The Sony Ericsson W8 and Xperia X10 represent distinct eras in Sony Ericsson's smartphone journey. The W8 was a dedicated Walkman phone, prioritizing music, while the X10 marked Sony Ericsson's early foray into Android. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X10 is the clear winner. While the W8 excels in dedicated music playback, the X10's Android OS, faster processor, video recording capabilities, and overall feature set provide a significantly more modern and versatile smartphone experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - X10a for Americas |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, April. Released 2011, May | 2009, November. Released 2010, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 99 x 54 x 15 mm (3.90 x 2.13 x 0.59 in) | 119 x 63 x 13 mm (4.69 x 2.48 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 104 g (3.67 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | 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 (~58.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 65K colors |
| | Timescape UI | Timescape/Mediascape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.1 (Eclair) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB 168MB RAM | 1GB 384MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | w480p@30fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| 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 | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML, 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 23 h 40 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 446 h (2G) / Up to 476 h (3G) | Up to 415 h (2G) / Up to 425 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 45 min | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BST-41) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Azure, Orange, Red | Sensous Black, Luster White |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.25 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -84.1dB |
Noise -85.4dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 737:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 69dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB
|
Sony Ericsson W8
- Excellent dedicated music player
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good audio quality
- Limited functionality beyond music playback
- Slow performance
- No video recording
- Outdated software
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
- Android operating system
- Faster processor
- Video recording capabilities
- More versatile features
- Larger display
- Outdated Android version
- Limited app support
- Performance can be sluggish with demanding apps
- Battery life could be better
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small displays by today's standards. The W8's display, while boasting a decent 737:1 contrast ratio, lacks the resolution and vibrancy of the X10. The X10's display, though not exceptional, offered a slightly better viewing experience due to its larger size and improved color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia X10 holds a clear advantage here. It offered both photo and video recording capabilities, while the W8 was limited to still photography. The X10's camera, while not high-resolution by modern standards, provided better image quality and the ability to capture video.
Performance
The Xperia X10's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor significantly outperforms the W8's 600 MHz ARM 11. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the X10. The W8 felt sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Battery life was generally comparable between the two devices, both offering a day of moderate use. However, the X10's more demanding processor and Android OS could drain the battery faster under heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W8 is for dedicated music lovers who prioritize a simple, focused device and appreciate a classic Walkman experience. The Xperia X10 is for those seeking a basic Android smartphone with a wider range of features, albeit with the limitations of an older platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The Sony Ericsson W8 is specifically designed for music and offers a superior dedicated music experience with its Walkman features and audio quality.
❓ Can the Xperia X10 be updated to a newer version of Android?
Unfortunately, the Xperia X10 did not receive significant Android updates and remains on an older version of the operating system.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for both phones can be challenging due to their age. Online marketplaces may offer some options, but availability is limited.
