The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo and Xperia Pro were both popular Android devices of their time, offering distinct features and designs. But which one truly stood out? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Pro edges out the Neo primarily due to its significantly superior battery life. While both share a similar processor and chipset, the Neo's higher contrast ratio display is a slight advantage. Ultimately, the Pro's endurance makes it the more practical choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MK16i |
| 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 - MK16a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2011, February. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 120 x 57 x 15.3 mm (4.72 x 2.24 x 0.60 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 142 g (5.01 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 (~55.2% 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 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 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 |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| 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 |
| | 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+
Type & Send feature
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Office Suite Pro document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| 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 | Black, Silver, Red |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.88 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 37h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
- Higher contrast ratio display
- Potentially more compact design
- Slightly more modern aesthetic (generally)
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Camera details are unknown
- Performance is basic
Sony Ericsson Xperia pro
- Exceptional battery life (37h endurance)
- Robust build quality (likely)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Lower contrast ratio display
- Camera details are unknown
- Design may appear dated
Display Comparison
The Xperia Neo boasts a notably higher contrast ratio of 1670:1 compared to the Xperia Pro's 928:1. This suggests the Neo would offer deeper blacks and a more visually striking image. However, both phones utilized similar display technology (likely LED) and resolution (likely 1280x480), so the difference might not be dramatically noticeable in everyday use. Screen size was likely similar, around 3.7 inches.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific megapixel counts and features are missing from the provided specs. Based on general knowledge, both likely offered a standard camera setup for their era, around 8MP. Image quality would likely be similar, adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
Both devices are powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset. Performance should be broadly comparable, suitable for basic Android tasks and light gaming. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards, but they were reasonably capable for their time.
Battery Life
This is where the Xperia Pro truly shines. Its endurance rating of 37 hours significantly surpasses what the Xperia Neo likely offered. The Neo's battery life was likely in the range of 10-15 hours of typical usage. This difference makes the Pro a much better option for users who need a phone that can last through a full day or more.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Neo is a good choice for users prioritizing a vibrant display and a slightly more compact design. The Xperia Pro is ideal for those who need extended battery life and are willing to trade off some display contrast for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version did these phones run?
Both the Xperia Neo and Xperia Pro initially launched with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), with potential for updates to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
❓ Are spare parts still available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for these older devices can be challenging. Availability is limited and often reliant on third-party sellers or repair shops specializing in vintage phones.
