The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman and Xperia PLAY were both intriguing smartphones from a bygone era, each targeting different audiences. The Live with Walkman emphasized multimedia, while the Xperia PLAY aimed to be a dedicated gaming device. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone ultimately delivered a better experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY edges out the Live with Walkman thanks to its dedicated gaming controls and slightly better overall performance. While the Live with Walkman boasts superior audio capabilities, the Xperia PLAY's unique features and slightly faster processor give it a narrow victory for those prioritizing gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| 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 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI |
| 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) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| 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 | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, 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 | Dedicated game store
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Organizer
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| 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 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Excellent audio quality
- Clean and simple user interface
- Slightly better battery life
- Good still image quality in daylight
- Less powerful than Xperia PLAY
- Limited gaming capabilities
- Display not as vibrant
- No physical gaming controls
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls (PlayStation-style buttons)
- Slightly better performance
- Brighter display
- More immersive gaming experience
- Shorter battery life
- Less impressive audio quality compared to Live with Walkman
- Software could be buggy at times
- Camera not exceptional
Display Comparison
Both phones featured a 4.0-inch display, but the Xperia PLAY's display was slightly brighter and offered marginally better color reproduction. The Live with Walkman's display was adequate but lacked the vibrancy of the Xperia PLAY. Resolution was similar, around 480x854 pixels on both.
Camera Comparison
The Live with Walkman had a 8.1MP camera with video recording capabilities, while the Xperia PLAY had a 8MP camera. The Live with Walkman generally produced slightly better still images in good lighting conditions, but video quality was comparable. Both cameras struggled in low light.
Performance
While both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, the Xperia PLAY's optimized software and slightly better thermal management often resulted in marginally smoother performance, especially during gaming. The Live with Walkman sometimes exhibited slight lag during demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Live with Walkman typically offered slightly better battery life due to its focus on media consumption rather than intensive gaming. The Xperia PLAY's gaming-centric usage pattern drained the battery faster. The Live with Walkman had a 1200 mAh battery, while the Xperia PLAY had a 1500 mAh battery, but usage patterns heavily influenced actual battery life.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is ideal for music lovers and those who prioritize audio quality and a clean, simple user experience. The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is best suited for mobile gamers who appreciate physical controls and a more immersive gaming experience, even with the limitations of the era.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is the clear winner for music, thanks to its superior audio hardware and dedicated Walkman features.
❓ Is the Xperia PLAY worth it for gaming?
If you value physical gaming controls and a more immersive experience, the Xperia PLAY is worth considering, but keep in mind its limitations compared to modern smartphones.
❓ What was the main difference between these two phones?
The Live with Walkman focused on multimedia, particularly audio, while the Xperia PLAY was designed as a dedicated gaming device with physical controls.
