Sony Ericsson W8 vs Xperia PLAY: A Retro Smartphone Battle

The early 2010s were a fascinating time for mobile phones, with Sony Ericsson leading the charge with innovative designs and features. Today, we're pitting two of their iconic devices against each other: the music-focused W8 and the gaming-centric Xperia PLAY. Let's see which one holds up best.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia PLAY takes the crown. While the W8 boasts a respectable contrast ratio, the Xperia PLAY's superior processor, dedicated gaming controls, and overall feature set make it the more compelling choice for enthusiasts seeking a taste of retro mobile gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson W8	Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands	-	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71
Speed	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800

Launch
Announced	2011, April. Released 2011, May	2011, February. Released 2011, March
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	99 x 54 x 15 mm (3.90 x 2.13 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	104 g (3.67 oz)	175 g (6.17 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	-
Resolution	320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density)	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size	3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~50.1% screen-to-body ratio)	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT	LED-backlit LCD,
	Timescape UI	Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI

Platform
CPU	600 MHz ARM 11	1.0 GHz Scorpion
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2
GPU	Adreno 200	Adreno 205
OS	Android 2.1 (Eclair)	Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot)	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal	128MB 168MB RAM	400MB 512MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	-	LED flash
Single	3.15 MP	5 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	720p

Selfie camera
Features	-	LED flash
Single	-	VGA
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC	-	No
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	No
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Browser	HTML	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, proximity, compass
	Walkman player MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player TrackID music recognition 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 23 h 40 min	Up to 31 h
Stand-by	Up to 446 h (2G) / Up to 476 h (3G)	Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 4 h 45 min	Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Azure, Orange, Red	Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange
Price	About 100 EUR	About 140 EUR
SAR EU	-	0.36 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -84.1dB	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB
Camera	Photo	Photo
Display	Contrast ratio: 737:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 69dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB

Sony Ericsson W8

Compact and lightweight
Good contrast ratio for its time
Dedicated music features

Underpowered processor
Basic camera
Limited features compared to Xperia PLAY

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Dedicated gaming controls
Faster processor and chipset
Longer battery life
Unique design

Can be difficult to find in good condition
Basic camera
Display contrast ratio not specified

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small displays for their time, typically around 3.2 inches. The W8's contrast ratio of 737:1 is decent, but the Xperia PLAY's display, while lacking specific contrast data in the provided specs, generally offered better viewing angles and color reproduction. Neither phone had particularly high resolutions, but they were adequate for the era.

Camera Comparison

Both phones featured basic photo cameras. Neither was a standout in terms of image quality, typical for smartphones of that era. Expect grainy images and limited low-light performance from both devices. The Xperia PLAY's camera might have slightly better processing, but the difference is minimal.

Performance

This is where the Xperia PLAY shines. Its 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor is significantly faster than the W8's 600 MHz ARM 11. The Snapdragon S2 chipset in the Xperia PLAY provided a noticeable performance boost, allowing for smoother gameplay and faster app loading times compared to the W8's Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1.

Battery Life

The Xperia PLAY had a 1500mAh battery, while the W8 had a 1120mAh battery. The Xperia PLAY's larger battery, combined with its more efficient Snapdragon S2 chipset, generally provided longer battery life, especially during gaming sessions.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson W8 is for dedicated music lovers who appreciate a simple, compact device with a focus on audio quality. The Xperia PLAY is for gamers and collectors who want a unique, early smartphone gaming experience with physical controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for music?

The Sony Ericsson W8 was specifically designed for music, with dedicated music features and a focus on audio quality. However, the Xperia PLAY can still play music well.

❓ Is the Xperia PLAY worth buying today?

If you're a retro gaming enthusiast or collector, the Xperia PLAY is definitely worth considering. However, be aware that finding one in good condition can be challenging.