Sony Ericsson Showdown: Live with Walkman vs. Xperia Pro

The Sony Ericsson era was defined by iconic devices, and the Live with Walkman and Xperia Pro stand out as compelling options. Both phones, powered by the Snapdragon S2, offered unique features. But which one truly delivered a better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Pro edges out the Live with Walkman primarily due to its significantly longer battery life (37h vs. unknown). While both share the same chipset, the Xperia Pro's optimized software and potentially better hardware components contribute to a more robust overall package. It's a close call, but the battery advantage is key.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman	Sony Ericsson Xperia pro

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MK16i
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 - MK16a

Launch
Announced	2011, August. Released 2011, October	2011, February. 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)	120 x 57 x 15.3 mm (4.72 x 2.24 x 0.60 in)
Keyboard	-	QWERTY
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	115 g (4.06 oz)	142 g (5.01 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 (~55.2% 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), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal	320MB 512MB RAM	1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	8 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
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS
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
	ANT+ MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player TrackID music recognition Document editor Voice memo Predictive text input	ANT+ Type & Send feature HDMI port MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player TrackID music recognition Organizer Office Suite Pro document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input

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	Black, Silver, Red
Price	About 120 EUR	About 190 EUR
SAR EU	1.00 W/kg (head)	0.88 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB	Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 37h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB	Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman

Dedicated Walkman features
Compact design
Decent audio quality

Unknown battery life
Limited performance
Lack of detailed camera specs
Older Android version

Sony Ericsson Xperia pro

Excellent battery life (37h)
Potentially better display
Likely slightly better camera
More versatile smartphone experience

Older model
Limited performance compared to modern phones
May lack modern features

Display Comparison

Both devices feature a nominal contrast ratio of 928:1, suggesting decent image quality. However, specific display technologies (LCD type, resolution) are not detailed. The Xperia Pro likely had a slightly better display panel due to being a higher-tier model, but without concrete specs, it's difficult to definitively say.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices, simply listed as 'Photo / Video'. It's probable the Xperia Pro had a slightly better camera sensor and image processing capabilities, but without specific megapixel counts or features, a direct comparison is challenging. Both likely produced acceptable photos for their time.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance will be similar, adequate for basic tasks and older Android versions. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds or demanding gaming capabilities.

Battery Life

This is where the Xperia Pro shines. Its endurance rating of 37 hours significantly surpasses the Live with Walkman's unknown battery performance. This makes the Xperia Pro a clear winner for users prioritizing longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is ideal for music enthusiasts who prioritize a dedicated Walkman experience and a compact design. The Xperia Pro is better suited for users needing extended battery life and a more versatile smartphone experience, even if it's an older model.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What Android version did these phones run?

Both phones likely ran Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) or earlier. Specific versions may vary depending on updates.

❓ Are these phones still worth buying today?

While they offer a nostalgic appeal, these phones are quite outdated. Their performance and features are significantly behind modern smartphones. They are best suited for collectors or those seeking a retro experience.