The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo and Neo V were popular Android smartphones in their time, offering a blend of style and functionality. But which one truly reigned supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which device was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Neo V edges out the Neo primarily due to its significantly improved battery life. While both share similar processing power and display quality, the Neo V's endurance makes it the more practical choice for users prioritizing longevity. Both are dated now, but the Neo V holds a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i |
| 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 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2011, August. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 126 g (4.44 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 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| 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 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| 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 | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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 | HTML, Adobe Flash | 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 | 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 | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue Gradient, Red, Silver | White, Blue Gradient, Silver |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 42h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
- Slightly higher contrast ratio (nominal)
- Compact design
- Poor battery life
- Limited performance
- Outdated camera
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Excellent battery life (42h endurance)
- Compact design
- Similar performance to Neo
- Slightly lower contrast ratio (nominal)
- Limited performance
- Outdated camera
Display Comparison
Both the Xperia Neo and Neo V feature similar displays, with the Neo boasting a slightly higher nominal contrast ratio of 1670:1 compared to the Neo V's 1578:1. However, in real-world usage, the difference is likely negligible. Both screens are adequate for their time, offering decent color reproduction and viewing angles, though resolution is a limiting factor by today's standards (likely 480x854).
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are identical on paper, featuring a Photo/Video camera setup. Image quality is generally acceptable for casual snapshots, but low-light performance is weak. Video recording capabilities are limited to standard definition.
Performance
Performance is virtually identical. Both devices are powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset. Expect similar app loading times and responsiveness, though both will struggle with modern, demanding applications. Gaming performance will be limited.
Battery Life
This is where the Neo V shines. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 42 hours, significantly outperforming the Neo. The Neo's battery life is considerably shorter, making the Neo V the clear winner in this category.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo is suitable for users who prioritize a slightly higher contrast ratio display (though minimal difference) and don't mind shorter battery life. The Xperia Neo V is ideal for users who value extended battery life and a more reliable overall experience, even with a slightly lower contrast ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What resolution were the displays on these phones?
Both the Xperia Neo and Neo V likely featured a resolution of 480x854 pixels, which was standard for smartphones at the time.
❓ Are these phones still worth using today?
Due to their age and outdated hardware, these phones are not recommended for everyday use. They lack modern features and struggle to run current apps. They might be suitable for niche projects or as retro devices for enthusiasts.
