The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Arc S were popular Android phones in their time, offering a sleek design and respectable features. But what are the key differences between these two devices? This comprehensive comparison will break down the specs and performance to help you decide which one was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S edges out the Arc thanks to its faster 1.4 GHz processor. While both offer a similar experience, the Arc S's performance boost makes it the slightly better option, especially for smoother multitasking and gaming. Both are aging devices, however.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT15i |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT15a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2011, January. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 320MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
NeoReader barcode scanner
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input | ANT+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
NeoReader barcode scanner
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 37 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) | Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink | Midnight Blue, Misty Silver |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -91.5dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster 1.4 GHz processor
- Slightly improved color accuracy (potential)
- Compact and lightweight design
- Decent 8MP camera
- Smaller battery than Arc
- Aging hardware
- Limited software updates
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
- Excellent Reality Display
- Slightly larger battery
- Compact and lightweight design
- Decent 8MP camera
- Slower 1.0 GHz processor
- Aging hardware
- Limited software updates
Display Comparison
Both the Xperia Arc and Arc S feature a 4.2-inch Reality Display with a contrast ratio of 1207:1. While the resolution is the same (480 x 854 pixels), the Arc S might offer slightly improved color accuracy due to minor hardware refinements, though this is difficult to definitively confirm. Overall, display quality is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature an 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. Image quality is generally similar, with decent performance in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is average for the era. Video recording capabilities are also comparable, offering 720p HD video recording.
Performance
The most significant difference lies in performance. The Arc S boasts a 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor, compared to the Arc's 1.0 GHz Scorpion. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Arc S. The Snapdragon S2 chipset is the same in both, so the CPU speed is the primary differentiator.
Battery Life
The Xperia Arc has a slightly larger 1500 mAh battery compared to the Arc S's 1480 mAh. However, the Arc S's more efficient processor and software optimizations can partially offset this difference. Real-world battery life is likely to be similar, providing a full day of moderate use for both devices.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Arc S is suitable for users who prioritize a bit more processing power and are looking for a compact Android phone with a decent camera. The Xperia Arc is a good choice for those seeking a slightly more affordable option with a great display, understanding that performance will be a bit slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Arc S worth the upgrade from the Xperia Arc?
If you prioritize performance and smoother multitasking, the Arc S is a worthwhile upgrade. However, the differences are not drastic, and the Arc remains a capable device.
❓ Are there any software updates available for these phones?
Official software updates are unlikely at this point. However, custom ROMs might be available for advanced users.
