The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V and Xperia sola were both popular Android devices in their time, offering distinct features and performance levels. Choosing between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia neo V boasts a significantly better display contrast and impressive battery life. However, the Xperia sola's dual-core processor provides a noticeable performance edge. Ultimately, the neo V is better for media consumption, while the sola offers smoother multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2012, March. Released 2012, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 116 x 59 x 9.9 mm (4.57 x 2.32 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 107 g (3.77 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 (~55.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Floating touch display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | NovaThor U8500 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Mali-400 |
| 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) |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 8GB (5GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 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 |
| | - | 3D surround sound
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| 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) | MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 40 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 470 h (2G) / Up to 475 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 1320 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue Gradient, Silver | Black, White, Red |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 1.25 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
Noise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1002:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 60dB / Noise 59dB / Ring 61dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB | Noise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 42h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1002:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB | Voice 60dB / Noise 59dB / Ring 61dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Superior display contrast
- Excellent battery life
- Sleek design (typical of Sony Ericsson)
- Good media consumption experience
- Slower performance compared to the sola
- Single-core processor
- Potentially slightly inferior camera (speculative)
Sony Xperia sola
- Faster dual-core processor
- Smoother multitasking
- More responsive user experience
- Likely slightly better app compatibility (due to newer chipset)
- Lower display contrast
- Shorter battery life
- Less impressive media viewing experience
Display Comparison
The Xperia neo V shines with a remarkable contrast ratio of 1578:1, delivering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the Xperia sola's 1002:1. Both phones feature similar display resolutions (likely qHD), but the neo V's superior contrast makes a tangible difference in image quality. Viewing angles are likely comparable, typical for the era.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed specifications are missing. Based on general knowledge, the neo V likely had a slightly better camera sensor, potentially offering marginally better image quality in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance on both would be limited by the technology of the time. Video recording capabilities were likely similar, both offering 720p recording.
Performance
Here's where the Xperia sola takes the lead. Its dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor is a significant upgrade over the neo V's single-core 1.0 GHz Scorpion. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The Snapdragon S2 chipset in the neo V was adequate for its time, but struggles compared to the Cortex-A9.
Battery Life
The Xperia neo V absolutely dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 42h is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer usage between charges compared to the Xperia sola. The sola's battery capacity was likely smaller, and the dual-core processor, while faster, consumes more power.
Buying Guide
The Xperia neo V is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and long battery life for media enjoyment. The Xperia sola is a better choice for those needing a more responsive experience for apps and games, even with its slightly lower contrast ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia sola is the better choice for gaming due to its dual-core processor and improved performance. While both phones can handle basic games, the sola will provide a smoother experience.
❓ Is the Xperia neo V's display worth the trade-off in performance?
If you prioritize a vibrant display for watching videos and browsing photos, the neo V's superior contrast is a significant advantage. However, be prepared for occasional slowdowns compared to the sola.
