The smartphone revolution has left many older devices behind, but some hold a nostalgic charm. Today, we're pitting the Sony Ericsson Xperia mini, a budget Android phone from 2010, against the iconic Nokia 3110 Classic, a feature phone known for its durability and Snake game. Let's see how these two stack up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia mini offers a basic Android experience and a slightly better camera, but the Nokia 3110 Classic wins on battery life, simplicity, and sheer durability. For modern functionality, the Xperia mini edges ahead, but for a reliable, no-fuss phone, the 3110 Classic remains a strong contender.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2007, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in) | 108.5 x 45.7 x 15.6 mm, 72 cc (4.27 x 1.80 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 99 g (3.49 oz) | 87 g (3.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 128 x 160 pixels (~114 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 1.8 inches, 10.2 cm2 (~20.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT, 256K colors |
| | - | 5-way navigation key
Downloadable wallpapers, screensavers |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSD (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512MB RAM, 320MB | 9MB |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 1.3 MP |
| Video | 720p | QCIF |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | miniUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | WAP 2.0/xHTML |
| Games | - | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | Push to talk
MP3/MP4/AAC+/3GP/WMA player
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo
Voice command |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 25 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 340 h (2G) / Up to 320 h (3G) | Up to 370 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 4 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1020 mAh battery (BL-5C) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Dark pink | Black, Pink, Blue |
| Models | ST15i | - |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.33 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB | - |
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
- Android OS (basic)
- Slightly better camera
- Larger screen
- App access
- Short battery life
- Outdated hardware
- Limited performance
- Fragile build compared to 3110
Nokia 3110 classic
- Exceptional battery life
- Durable build
- Simple and reliable
- Classic Nokia design
- Snake game
- No touchscreen
- Limited functionality
- Basic camera
- No app support
Display Comparison
The Xperia mini boasts a 3-inch touchscreen display, offering a more interactive experience. The Nokia 3110 Classic has a smaller, non-touch 2.4-inch screen, prioritizing readability over interactivity. The Xperia mini's screen is significantly more versatile for browsing and app usage.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia mini includes a camera capable of capturing photos and videos, though image quality is limited by its sensor and processing. The Nokia 3110 Classic has a basic VGA camera, offering minimal photographic capabilities. The Xperia mini is the clear winner here, albeit a modest one.
Performance
The Xperia mini, powered by a 1.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset, provides a basic level of performance for simple apps and web browsing. The Nokia 3110 Classic, with its simpler feature phone OS, offers snappy performance for its intended tasks – calls, texts, and basic games. Don't expect multitasking prowess from either device.
Battery Life
The Nokia 3110 Classic is renowned for its exceptional battery life, often lasting for days on a single charge. The Xperia mini's battery life is considerably shorter, typically lasting a day with moderate use. The 3110 Classic's power efficiency is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia mini is for those seeking a basic Android experience on a tight budget, appreciating its slightly larger screen and app access. The Nokia 3110 Classic is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a robust build, and a simple, distraction-free phone for calls and texts, or those seeking a nostalgic gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia mini worth buying in 2023?
It's a niche purchase. If you need a very basic Android phone on a super tight budget and don't mind its limitations, it might suffice. Otherwise, newer budget smartphones offer significantly better value.
❓ Can I use the Nokia 3110 Classic as a secondary phone?
Absolutely! Its long battery life and simplicity make it an excellent secondary phone for travel, emergencies, or as a dedicated music player.