Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G: A Generational Leap?

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S represents a bygone era of Android, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G embodies modern smartphone technology. This comparison explores how these devices stack up against each other, highlighting the significant advancements in mobile technology over the years.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear winner. While the Xperia Arc S holds nostalgic appeal, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers vastly superior performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and modern features like 5G connectivity, making it the more practical choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18iHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA
EDGEYes-
GPRSYes-
SpeedHSPA 14.4/5.76 MbpsHSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a-
Launch
Announced2011, August. Released 2011, September2022, March 09
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, March 15
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in)164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)
SIMMini-SIMHybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight117 g (4.13 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLED-backlit LCD,Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPU1.4 GHz ScorpionOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 205Adreno 619
OSAndroid 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean)Android 11, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB includedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, AF-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm
Video-1080p@30fps
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, A-GPS; GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSUnspecified
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), 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
Charging-67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min (advertised)
Music playUp to 37 h-
Stand-byUp to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G)-
TypeRemovable Li-Po 1500 mAh batteryLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsPure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura PinkMirage Blue, Phantom White, Stealth Black
Models-2201116SI
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 250 EUR
SAR EU0.66 W/kg (head)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB-
Camera Photo / Video-
Loudspeaker Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB -

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

  • Compact size
  • Classic Android design
  • Nostalgic appeal

  • Outdated performance
  • Low-resolution display
  • Poor battery life
  • Limited camera capabilities
  • No 5G

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India)

  • Excellent camera
  • Fast charging (67W)
  • 5G connectivity
  • Large, vibrant display
  • Modern performance

  • MIUI software can be polarizing
  • Potentially less premium build quality than flagship devices

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G boasts a significantly larger and higher-resolution AMOLED display (likely 6.67 inches, FHD+) with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Xperia Arc S has a smaller LCD screen (4.2 inches, qHD) with a lower resolution and refresh rate, feeling dated by today's standards.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G features a likely 108MP main camera, offering significantly higher resolution and improved image quality compared to the Xperia Arc S's camera. The Redmi also likely includes additional lenses (ultrawide, macro, depth) and advanced features like OIS. The Arc S's camera is adequate for its time but struggles by modern standards.

Performance

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and Octa-core CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the Xperia Arc S's 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G's 67W fast charging and larger battery capacity (likely 5000mAh) provide significantly longer battery life and faster charging speeds than the Xperia Arc S (likely around 1500mAh). The Arc S would require significantly longer charging times and offer considerably less runtime.

Buying Guide

The Xperia Arc S is for collectors or those seeking a retro Android experience. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is for users wanting a modern, feature-rich smartphone with a great camera, fast charging, and 5G connectivity at a competitive price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Arc S still usable in 2024?
Yes, but it's severely limited by its outdated hardware and software. It can handle basic tasks, but modern apps and websites may not function properly.
❓ What is the biggest difference between these two phones?
The biggest difference is the generational gap. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G represents modern smartphone technology, while the Xperia Arc S is a relic of the early Android era.