Nostalgia is a powerful force, and both the Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo and the Apple iPhone SE tap into it. The Neo represents a bygone era of Android, while the iPhone SE harkens back to the classic iPhone design. But which phone offers a better experience today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone SE decisively wins this comparison. While the Xperia Neo boasts a higher contrast ratio on paper, the iPhone SE's superior processing power, modern iOS, and significantly better battery life make it the clear choice for most users. The Neo is a fun retro piece, but the SE is a usable modern device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1662, A1723 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A1662, A1723 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29 - A1662 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1723 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2016, March 21. Released 2016, March 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 113 g (3.99 oz) |
| | - | Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Apple A9 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | iOS 9.3.2, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | No |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | NVMe |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | Yes | 1.2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 240 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Li-Po 1624 mAh, non-removable (6.21 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue Gradient, Red, Silver | Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | A1662, A1723, A1724, iPhone8,4 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -72.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 804:1 (nominal), 3.681 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 69dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2163 |
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
- High contrast ratio (nominal)
- Nostalgic Android experience
- Compact design
- Poor battery life
- Outdated processor
- Limited app support
- Low-resolution display compared to modern standards
Apple iPhone SE
- Powerful processor (A9)
- Excellent battery life
- Compact size
- iOS ecosystem
- Good camera
- Lower contrast ratio (nominal) than Neo
- Older design (though classic)
- Limited storage options on base models
Display Comparison
The Xperia Neo's display boasts a nominal contrast ratio of 1670:1, which was impressive for its time. However, the iPhone SE's 804:1 contrast ratio is complemented by a remarkable 3.681 rating in sunlight, making it far more usable outdoors. While the Neo's contrast might appear better in controlled environments, the iPhone SE's visibility wins.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the iPhone SE's camera is generally considered superior due to Apple's image processing and software optimization. The Xperia Neo's camera was decent for its time, but it simply can't compete with the iPhone SE's image quality, especially in low light.
Performance
This is where the iPhone SE truly shines. Its Apple A9 chipset and dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister CPU vastly outperform the Xperia Neo's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the iPhone SE.
Battery Life
The iPhone SE's endurance rating of 73h is a massive advantage. The Xperia Neo's battery life was notoriously short, a common complaint among users. The iPhone SE offers significantly longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo? Android enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic experience and a glimpse into early Android design. Who should buy the Apple iPhone SE? Users wanting a compact, powerful iPhone with excellent performance and a familiar iOS experience, especially those on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Neo worth buying for collectors?
Yes, if you're an Android enthusiast or collector interested in early Android devices, the Xperia Neo can be a fun addition. However, don't expect a modern smartphone experience.
❓ Can I still find apps for the Xperia Neo?
Finding apps for the Xperia Neo can be challenging due to its outdated Android version. Compatibility is limited, and many modern apps won't work.
❓ What is the main advantage of the iPhone SE?
The iPhone SE's main advantage is its combination of a powerful processor, compact size, and the iOS ecosystem, all at a relatively affordable price.
