displays typical of the era. Expect resolutions around 176x220 pixels. Screen technology was likely LCD, offering decent visibility in good lighting but struggling in direct sunlight. There's no clear winner here; they're functionally equivalent.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, indicating a basic, low-resolution camera (likely 1.3MP or 2MP). Image quality would be poor by modern standards, suitable only for quick snapshots in ideal conditions. Expect grainy images and limited detail. Camera performance is essentially identical.

Performance

Performance was limited by the processors of the time. Expect basic functionality like calling, texting, and simple games. Neither phone was designed for multitasking or demanding applications. Performance will be similar across both devices, constrained by their hardware.

Battery Life

Battery capacity was likely in the range of 800-1000 mAh for both models. Expect a few days of moderate use, primarily for calls and texts. Standby time would also be respectable. Battery life is likely comparable, though real-world usage will vary.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Elm is for those who appreciate a classic, understated design and a comfortable grip. The Sony Ericsson Hazel is ideal for those who prefer a slightly more polished look and a potentially more durable feel. Both are great for nostalgia seekers and those wanting a simple, distraction-free phone.