The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active and Motorola Defy were both popular choices for users needing a durable Android phone. Both phones boasted rugged designs and aimed to withstand the elements, but which one truly delivered? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Active edges out the Defy thanks to its slightly faster processor and video recording capabilities. However, the Defy's robust build quality and slightly better battery life make it a strong contender. Ultimately, the Active offers a more modern experience, while the Defy prioritizes pure durability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 1900 / 2100 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, June. Released 2011, October | 2010, September. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 92 x 55 x 16.5 mm (3.62 x 2.17 x 0.65 in) | 107 x 59 x 13.4 mm (4.21 x 2.32 x 0.53 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 110.8 g (3.88 oz) | 118 g (4.16 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Flashlight | Dust/water resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~53.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT |
| | Touch sensitive controls | Touch sensitive controls
MOTOBLUR UI with Live Widgets |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 800 MHz Cortex-A8 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | TI OMAP 3610 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | PowerVR SGX530 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.1 (Eclair), upgradable to 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 2GB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, up to 500 entries | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | Vibration; Polyphonic, MP3, WAV ringtones | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot (Android 2.2) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 25 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 351 h (2G) / Up to 335 h (3G) | Up to 238 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 53 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 31 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 48 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1540 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange/Black, White/Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body) | 1.52 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.5dB / Crosstalk -91.4dB |
Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -89.5dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 74dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia active
- Slightly faster processor
- Video recording capability
- Slightly better display resolution
- Water resistant
- Battery life slightly shorter than Defy
- Camera quality is average
- Older software
Motorola DEFY
- Extremely durable build quality
- Slightly longer battery life
- Water resistant
- More robust feel
- Slower processor
- No video recording
- Lower display resolution
- Older software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, but the Xperia Active boasts a slightly higher resolution (480x854 vs. 320x480). While both are adequate for the time, the Active's display is noticeably sharper. Viewing angles and color reproduction are average on both devices, typical for their era.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Active has a clear advantage here, offering both photo and video recording capabilities. The Defy is limited to photo capture only. Both cameras are 5MP, but image quality is generally mediocre on both, with noticeable noise and limited dynamic range. Video recording on the Active, while basic, is a significant feature the Defy lacks.
Performance
The Xperia Active's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor paired with the Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset gives it a slight edge over the Defy's 800 MHz Cortex-A8 and TI OMAP 3610. While neither phone is a powerhouse by today's standards, the Active generally feels snappier in everyday use and app loading. Multitasking is limited on both.
Battery Life
The Motorola Defy's 1200 mAh battery generally provides slightly longer battery life than the Xperia Active's 1200 mAh battery, likely due to the Defy's less demanding processor and display. Expect a full day of moderate use from either device, but the Defy might squeeze out a few extra hours.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active is ideal for active users who want a slightly faster experience and the ability to record videos. The Motorola Defy is perfect for those prioritizing extreme durability and a longer-lasting battery, even if it means sacrificing some performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
While both phones are quite old, they can still be useful for basic tasks or as a backup device, especially if you need a rugged phone. However, consider the limitations of their older hardware and software.
❓ Which phone is more water resistant?
Both phones were marketed as water resistant, but their resistance is limited. They can handle splashes and light rain, but submersion is not recommended.
