The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Arc S were flagship Android devices in their time, boasting sleek designs and impressive features. But what are the key differences between these two phones, and which one is the better choice for you? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S offers a noticeable performance boost thanks to its faster processor. While both phones share a similar design and camera capabilities, the Arc S's improved speed makes it the slightly better option, especially for multitasking and demanding apps. However, the Arc might be a better value if found at a significantly lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT15i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT15a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, January. Released 2011, March | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.4 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| 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+
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 31 h | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Misty Silver | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -91.5dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
- Stylish design
- Decent display
- Affordable (if found used)
- Good camera for its time
- Slower performance
- Outdated processor
- Limited storage
- Battery life could be better
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster performance than Arc
- Slightly improved battery life
- Same stylish design
- Good camera for its time
- Still relatively slow by modern standards
- Outdated processor
- Limited storage
- Can be harder to find
Display Comparison
Both the Xperia Arc and Arc S feature a 4.2-inch Reality Display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The contrast ratio is listed as 1207:1 for the Arc, and while the Arc S doesn't explicitly list it, it's expected to be similar. While the display quality is good for the time, it's not as sharp or vibrant as modern displays. Color accuracy and viewing angles are acceptable but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature an 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. While the hardware is identical, software optimizations might differ slightly. Image quality is generally good for the time, with decent detail and color reproduction in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is average. Video recording is limited to 720p on both devices.
Performance
The most significant difference lies in performance. The Xperia Arc is powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset. The Arc S upgrades to a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU and the slightly improved Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2. This translates to a noticeable speed increase in the Arc S, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The Arc can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
The Xperia Arc has a 1500mAh battery, while the Arc S has a slightly larger 1700mAh battery. Despite the larger battery, the Arc S's increased processing power can lead to similar or slightly reduced battery life in some scenarios. Expect around a day of moderate use from either device.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is a good choice for users seeking a stylish Android phone with a decent display and camera, and who prioritize affordability. The Xperia Arc S is ideal for users who value performance and a smoother user experience, particularly those who frequently use demanding apps or multitask.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Arc S worth the upgrade from the Xperia Arc?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The faster processor in the Arc S provides a noticeably smoother experience. However, if you're happy with the Arc's performance and find the Arc S significantly more expensive, the upgrade might not be worth it.
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While functional, these phones are quite outdated. They lack modern features like 4G/5G connectivity, high-resolution displays, and recent Android updates. They can still be used for basic tasks, but don't expect a modern smartphone experience.
