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Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini vs. Xperia PLAY: A Throwback Showdown

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Xperia PLAY represent a fascinating period in smartphone history – a time before giants like Samsung and Apple dominated the market. Both devices offered unique features and aimed to capture a specific audience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
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Xperia Mini vs. PLAY: Which Sony Ericsson Retro Phone Wins?

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia PLAY edges out the Mini thanks to its dedicated gaming controls and slightly better overall feature set. While both are dated, the PLAY's unique selling point makes it a more compelling retro experience, despite both sharing the same processor.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Xperia mini Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands-2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 7.2/5.76 MbpsHSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA
 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800
Launch
Announced2011, May. Released 2011, August2011, February. Released 2011, March
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in)119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight99 g (3.49 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass-
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density)480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLED-backlit LCD,LED-backlit LCD,
 -Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI
Platform
CPU1.0 GHz Scorpion1.0 GHz Scorpion
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2
GPUAdreno 205Adreno 205
OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB includedmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal512MB RAM, 320MB400MB 512MB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single5 MP, AF5 MP, AF
Video720p720p
Selfie camera
Features-LED flash
Single-VGA
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC-No
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Features
BrowserHTML, Adobe FlashWAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 ANT+ MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player TrackID music recognition Document viewer Voice memo Predictive text inputDedicated game store MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player Organizer Document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input (Swype)
Battery
Charging-10W wired
Music playUp to 25 hUp to 31 h
Stand-byUp to 340 h (2G) / Up to 320 h (3G)Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G)
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1200 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, Dark pinkBlack, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange
ModelsST15i-
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 140 EUR
SAR EU0.78 W/kg (head)0.36 W/kg (head)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB
Camera Photo / Video Photo
Loudspeaker Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini

  • Extremely compact and pocketable
  • Included video recording
  • Generally more affordable on the used market
  • Low-resolution display
  • Limited performance
  • Basic camera capabilities
  • Smaller battery

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

  • Dedicated gaming controls (PlayStation-style buttons)
  • Larger display
  • Slightly better battery life
  • More unique and collectible
  • Lower resolution than some competitors at the time
  • Limited performance
  • Photo-only camera
  • Can be more expensive due to rarity

Display Comparison

The Xperia Mini boasts a 3.0-inch QVGA display, prioritizing compactness. The Xperia PLAY features a larger 4.0-inch FWVGA display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. While both are low-resolution by modern standards, the PLAY's larger size and slightly better resolution provide a noticeable advantage.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia Mini includes both photo and video capabilities, while the Xperia PLAY only has photo. The Mini's video recording is a slight advantage, though image quality on both is limited by the sensors and processing power of the time. Expect grainy images and low-light performance to be poor on both.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance will be similar, expect sluggishness by today's standards. Basic tasks are manageable, but demanding apps and games will struggle.

Battery Life

The Xperia Mini typically had a smaller battery (1200 mAh) compared to the Xperia PLAY (1500 mAh). This translates to slightly better battery life on the PLAY, though both will require frequent charging with moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Xperia Mini is for those seeking a compact, basic smartphone experience with a focus on portability. The Xperia PLAY is for retro gaming enthusiasts and those who appreciate a unique, dedicated gaming controller built into their phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with significant limitations. They'll struggle with modern apps and network speeds. They're best suited for retro gaming or as collector's items.
❓ Which phone is rarer to find?
The Xperia PLAY is generally rarer due to its unique design and limited production run. This often translates to a higher price on the used market.