The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and Xperia neo V were both popular Android smartphones of their time, offering distinct features and appealing to different users. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, performance, and overall value to help you understand which device held the edge. Let's see which one reigns supreme!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia neo V edges out the Live with Walkman primarily due to its significantly better battery life. While both share the same chipset and CPU, the neo V's optimized power management and larger battery provide a noticeable advantage for extended usage. Both offer a decent multimedia experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| 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 - MT11a |
| 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) | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% 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 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| 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 |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | No |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| 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+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (T9 Trace) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 17 h 30 min | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | White, Blue Gradient, Silver |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 42h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Dedicated Walkman button and features
- Compact and lightweight design
- Decent multimedia playback
- Shorter battery life
- Average camera performance
- Limited storage (likely expandable)
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Excellent battery life (42h endurance)
- Slightly better camera performance
- Potentially better display quality
- More refined design
- Larger size compared to Live with Walkman
- Performance limitations with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar display technology (likely LED LCD) and boast a nominal contrast ratio of 1578:1. However, the Xperia neo V likely had slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to subtle hardware differences. The Live with Walkman's screen was generally considered adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera, suggesting similar capabilities. However, the Xperia neo V likely had slightly better image processing and potentially a marginally better sensor, resulting in slightly improved photo and video quality. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance would be a challenge for both.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, both phones offer comparable performance. Expect smooth navigation and app usage for basic tasks, but demanding games or multitasking might reveal limitations. The Xperia neo V's software optimization likely provided a slightly smoother experience.
Battery Life
This is where the Xperia neo V truly shines. Its endurance rating of 42h significantly surpasses the Live with Walkman's battery performance. The neo V's larger battery capacity and optimized power management allowed for considerably longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is a good choice for users prioritizing a dedicated Walkman experience and a slightly more compact design. The Xperia neo V is better suited for users who need longer battery life and appreciate a slightly more refined overall package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version did these phones run?
Both the Live with Walkman and Xperia neo V launched with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and were later updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
❓ Are spare parts still available for these phones?
Finding original spare parts for these older Sony Ericsson devices can be challenging. Third-party parts may be available, but quality can vary.