The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and Arc S were flagship Android devices vying for attention in a competitive market. The PLAY aimed to be a dedicated gaming phone, while the Arc S focused on a refined design and improved performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S edges out the PLAY thanks to its faster processor, slightly better display, and more refined design. While the PLAY's dedicated gaming controls were unique, the Arc S offers a more well-rounded experience for everyday use. Ultimately, the Arc S is the more compelling choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | CDMA / EVDO | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, May | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% 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 | 1.4 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 400MB 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| Radio | No | 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 | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Dedicated game store
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Track ID
Organizer
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input | ANT+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
NeoReader barcode scanner
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 405 h | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 40 min | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY CDMA
- Unique gaming controls (physical buttons)
- Slower processor
- Less refined design
- Lower resolution display compared to Arc S
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster processor (1.4 GHz)
- Higher resolution display
- Sleeker design
- Potentially better camera quality
- Gaming controls are virtual
- Battery life not exceptional
Display Comparison
The Xperia Arc S boasts a slightly superior display with a higher resolution (FWVGA 854x480 vs. qHD 960x540 on the PLAY) and potentially better color accuracy. Both use OLED technology, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the Arc S's higher resolution provides a sharper image. The Arc S also has a slightly smaller bezel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 8MP cameras, but the Arc S generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Arc S's image processing algorithms were refined, resulting in more natural colors and reduced noise. Video recording capabilities are similar on both devices.
Performance
The Xperia Arc S's 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor gives it a noticeable performance advantage over the Xperia PLAY's 1.0 GHz processor. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and overall responsiveness is improved. The Arc S's MSM8255T chipset also contributes to this enhanced performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two devices, typically offering a full day of moderate use. Both phones are susceptible to battery drain with heavy gaming or video playback. The Arc S's slightly more efficient chipset might provide a marginal advantage in battery longevity.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PLAY CDMA is for those nostalgic for dedicated gaming controls on a smartphone and who appreciate a more rugged build. The Xperia Arc S is ideal for users prioritizing a sleek design, smoother performance, and a slightly better camera experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia PLAY worth buying for gaming?
The Xperia PLAY's physical gaming controls are a unique selling point, but the slower processor and less powerful graphics compared to modern smartphones make it less ideal for demanding games. It's more suited for retro gaming or simpler titles.
❓ Which phone has better build quality?
The Xperia Arc S generally feels more premium due to its refined design and materials. The Xperia PLAY has a more robust, slightly chunkier build, which some may prefer for durability.
