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Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman vs Xperia Active: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and Xperia Active were both budget-friendly smartphones aiming to deliver a solid experience. But which one truly stood out? This detailed comparison dives into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which was the better choice back in their day.
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Live with Walkman vs Xperia Active: Which Sony Ericsson Wins?

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Active edges out the Live with Walkman due to its rugged design and slightly better water resistance. While both share similar specs, the Active's durability makes it a more practical choice for active users, though both are dated now.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman Sony Ericsson Xperia active
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19iHSDPA 900 / 2100
EDGE-No
GPRS-Yes
SpeedHSPA 7.2/5.76 MbpsHSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA
 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - WT19aHSDPA 1900 / 2100 / 800
Launch
Announced2011, August. Released 2011, October2011, June. Released 2011, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in)92 x 55 x 16.5 mm (3.62 x 2.17 x 0.65 in)
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight115 g (4.06 oz)110.8 g (3.88 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Flashlight
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glassScratch-resistant glass
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density)320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density)
Size3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio)3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~53.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFTLED-backlit LCD,
 -Touch sensitive controls
Platform
CPU1.0 GHz Scorpion1.0 GHz Scorpion
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2
GPUAdreno 205Adreno 205
OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Memory
Call records-Yes
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB includedmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included
Internal320MB 512MB RAM1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM
Phonebook-Yes, up to 500 entries
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single5 MP, AF5 MP, AF
Video720p720p
Selfie camera
SingleVGA-
 -No
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Alert types-Vibration; Polyphonic, MP3, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR2.1, A2DP, EDR
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSStereo FM radio, RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Features
Browser-HTML, Adobe Flash
Games-Yes
Java-No
Messaging-SMS
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 ANT+ MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player TrackID music recognition Document editor Voice memo Predictive text inputANT+ MP4/H.264 player MP3/eAAC+/WAV player TrackID music recognition Document viewer Voice memo Predictive text input
Battery
Music playUp to 17 h 30 minUp to 25 h
Stand-byUp to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)Up to 351 h (2G) / Up to 335 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G)Up to 4 h 53 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 31 min (3G)
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1200 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteOrange/Black, White/Black
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 170 EUR
SAR-1.12 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.00 W/kg (head)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB Noise -89.5dB / Crosstalk -91.4dB
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Loudspeaker Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB Voice 70dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB

Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman

  • Excellent music playback quality
  • Dedicated Walkman button
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Decent value for money at the time
  • Basic display
  • Limited performance
  • Average camera
  • Less durable than the Xperia Active

Sony Ericsson Xperia active

  • Rugged and durable design
  • Water and dust resistant
  • Slightly better battery life
  • More practical for active lifestyles
  • Basic display
  • Limited performance
  • Average camera
  • Less emphasis on audio features compared to the Live with Walkman

Display Comparison

Both phones featured a 3.2-inch QVGA display, offering a basic viewing experience. Neither screen was particularly impressive by modern standards, but they were adequate for the time. The Xperia Active's screen might have been slightly more resilient due to its reinforced construction.

Camera Comparison

Both devices featured a 3.2MP camera. Image quality was average for the era, with limited low-light performance. The Xperia Active's rugged design might have offered slightly better protection for the camera lens.

Performance

Powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, performance was largely comparable. Expect basic multitasking and responsiveness, but don't anticipate smooth performance with demanding apps. Both phones struggled with modern apps.

Battery Life

The Xperia Active generally had a slightly larger battery (1200 mAh vs. 1000 mAh in the Live with Walkman), potentially offering marginally better battery life, especially under heavy use. Both would require daily charging.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman was ideal for music lovers on a budget, prioritizing audio quality. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active was better suited for those needing a more durable phone for outdoor activities or a tougher lifestyle. Both are obsolete now, but understanding their strengths can be a fun look back.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone was better for music?
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman was specifically designed for music lovers, offering superior audio quality and a dedicated Walkman button for easy access.
❓ Is the Xperia Active waterproof?
The Xperia Active was water-resistant, offering protection against splashes and light rain, but not fully waterproof.