The early to mid-2000s were a golden age for feature phones, packed with unique designs and surprising capabilities. Today, we're pitting two iconic devices against each other: the Sony Ericsson W395, known for its Walkman-inspired audio focus, and the Nokia E65, a business-oriented smartphone precursor. Let's see which one holds up best.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia E65 edges out the W395 thanks to its faster processor, better connectivity (3G), and more advanced features like email support. While the W395 boasts a dedicated music player and stylish design, the E65 offers a more versatile and capable overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | UMTS 2100 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | - | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / UMTS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, March | 2007, February. Released 2007, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 96 x 47 x 14.9 mm (3.78 x 1.85 x 0.59 in) | 105 x 49 x 15.5 mm, 74 cc (4.13 x 1.93 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 96 g (3.39 oz) | 115 g (4.06 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.0 inches, 12.6 cm2 (~27.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~29.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 16M colors |
| | - | Five-way scroll key
Downloadable themes |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 220 MHz Dual ARM 9 |
| OS | - | Symbian OS 9.1, Series 60 UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | - |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB, 1 GB included | microSD (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 10MB | 50MB 64MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | CIF |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 1.2 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | 2.0 | Pop-Port |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, VoIP over WLAN |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (Openwave), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, IM | - |
| | Walkman player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | Push to talk
WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Predictive text input
Voice command/memo
Organizer
Printing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 12 h 30 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h | Up to 265 h (2G) / 336 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 6 h (2G) / 2 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery (BL-5F) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusky Grey, Blush Titanium, Fiesta Black, Happy Pink | Red, Mocca, Black, Full Black, Bronze Black, Pink, Plum, White |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.32 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 0.87 W/kg (head) |
Sony Ericsson W395
- Stylish Walkman-inspired design
- Dedicated music player with good audio quality
- Compact and lightweight
- User-friendly interface
- Limited processing power
- Basic camera
- Lack of 3G connectivity
- Smaller screen compared to E65
Nokia E65
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- 3G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Email support and web browsing capabilities
- More versatile feature set
- Slightly larger screen
- Less visually striking design compared to W395
- Basic camera
- Business-focused design may not appeal to everyone
- Can feel dated by modern standards
Display Comparison
The Nokia E65 features a 2.1-inch QVGA display, offering a slightly larger and potentially clearer viewing experience compared to the W395's likely smaller screen. Color reproduction was generally good for the era, but both phones prioritized functionality over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured basic cameras, likely in the 2-3 megapixel range. Image quality was limited by the technology of the time, but the E65 might have offered slightly better image processing due to its more powerful processor. Expect grainy photos in low light from both.
Performance
The Nokia E65's 220 MHz Dual ARM 9 processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the W395's likely slower single-core processor. This translates to smoother navigation, faster app loading, and a more responsive user interface on the E65.
Battery Life
The Nokia E65 generally had a reputation for decent battery life, likely lasting a full day with moderate use. The W395's battery performance would depend heavily on music playback usage, potentially requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W395 is ideal for music lovers seeking a stylish, dedicated audio device with a classic Sony aesthetic. The Nokia E65 is a better choice for users who want a more functional device with email, web browsing, and a slightly more modern feature set, appealing to those who appreciate a business-focused design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for listening to music?
The Sony Ericsson W395 was specifically designed for music playback and offers a dedicated music player with good audio quality. However, the E65 can also play music, albeit without the same dedicated focus.
❓ Can I access the internet on both phones?
Yes, both phones can access the internet, but the Nokia E65's 3G connectivity provides significantly faster data speeds and a better browsing experience.
