The Sony Ericsson W995 was a legendary music-focused slider, while the Xperia PLAY brought console-style gaming to the masses. Both phones hold a special place in many memories, but how do they stack up against each other today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY decisively wins on performance and features thanks to its Snapdragon chipset and gaming controls. However, the W995 remains a compelling choice for dedicated music lovers who appreciate its dedicated Walkman features and classic design. It's a battle of priorities!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, May | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 113 g (3.99 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| | Built-in kickstand | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 369 MHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 205 |
| OS | - | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 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 | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | VGA |
| | Videocall camera | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder navigator | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Walkman 4.0 player
Shake control
SensMe | Dedicated game store
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Organizer
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 20 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.18 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson W995
- Dedicated Walkman features
- Excellent music playback quality
- Classic slider design
- Longer battery life (potentially)
- Compact size
- Slow performance
- Small screen
- Outdated software
- Limited app support
- Basic camera
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Powerful Snapdragon processor
- Gaming controls (physical buttons)
- Larger, better display
- More modern software (at release)
- Better performance for apps
- Shorter battery life
- Bulky design
- Camera is still basic
- Limited availability now
- Fragile slider mechanism (potentially)
Display Comparison
The Xperia PLAY boasts a larger 4.0-inch Reality Display, offering a significantly better viewing experience than the W995's 2.8-inch screen. Colors are more vibrant, and the resolution is higher, making it better for gaming and media consumption. The W995's screen is adequate for its time, but feels cramped by modern standards.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic cameras, but the Xperia PLAY's camera likely offered slightly better image quality due to advancements in sensor technology during its production. However, neither phone excels in photography by today's standards. Expect decent shots in good lighting conditions, but limited low-light performance.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY's 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset provide a massive performance advantage over the W995's 369 MHz ARM 11 processor. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is far more enjoyable on the Xperia PLAY. The W995 can feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Xperia PLAY, with its more power-hungry processor and larger screen, likely had a shorter battery life than the W995. The W995's efficient design and smaller screen allowed for longer usage between charges, especially when primarily used for music playback.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for audiophiles and those nostalgic for dedicated music players. The Xperia PLAY is perfect for retro gamers seeking a portable console experience. Consider your primary use case when making your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the W995 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're a dedicated music lover seeking a classic Walkman experience and don't need modern smartphone features. Otherwise, it's primarily a nostalgic item.
❓ Can I find apps for the Xperia PLAY?
The Xperia PLAY runs Android, but app compatibility can be an issue due to its older version. Many modern apps won't work, but you might find some older titles.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
The W995's slider mechanism can be prone to wear and tear. The Xperia PLAY's slider is also potentially fragile. Both require careful handling.
