The Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro and Xperia PLAY were exciting devices in their time, representing different approaches to the smartphone experience. The Vivaz Pro focused on multimedia and a premium design, while the Xperia PLAY aimed to bring console-like gaming to your pocket. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone ultimately reigned supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY takes the crown. While the Vivaz Pro had a sleek design and decent multimedia capabilities, the Xperia PLAY's Snapdragon processor and dedicated gaming controls provided a significantly better overall experience, especially for gamers. It was a true pioneer.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109 x 52 x 15 mm (4.29 x 2.05 x 0.59 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~49.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | Handwriting recognition | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 720 MHz, PowerVR SGX GPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Symbian Series 60, 5th edition | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 75MB | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@24fps | 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 | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | 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, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront) | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Facebook and Twitter apps
WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
TrackID music recognition
TV out (VGA resolution)
Organizer
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 430 h (2G) / Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 10 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.03 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.0dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 72dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro
- Sleek and premium design
- Decent multimedia capabilities
- Good connectivity options (Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth)
- Underpowered processor
- Slow performance
- Outdated software
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls (physical buttons)
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon)
- Better gaming performance
- Unique and innovative design
- Bulky design
- Battery life could be better under heavy gaming
- Limited app availability compared to modern smartphones
Display Comparison
Both phones featured a 3.7-inch display, but the Xperia PLAY's screen generally had slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Vivaz Pro's display was respectable, but not a standout feature. Resolution was similar, around 480x854 pixels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured a 8.1MP camera, but image quality was comparable and not exceptional by today's standards. Low-light performance was weak on both devices. Video recording capabilities were similar, offering 720p video.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset provided a noticeable performance advantage over the Vivaz Pro's 720 MHz CPU and PowerVR SGX GPU. The Xperia PLAY handled games and multitasking much more smoothly. The Vivaz Pro felt sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Xperia PLAY's battery capacity was slightly larger (1500 mAh vs 1500 mAh), but the more powerful processor meant it likely drained faster under heavy use. Real-world battery life was generally similar, lasting a day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro? Collectors interested in Sony Ericsson's design aesthetic and multimedia-focused phones. Who should buy Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY? Retro gaming enthusiasts and those interested in a unique piece of smartphone history.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Was the Xperia PLAY a good gaming phone?
Yes, the Xperia PLAY was a pioneering gaming phone. Its dedicated controls and Snapdragon processor offered a significantly better gaming experience than most smartphones of its time.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are very outdated. Software support has long ended, and they lack modern features like 4G connectivity and app compatibility. They are best suited for collectors or retro enthusiasts.
