Reliving the golden age of Sony Ericsson, the Neo V and Arc S were popular choices. But which one truly reigned supreme? This in-depth comparison dives into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which of these classic smartphones is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S edges out the Neo V thanks to its faster processor and slightly improved overall performance. While both offer a nostalgic experience, the Arc S's 1.4GHz CPU provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness. Both are showing their age, but the Arc S is the marginally better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i |
| EDGE | No | Yes |
| GPRS | Class 10 | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.4 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | No | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, 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) | ANT+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
NeoReader barcode scanner
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue Gradient, Silver | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Excellent contrast ratio display
- Long battery life (42h)
- Compact and ergonomic design
- Classic Sony Ericsson aesthetics
- Slower processor compared to Arc S
- Image quality struggles in low light
- Outdated software
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster processor (1.4 GHz)
- Slightly improved display viewing angles
- More responsive user experience
- Premium design
- Shorter battery life than Neo V
- Image quality struggles in low light
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.0-inch LED-backlit LCD display. The Neo V boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1578:1, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Arc S, while not explicitly stated, generally had a slightly improved viewing angle and color accuracy compared to other devices of its time. However, the Neo V's contrast advantage is undeniable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, typically around 8MP. Image quality is comparable, with decent performance in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is where both struggle, typical for the era. Video recording capabilities are also similar, offering 720p resolution.
Performance
Here's where the Arc S takes a clear lead. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU, paired with the MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset, provides a noticeable performance boost over the Neo V's 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and MSM8255 Snapdragon S2. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Arc S.
Battery Life
The Neo V holds a slight advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 42 hours. The Arc S, while still offering respectable battery life, doesn't quite match the Neo V's longevity. This difference is likely due to the Arc S's more powerful processor consuming more energy.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Neo V is a good choice for those prioritizing a strong contrast ratio display and long battery life, and who don't need blazing-fast performance. The Xperia Arc S is better suited for users who value a smoother, more responsive experience and are willing to trade a bit of battery life for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. They run older versions of Android and lack modern features. Network compatibility might also be an issue depending on your carrier.
❓ Can I upgrade the software on either phone?
Officially, no. Sony Ericsson stopped supporting these devices long ago. Custom ROMs might be available, but flashing them carries risks and voids any warranty.
