Sony Ericsson W995 vs W890: A Retro Camera Phone Showdown

The Sony Ericsson W995 and W890 were titans of the mid-2000s, renowned for their impressive camera capabilities in a time when smartphones were still finding their footing. Both devices offered a unique blend of music playback and photography, but which one ultimately delivered a better experience? Let's dive in and compare these classic phones.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The W995 edges out the W890 thanks to its faster processor, slightly better camera features (like Cyber-shot branding and more advanced settings), and expandable memory. However, the W890's sleek design and robust build quality make it a worthy contender for those prioritizing aesthetics and durability.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson W995	Sony Ericsson W890

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	-

Launch
Announced	2009, February. Released 2009, May	2007, November. Released 2008, February
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in)	104 x 46.5 x 9.9 mm (4.09 x 1.83 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	113 g (3.99 oz)	78 g (2.75 oz)
	Built-in kickstand	-

Display
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density)
Size	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio)	2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~25.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 256K colors	TFT, 256K colors
	-	Wallpapers, screensavers

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 4 GB, 2 GB included
Internal	118MB	32MB
Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	8.1 MP, AF	3.15 MP
Video	320p@30fps	320p@15fps

Selfie camera
Single	-	Videocall camera
	Videocall camera	-

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	No
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	2.0	2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA	No

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront 3.4), 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, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Sensors	Accelerometer	-
	MP3/AAC/MP4 player TrackID music recognition Photo editor Organizer Voice memo/dial Walkman 4.0 player Shake control SensMe	Walkman player 3.0 SensMe TrackID music recognition Predictive text input Photo editor Organizer Voice memo

Battery
Music play	Up to 20 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)	Up to 360 h (2G) / Up to 310 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)	Up to 9 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38)	Removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery (BST-33)

Misc
Colors	Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red	Espresso Black, Mocha Brown, Sparkling Silver
Price	About 100 EUR	About 110 EUR
SAR EU	1.18 W/kg (head)	1.38 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	Voice 69dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 72dB

Sony Ericsson W995

Faster processor
Better camera with more features
Expandable memory (Memory Stick Micro)
Cyber-shot branding

Larger and bulkier design
Proprietary battery
Display not as vibrant as W890

Sony Ericsson W890

Sleek and premium design
Durable build quality
Vibrant display
Compact size

Slower processor
Less capable camera
No expandable memory
Limited features compared to W995

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small, 2.2-inch QVGA displays. The W890's screen was known for its vibrant colors and good viewing angles, while the W995's display was slightly less impressive but adequate for the time. Neither phone excelled in display technology by today's standards.

Camera Comparison

Both were camera-focused phones. The W995 featured a 8.1MP camera with Cyber-shot branding and more advanced features like face detection and image stabilization. The W890 had a 2MP camera, significantly less capable. The W995's camera offered superior image quality and more creative options.

Performance

The W995 boasted a 369 MHz ARM 11 processor, a noticeable upgrade over the W890's likely slower processor (estimated around 208 MHz based on typical W890 performance). This resulted in snappier navigation and faster app loading on the W995. The W895 felt more responsive overall.

Battery Life

The W895 typically offered slightly better battery life, around 9 hours of talk time versus the W890's 8 hours. Both phones used proprietary batteries and offered moderate battery performance for their era.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for enthusiasts seeking a more feature-rich camera experience and faster performance. The W890 is a great choice for those who value a premium, durable design and a simpler, more streamlined user experience, prioritizing aesthetics over cutting-edge features.