Sony Ericsson Xperia mini vs Samsung Galaxy Young: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Xperia mini and Samsung Galaxy Young were both popular budget smartphones vying for attention in a crowded market. Both offered a taste of Android on a budget, but which one delivered the better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which phone was the better choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia mini edges out the Galaxy Young thanks to its Snapdragon S2 chipset, offering slightly better performance. While both are budget devices, the Xperia mini's processor provides a more responsive experience. However, the Galaxy Young's display contrast under sunlight is a notable advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia mini	Samsung Galaxy Young S6310

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - S6310
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	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	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - S6312

Launch
Announced	2011, May. Released 2011, August	2013, February. Released 2013, March
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in)	109.4 x 58.6 x 12.5 mm (4.31 x 2.31 x 0.49 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Single SIM (Mini-SIM) or Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight	99 g (3.49 oz)	112 g (3.95 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	-
Resolution	320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density)	320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~176 ppi density)
Size	3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio)	3.27 inches, 31.8 cm2 (~49.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	TFT, 256K colors

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	1.0 GHz Cortex-A5
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2	Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1
GPU	Adreno 205	Adreno 200
OS	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)	Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	512MB RAM, 320MB	4GB (2GB user available), 768MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	5 MP, AF	3.15 MP, f/2.6
Video	720p	480p@24fps

Selfie camera
	No	No

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

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	3.0, A2DP
NFC	-	No
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording
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, Wi-Fi Direct

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 250 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 6 h 40 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery	Li-Ion 1300 mAh, removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Blue, Dark pink	White
Models	ST15i	GT-S6312, GT-S6310, GT-S6312, GT-S6310L, GT-S6310N
Price	About 120 EUR	About 90 EUR
SAR	-	1.18 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.78 W/kg (head)	0.88 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB	Noise -91.4dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 701:1 (nominal) / 1.220:1 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB	Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini

Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon S2)
More premium build quality (typical of Sony)
Potentially better camera lens

Screen visibility in direct sunlight can be an issue
Limited storage space
Basic camera features

Samsung Galaxy Young S6310

Good display contrast, especially in sunlight
Simple and easy-to-use interface
Compact and lightweight design

Slower processor (Snapdragon S1)
Average camera quality
Limited storage space

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (701:1 nominal, 1220:1 sunlight). However, anecdotal evidence suggests the Galaxy Young's display might have slightly better outdoor visibility due to its panel characteristics. The Xperia mini's screen, while decent, could struggle in direct sunlight. Resolution is likely to be similar, around 320x480 pixels, offering a basic viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature basic photo cameras. Expect image quality to be average, with limited low-light performance. The Xperia mini might have a slightly better lens, but overall, camera performance is a weak point on both devices. Video recording capabilities are also limited, likely offering 480p resolution.

Performance

The Xperia mini boasts the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, a step up from the Galaxy Young's MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5. This translates to slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Xperia mini. Both phones will struggle with demanding games, but the Xperia mini handles everyday tasks a bit better.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is a crucial factor for budget phones. While specific battery sizes are not readily available, both phones likely have batteries in the 1200-1500 mAh range. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but expect a day of moderate use from either device.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Xperia mini is ideal for users prioritizing a slightly faster processor and a more premium feel (typical of Sony). The Samsung Galaxy Young is a good fit for those who value a bright, easily viewable display, especially in sunny conditions, and a simpler user interface.