The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and Xperia mini pro represent a snapshot of a bygone era in mobile technology. Both phones aimed to deliver a compelling multimedia experience, but with different approaches. This comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide which one was the better choice back in their day.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia mini pro edges out the Live with Walkman thanks to its physical keyboard, offering a superior typing experience. While both share similar processing power, the mini pro's keyboard and slightly better software optimization give it a slight advantage for productivity and overall usability.
| 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 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - WT19a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in) | 92 x 53 x 18 mm (3.62 x 2.09 x 0.71 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~55.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 512MB RAM, 400MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| 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 |
| 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| 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 | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 17 h 30 min | Up to 29 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 331 h (2G) / Up to 340 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) | Up to 5 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Pink, Turquoise |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) | 0.46 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 714:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 70dB |
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Dedicated Walkman button and interface
- Sleek and minimalist design
- Decent audio quality
- Generally good battery life for music playback
- Poor camera quality
- Limited storage
- Basic performance
- No physical keyboard
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro
- Physical QWERTY keyboard for easy typing
- Slightly better software optimization
- Compact and pocketable
- More traditional smartphone feel
- Poor camera quality
- Limited storage
- Basic performance
- Smaller screen compared to some contemporaries
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small displays (around 3.2 inches) with a nominal contrast ratio of 714:1. The Live with Walkman's display was known for decent color reproduction, while the Xperia mini pro's screen was generally considered slightly sharper. However, viewing angles and brightness were average for both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance was a weak point for both devices. They both featured basic photo and video capabilities, but image quality was generally poor, especially in low light. Expect grainy photos and limited dynamic range. Neither phone excelled in video recording.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, performance was largely comparable. Both phones handled everyday tasks like browsing and social media reasonably well, but struggled with more demanding applications or multitasking. Expect some lag and slowdowns.
Battery Life
Battery life was a mixed bag. The Live with Walkman, with its focus on music playback, often offered slightly better battery life for audio-focused usage. The Xperia mini pro's keyboard and potentially slightly more power-hungry display could impact battery performance, but both phones generally required daily charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is ideal for music lovers who prioritize a dedicated Walkman experience and a clean, minimalist design. The Xperia mini pro is better suited for users who value a physical keyboard for quicker typing and a more traditional smartphone experience, especially for messaging and email.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The Live with Walkman is specifically designed for music lovers, with its dedicated Walkman features and optimized audio experience. However, both phones offer decent audio quality.
❓ Is the physical keyboard on the Xperia mini pro worth it?
If you frequently type messages or emails, the physical keyboard is a significant advantage. It offers a more tactile and accurate typing experience compared to a touchscreen keyboard.
❓ How do these phones compare to modern smartphones?
These phones are significantly outdated compared to modern smartphones. They lack features like high-resolution displays, powerful processors, advanced cameras, and modern connectivity options.
