The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S and Xperia mini pro represent a fascinating era of smartphone design. Both devices offer a unique blend of features and aesthetics, but cater to slightly different user needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S generally edges out the mini pro thanks to its faster processor and larger display. However, the mini pro's physical keyboard and compact size make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing messaging and portability. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 92 x 53 x 18 mm (3.62 x 2.09 x 0.71 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~55.0% 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), 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 512MB RAM, 400MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| 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+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 37 h | Up to 29 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) | Up to 331 h (2G) / Up to 340 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) | Up to 5 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink | Black, White, Pink, Turquoise |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 0.46 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 714:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 70dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster Processor
- Larger Display
- Vibrant Reality Display
- Sleek Design
- Older Technology
- Battery Life Could Be Better
- Limited App Support Now
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro
- Physical Keyboard
- Compact Size
- Good for Messaging
- Durable Build
- Slower Processor
- Smaller Display
- Outdated Software
- Limited App Support Now
Display Comparison
The Xperia Arc S boasts a 4.2-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The mini pro has a 3.2-inch display, which is smaller but still decent. While both have a nominal contrast ratio of 714:1, the Arc S's larger size and superior technology provide a noticeably better visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera hardware, but the Arc S's faster processor likely allows for slightly quicker image processing. Expect decent photo quality in good lighting conditions from both, but low-light performance will be a challenge. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
The Arc S packs a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU, significantly faster than the mini pro's 1.0 GHz Scorpion. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and a generally more responsive user experience. The Snapdragon S2 chipset in both phones is showing its age, but the Arc S's faster processor helps mitigate this.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. While specific battery capacities are difficult to confirm definitively, the Arc S's larger size likely allowed for a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life than the mini pro. Usage patterns will heavily influence actual battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Arc S is ideal for users who value a larger screen, smoother performance, and a more modern design. The Xperia mini pro is perfect for those who heavily rely on physical keyboards for texting and prefer a smaller, more pocketable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
They offer a nostalgic experience and can be fun to tinker with, but modern smartphones offer significantly better performance and features. Consider them for novelty or specific use cases like a dedicated messaging device.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run Android 2.3 Gingerbread, with limited upgrade potential. Expect compatibility issues with newer apps.
