The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V represents a bygone era of stylish Android phones, while the Xiaomi Redmi 6A embodies modern budget smartphone value. Can a classic compete with contemporary technology? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall appeal.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 6A decisively wins. While the Xperia neo V boasts a surprisingly good contrast ratio, its outdated chipset and slower performance can't compete with the Redmi 6A's modern processor and efficient design. The Redmi 6A offers a far superior user experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2018, June. Released 2018, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 147.5 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm (5.81 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| 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) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue Gradient, Silver | Black, Grey, Blue, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | M1804C3CG, M1804C3CH, M1804C3CI |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) 1.52 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
| - |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 61660 (v7)
GeekBench: 2450 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Stylish retro design
- Good contrast ratio (for its time)
- Decent battery life (rated)
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Limited app compatibility
- Likely lower resolution display
Xiaomi Redmi 6A
- Modern processor and chipset
- Smooth performance
- Good value for money
- Likely better camera quality
- Modern software support
- Basic design
- May lack premium features
Display Comparison
The Xperia neo V's display, with a nominal contrast ratio of 1578:1, was impressive for its time. However, it's likely smaller and lacks the resolution and color accuracy of the Redmi 6A's display. The Redmi 6A likely offers a more vibrant and detailed viewing experience, though specific resolution details are needed for a precise comparison.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is difficult to definitively assess without detailed specifications and sample images. The Xperia neo V had a decent camera for its time, but modern smartphone cameras have advanced considerably. The Redmi 6A likely offers better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and potentially more features.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 6A shines. Its Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 chipset are significantly faster and more efficient than the Xperia neo V's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive overall experience on the Redmi 6A.
Battery Life
The Xperia neo V's endurance rating of 42h is impressive, but this was measured under older testing methodologies. The Redmi 6A, with its more efficient chipset and likely a larger battery capacity (estimated around 3000mAh), likely provides comparable or even better real-world battery life, despite the older rating.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V is for nostalgia enthusiasts and collectors seeking a piece of smartphone history. The Xiaomi Redmi 6A is ideal for budget-conscious users needing a reliable daily driver for basic tasks like calls, texts, and social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia neo V worth buying for collectors?
If you're a fan of Sony Ericsson phones and appreciate retro technology, it might be. However, be aware of its limitations in terms of performance and app compatibility.
❓ Can the Redmi 6A handle demanding games?
No, the Redmi 6A is not designed for demanding games. It's suitable for casual games and basic mobile gaming.
