The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and the Motorola Atrix 4G were flagship Android devices from a bygone era, each boasting unique features and targeting different user segments. This review dives deep into a head-to-head comparison, examining their strengths and weaknesses to help you understand which phone held up better over time (or if you're considering a retro purchase!).
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Atrix 4G ultimately edges out the Live with Walkman thanks to its dual-core processor and superior performance. While the Live with Walkman excels in audio quality, the Atrix 4G's faster chipset and potentially better display make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 5 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - WT19a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, January. Released 2011, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in) | 117.8 x 63.5 x 11 mm (4.64 x 2.5 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~275 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| | - | Touch sensitive controls
MOTOBLUR UI with Live Widgets |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Nvidia Tegra 2 AP20H |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | ULP GeForce |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps, 1080p (via SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input | HDMI port
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264/WMV/Xvid/DivX player
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Document editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 17 h 30 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1930 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
| Models | - | MB860 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.45 W/kg (head) 0.63 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -93.5dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 991:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 77dB
|
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Excellent audio quality
- Dedicated Walkman music player
- Compact design
- Good build quality
- Underpowered processor
- Outdated display
- Limited app support
- Mediocre camera
Motorola ATRIX 4G
- Faster processor (dual-core)
- Potentially better display contrast
- More responsive user experience
- Better graphics performance
- Battery life could be short
- Design can feel dated
- App support limited by age
Display Comparison
Both phones featured displays around the 3.7-4.0 inch range, but the Atrix 4G's reported 991:1 contrast ratio suggests a potentially richer and more vibrant picture compared to the Live with Walkman. However, display technology has advanced significantly since these phones were released, so the actual visual difference might not be as dramatic as the numbers suggest. The Atrix 4G also had a slightly higher resolution, contributing to sharper images.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications were similar on paper (Photo/Video), but real-world image quality likely varied. The Atrix 4G's processing power might have allowed for slightly better image processing and noise reduction. Both phones were limited by the technology of the time, so don't expect flagship-level camera performance.
Performance
This is where the Atrix 4G truly shines. Its dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor significantly outperforms the Live with Walkman's single-core 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Atrix 4G. The Nvidia Tegra 2 AP20H chipset also offered better graphics capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery life was a common complaint for both devices. The Atrix 4G, with its more powerful processor, likely consumed more power under heavy load. The Live with Walkman's focus on music playback might have resulted in slightly better battery life during audio-centric usage, but overall, neither phone offered exceptional battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is ideal for audiophiles and those prioritizing a dedicated music experience. The Motorola Atrix 4G is better suited for users who need a faster processor for multitasking and gaming, and appreciate a potentially higher-quality display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, both phones are severely outdated. App compatibility and security updates are major concerns. They are best suited for retro enthusiasts or niche projects.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Motorola Atrix 4G is significantly better for gaming due to its dual-core processor and Nvidia Tegra 2 graphics.
