Back in the early days of affordable smartphones, the Sony Ericsson Xperia mini and Samsung Galaxy Y were popular choices. Both aimed to deliver a smartphone experience without breaking the bank. But which one truly came out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia mini edges out the Galaxy Y thanks to its significantly faster processor and superior camera capabilities. While both are dated, the Xperia mini offers a slightly more responsive and enjoyable user experience, making it the preferable choice for those seeking a nostalgic budget phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2011, August. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in) | 104 x 58 x 11.5 mm (4.09 x 2.28 x 0.45 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 99 g (3.49 oz) | 97.5 g (3.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~46.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT, 256K colors |
| | - | Touch sensitive controls |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 830 MHz ARMv6 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512MB RAM, 320MB | 180MB 290MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 2 MP, f/2.8 |
| Video | 720p | 320p@15fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 3.0, 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, Hotspot functionality |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 25 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 340 h (2G) / Up to 320 h (3G) | Up to 850 h (2G) / Up to 540 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 17 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Dark pink | Metallic gray, white / changeable back covers in pearly white, dark black, fruity orange, bubblegum pink and silver platter |
| Models | ST15i | GT-S5360 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB |
Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -76.9dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 625:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon S2)
- Better Camera Performance
- Compact Size
- Slightly more responsive UI
- Dated Design
- Limited Storage
- Low Screen Resolution
- Battery life is average
Samsung Galaxy Y S5360
- Simple Interface
- Slightly Larger Screen
- Widely Available (Historically)
- Affordable (Historically)
- Slower Processor (ARMv6)
- Inferior Camera
- Laggy Performance
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small displays, typical for their era. The Galaxy Y has a slightly larger 3.0-inch screen compared to the Xperia mini's 2.9-inch display. However, display quality was generally low on both devices, with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. Contrast ratio of 625:1 is nominal and likely not representative of real-world performance.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia mini boasts a superior camera experience. While specific megapixel counts are not provided, the Snapdragon chipset generally enabled better image processing. The Galaxy Y's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but the Xperia mini's camera is likely to produce more detailed and vibrant images. Video recording capabilities are also likely better on the Xperia mini.
Performance
This is where the Xperia mini shines. Its 1.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset with a Scorpion CPU provides a noticeable performance boost over the Galaxy Y's 830 MHz ARMv6 processor. Expect smoother app loading and overall responsiveness on the Xperia mini. The Galaxy Y can feel sluggish, especially with multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery life was a common concern for both devices. Both phones likely offered around 8-12 hours of moderate usage. Battery capacity was around 1200mAh for both devices, so there's no significant advantage for either.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia mini is ideal for those seeking a compact phone with a decent camera and a bit more processing power for basic tasks. The Samsung Galaxy Y might appeal to users prioritizing a simple interface and a slightly larger screen, but performance will be noticeably slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for primary use. However, they can be interesting for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with a very basic smartphone.
❓ Which phone has more storage?
Both phones typically offered limited internal storage, expandable via microSD card. The Xperia mini might have a slight edge in terms of available storage options.
