Relive the nostalgia of early 2000s mobile phones with the Sony Ericsson W395, a classic slider known for its music capabilities. Then, step into the world of dedicated gaming phones with the Xperia PLAY, a device that brought PlayStation gaming to your pocket. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY is the clear winner for performance and features, boasting a Snapdragon processor and dedicated gaming controls. However, the W395 offers a unique retro charm and excellent music playback for those seeking a simpler, more compact experience. It depends on your priorities!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, March | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 96 x 47 x 14.9 mm (3.78 x 1.85 x 0.59 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 96 g (3.39 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.0 inches, 12.6 cm2 (~27.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 205 |
| OS | - | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | - |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB, 1 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 10MB | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (Openwave), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Walkman player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
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 12 h 30 min | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusky Grey, Blush Titanium, Fiesta Black, Happy Pink | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson W395
- Compact and pocketable
- Excellent music playback
- Classic slider design
- Longer battery life (estimated)
- Outdated technology
- Low-resolution screen
- Limited functionality
- Basic camera
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls
- More powerful processor
- Larger, higher-resolution screen
- Better camera (estimated)
- Shorter battery life
- Bulky design
- Outdated software
- Limited app support now
Display Comparison
The W395 features a small, basic LCD screen, typical of its era. The Xperia PLAY boasts a significantly larger and higher-resolution display, offering a much better viewing experience for games and media. The Xperia PLAY's screen is a major advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones have a 'Photo' camera, suggesting basic camera functionality. However, the Xperia PLAY likely has a slightly better sensor and image processing capabilities due to its later release date and more advanced hardware. Expect grainy images from both, but the Xperia PLAY might offer marginally better results.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY's Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides a substantial performance boost over the W395's likely older, less powerful processor. The Xperia PLAY handles games and multitasking far more smoothly. The W395 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with anything demanding.
Battery Life
The W395, being a simpler device, likely had better battery life than the Xperia PLAY, which was power-hungry due to its gaming capabilities. Expect a day of moderate use from the W395, while the Xperia PLAY might require daily charging, especially with gaming.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W395 is ideal for collectors, music lovers who appreciate a compact form factor, and those seeking a nostalgic mobile experience. The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is for mobile gamers who want a dedicated gaming device with physical controls and a more powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia PLAY worth buying today?
It's a niche purchase. If you're a retro gamer interested in PlayStation games on a mobile device, it can be fun. However, be aware of its age and limited app support.
❓ What was the W395 known for?
The W395 was popular for its music playback capabilities, compact design, and classic Sony Ericsson slider form factor.
