The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo and Neo V were popular Android smartphones of their time, offering a blend of style and functionality. But which one truly delivered a better experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you understand the differences and decide which phone was the superior choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Neo V edges out the Neo primarily due to its significantly longer battery life. While both share similar processing power and display quality, the Neo V's endurance makes it the more practical choice for users prioritizing all-day usage. Both are dated now, but the Neo V holds a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 126 g (4.44 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 (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255 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), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| 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 | 320MB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | No | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| 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/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue Gradient, Silver | Blue Gradient, Red, Silver |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Significantly longer battery life
- Slightly more robust build quality (generally perceived)
- Good display quality for its time
- Outdated hardware
- Limited software updates
- Average camera performance
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
- Slightly better display contrast ratio
- Stylish design
- Good display quality for its time
- Shorter battery life
- Outdated hardware
- Limited software updates
- Average camera performance
Display Comparison
Both the Xperia Neo and Neo V feature a 3.7-inch Reality Display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The Neo boasts a slightly better contrast ratio of 1670:1 compared to the Neo V's 1578:1. However, in real-world usage, the difference is subtle and likely unnoticeable to most users. Both displays offer vibrant colors and decent viewing angles for their time.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature an 8-megapixel main camera with LED flash. While both can capture decent photos in good lighting conditions, image quality is generally average by today's standards. Video recording capabilities are also similar, supporting 720p resolution. Low-light performance is a weakness for both devices.
Performance
Under the hood, both devices are powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance is therefore virtually identical. Expect smooth navigation and app loading for basic tasks, but demanding games and multitasking may reveal limitations. Both phones run Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) initially, with potential for updates depending on carrier support.
Battery Life
This is where the Neo V truly shines. It boasts an endurance rating of 42 hours, significantly outperforming the Neo (no endurance rating provided, but generally considered shorter). This difference likely stems from slight variations in battery capacity and power management optimizations.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V? Users seeking extended battery life and a slightly more robust build. Who should buy Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo? Those prioritizing a marginally better display contrast ratio, though the difference is minimal and both are outdated.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth using in 2024?
Realistically, no. Both phones are very outdated and lack modern features and security updates. They are best suited for niche projects or as retro devices for enthusiasts.
❓ Can I upgrade the Android version on either phone?
Officially, no. Both phones were released with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and received limited updates. While custom ROMs might exist, installing them is complex and carries risks.
