Back in the early days of Android, budget smartphones were a race to pack in as much as possible without breaking the bank. Today, we're revisiting two contenders from that era: the Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and the Samsung Galaxy Y. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman edges out the Samsung Galaxy Y thanks to its superior Snapdragon chipset and generally better multimedia experience. While both are dated, the Live with Walkman offers a slightly smoother experience and a more capable camera, making it the preferable choice for those seeking a nostalgic budget device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - WT19a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, August. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in) | 104 x 58 x 11.5 mm (4.09 x 2.28 x 0.45 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 97.5 g (3.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~46.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 256K colors |
| | - | Touch sensitive controls |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 830 MHz ARMv6 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 180MB 290MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 2 MP, f/2.8 |
| Video | 720p | 320p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Hotspot functionality |
| 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 17 h 30 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 850 h (2G) / Up to 540 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) | Up to 17 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Metallic gray, white / changeable back covers in pearly white, dark black, fruity orange, bubblegum pink and silver platter |
| Models | - | GT-S5360 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -76.9dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 625:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Better Performance (Snapdragon)
- Improved Camera
- Slightly Larger Display
- Walkman Branding (Music Focus)
- Dated Design
- Limited App Support (due to age)
- Low Resolution Display
Samsung Galaxy Y S5360
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Compact Size
- Affordable (when new)
- Sluggish Performance (ARMv6)
- Lower Quality Camera
- Small Display
- Limited App Support
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, low-resolution displays typical of their time. The Samsung Galaxy Y has a 3.0-inch QVGA display, while the Live with Walkman boasts a slightly larger 3.2-inch display. Contrast ratios are nominally similar at 625:1 for the Galaxy Y. Neither display is particularly impressive by modern standards, but they are adequate for basic tasks.
Camera Comparison
The Live with Walkman has a clear advantage in the camera department. While specific megapixel counts are not explicitly stated in the provided specs, the Snapdragon chipset generally supported better camera hardware and image processing capabilities. The Galaxy Y's camera is functional but produces noticeably lower-quality images, especially in low light.
Performance
This is where the Live with Walkman truly shines. Its Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides a noticeable performance boost over the Samsung Galaxy Y's 830 MHz ARMv6 processor. Expect smoother app loading and general responsiveness on the Live with Walkman. The Galaxy Y can feel sluggish, especially with multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery information is missing for both devices. However, given their age and relatively low-powered components, both phones likely offered a day's worth of moderate usage. The Live with Walkman's slightly more efficient Snapdragon chipset *might* provide marginally better battery life, but it's unlikely to be a significant difference.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is ideal for music lovers and those who appreciate a slightly more responsive experience. The Samsung Galaxy Y might appeal to users prioritizing Samsung's brand recognition and a very basic smartphone experience, but performance will be a significant limitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, both phones are very dated. App compatibility and security updates are major concerns. They are best suited for nostalgic purposes or very basic tasks.
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is the clear winner due to its 'Walkman' branding and likely better audio processing capabilities.
