The Sony Ericsson txt pro and Xperia PLAY represent a fascinating era of mobile innovation, each catering to slightly different audiences. The txt pro prioritized messaging, while the Xperia PLAY aimed to bring console-quality gaming to your pocket. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY clearly wins due to its Snapdragon processor, dedicated gaming controls, and superior overall performance. While the txt pro offered a great QWERTY keyboard, the Xperia PLAY's gaming capabilities and more modern chipset make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| EDGE | Up to 236.8 kbps | - |
| GPRS | Up to 85.6 kbps | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, June. Released 2011, July | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 93 x 52 x 18 mm (3.66 x 2.05 x 0.71 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 100 g (3.53 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~155 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 25.6 cm2 (~53.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | PNX-4910 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 205 |
| OS | - | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 100MB 64MB RAM | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | SNS integration
MP4/H.263 player
MP3/eAAC+/WAV/WMA player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
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 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h 10 min | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson txt pro
- Excellent QWERTY keyboard
- Compact and pocketable
- Durable build quality (typical of Sony Ericsson)
- Outdated processor
- Low-resolution display
- Limited app support
- Basic camera
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls
- Faster processor (Snapdragon)
- Larger and better display
- Improved battery life
- More modern chipset
- Bulky design
- Camera quality is still basic
- Limited app support compared to modern phones
- Can feel dated
Display Comparison
The txt pro featured a 2.7-inch QVGA display, adequate for its time but lacking in resolution and vibrancy compared to the Xperia PLAY's 4.0-inch FWVGA display. The Xperia PLAY offered a significantly larger and sharper viewing experience, making it better for both gaming and general use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices featured basic cameras, likely around 3.2MP. Image quality was generally mediocre by today's standards, but the Xperia PLAY's slightly more advanced chipset might have offered marginally better processing. Neither camera is a standout feature.
Performance
This is where the Xperia PLAY shines. Its Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provided a substantial performance boost over the txt pro's PNX-4910. The Xperia PLAY handled games and multitasking far more smoothly.
Battery Life
The txt pro likely had a smaller battery capacity, potentially around 900mAh. The Xperia PLAY's battery was around 1500mAh, offering noticeably longer battery life, especially when gaming.
Buying Guide
The txt pro is ideal for users who prioritize a physical QWERTY keyboard for extensive messaging and typing. The Xperia PLAY is perfect for retro gaming enthusiasts and those seeking a more powerful and versatile smartphone experience, even with its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are apps available for both phones?
Both phones run older versions of Android, limiting app compatibility. Finding updated apps can be challenging.
❓ Is it worth buying either of these phones in 2024?
For retro enthusiasts or collectors, yes. However, expect limitations in functionality and app support. They are primarily novelty items now.
