Relive the early days of Android with this showdown between two classic Sony Ericsson smartphones: the Xperia Arc S and the Xperia X10 mini pro. Both phones offered unique features and designs, but which one ultimately delivers a better experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S is the clear winner. Its significantly faster processor, superior display, and improved camera offer a vastly better user experience compared to the X10 mini pro. While the X10 mini pro's compact size is appealing, the Arc S's overall performance makes it the preferred choice.
| 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 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2010, February. Released 2010, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT (65K effective) |
| | - | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 128MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 480p@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, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| 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 | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink | Black, Red, Pink |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 1.61 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster Processor
- Larger & Better Display
- 1080p Video Recording
- Improved Camera Quality
- Better Battery Life
- Larger Size (less pocketable)
- Potentially outdated software support
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- Compact Size
- Physical QWERTY Keyboard
- Relatively Affordable (if found used)
- Slow Performance
- Smaller Display
- No 1080p Video
- Outdated Software
- Limited App Compatibility
Display Comparison
The Xperia Arc S boasts a 4.2-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, offering vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The X10 mini pro has a smaller 3-inch display, which is adequate but lacks the Arc S's visual richness and size. The Arc S's display is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Arc S features a 8.1MP camera with LED flash, capable of recording 1080p video. The X10 mini pro has a 8MP camera, but lacks the Arc S's video recording capabilities and image processing enhancements. The Arc S generally produces better image quality, especially in video.
Performance
The Arc S's 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset provide a substantial performance boost over the X10 mini pro's 600 MHz ARM 11 processor and MSM7227 Snapdragon S1. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and the overall user experience is significantly more responsive on the Arc S.
Battery Life
The Xperia Arc S typically offers better battery life due to its more efficient processor and optimized software. While both phones have similar battery capacities, the Arc S's power management is more effective. Expect around 8-10 hours of moderate use on the Arc S and slightly less on the X10 mini pro.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Arc S is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a larger display. It's a good choice for those wanting a smoother Android experience. The Xperia X10 mini pro is best suited for users who value extreme portability and a physical QWERTY keyboard above all else, and are willing to compromise on performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia Arc S is significantly better for gaming due to its faster processor and more responsive display.
❓ Is the X10 mini pro's QWERTY keyboard worth it?
It depends on your preference. If you heavily rely on typing and prefer a physical keyboard, it might be appealing. However, the performance limitations outweigh the keyboard benefit for most users.
❓ Can I still find software updates for these phones?
Official software updates are unlikely. However, custom ROMs might be available for the Xperia Arc S, offering a more modern Android experience.
