Sony Ericsson Hazel vs. W995: A Classic Phone Comparison

The early to mid-2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was a dominant force. Today, we're pitting two of their iconic devices against each other: the sleek, camera-focused Hazel and the multimedia powerhouse, the W995. Let's see which one holds up best.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The W995 wins overall thanks to its faster processor, expandable memory, and broader multimedia capabilities. While the Hazel boasts a potentially better camera (though limited data exists), the W995's performance and features make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Hazel	Sony Ericsson W995

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 7.2/2 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 2100	HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a

Launch
Announced	2009, December. Released 2010, May	2009, February. Released 2009, May
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 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	120 g (4.23 oz)	113 g (3.99 oz)
	Splash resistant	Built-in kickstand

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	-
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)
Size	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~41.5% screen-to-body ratio)	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 16M colors	TFT, 256K colors

Platform
CPU	-	369 MHz ARM 11

Memory
Call records	Yes	30 received, dialed and missed calls
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot)	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 16 GB, 8 GB included
Internal	280MB	118MB
Phonebook	1000 entries, Photocall	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	8.1 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	320p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	Yes	-
	-	Videocall camera

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

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

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, MMS, 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 Organizer Voice memo/dial Walkman 4.0 player Shake control SensMe

Battery
Music play	-	Up to 20 h
Stand-by	Up to 469 h (2G) / Up to 588 h (3G)	Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 4 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 20 min (3G)	Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43)	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38)

Misc
Colors	Superior Black, Passionate Rouge	Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red
Price	About 110 EUR	About 100 EUR
SAR EU	0.68 W/kg (head)	1.18 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB	Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB
Camera	Photo	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

Sony Ericsson Hazel

Sleek, minimalist design
Potentially better camera (speculation)
Simple and easy to use

Lack of detailed specs
Likely slower performance
Limited features
No expandable storage

Sony Ericsson W995

Faster 369 MHz processor
Expandable memory (Memory Stick Micro)
Good multimedia capabilities (music, video)
More features overall

Design less sleek than Hazel
Camera not exceptional by today's standards
Battery life potentially shorter than Hazel

Display Comparison

The Hazel likely featured a smaller, lower-resolution display compared to the W995. The W995's screen was generally considered adequate for its time, offering decent viewing angles and color reproduction for menus and basic media. However, neither phone had a particularly impressive display by modern standards.

Camera Comparison

The Hazel was marketed as a camera phone, with 'Photo' listed as a key feature. However, specific resolution and features are scarce. The W995 had a 2.0MP camera, which was standard for the time. While the Hazel *might* have had slightly better image quality, the W995's camera was functional and capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions.

Performance

This is where the W995 shines. Its 369 MHz ARM 11 processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Hazel, which lacked a specified CPU. The W995 handled music playback, basic web browsing, and menu navigation more smoothly. The Hazel's performance was likely adequate for its core camera functions, but felt sluggish compared to the W995.

Battery Life

Battery life for both phones was likely comparable, offering around a day of moderate use. The W995's more powerful processor and multimedia features might have slightly impacted battery life compared to the Hazel's simpler design.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Hazel is for those prioritizing a simple, camera-centric experience and a minimalist design. The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for users who want a feature-rich phone with music playback, expandable storage, and a bit more processing power for basic apps.