Sony Ericsson Showdown: Live with Walkman vs. Xperia neo V

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!
Phones Images

🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19iHSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i
EDGE-No
GPRS-Class 10
SpeedHSPA 7.2/5.76 MbpsHSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA
 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - WT19aHSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a
Launch
Announced2011, August. Released 2011, October2011, August. Released 2011, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions106 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
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight115 g (4.06 oz)126 g (4.44 oz)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glassScratch-resistant glass
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density)480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density)
Size3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio)3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFTLED-backlit LCD,
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 2.3.4 (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, Photocall
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama
Single5 MP, AF5 MP, AF
Video720p720p@30fps
Selfie camera
SingleVGAVGA
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
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, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Features
Browser-No
Games-Yes
Java-No
Messaging-SMS, MMS
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+ 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 playUp to 17 h 30 minUp to 31 h
Stand-byUp to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)
Talk timeUp 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)
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1200 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteWhite, Blue Gradient, Silver
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 150 EUR
SAR EU1.00 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.