Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S vs Xperia Neo: Which Android Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S and Neo were popular Android devices vying for attention in a competitive market. Both offered a taste of Sony's design and Android experience, but key differences set them apart. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which was the better choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Arc S edges out the Neo thanks to its faster processor and slightly improved overall performance. While both offer a similar experience, the Arc S's 1.4GHz CPU provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness. However, the Neo's display contrast is excellent, making it a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S	Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

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, February. Released 2011, March
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in)	116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	117 g (4.13 oz)	126 g (4.44 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 (~265 ppi density)
Size	4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio)	3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% 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 2.3.4 (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

Selfie camera
Single	-	Yes
	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+ HDMI port MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player TrackID music recognition Organizer 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 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink	Blue Gradient, Red, Silver
Price	About 210 EUR	About 110 EUR
SAR EU	0.66 W/kg (head)	1.10 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB	Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB	Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

Faster 1.4 GHz processor
Larger 4.2-inch display
Slightly better overall performance
Good design

Shorter battery life compared to Neo
Can feel slightly bulky
Camera performance is average

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

Excellent 1670:1 contrast ratio display
More compact and pocketable
Slightly better battery life
Stylish design

Slower 1.0 GHz processor
Smaller 3.7-inch display
Performance can feel sluggish at times

Display Comparison

Both the Xperia Arc S and Neo boast a nominal contrast ratio of 1670:1, indicating excellent black levels and vibrant colors. However, the Arc S has a slightly larger 4.2-inch display compared to the Neo's 3.7-inch screen. While both use a similar LCD panel, the Arc S's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience. The Neo's smaller size, however, makes it more pocketable.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature similar camera hardware, typically an 8MP rear camera capable of recording 720p video. Image quality is generally comparable, with decent detail and color reproduction in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is average for the era. Software features were also similar, offering basic scene modes and editing options.

Performance

The Arc S holds a clear advantage here. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU significantly outperforms the Neo's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. Both phones utilize the Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset, but the clock speed difference is crucial.

Battery Life

Battery life was a common concern for both devices. The Arc S, with its larger screen and more powerful processor, generally consumed more power. The Neo, with its smaller display and less demanding CPU, often offered slightly better battery endurance, though both struggled to last a full day with heavy usage. Typical battery capacity was around 1500mAh for both.

Buying Guide

The Xperia Arc S is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a smoother Android experience. The Xperia Neo is a good choice for those who value a high-contrast display and a slightly more compact design, and are less concerned with raw processing power.