Sony Ericsson W205 vs W395: A Classic Feature Phone Comparison

The Sony Ericsson W205 and W395 represent a bygone era of stylish, feature-rich mobile phones. Both offered a compelling blend of music playback, basic connectivity, and the iconic Sony Ericsson design. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The W395 edges out the W205 thanks to its slightly better multimedia capabilities and more robust feature set, including a dedicated music playback button and FM radio with RDS. Both are excellent choices for a retro experience, but the W395 offers a bit more polish.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson W205	Sony Ericsson W395

Network
2G bands	GSM 900 / 1800	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
EDGE	No	Class 10
GPRS	Class 10	Class 10
Technology	GSM	GSM
	GSM 850 / 1900 -W205a	-

Launch
Announced	2009, March. Released 2009, July	2009, February. Released 2009, March
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	92 x 47 x 16.4 mm (3.62 x 1.85 x 0.65 in)	96 x 47 x 14.9 mm (3.78 x 1.85 x 0.59 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	96 g (3.39 oz)	96 g (3.39 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution	128 x 160 pixels (~114 ppi density)	176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density)
Size	1.8 inches, 10.2 cm2 (~23.6% screen-to-body ratio)	2.0 inches, 12.6 cm2 (~27.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 65K colors	TFT, 256K colors

Memory
Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls	30 received, dialed and missed calls
Card slot	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 2 GB	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB, 1 GB included
Internal	5MB	10MB
Phonebook	1000 contacts, Photo call	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Single	1.3 MP	2 MP
Video	Yes	Yes

Selfie camera
	No	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	2.0	2.0, A2DP
Positioning	No	No
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	2.0	2.0
WLAN	No	No

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (Opera Mini)	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (Openwave), RSS reader
Games	Yes + downloadable	Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable
Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0	Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging	SMS, MMS	SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, IM
	Walkman media player TrackID music recognition Predictive text input Organizer Voice memo	Walkman player TrackID music recognition Photo editor Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 13 h 30 min	Up to 12 h 30 min
Stand-by	Up to 425 h	Up to 480 h
Talk time	Up to 9 h	Up to 8 h
Type	Removable Li-Ion battery	Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Ambient Black, Sakura Pink, Windy Blue	Dusky Grey, Blush Titanium, Fiesta Black, Happy Pink
Price	About 80 EUR	About 80 EUR
SAR EU	0.87 W/kg (head)	0.88 W/kg (head)

Sony Ericsson W205

Simple and easy to use
Long battery life
Affordable
Classic Sony Ericsson design

Basic camera
Limited features
Small screen

Sony Ericsson W395

Dedicated music playback button
FM radio with RDS
Slightly better multimedia capabilities
Classic Sony Ericsson design

Slightly shorter battery life than W205
Basic camera
Limited features

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar, small, non-touchscreen displays, typical of feature phones of that era. Expect a resolution around 128x160 pixels. The W395 might have slightly improved color reproduction or brightness, but the difference would be minimal.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely have a basic VGA camera. Image quality will be low by modern standards. Don't expect high-resolution photos or video recording. The W395 might offer slightly better image processing or a dedicated camera button.

Performance

Performance will be limited by the processors of the time. Expect basic functionality and responsiveness. Neither phone is designed for demanding tasks. The W395 might have a marginally faster processor due to its slightly more advanced feature set.

Battery Life

Battery life is a strong point for both. Expect several days of moderate use. The W395, with its slightly more power-hungry features, might have a marginally shorter battery life than the W205.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson W205 is ideal for those seeking a simple, reliable, and affordable feature phone with a focus on core communication. The W395 is better suited for users who prioritize music playback and appreciate a few extra features like the dedicated music button and RDS support.