The Sony Ericsson W995 and W910 were iconic feature phones from a bygone era, celebrated for their music capabilities and stylish designs. But which one offered the better experience? We're diving deep into a comparison to help you decide which retro device is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The W995 edges out the W910 thanks to its faster processor, slightly better camera, and more modern features like Walkman 8.0. However, the W910's simpler design and potentially longer battery life (due to less demanding hardware) make it a compelling alternative for purists.
| 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 (W910i) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, May | 2007, June. Released 2007, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in) | 99 x 50 x 12.5 mm (3.90 x 1.97 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 113 g (3.99 oz) | 86 g (3.03 oz) |
| | Built-in kickstand | - |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~36.0% 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 4 GB |
| Internal | 118MB | 40MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | Yes, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 2 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, composer |
| 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 3.3), 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 | Accelerometer |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Walkman 4.0 player
Shake control
SensMe | Walkman 3.0 player
Shake control
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 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) | Removable Li-Ion 930 mAh battery (BST-39) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red | Hearty Red, Noble Black, Havana Bronze, Silky White, Lipstick Pink, Prime Silver |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.18 W/kg (head) | 0.90 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
Noise -84.0dB / Crosstalk -80.4dB |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 77dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 82dB |
Sony Ericsson W995
- Faster Processor (369 MHz)
- Autofocus Camera
- Walkman 8.0 Music Player
- Slightly Better Display
- More Modern Features
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- Slightly More Complex UI
Sony Ericsson W910
- Simpler Design
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Classic Sony Ericsson Feel
- Durable Build Quality
- Slower Processor
- No Autofocus Camera
- Older Walkman Player
- Less Feature-Rich
Display Comparison
Both phones featured 2.2-inch QVGA displays. While resolution was similar, the W995's display might have had slightly improved color reproduction due to its later release and potentially better panel technology. However, both were adequate for the time.
Camera Comparison
The W995 featured a 2-megapixel camera with autofocus, while the W910 had a 2-megapixel camera without autofocus. The autofocus on the W995 provided sharper images, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities were also slightly improved on the W995.
Performance
The W995 boasts a significant advantage with its 369 MHz ARM 11 processor compared to the W910's likely slower processor (estimated around 208 MHz based on similar models). This translates to snappier navigation, faster app loading, and a generally more responsive user experience on the W995.
Battery Life
The W910, with its less demanding hardware, likely offered slightly better battery life than the W995. However, both phones provided a reasonable amount of talk time and standby time for their era.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for those seeking a slightly more powerful and feature-rich experience, particularly for music playback and basic photography. The W910 is a good choice for users prioritizing a simpler, more durable design and potentially longer battery life, valuing classic Sony Ericsson aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The W995, with its Walkman 8.0 player, offers more features and potentially better audio quality. However, both phones were excellent music players for their time.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
If you're a nostalgia enthusiast or looking for a simple, reliable phone, yes! However, be aware that finding working units can be challenging, and software updates are non-existent.