The Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro and Xperia X10 mini pro were both contenders in the late 2000s smartphone market. Both offered unique features and aimed at different user segments. But which one ultimately delivered a better experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Vivaz Pro edges out the X10 mini pro thanks to its faster processor and superior display. While the X10 mini pro boasts the Snapdragon chipset, the Vivaz Pro's overall performance and multimedia capabilities make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2010, February. Released 2010, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109 x 52 x 15 mm (4.29 x 2.05 x 0.59 in) | 90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~49.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors | TFT (65K effective) |
| | Handwriting recognition | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 720 MHz, PowerVR SGX GPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Symbian Series 60, 5th edition | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 75MB | 128MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@24fps | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront) | HTML |
| 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 | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 10 min (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, Red, Pink |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.03 W/kg (head) | 1.61 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.0dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 72dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro
- Faster Processor
- Larger & Brighter Display
- Potentially Better Image Processing
- Premium Build Quality
- Can be harder to find
- Larger size may not suit everyone
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- Compact Size - good for one-handed use
- Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (for its time)
- Potentially more affordable (if found)
- Slower Processor
- Smaller Display
- Lower overall performance
Display Comparison
The Vivaz Pro features a 3.7-inch LED-backlit LCD display, offering a noticeably larger and brighter viewing experience compared to the X10 mini pro's 3-inch display. Color reproduction is also generally better on the Vivaz Pro. The X10 mini pro's smaller screen is a benefit for one-handed use, however.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo' camera, implying a standard camera setup. However, the Vivaz Pro likely had slightly better image processing due to its more powerful processor. Both cameras were limited by the technology of the time, producing acceptable but not exceptional photos.
Performance
The Vivaz Pro's 720 MHz processor and PowerVR SGX GPU provide a performance advantage over the X10 mini pro's 600 MHz ARM 11 processor. Apps launch faster, and multitasking feels smoother on the Vivaz Pro. The X10 mini pro's Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset was a step up for its time, but it can't match the Vivaz Pro's raw power.
Battery Life
The Vivaz Pro typically had a slightly larger battery capacity (around 1200 mAh) compared to the X10 mini pro (around 1000 mAh), potentially offering slightly longer battery life under moderate usage. However, battery life heavily depends on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a larger screen, faster performance, and a more premium feel. The Xperia X10 mini pro is a good option for those seeking a compact device with decent performance and a more affordable price point (if you can find one!).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2023?
While technically usable, these phones are quite outdated. They lack modern features like 4G/5G connectivity, and app compatibility may be limited. They are primarily collector's items or for very basic use.
❓ Which phone is more likely to be found?
The Xperia X10 mini pro is slightly more common to find on the used market, though both are increasingly rare. Expect to pay a premium for either in good condition.
