The early to mid-2000s were a golden age for Sony Ericsson, known for innovative designs and feature-packed phones. Today, we're pitting two of their iconic sliders against each other: the Hazel and the C903. Let's see which one holds up best in a modern context.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The C903 likely edges out the Hazel due to its generally superior camera capabilities and more robust feature set, even with limited available specs. The Hazel's appeal lies in its potentially more streamlined design, but the C903's reputation for photography gives it the advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C903a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, December. Released 2010, May | 2009, February. Released 2009, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 102 x 49.5 x 16 mm (4.02 x 1.95 x 0.63 in) | 97 x 49 x 16 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 96 g (3.39 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~41.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~37.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 16 GB |
| Internal | 280MB | 105MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 320p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator 7 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/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 | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
YouTube application
TV-out
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 469 h (2G) / Up to 588 h (3G) | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43) | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Superior Black, Passionate Rouge | Lacquer Black, Techno White, Glamour Red, Metal Pink, Warm Silver |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) | 0.55 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
| - |
Sony Ericsson Hazel
- Potentially more compact design
- Simple and streamlined user interface
- Nostalgic appeal
- Limited specs available
- Likely weaker camera
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Outdated performance
Sony Ericsson C903
- Excellent camera for its time (8.1MP, Xenon flash)
- Slightly larger display
- More feature-rich
- Reputation for quality
- Slider mechanism prone to wear and tear
- Outdated performance
- Limited app support
- Can be difficult to find in good condition
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for the Hazel are scarce, it likely featured a standard QVGA or slightly higher resolution screen typical of its era. The C903 boasted a 2.8-inch QVGA display, known for its decent clarity and brightness for the time. The C903 likely wins here due to slightly larger size and potentially better color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
The Hazel was marketed as a 'photo' phone, suggesting a focus on image quality, though detailed specs are missing. The C903, however, was a renowned camera phone, featuring a 8.1-megapixel camera with Xenon flash, autofocus, and image stabilization – a significant advantage over the Hazel's likely more basic camera. The C903 is the clear winner.
Performance
Both phones ran Sony Ericsson's proprietary operating system. Performance would be comparable, with both exhibiting the limitations of their processors and RAM by today's standards. Expect slow app loading and limited multitasking. It's a draw.
Battery Life
Battery life was a common concern for slider phones of this era. The Hazel's battery capacity is unknown, but the C903 typically offered around 8 hours of talk time and 400 hours of standby. Assuming similar usage patterns, the C903 likely had a slight edge due to potentially more efficient power management.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Hazel might appeal to collectors seeking a simpler, more compact slider phone. The C903 is for those interested in a more feature-rich experience, particularly if photography was a priority back in its day and you appreciate a classic camera phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are very outdated. They lack modern features like 4G connectivity, app store access, and fast processors. They are primarily of interest to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
Due to their age, these phones are primarily available on online marketplaces like eBay or through specialized retro phone dealers. Expect to pay a premium for a well-maintained unit.
