The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S and Xperia neo L were popular Android devices vying for attention in a competitive market. Both offered a taste of Sony's design and Android experience, but with distinct differences. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand which phone was the better choice back in their day.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S edges out the neo L thanks to its faster processor and slightly better overall performance. While both offer a similar experience, the Arc S's 1.4 GHz CPU provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness. However, the neo L's display contrast is impressive.
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2012, March. Released 2012, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 121 x 61.1 x 12.2 mm (4.76 x 2.41 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 131.5 g (4.62 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 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | 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 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 1GB (300MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | Yes |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| 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 |
|---|
| 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 | 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 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) | Up to 575 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) | Up to 7 h 53 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 9 min (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 | Black, White |
| Models | - | M25i |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 1.01 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
Noise -85.6dB / Crosstalk -85.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1097:1 (nominal) / 1.169:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 65dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster 1.4 GHz CPU
- Slightly more premium build quality
- Potentially better image processing
- Display contrast not as impressive as neo L
- Battery life potentially shorter than expected
Sony Xperia neo L
- Excellent display contrast, especially in sunlight
- More affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Slower 1.0 GHz CPU
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Less premium feel
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.2-inch display, but the Xperia neo L boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio, particularly in sunlight (1.169:1). This translates to better visibility outdoors and richer blacks. The Arc S, while decent, doesn't match the neo L's display prowess. Resolution is likely similar, around 480x854 pixels.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature an 8MP camera, but image quality can vary based on software processing. The Arc S might have slightly better image processing due to potential software updates. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, offering 720p HD video. Low-light performance is likely comparable, being typical for the era.
Performance
The Xperia Arc S holds a clear advantage here. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU is noticeably faster than the neo L's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor. This difference is evident in app loading times, multitasking, and overall system responsiveness. Both phones utilize the Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset, but the clock speed difference is crucial.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. While specific battery capacities are not explicitly listed, the Arc S likely has a slightly larger battery (around 1500mAh) compared to the neo L (around 1200mAh), potentially offering slightly longer usage times. However, real-world battery life depends heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Arc S is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more premium feel. The Xperia neo L is a good option for those seeking a strong contrast display and a more budget-friendly choice, though performance is a trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version did these phones ship with?
Both the Xperia Arc S and Xperia neo L initially launched with Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread). They received updates to Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
❓ Are spare parts still available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for these older devices can be challenging. Availability is limited and often reliant on third-party sellers. Repairing them may not be cost-effective.
