Remember the days of dedicated music phones and Symbian OS? The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and Nokia 500 represent that era. Both offered unique features and aimed for budget-conscious consumers. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman edges out the Nokia 500 thanks to its superior chipset and dedicated Walkman features. While both are dated, the Live with Walkman offers a slightly smoother experience and better multimedia capabilities, making it the preferred choice for nostalgia seekers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in) | 111.3 x 53.8 x 14.1 mm, 73 cc (4.38 x 2.12 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 93 g (3.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~47.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Mediatek MT6572 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Symbian Anna, upgradable to Nokia Belle OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 2GB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 480p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | Yes |
| | - | No |
| 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 | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input | Exchangeable battery covers with multiple home screens (2 included in the retail box)
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/еAAC+/WMA player
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice command/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 17 h 30 min | Up to 35 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 455 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) | Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1110 mAh battery (BL-4U) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black/White with covers in Black, Azure Blue, Coral Red, Purple, Khaki, Orange, Green, Pink, Silver |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.47 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) | 1.18 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
Noise -90.1dB / Crosstalk -91.2dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 73dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
|
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Dedicated Walkman music player
- Better chipset for smoother performance
- Photo and video recording
- Sony's display technology (potentially better colors)
- Slightly more modern design
- Limited storage (expandable via microSD)
- Outdated Symbian OS
- Low-resolution display
- Can be difficult to find in good condition
Nokia 500
- Compact and durable design
- Nokia's build quality
- Slightly larger battery capacity (potentially)
- Easier to find replacement parts (potentially)
- Slower performance
- Photo-only camera
- Outdated Symbian OS
- Lower screen quality
- Less feature-rich than the Live with Walkman
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, low-resolution displays (likely 3.2-inch, 320x480). The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman might have slightly better color reproduction due to Sony's display technology, but the difference is minimal. Viewing angles and brightness are typical for the era.
Camera Comparison
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman boasts both photo and video capabilities, while the Nokia 500 is limited to photo capture only. The Live with Walkman's camera likely offers better image quality and the ability to record videos, giving it a clear edge. Both cameras are limited by the technology of the time, so don't expect stunning results.
Performance
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman's Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia 500's ARM 11 CPU. Apps load faster, and multitasking is slightly smoother on the Live with Walkman. The Nokia 500 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Nokia 500 generally had a slightly larger battery capacity (1200 mAh) compared to the Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman (1200 mAh). However, the Snapdragon chipset in the Live with Walkman is more power-efficient, potentially resulting in similar or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is ideal for audiophiles and those seeking a dedicated music player with a decent camera. The Nokia 500 is a good option for users prioritizing a compact design and basic smartphone functionality, especially if they appreciate Nokia's classic build quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones worth buying in 2024?
They're primarily for nostalgia and retro tech enthusiasts. Don't expect modern smartphone functionality. They can be fun projects for tinkering, but don't rely on them for daily use.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run Symbian OS, a mobile operating system that was popular in the late 2000s. It's significantly outdated compared to modern mobile OSes.
