Remember the early days of smartphones? Sony Ericsson was a dominant force, and the txt and Xperia PLAY represent distinct approaches to mobile innovation. We're pitting these two devices against each other to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY clearly wins. While the txt prioritized texting with its QWERTY keyboard, the Xperia PLAY offered a unique gaming experience with dedicated physical controls and a more powerful processor. The PLAY's multimedia capabilities and overall performance make it the superior choice.
| 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 177 kbps | - |
| GPRS | Up to 60 kbps | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, June. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 60 x 14.5 mm (4.17 x 2.36 x 0.57 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 95 g (3.35 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~31.7% 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 | - | 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 | 120MB (100MB user available), 64MB RAM | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | fixed-focus | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 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, EDR | 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 | HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.1 | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push email, IM | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | SNS integration with native Facebook and Twitter clients
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
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 23 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 416 h | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h 12 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, Blue, White, Pink | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.92 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
- Excellent QWERTY keyboard
- Compact and portable
- Good for texting
- Limited performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated features
- Lack of multimedia capabilities
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls
- Better performance (Snapdragon S2)
- More modern smartphone features
- Improved multimedia experience
- Bulky design
- Limited app availability now
- Basic camera by today's standards
- Battery life could be better
Display Comparison
The Xperia PLAY likely had a slightly better display, though both were LCDs typical of the era. The txt's screen was likely optimized for text readability, while the PLAY's aimed for a broader multimedia experience. Resolution and color accuracy were limited on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured basic 'photo' cameras, likely around 3.2MP. Image quality would be comparable and limited by the technology of the time. Don't expect stunning photos from either device.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY's Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU gives it a significant performance advantage over the txt. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the PLAY. The txt likely ran on a less powerful processor, resulting in a slower experience.
Battery Life
Battery life would have been similar on both, likely lasting a day with moderate use. The Xperia PLAY's more powerful processor might have slightly impacted battery life compared to the txt.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson txt is for die-hard QWERTY keyboard enthusiasts who prioritize texting above all else and don't need advanced features. The Xperia PLAY is for retro gamers and those who appreciate a unique, physical gaming control scheme and a slightly more modern (for its time) smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What year were these phones released?
The Sony Ericsson txt was released in 2009, and the Xperia PLAY in 2010.
❓ Are apps available for these phones today?
App availability is extremely limited. Both phones run older versions of Android, and modern apps are unlikely to be compatible.
