Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V vs. Apple iPhone 4s: A Throwback Tech Showdown

Remember a time before foldable screens and 100MP cameras? The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V and Apple iPhone 4s represent that era – a period of innovation and iconic designs. Let's revisit these classic smartphones and see how they stack up against each other in a modern context.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 4s edges out the Xperia neo V thanks to its superior chipset, iOS ecosystem, and generally better software experience. While the neo V boasts a slightly better contrast ratio, the iPhone 4s's overall performance and longevity make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V	Apple iPhone 4s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
EDGE	No	-
GPRS	Class 10	-
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2011, August. Released 2011, October	2011, October 04. Released 2011, October 14
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions	116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in)	115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm (4.54 x 2.31 x 0.37 in)
Keyboard	QWERTY	-
SIM	Mini-SIM	Micro-SIM
Weight	126 g (4.44 oz)	140 g (4.94 oz)
	-	Scratch-resistant glass back panel

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density)	640 x 960 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~330 ppi density)
Size	3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio)	3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~54.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2	Apple A5 (45 nm)
GPU	Adreno 205	PowerVR SGX543MP2
OS	Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)	iOS 5, upgradable to iOS 9.3.6

Memory
Call records	Yes	-
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included	No
Internal	1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM	8GB 512MB RAM, 16GB 512MB RAM, 32GB 512MB RAM, 64GB 512MB RAM
Phonebook	Yes, Photocall	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	5 MP, AF	8 MP, f/2.4, 35mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	VGA	VGA, videocalling over Wi-Fi and 3G
Video	-	480p@30fps

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

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP, EDR	4.0, A2DP, LE
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	No
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot

Features
Browser	No	-
Games	Yes	-
Java	No	-
Messaging	SMS, MMS	-
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	ANT+ HDMI port MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player TrackID music recognition Organizer Document viewer Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input (T9 Trace)	-

Battery
Music play	Up to 31 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)	Up to 200 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)	Up to 8 h (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery	Li-Po 1432 mAh, non-removable (5.3 Wh)

Misc
Colors	White, Blue Gradient, Silver	Black, White
Models	-	A1431, A1387, iPhone4,1
Price	About 150 EUR	About 190 EUR
SAR	-	1.18 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.10 W/kg (head)	0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB	Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 42h	Endurance rating 45h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: 1261:1 (nominal) / 2.269:1 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB	Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 74dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V

Excellent contrast ratio
Android OS (customizable)
Sleek design (for its time)

Outdated processor
Lower performance compared to iPhone 4s
Limited app support

Apple iPhone 4s

Faster processor and chipset
Optimized iOS experience
Better camera quality
Strong app ecosystem (though aging)

Older iOS version
Lower resolution display
Limited storage options

Display Comparison

The Xperia neo V's 1578:1 contrast ratio is impressive for its time, offering deep blacks. However, the iPhone 4s shines with a 2.269:1 contrast ratio in sunlight, making it significantly more viewable outdoors. Both displays are LCD and have relatively low resolutions by today's standards, but the iPhone 4s's sunlight readability gives it an advantage.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the iPhone 4s generally produces better image quality. The iPhone 4s's camera benefits from Apple's image processing algorithms, resulting in more vibrant and detailed photos. The neo V's camera is adequate but lacks the refinement of the iPhone's.

Performance

Here, the iPhone 4s takes a clear lead. Its dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor and Apple A5 chipset are noticeably faster and more efficient than the Xperia neo V's single-core 1.0 GHz Scorpion. iOS also tends to be more optimized for the hardware, resulting in a smoother user experience. The neo V's performance can feel sluggish by modern standards.

Battery Life

Both devices offer a similar endurance rating of 42-45 hours. Real-world usage will vary, but both provide a reasonable battery life for their age and usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The Xperia neo V is for Android enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic experience and appreciating its design. The iPhone 4s is ideal for those wanting a taste of early iOS, a reliable device, and access to a mature app ecosystem (though limited by its age).