The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S and the Sony Xperia SP represent different eras of Sony's smartphone journey. The Arc S was a flagship in its time, while the SP aimed for a balance of features and battery life. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia SP emerges as the clear winner. Its superior processor, improved battery life, and slightly better display offer a more modern and enjoyable user experience compared to the aging Xperia Arc S. While the Arc S had a sleek design, the SP's advancements outweigh its aesthetic appeal.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - C5303 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - C5303 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a | 1, 2, 4, 5 - C5306 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2013, March. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 130.6 x 67.1 x 10 mm (5.14 x 2.64 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~66.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradаble to 4.3 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 8GB (5.8GB user available), 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@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 | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 37 h | Up to 39 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) | Up to 635 h (2G) / Up to 734 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) | Up to 10 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2370 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink | Black, White, Red |
| Models | - | C5302, C5303, C5306 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.63 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
Noise -86.9dB / Crosstalk -88.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 51h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 816:1 (nominal) / 1.733:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 68dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Sleek and stylish design
- Compact size
- Decent display for its time
- Outdated processor
- Short battery life
- Lower camera quality
- Limited software updates
Sony Xperia SP
- Improved performance
- Longer battery life
- Better camera
- More modern design
- Generally more reliable
- Design can be considered less premium than the Arc S
- May lack some niche features of older devices
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of 816:1 and an impressive 1.733:1 contrast ratio in sunlight. However, the Xperia SP's display is generally considered slightly brighter and more vibrant due to advancements in display technology during its production. The Arc S's display, while good for its time, shows its age in comparison.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Xperia SP generally produced better image quality due to improvements in camera sensor technology and image processing algorithms. The Arc S's camera, while adequate for its time, struggles in low-light conditions compared to the SP.
Performance
The Xperia SP boasts a significant performance advantage. Its dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait processor and Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset are considerably faster than the Xperia Arc S's 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the SP.
Battery Life
The Xperia SP shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 51h. This is a substantial improvement over the Arc S, which had a considerably shorter battery life. The SP's efficient chipset and optimized software contribute to its impressive longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S? Primarily collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with an older Android device. Who should buy the Sony Xperia SP? Users looking for a reliable, budget-friendly Android phone with decent battery life and performance for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Arc S still usable in 2024?
Yes, but it's showing its age. It can handle basic tasks, but performance will be noticeably slower than modern smartphones. Software support is non-existent.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia SP is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and improved graphics capabilities.
