Remember the days of Sony Ericsson dominance? We're pitting two iconic devices against each other: the Xperia Active, a rugged Android phone, and the W710, a classic clamshell feature phone. This isn't just a comparison; it's a trip down memory lane.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Active wins on features and functionality thanks to its Android OS and better camera. However, the W710 offers a unique, durable design and exceptional battery life for its time. It depends on your priorities: modern smarts or classic simplicity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| EDGE | No | Class 10 |
| GPRS | Yes | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM |
| | HSDPA 1900 / 2100 / 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, June. Released 2011, October | 2006, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 92 x 55 x 16.5 mm (3.62 x 2.17 x 0.65 in) | 88 x 48 x 24.5 mm (3.46 x 1.89 x 0.96 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 110.8 g (3.88 oz) | 101 g (3.56 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Flashlight | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 176 x 220 pixels (~148 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~53.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1.9 inches, 31 x 38 mm, 11.4 cm2 (~26.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Touch sensitive controls | Second external orange on black monochrome STN display (128 x 128 pixels)
Wallpapers, screensavers |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 2 GB, 512 MB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 10MB |
| Phonebook | Yes, up to 500 entries | 1000 contacts, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | QCIF |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | Vibration; Polyphonic, MP3, WAV ringtones | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | WAP 2.0/HTML(NetFront), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | No | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | Motion sensor
Fitness applications
MP3/AAC player
Push to talk
Predictive text input
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 25 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 351 h (2G) / Up to 335 h (3G) | Up to 350 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 53 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 31 min (3G) | Up to 10 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 900 mAh battery (BST-37) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange/Black, White/Black | Performance Graphite, Hatha Violet |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.93 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.5dB / Crosstalk -91.4dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
| - |
Sony Ericsson Xperia active
- Rugged design
- Android OS
- Better camera
- Faster performance
- Shorter battery life compared to W710
- Outdated hardware by today's standards
Sony Ericsson W710
- Excellent battery life
- Compact and durable design
- Nostalgic appeal
- Simple and reliable
- Limited functionality
- Basic camera (or none)
- Outdated technology
- No app support
Display Comparison
The Xperia Active boasts a 3.0-inch touchscreen, offering a more interactive experience. The W710 has a smaller, non-touch display, typical of feature phones of that era. The Active's screen is significantly more versatile for browsing and apps.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Active has a dedicated camera for photos and videos, offering a more modern imaging experience. The W710 likely had a basic VGA camera, if any, resulting in significantly lower image quality.
Performance
The Xperia Active's Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the W710's older processor. Expect smoother app navigation and faster loading times on the Active.
Battery Life
While specific battery capacities are unavailable for the W710, feature phones of that era were known for exceptional battery life. The Xperia Active, being an Android phone, likely had shorter battery life, though still decent for its time.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Active is for those seeking a basic Android experience with a rugged build. The W710 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a compact form factor, and a nostalgic design – a reliable backup phone or a collector's item.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Active still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. It runs an older version of Android and apps may not be fully compatible. It's best suited for basic tasks and as a secondary device.
❓ What was the W710 known for?
The W710 was renowned for its robust clamshell design, long battery life, and music playback capabilities. It was a popular choice for users who wanted a reliable and stylish feature phone.
