The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V and Xperia Pro were both popular Android smartphones from a bygone era. While sharing a similar chipset and processor, they offered slightly different experiences. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you understand which phone held the edge.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Neo V narrowly wins due to its significantly better contrast ratio and longer battery life. While both phones are dated, the Neo V's display quality and endurance provide a slightly more enjoyable user experience, despite their shared Snapdragon S2 chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MK16i |
| 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 / 800 - MK16a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 120 x 57 x 15.3 mm (4.72 x 2.24 x 0.60 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 142 g (5.01 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 (~55.2% 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 (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 | 1GB (320MB user available), 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 | VGA |
| 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; GLONASS |
| 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 |
| | 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+
Type & Send feature
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Office Suite Pro document viewer/editor
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-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue Gradient, Silver | Black, Silver, Red |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.88 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| Endurance rating 37h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Superior Contrast Ratio (1578:1)
- Longer Battery Life (42h)
- Potentially slightly better camera
- Dated Hardware
- Limited App Compatibility
- Lower Resolution compared to modern phones
Sony Ericsson Xperia pro
- Compact Design (potentially)
- Slightly different aesthetic
- Lower Contrast Ratio (928:1)
- Shorter Battery Life (37h)
- Dated Hardware
- Limited App Compatibility
- Lower Resolution compared to modern phones
Display Comparison
The Xperia Neo V boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1578:1 compared to the Xperia Pro's 928:1. This translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors on the Neo V's display, resulting in a noticeably better viewing experience. Both phones feature similar screen resolutions and sizes, but the contrast advantage gives the Neo V a clear edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but specific camera specifications (megapixels, aperture) are not provided. Based on general knowledge, the Neo V likely had a slightly better camera sensor. Image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance will be largely comparable, with limitations inherent to the older hardware. Expect adequate performance for basic tasks but potential slowdowns with more demanding applications or multitasking.
Battery Life
The Xperia Neo V holds a clear advantage in battery life, offering an endurance rating of 42h compared to the Xperia Pro's 37h. This difference, while not massive, provides a noticeable benefit in terms of daily usage and reduced charging frequency.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Neo V is a better choice for users prioritizing display quality and battery life. The Xperia Pro might appeal to those seeking a slightly more compact design (though both are relatively similar in size) and potentially a different aesthetic, but the Neo V offers a more compelling overall package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth using in 2024?
While functional, these phones are very dated. App compatibility and security updates are major concerns. They are best suited for niche uses like retro gaming or as secondary devices.
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both the Xperia Neo V and Xperia Pro ran Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) at launch, with potential for limited updates. However, support is long discontinued.
