Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S vs Xperia PLAY: A Retro Android Battle

Remember the Sony Ericsson days? Two Android contenders, the Xperia Arc S and the Xperia PLAY, offered distinct experiences. This review dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses, helping you understand which phone was the better choice back in the day – and why it might still hold some appeal for collectors or enthusiasts.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Arc S generally edges out the PLAY thanks to its faster processor, superior display, and slightly better overall performance. While the PLAY's gaming focus was unique, the Arc S offered a more well-rounded experience for everyday use. Both are relics of a bygone era, however.

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

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i	HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands	-	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71
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

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)	119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	117 g (4.13 oz)	175 g (6.17 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	-
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density)	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size	4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio)	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	LED-backlit LCD,
	-	Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI

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)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal	1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM	400MB 512MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama	LED flash
Single	8 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	720p@30fps	720p

Selfie camera
Features	-	LED flash
Single	-	VGA
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP, EDR	2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	No
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Browser	-	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, 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	Dedicated game store MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player Organizer Document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input (Swype)

Battery
Charging	-	10W wired
Music play	Up to 37 h	Up to 31 h
Stand-by	Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G)	Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G)	Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (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	Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange
Price	About 210 EUR	About 140 EUR
SAR EU	0.66 W/kg (head)	0.36 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo
Loudspeaker	Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

Faster Processor
Better Display
Slightly Better Camera
Improved Battery Life

Dated Design
Limited Storage
Slow Software Updates

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Dedicated Gaming Buttons
Unique Gaming Experience
Compact Size

Slower Processor
Lower Resolution Display
Mediocre Camera
Shorter Battery Life

Display Comparison

The Xperia Arc S boasts a 4.2-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, offering vibrant colors and improved viewing angles compared to the Xperia PLAY's 4.0-inch display. The Arc S's higher resolution (854 x 480 vs 480 x 854) also contributes to a sharper image.

Camera Comparison

While both phones feature cameras, the Arc S generally produces slightly better photo and video quality. The Arc S's camera is often cited as having better color reproduction and dynamic range. The PLAY's camera was adequate but not a standout feature.

Performance

The Arc S's 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset provide a noticeable performance boost over the Xperia PLAY's 1.0 GHz Scorpion and MSM8255 Snapdragon S2. Apps launch faster, and multitasking feels smoother on the Arc S.

Battery Life

The Xperia Arc S typically offered slightly better battery life due to its more efficient processor and optimized software. Both phones struggled to provide all-day battery life with heavy usage, but the Arc S held a slight advantage.

Buying Guide

The Xperia Arc S is for those who appreciate a balanced Android experience with a good screen and decent performance. The Xperia PLAY is for dedicated retro gamers seeking a dedicated gaming button layout and a unique, albeit dated, mobile gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What was the Xperia PLAY known for?

The Xperia PLAY was primarily known for its PlayStation-like controls, featuring physical buttons and a D-pad, making it a unique gaming-focused smartphone.

❓ Are these phones still worth buying?

Unless you're a collector or specifically seeking a retro gaming experience, these phones are largely obsolete. Modern smartphones offer significantly better performance, features, and software support.