The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Today, we're pitting the nostalgic Sony Ericsson Hazel against the popular Xiaomi Redmi 6. Can the Hazel's classic appeal compete with the Redmi 6's modern features and processing power?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 6 is the clear winner. While the Hazel offers a unique retro design, the Redmi 6 boasts a significantly more powerful processor, better battery life, and a more versatile camera system, making it the better overall value for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 2100 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, December. Released 2010, May | 2018, June. Released 2018, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 102 x 49.5 x 16 mm (4.02 x 1.95 x 0.63 in) | 147.5 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm (5.81 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~41.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | - | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 280MB | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25 μm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | USB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | 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 469 h (2G) / Up to 588 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 20 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43) | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Superior Black, Passionate Rouge | Black, Grey, Blue, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | M1804C3DG, M1804C3DH, M1804C3DI |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
| - |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 75182 (v7)
GeekBench: 3639 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 4.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Ericsson Hazel
- Nostalgic Design
- Simple Interface (likely)
- Compact Size (likely)
- Limited Specifications
- Likely Poor Performance
- Basic Camera
- Short Battery Life (likely)
- Outdated Technology
Xiaomi Redmi 6
- Powerful Processor
- Good Battery Life
- Versatile Camera
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- HD+ Resolution (not Full HD)
- Plastic Build (common for budget phones)
Display Comparison
The Redmi 6 features a 6.21-inch HD+ display, offering a larger and more immersive viewing experience compared to the Hazel's likely smaller, lower-resolution screen (specifications are limited for the Hazel). Color accuracy and brightness are also likely superior on the Redmi 6.
Camera Comparison
While the Hazel is listed as having a 'Photo' camera, details are scarce. The Redmi 6 offers a 12MP + 5MP dual camera setup, allowing for better image quality, depth effects, and wider angles. The Redmi 6's camera is significantly more versatile.
Performance
The Redmi 6's Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 chipset provide a substantial performance advantage. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance compared to the Hazel's likely older and less powerful processor.
Battery Life
The Redmi 6 typically features a 3000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. The Hazel's battery capacity is unknown, but likely smaller, resulting in shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Hazel is for those seeking a purely nostalgic experience and a simple, basic phone. The Xiaomi Redmi 6 is ideal for users who want a reliable, affordable smartphone with decent performance, a good camera, and a long-lasting battery for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Sony Ericsson Hazel worth buying for its retro design?
If you're a die-hard fan of Sony Ericsson phones and prioritize nostalgia above all else, it might be. However, be prepared for a very basic smartphone experience.
❓ Which phone offers better performance for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 6's processor is significantly more powerful, making it the clear choice for gaming and demanding applications.
