The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc represents a bygone era of smartphone design and technology, while the Samsung Galaxy M14 embodies modern affordability and features. This comparison explores how these two devices stack up against each other, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses for today's users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M14 is the clear winner. While the Xperia Arc holds nostalgic appeal, the M14's vastly superior performance, modern features like a larger screen, and significantly better battery life make it the more practical choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT15i | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT15a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, January. Released 2011, March | 2023, March 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Mali-G68 MP2 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 13, One UI core 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (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 | - | 15W wired - international
25W wired - India |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Misty Silver | Navy Blue, Light Blue, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-M146B, SM-M146B/DS, SM-M146B/DSN |
| Price | About 180 EUR | ₹ 10,990 |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -91.5dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
| - |
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
- Compact size
- Nostalgic design
- Decent contrast ratio for its time
- Outdated performance
- Low resolution display
- Poor battery life
- Basic camera
- Limited app support
Samsung Galaxy M14
- Large, vibrant display
- Excellent battery life
- Modern performance
- Affordable price
- Good camera
- Plastic build quality
- Charging speed could be faster (depending on region)
Display Comparison
The Xperia Arc featured a 4.2-inch Reality Display with a 1207:1 contrast ratio, offering decent colors for its time. The Galaxy M14 boasts a much larger 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and a significantly more immersive viewing experience. The M14's resolution is also higher, resulting in sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Arc had a basic Photo/Video camera setup. Details are scarce, but it was typical for the era. The Galaxy M14 features a more advanced camera system, typically including a main sensor with a higher resolution and improved image processing capabilities. Expect better image quality, low-light performance, and video recording features on the M14.
Performance
The Xperia Arc's 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset were respectable in 2010, but are severely outdated by today's standards. The Galaxy M14's Exynos 1330 (5nm) chipset and Octa-core CPU deliver significantly faster performance, handling demanding apps and multitasking with ease. The M14's modern architecture provides a smoother and more responsive user experience.
Battery Life
The Xperia Arc had a relatively small battery for its time. The Galaxy M14 typically features a large 6000mAh battery, offering exceptional battery life that can easily last a full day or more on a single charge. This is a significant advantage for users who prioritize longevity.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is for collectors, nostalgia enthusiasts, or those seeking a very basic, compact phone. The Samsung Galaxy M14 is ideal for budget-conscious users who want a reliable, modern smartphone with a good battery and decent performance for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Arc still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, the Xperia Arc's outdated hardware and software make it a frustrating experience for modern usage. App compatibility is limited, and performance is slow.
❓ What is the main advantage of the Galaxy M14?
The Galaxy M14's biggest advantage is its exceptional battery life and modern performance, offering a smooth and reliable user experience at an affordable price.
