Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo vs Samsung Galaxy S Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo and Samsung Galaxy S Plus were both popular Android devices vying for attention in a competitive market. Both offered a blend of style and functionality, but significant differences existed under the hood. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which phone ultimately reigns supreme.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S Plus edges out the Xperia Neo thanks to its faster processor, superior display contrast (claiming 'infinite'), and generally more refined software experience. While the Neo has a sleek design, the S Plus offers a more compelling overall package for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo	Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100	-

Launch
Announced	2011, February. Released 2011, March	2011, April. Released 2011, July
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in)	122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm (4.82 x 2.53 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	126 g (4.44 oz)	119 g (4.20 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density)	480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density)
Size	3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio)	4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~58.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	Super AMOLED

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	1.4 GHz Scorpion
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2	Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2
GPU	Adreno 205	Adreno 205
OS	Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), TouchWiz UI 3

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	320MB 512MB RAM	8GB 512MB RAM, 16GB 512MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	8 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	720p@30fps	720p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	Yes	VGA

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	3.0, A2DP, aptX
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Browser	HTML, Adobe Flash	HTML, Adobe Flash
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	MP4/DivX/Xvid/WMV/H.264 player MP3/WAV/eAAC+/AC3/FLAC player TV-out Photo/video editor Document editor

Battery
Music play	Up to 31 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)	Up to 480 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)	Up to 17 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 50 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Blue Gradient, Red, Silver	Black, White
Models	-	GT-I9001
Price	About 110 EUR	About 230 EUR
SAR	-	0.44 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.10 W/kg (head)	0.35 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB	Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -87.0dB
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

Sleek and stylish design
Compact form factor
Decent display contrast

Slower processor
Limited storage
Battery life could be better

Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus

Faster processor (1.4 GHz)
Potentially better display contrast ('infinite')
Slightly better camera performance
More responsive UI

Design less distinctive than Neo
Battery life still average
Software updates may be limited now

Display Comparison

The Xperia Neo boasts a respectable 1670:1 contrast ratio, providing decent blacks and vibrant colors. However, the Galaxy S Plus claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio, which, while potentially marketing hype, suggests a significantly improved visual experience with deeper blacks and better overall image quality. Both phones feature similar display resolutions, but the S Plus's contrast advantage gives it the edge.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Generally, the Galaxy S Plus's camera was considered slightly better in real-world usage, likely due to software optimizations and potentially a slightly better sensor. Low-light performance was a common area where the S Plus showed an advantage.

Performance

Here, the Galaxy S Plus takes a clear lead. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU, compared to the Neo's 1.0 GHz, translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Snapdragon S2 MSM8255T chipset in the S Plus also contributes to its improved performance.

Battery Life

Battery life was a common complaint for both devices. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the Galaxy S Plus's slightly more efficient chipset and software optimizations likely resulted in marginally better battery performance than the Xperia Neo.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo is a good choice for users prioritizing a stylish design and a compact form factor, especially if they can find it at a significantly reduced price. The Samsung Galaxy S Plus is ideal for those seeking better performance, a more vibrant display, and a slightly more modern Android experience.