The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and X10 were both popular Android smartphones in their time, offering a taste of the burgeoning mobile OS. But which one holds up better today? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which was the better phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X10 generally edges out the Mini due to its larger screen, more robust build, and slightly better overall feature set. While the Mini was more compact, the X10's advantages in display and design make it the preferable choice for most users, despite both being dated devices.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - X10a for Americas |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2009, November. Released 2010, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in) | 119 x 63 x 13 mm (4.69 x 2.48 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 99 g (3.49 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~58.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT, 65K colors |
| | - | Timescape/Mediascape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 512MB RAM, 320MB | 1GB 384MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | w480p@30fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| 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 | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | 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 415 h (2G) / Up to 425 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BST-41) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Dark pink | Sensous Black, Luster White |
| Models | ST15i | - |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) | 1.25 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB |
Noise -85.4dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
- Compact and pocketable
- Lightweight
- Decent for basic tasks
- Small screen
- Limited performance
- Outdated software
- Lower resolution camera
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
- Larger screen
- Potentially better camera
- More features
- Slightly better performance
- Larger size
- Outdated software
- Limited app compatibility
- Can feel slow by modern standards
Display Comparison
The Xperia X10 boasts a 4.0-inch display, significantly larger than the Mini's 2.9-inch screen. This translates to a better viewing experience for media and web browsing. Both use similar display technology (likely LCD), but the X10's size advantage is undeniable.
Camera Comparison
Both feature 'Photo/Video' cameras, but the X10 is generally believed to have an 8.1MP camera compared to the Mini's 5MP. While image quality will be limited by the sensors and processing capabilities of the time, the X10 likely produces slightly better results. Video recording capabilities are likely similar on both.
Performance
Both phones share a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (S1 for X10, S2 for Mini). However, the X10's slightly more advanced chipset (QSD8250 vs MSM8255) and potentially better memory management give it a marginal performance edge. Expect both to struggle with modern apps.
Battery Life
The Xperia X10 typically has a larger battery (1500 mAh) compared to the Mini (1200 mAh). This translates to longer battery life on the X10, although both will require frequent charging given their age and limited power efficiency.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Mini is best suited for those prioritizing a smaller, more pocketable device. However, given their age, neither phone is recommended for modern use. The Xperia X10 might appeal to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic Android experience, but be aware of its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, both phones are very outdated. They lack modern features, security updates, and app compatibility. They are best suited for collectors or nostalgic users.
❓ Which phone has Android updates?
Both phones received limited Android updates. The Xperia X10 received Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), while the Xperia Mini received updates up to Android 2.1 (Eclair). Neither received later versions.
