Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc vs. Xperia Neo: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Neo were popular Android smartphones of their time, offering a blend of style and functionality. But which one was the better choice? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, features, and performance to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Neo edges out the Arc primarily due to its superior display contrast. Both offer similar performance thanks to the same processor and chipset, but the Neo's slightly better screen makes it the more appealing option for most users seeking a vibrant viewing experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc	Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT15i	HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT15a	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100

Launch
Announced	2011, January. Released 2011, March	2011, February. Released 2011, March
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in)	116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	117 g (4.13 oz)	126 g (4.44 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 (~265 ppi density)
Size	4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio)	3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	LED-backlit LCD,

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	1.0 GHz Scorpion
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2
GPU	Adreno 205	Adreno 205
OS	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)	Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal	320MB 512MB RAM	320MB 512MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	8 MP, AF	8 MP, AF
Video	720p@30fps	720p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	-	Yes
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.1, A2DP
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Browser	HTML, Adobe Flash	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/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player TrackID music recognition Organizer Document viewer Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 31 h	Up to 31 h
Stand-by	Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)	Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)	Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Midnight Blue, Misty Silver	Blue Gradient, Red, Silver
Price	About 180 EUR	About 110 EUR
SAR EU	0.66 W/kg (head)	1.10 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -91.5dB	Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1207:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB	Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

Slightly more compact design
Potentially more durable build (subjective)
Good overall performance for its time

Lower display contrast compared to Neo
Camera performance not exceptional
Battery life details unavailable

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

Superior display contrast (1670:1)
Vibrant colors and deeper blacks
Good overall performance for its time

Slightly larger footprint than Arc
Camera performance not exceptional
Battery life details unavailable

Display Comparison

The Xperia Neo boasts a significantly better contrast ratio of 1670:1 compared to the Arc's 1207:1. This translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors on the Neo, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience. Both phones featured similar resolution and screen size, so the contrast is the key differentiator here. The Arc's display, while decent, simply couldn't match the Neo's visual pop.

Camera Comparison

Both phones featured Photo/Video capabilities, but specific megapixel counts and features are not explicitly listed. General knowledge suggests both offered adequate image quality for casual photography, but neither was a standout performer in the camera department. Low-light performance would likely be comparable on both devices.

Performance

Both devices share the same 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset. Real-world performance will be very similar, handling everyday tasks and moderate gaming with ease. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards, but they were respectable for their time.

Battery Life

Battery specifications are missing. However, based on general knowledge, both phones likely offered similar battery life, sufficient for a day of moderate use. Factors like screen brightness and usage patterns would significantly impact actual battery performance.

Buying Guide

The Xperia Arc is a good choice for users prioritizing a slightly more compact design and potentially a more durable build (though both were known for their design). The Xperia Neo is ideal for those who value a richer, more vibrant display and are willing to accept a slightly larger footprint.