Relive the golden age of Sony Ericsson with a head-to-head comparison of two iconic devices: the W8 and the Mix Walkman. Both offer a nostalgic experience, but which one delivers the better package? We'll dive deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman decisively wins thanks to its significantly more powerful Apple A6 chipset and impressive 51-hour battery life. While the W8 has a slightly better contrast ratio, the Mix Walkman's performance and endurance make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - WT13i |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - GSM A1428 |
| 4G bands | - | 4, 17 - GSM A1428 |
| EDGE | - | Up to 200 kbps |
| GPRS | - | Up to 115 kbps |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, April. Released 2011, May | 2011, June. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 99 x 54 x 15 mm (3.90 x 2.13 x 0.59 in) | 95.8 x 52.8 x 14.3 mm (3.77 x 2.08 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 104 g (3.67 oz) | 88 g (3.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~155 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~50.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 25.6 cm2 (~50.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Timescape UI | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Apple A6 (32 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 2.1 (Eclair) | iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 10.3.4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128MB 168MB RAM | 256MB (100MB user available) |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 320p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | - | 1.2 MP, f/2.4, 35mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| | No | No |
| 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 | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Walkman player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Voice memo
Predictive text input | SNS integration
Walkman player (MP3/eAAC+/WMA/MP4/H.263)
SensMe
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 23 h 40 min | Up to 13 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 446 h (2G) / Up to 476 h (3G) | Up to 465 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 45 min | Up to 9 h 40 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Azure, Orange, Red | Black with pink cloud band, Black with pink band, Black with green bird band, Black with green band |
| Models | - | A1428, A1429, A1442, iPhone5,1, iPhone5,2 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -84.1dB |
Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -76.5dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 51h |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 737:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 751:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 69dB |
Voice 70dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 75dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 2229 |
Sony Ericsson W8
- Classic Sony Ericsson design
- Slightly better contrast ratio (potentially)
- Nostalgic appeal
- Slow performance
- Short battery life
- Basic camera
- Outdated technology
Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman
- Significantly faster performance (Apple A6)
- Exceptional battery life (51h)
- More responsive user experience
- Retro design with modern power
- Potentially less 'pure' retro experience
- Camera still basic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (737:1 vs 751:1), suggesting comparable image quality. However, the W8's display might have slightly better color accuracy due to Sony's historical expertise in display technology. Resolution and screen size are likely similar, typical for phones of that era.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo' cameras, indicating basic camera functionality. Image quality will likely be comparable, with both producing low-resolution images suitable for casual snapshots. Don't expect high-quality photography from either device.
Performance
This is where the Mix Walkman truly shines. The Apple A6 chipset with a dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift processor is a massive upgrade over the W8's 600 MHz ARM 11. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Mix Walkman. The W8 will feel noticeably slower.
Battery Life
The Mix Walkman boasts an incredible endurance rating of 51 hours, a testament to the efficiency of the Apple A6 and optimized power management. The W8's battery life is likely to be considerably shorter, potentially struggling to last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W8 is ideal for die-hard Sony Ericsson enthusiasts seeking a pure, retro experience and appreciating its unique design. The Mix Walkman is better suited for users who want a more capable device with better performance, longer battery life, and a touch of modern processing power within a classic form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman is significantly better for gaming due to its much more powerful processor. The W8 will struggle with even simple games.
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. Both phones can still make calls and send texts. However, app compatibility is limited, and internet browsing will be slow on the W8. The Mix Walkman offers a slightly better experience due to its faster processor.
