Released in the early days of Android's ascent, the Sony Ericsson Vivaz and Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860 represent different approaches to the burgeoning smartphone market. The Vivaz prioritized a photo-centric experience, while the MILESTONE 3 aimed to deliver a more robust, multi-tasking experience with its dual-core processor. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses, revealing which device holds up better in retrospect.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a device with lasting utility, the Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860 emerges as the stronger choice. Its dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor and TI OMAP 4430 chipset provide a significantly more responsive and capable experience than the Vivaz’s 720 MHz processor, making it better suited for modern app usage and multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, January. Released 2010, March | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 107 x 51.7 x 12.5 mm (4.21 x 2.04 x 0.49 in) | 123.3 x 64.1 x 12.9 mm (4.85 x 2.52 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 97 g (3.42 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~275 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~51.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~55.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors | TFT |
| | Handwriting recognition | Touch sensitive controls |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 720 MHz, PowerVR SGX GPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | - | TI OMAP 4430 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Symbian Series 60, 5th edition | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 75MB | 8GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@24fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0 / xHTML (NetFront) | - |
| 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
Gesture control
Voice memo
Predictive text input | HDMI port
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264/DivX/XviD player
Document editor
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 240 h |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 5 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 9 h 20 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1540 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pink, Silver Moon, Cosmic Black, Galaxy Blue, Venus Ruby | Black |
| Models | - | ME863, XT860 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.46 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.04 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.2dB / Crosstalk -85.7dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 59dB / Ring 69dB | - |
Sony Ericsson Vivaz
- Potentially better battery life due to lower processor demands.
- Focus on still photography (marketing emphasis).
- Simpler user experience for basic tasks.
- Significantly slower processor and limited multitasking capabilities.
- Outdated GPU performance.
- Likely limited app compatibility over time.
Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860
- Dual-core processor provides a smoother and more responsive experience.
- More capable of handling modern apps (relatively speaking).
- Better suited for multitasking and web browsing.
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful processor.
- May experience more heat under heavy load.
- Camera specifications are unknown.
Display Comparison
Context data lacks display specifics for both devices. However, given the release timeframe, both likely featured resistive touchscreen displays with limited viewing angles and color accuracy compared to modern standards. The MILESTONE 3, being a slightly later release, may have benefited from minor improvements in panel technology, but neither device will offer a vibrant or high-resolution viewing experience. Bezels were substantial on both, typical of the era.
Camera Comparison
The Sony Ericsson Vivaz is marketed around its photo capabilities, but the context data only specifies 'Photo' as a camera feature. This suggests a focus on still image capture, but lacks detail on sensor size or image quality. The MILESTONE 3’s camera specifications are also absent. Given the era, both likely featured relatively low-resolution sensors and limited low-light performance. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera quality, but the Vivaz’s marketing suggests a greater emphasis on this feature.
Performance
The Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860’s TI OMAP 4430 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, represents a substantial leap in processing power over the Sony Ericsson Vivaz’s 720 MHz processor paired with a PowerVR SGX GPU. The Cortex-A9 architecture is significantly more efficient and capable than the processor in the Vivaz, allowing for smoother multitasking and faster application loading times. While neither device will match modern performance levels, the MILESTONE 3’s dual-core setup provides a noticeably more responsive experience, particularly when running multiple applications simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is unavailable for both devices. However, the MILESTONE 3’s more powerful processor will likely consume more power than the Vivaz’s. Charging speeds were slow by today’s standards for both, relying on micro-USB connections. The MILESTONE 3’s more efficient processor architecture *could* partially offset the increased power draw, but real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. Users prioritizing battery life may find the Vivaz slightly more enduring, but at the cost of performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Ericsson Vivaz if your primary need is a basic smartphone with a focus on capturing still photos, and you prioritize simplicity over performance. Buy the Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860 if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, and anticipate using your phone for more demanding tasks like web browsing, email, and basic app usage. The MILESTONE 3 is the better choice for users who want a phone that feels less constrained by its hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860 struggle with modern app updates?
Yes, the MILESTONE 3’s hardware is significantly outdated by today’s standards. While it may be able to run some older app versions, newer updates with increased system requirements are likely to experience performance issues or be incompatible altogether. The Vivaz will face similar challenges, but the MILESTONE 3's initial performance advantage means it will likely remain usable for a slightly longer period.
❓ Is the PowerVR SGX GPU in the Vivaz capable of any modern mobile gaming?
The PowerVR SGX GPU is extremely limited by modern standards. While it may be able to handle very basic 2D games, even older 3D titles will likely experience significant lag and graphical glitches. The MILESTONE 3’s GPU, while also outdated, offers a slightly better gaming experience, but neither device is suitable for modern mobile gaming.
❓ Given the age of both phones, are replacement batteries readily available?
Finding replacement batteries for both the Sony Ericsson Vivaz and Motorola MILESTONE 3 XT860 will be increasingly difficult. Availability is limited to third-party sellers, and quality can vary significantly. Expect to pay a premium for any available batteries, and be cautious about potential compatibility issues.
