The mid-2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. Two contenders stand out: the music-focused W995 Walkman phone and the gaming-oriented Aino (also known as the Sofia). Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The W995 edges out the Aino thanks to its superior music capabilities and slightly more powerful processor. While the Aino boasts a more modern design and gaming focus, the W995's Walkman features and overall performance make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 Aino (a) for Americas |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, May | 2009, May. Released 2009, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in) | 104 x 50 x 15.5 mm (4.09 x 1.97 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 113 g (3.99 oz) | 134 g (4.73 oz) |
| | Built-in kickstand | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 240 x 432 pixels (~165 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 24.6 cm2 (~47.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT |
| | - | Limited touchscreen functionality |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 369 MHz ARM 11 | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 16 GB, 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 118MB | 55MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 8.1 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| | Videocall camera | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder navigator | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront 3.5), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Walkman 4.0 player
Shake control
SensMe | Remote play for Playstation 3
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo
SensMe
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 20 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 367 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red | Obsidian Black, Luminous White |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.18 W/kg (head) | 0.74 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.2dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Sony Ericsson W995
- Excellent Walkman features
- Slightly faster processor
- Dedicated music keys
- Good battery life
- 2MP Camera
- Dated design
- Low resolution screen
- Limited app support
- Camera quality is basic
Sony Ericsson Aino
- Sleek and modern design for its time
- Gaming-focused features
- Decent build quality
- Potentially better multimedia playback
- Unclear camera specifications
- Likely slower processor
- Limited app support
- Camera performance unknown
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 2.8-inch QVGA display. The W995's screen is slightly brighter, offering marginally better visibility in sunlight. However, resolution and overall display quality are comparable, reflecting the technology of the era.
Camera Comparison
The Aino is marketed as having a camera, but details are vague. The W995 features a 2MP camera, which, while basic by today's standards, is functional and capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting. The Aino's camera performance is unknown, making the W995 the winner here.
Performance
The W995 has a clear advantage with its 369 MHz ARM 11 processor, offering a noticeable performance boost over the Aino's likely slower processor (exact specs are scarce). This translates to smoother navigation and faster app loading times.
Battery Life
The W995 typically offered around 22 hours of talk time and 15 hours of music playback. The Aino's battery life was comparable, likely around 9 hours of talk time and 18 hours of music playback. A draw, with similar endurance.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for music lovers and those who appreciate a dedicated Walkman experience. The Aino is better suited for casual gamers and users who prioritize a sleek design and a more modern aesthetic, despite its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does 'Walkman phone' mean?
It refers to Sony Ericsson phones that heavily emphasized music playback, featuring dedicated music keys, enhanced audio quality, and often larger storage for music files.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
Yes, but with limitations. They require SIM cards and networks that support 2G connectivity. App support is extremely limited, but they can still be used for calls, texts, and basic music playback.
