Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo vs Xperia PLAY: A Retro Smartphone Showdown

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo and Xperia PLAY represent a fascinating era in mobile technology. Both phones, released around 2011, aimed to deliver a premium experience, but with distinct approaches. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you understand which device held up better over time.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia PLAY edges out the Neo thanks to its dedicated gaming controls and slightly better overall hardware. While both are dated, the PLAY's unique selling point gives it a slight advantage for enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic gaming experience. The Neo's superior display is a notable counterpoint.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo	Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands	-	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71
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 / 800

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

Body
Dimensions	116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in)	119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	126 g (4.44 oz)	175 g (6.17 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	-
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density)	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size	3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio)	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	LED-backlit LCD,
	-	Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI

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)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal	320MB 512MB RAM	400MB 512MB RAM

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

Selfie camera
Features	-	LED flash
Single	Yes	VGA

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC	-	No
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	No
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	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, 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	Dedicated game store MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player Organizer Document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input (Swype)

Battery
Charging	-	10W wired
Music play	Up to 31 h	Up to 31 h
Stand-by	Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)	Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)	Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Blue Gradient, Red, Silver	Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange
Price	About 110 EUR	About 140 EUR
SAR EU	1.10 W/kg (head)	0.36 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo
Display	Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

Superior display contrast
Photo and video recording
Sleek design
More standard smartphone experience

Limited performance
Outdated software
Camera quality is dated
No dedicated gaming controls

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Dedicated gaming controls
Slightly optimized gaming performance
Nostalgic appeal
10W charging

Lower display quality
Photo-only camera
Outdated software
Limited app compatibility

Display Comparison

The Xperia Neo boasts a significantly better display with a reported contrast ratio of 1670:1, suggesting richer blacks and improved image quality. The Xperia PLAY's display, while adequate for its time, lacks this level of contrast. This makes the Neo a winner for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Camera capabilities were a key differentiator. The Neo offered both photo and video recording, while the PLAY was primarily focused on photo capture. The Neo's video recording ability gives it a slight edge in versatility, though image quality on both is limited by the sensors of the time.

Performance

Both devices share the same 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset. Performance will be comparable, though the Xperia PLAY's slightly more optimized software (for gaming) might offer a marginal advantage in some titles. Expect both to struggle with modern apps.

Battery Life

The Xperia PLAY features 10W wired charging, which is a small advantage over the Neo. Battery life on both devices was generally considered average for the era, around 8-10 hours of moderate use. Actual battery performance will depend heavily on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo? Those prioritizing a better display and a more streamlined, standard smartphone experience. Who should buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY? Retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors seeking a dedicated gaming handheld feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?

While technically usable, both phones are severely limited by their outdated software and hardware. App compatibility is a major issue, and performance will be slow. They are best suited for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.

❓ Can I update the software on either phone?

Officially, no. Software updates ceased years ago. While custom ROMs might exist, installing them is complex and carries risks.