The Sony Ericsson Xperia mini and X10 mini were popular choices for users seeking compact smartphones back in their day. Both offered a taste of Android in a pocket-friendly form factor, but significant differences existed. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia mini edges out the X10 mini thanks to its faster processor, improved chipset (Snapdragon S2 vs S1), and video recording capabilities. While both are dated, the mini offers a slightly more responsive and feature-rich experience, making it the preferable choice for those seeking a nostalgic Android experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i |
| 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 - E10a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2010, February. Released 2010, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in) | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 99 g (3.49 oz) | 88 g (3.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT (65K effective) |
| | - | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM7227 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 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 512MB RAM, 320MB | 128MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP, EDR |
| 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, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | HTML |
| 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 | 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 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Dark pink | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver |
| Models | ST15i | - |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) | 1.17 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
- Faster Processor (1.0 GHz)
- Video Recording
- Better Chipset (Snapdragon S2)
- Potentially better display
- Dated Design
- Limited Storage
- Low Resolution Display
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Smaller Form Factor
- Simpler Android Experience
- Potentially lower price on the used market
- Slower Processor (600 MHz)
- No Video Recording
- Older Chipset (Snapdragon S1)
- Lower Resolution Display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small displays, around 2.9-3 inches. The Xperia mini likely has a slightly better resolution and color reproduction due to its later release and improved display technology, though both are limited by the technology of the time. Expect a basic viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia mini has a clear advantage here, offering both photo and video recording capabilities. The X10 mini is limited to photo capture only. While the image quality on both is modest by today's standards, the ability to record video is a notable feature for the mini.
Performance
The Xperia mini boasts a significant performance advantage with its 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset compared to the X10 mini's 600 MHz ARM 11 and MSM7227 Snapdragon S1. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and a generally more responsive user experience on the mini.
Battery Life
Battery life on both devices was typically around 12-15 hours of moderate use. The Xperia mini's slightly more efficient chipset might give it a marginal edge, but real-world battery performance would depend heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Xperia mini is for those who want a slightly more powerful and versatile compact Android phone from the early days. The Xperia X10 mini might appeal to those prioritizing a smaller form factor and a simpler Android experience, or those seeking a very budget-friendly option if found used.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with significant limitations. They run older versions of Android and lack modern features. They are best suited for nostalgia or very basic tasks.
❓ Can I update the Android version on either phone?
Officially, no. While custom ROMs might exist, installing them is complex and not recommended for most users.
❓ Which phone is more likely to have working accessories available?
The Xperia mini, being slightly newer, might have a marginally better chance of finding compatible accessories, but availability will be limited.
