The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo represented a stylish Android offering from a bygone era, while the Sony Xperia Z marked a significant leap forward in the company's smartphone evolution. But how do these two devices truly stack up against each other? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which phone is right for you (or for historical appreciation!).
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia Z is the clear winner. Its vastly superior processor, significantly better battery life, and improved display technology make it a far more capable and modern device. The Neo, while charming for its time, simply can't compete with the Z's performance and features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - C6602, C6603 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - C6603 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - C6603 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - C6602 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2013, January. Released 2013, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) | 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm (5.47 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 146 g (5.15 oz) |
| | - | IP57 dust/water resistant (up to 1m. and 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 320MB 512MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13.1 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 2.2 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | 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 | Up to 40 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 550 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2330 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue Gradient, Red, Silver | Black, White, Purple |
| Models | - | C6603, C6602, C6616, C6606 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.8dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB |
Noise -81.9dB / Crosstalk -81.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 48h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1670:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 705:1 (nominal) / 2.462:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 65dB |
Voice 60dB / Noise 58dB / Ring 61dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
- Stylish design
- Decent contrast ratio indoors
- Compact size (for its time)
- Outdated processor
- Poor battery life
- Limited storage
- Lower camera quality
- Slow performance
Sony Xperia Z
- Excellent battery life
- Powerful processor
- Bright and sunlight-readable display
- Better camera quality
- More modern features
- Can be bulky
- Older model (potential for hardware issues)
- Display contrast ratio (nominal) is lower than advertised
Display Comparison
The Xperia Z boasts a significantly brighter and more sunlight-readable display with a contrast ratio of 2.462:1 under direct sunlight, a huge advantage over the Neo's 1670:1 (nominal) ratio. While the Neo's contrast is respectable indoors, the Z's overall display quality is noticeably superior, offering better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Xperia Z's camera hardware and image processing are considerably better. Expect sharper images, better low-light performance, and more detailed videos from the Z. Specific megapixel counts are not provided, but the Z's overall image quality is demonstrably higher.
Performance
The Xperia Z's Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset with a quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor utterly dominates the Xperia Neo's Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 with a single 1.0 GHz Scorpion core. Expect dramatically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a much more responsive user experience on the Z. The Neo feels sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z's endurance rating of 48h is a massive advantage. The Neo's battery life was considerably shorter, likely struggling to last a full day with moderate use. The Z's larger battery and more efficient processor contribute to its exceptional battery performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo? Primarily collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with an older Android device. Who should buy the Sony Xperia Z? Anyone looking for a reliable, capable smartphone with good battery life and a decent camera, especially if they can find one in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Neo worth buying today?
Only for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic Android experience. It's significantly outdated and lacks modern features.
❓ Can I still find a Sony Xperia Z?
Yes, but finding one in good condition may require searching online marketplaces or used electronics retailers. Be sure to check the battery health before purchasing.
❓ What Android version did these phones run?
The Xperia Neo launched with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and was later updated to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The Xperia Z launched with Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean).
