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Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V vs Samsung Wave5330: A Throwback Tech Showdown

Remember the days of physical keyboards and feature phones? We're revisiting two relics of that era: the Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V and the Samsung Wave5330. Both offered unique features in their time, but how do they stack up against each other in a modern context? Let's dive in.
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Xperia neo V vs Wave533: Which Retro Phone Reigns?

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia neo V edges out the Wave5330 thanks to its Snapdragon processor and significantly better contrast ratio on its display. While both are dated, the neo V offers a slightly more responsive experience and a visually richer screen, making it the marginally better choice for nostalgic users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V Samsung S5330 Wave533
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i-
EDGENoClass 12
GPRSClass 10Class 12
SpeedHSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps-
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM
 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a-
Launch
Announced2011, August. Released 2011, October2010, June. Released 2010, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in)109.5 x 55 x 15.2 mm (4.31 x 2.17 x 0.60 in)
KeyboardQWERTYQWERTY
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight126 g (4.44 oz)118 g (4.16 oz)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass-
Resolution480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density)240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~146 ppi density)
Size3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio)3.2 inches, 29.1 cm2 (~48.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLED-backlit LCD,TFT, 256K colors
 -TouchWiz UI 3.0
Platform
CPU1.0 GHz Scorpion-
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2-
GPUAdreno 205-
OSAndroid 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)bada OS
Memory
Call recordsYes-
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB includedmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM100MB
PhonebookYes, Photocall-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama-
Single5 MP, AF3.15 MP
Video720p@30fps320p@15fps
Selfie camera
SingleVGA-
 -No
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR3.0, A2DP
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSStereo FM radio, RDS, recording
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Features
BrowserNoWAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
GamesYes-
JavaNo-
MessagingSMS, MMS-
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer
 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)MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player MP4/H.264 player Organizer Music Recognition Photo editor Voice memo Predictive text input (T9 Trace)
Battery
Music playUp to 31 h-
Stand-byUp to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)Up to 1090 h
Talk timeUp to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)Up to 14 h
TypeRemovable Li-Po 1500 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsWhite, Blue Gradient, SilverBlack
PriceAbout 150 EURAbout 150 EUR
SAR-0.35 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.10 W/kg (head)0.32 W/kg (head)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 42h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB -

Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V

  • Better display contrast
  • Faster processor (Snapdragon)
  • Longer battery life (42h endurance)
  • More responsive user experience
  • Outdated technology
  • Basic camera
  • Limited app support

Samsung S5330 Wave533

  • Classic Samsung design
  • Potentially simpler user interface
  • Decent battery life (estimated)
  • Unknown display quality
  • Slower processor
  • Lack of detailed specs
  • Limited functionality

Display Comparison

The Xperia neo V boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1578:1, indicating deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the Wave5330, which lacks detailed display specifications. While both phones feature relatively small screens by today's standards, the neo V's superior contrast provides a noticeably better viewing experience. The Wave5330 likely used a standard TFT LCD panel, common for its time.

Camera Comparison

Both phones featured cameras, but detailed specifications are scarce for the Wave5330. The Xperia neo V's camera, while basic by modern standards, likely offered slightly better image quality due to the more advanced chipset. Expect grainy photos and limited features on both devices.

Performance

The Xperia neo V's Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides a tangible performance advantage over the Wave5330. The Wave5330 likely used a less powerful ARM processor, resulting in slower app loading times and a less fluid user interface. The Snapdragon offered a step up in processing power for its time.

Battery Life

The Xperia neo V claims an impressive endurance rating of 42 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Wave5330's battery life is unknown, but feature phones of that era generally offered decent battery performance, though likely not as long as the neo V.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V is for those seeking a slightly more powerful and visually appealing retro experience. The Samsung Wave5330 might appeal to those specifically looking for a Samsung device from that era, or those prioritizing a simpler, more basic feature phone experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. Network compatibility might be an issue depending on your carrier. App support is extremely limited, and performance will be slow compared to modern smartphones. They are best suited for nostalgia or very basic tasks.
❓ Which phone is easier to find?
Both are rare, but the Xperia neo V might be slightly more common on online marketplaces due to Sony's broader global presence at the time.