The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V and neo L were popular Android smartphones from a bygone era. Both offered a stylish design and a respectable feature set for their time. But which one truly reigned supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia neo V edges out the neo L thanks to its significantly better contrast ratio on the display and slightly longer reported battery life. While both share the same processor, the neo V's screen quality provides a more immersive viewing experience, making it the preferable choice for most users.
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2012, March. Released 2012, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 121 x 61.1 x 12.2 mm (4.76 x 2.41 x 0.48 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 131.5 g (4.62 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Timescape UI |
| 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 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 1GB (300MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 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 | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| 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 | - |
| 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) | 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 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 575 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 7 h 53 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 9 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue Gradient, Silver | Black, White |
| Models | - | M25i |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 1.01 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
Noise -85.6dB / Crosstalk -85.6dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1097:1 (nominal) / 1.169:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 65dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Superior display contrast
- Slightly longer battery life
- Stylish design
- Older hardware, limited app compatibility
- Difficult to find in good condition
- Camera performance is dated
Sony Xperia neo L
- Slightly better sunlight readability
- Compact size
- Stylish design
- Lower display contrast
- Shorter battery life
- Older hardware, limited app compatibility
- Difficult to find in good condition
Display Comparison
The Xperia neo V boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1578:1 compared to the neo L's 1097:1. This translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors on the neo V's screen, resulting in a noticeably better viewing experience. The neo L does have a slightly better sunlight readability ratio at 1.169:1, but the overall display quality favors the neo V.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are identical on paper (Photo/Video). Real-world image quality will depend on the lens and image processing algorithms, which were likely similar. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be limited.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance will be comparable for basic tasks and older Android games. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards; these phones were designed for a less demanding mobile landscape.
Battery Life
The Xperia neo V has a reported endurance rating of 42 hours, which is slightly better than the neo L. However, actual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns. Given their age, battery health will likely be a significant factor for any used device.
Buying Guide
The Xperia neo V is ideal for those prioritizing display quality and slightly longer battery life. The Xperia neo L might appeal to budget-conscious buyers or those who prefer a slightly smaller form factor (though both are very similar in size). However, both are quite dated and finding them in good condition will be a challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, finding a functional Xperia neo V or neo L can be challenging. They are primarily of interest to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic Android experience. Modern smartphones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ What Android version did these phones ship with?
Both the Xperia neo V and neo L originally shipped with Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). While some custom ROMs might be available, official updates are unlikely.
