Sony Ericsson W995 vs C905: A Retro Phone Comparison

The mid-2000s were a golden age for feature-packed phones. The Sony Ericsson W995 and C905 were two standouts, blending music playback and photography in unique ways. Let's revisit these iconic devices and see how they stack up today.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The C905 edges out the W995 thanks to its superior camera and slightly more refined design. However, the W995’s Walkman branding and dedicated music features make it a strong contender for music lovers. Both offer a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era of mobile innovation.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson W995	Sony Ericsson C905

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps	HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C905a

Launch
Announced	2009, February. Released 2009, May	2008, June. Released 2008, October
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in)	104 x 49 x 18-19.5 mm
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	113 g (3.99 oz)	136 g (4.80 oz)
	Built-in kickstand	-

Display
Protection	-	Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density)
Size	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio)	2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~35.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 256K colors	TFT, 256K colors

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	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB, 2 GB/ 8 GB included
Internal	118MB	160MB
Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	xenon flash
Single	8.1 MP, AF	8 MP, AF
Video	320p@30fps	320p@30fps

Selfie camera
	Videocall camera	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Alert types	-	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.0, A2DP	2.0, A2DP
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder navigator	GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator 7
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), RSS reader
Games	Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable	Yes + downloadable
Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0	Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, IM	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Sensors	Accelerometer	Accelerometer
	MP3/AAC/MP4 player TrackID music recognition Photo editor Organizer Voice memo/dial Walkman 4.0 player Shake control SensMe	MP3/AAC/MP4 player TrackID music recognition Photo editor TV-out Organizer Voice memo/dial Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 20 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)	Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)	Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38)	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38)

Misc
Colors	Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red	Night Black, Ice Silver, Copper Gold, Tender Rose
Price	About 100 EUR	About 180 EUR
SAR	-	1.02 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.18 W/kg (head)	0.77 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 73dB

Sony Ericsson W995

Dedicated Walkman player with music-focused UI
Excellent music playback quality
Stylish design with a slider mechanism
Good connectivity options (3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)

Lower resolution camera compared to the C905
Smaller screen
Battery life could be better
Limited app support compared to later smartphones

Sony Ericsson C905

Superior 8.1-megapixel camera with xenon flash
Slightly larger screen
More refined design
Good video recording capabilities

Less focused on music playback compared to the W995
Processor speed not as well documented
Battery life comparable to the W995
Limited app support

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small displays by today's standards. The C905 had a slightly larger 2.8-inch screen compared to the W995's 2.6-inch display. Both used QVGA resolution, so image quality was adequate but not exceptional. The C905's screen arguably had slightly better color reproduction.

Camera Comparison

The C905 was the clear winner here. It featured a 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus and xenon flash, capable of capturing impressive photos for its time. The W995 had a 2-megapixel camera, a significant downgrade. The C905 also offered better video recording capabilities.

Performance

The W995 boasted a 369 MHz ARM 11 processor. While the C905's processor speed isn't readily available, it likely used a similar ARM processor. Performance was generally snappy for the time, but don't expect blazing-fast speeds by modern standards. Both phones handled basic tasks and music playback well.

Battery Life

Battery life was a common concern with these phones. The W995's battery was generally rated for around 25 hours of talk time and 15 hours of music playback. The C905's battery life was comparable, likely around 24 hours of talk time and 18 hours of music playback. Heavy camera use would drain the battery quickly on both devices.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for those prioritizing music playback and a classic Walkman experience. The C905 is better suited for users who value a higher-quality camera and a more modern (for the time) design. Both are collector's items now, so condition is key.