The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY was a bold attempt at a gaming phone in 2011, while the K618 represented the peak of Sony Ericsson's slider phone design. Both are relics of a bygone era, but which offers a more compelling experience today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY wins hands down. While the K618 boasts a classic design, the PLAY's Snapdragon processor, dedicated gaming controls, and superior camera make it the more capable and interesting device, despite its age. It's a nostalgic gaming experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | UMTS 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / UMTS |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2006, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) | 102 x 45.2 x 16.9 mm (4.02 x 1.78 x 0.67 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 89 g (3.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 176 x 220 pixels (~148 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 1.9 inches, 30 x 37 mm, 11.4 cm2 (~24.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI | Wallpapers, screensavers |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 2 GB |
| Internal | 400MB 512MB RAM | 16MB |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | QCIF |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | VGA | VGA videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML(NetFront), RSS feeds |
| Games | - | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | 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) | MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ player
Video telephony
Predictive text input
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) | Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 2 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange | Vibrant Black, Bright White |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
| - |
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls
- More powerful processor
- Larger screen
- Camera for photos
- 10W charging
- Outdated software
- Limited app compatibility
- Battery degradation
- Low resolution screen by modern standards
Sony Ericsson K618
- Classic slider design
- Durable build quality (likely)
- Compact size
- Very limited functionality
- No dedicated camera (likely)
- Extremely outdated technology
- Small screen
- Poor performance
Display Comparison
The Xperia PLAY features a 4.0-inch Reality Display, offering a decent resolution for its time. The K618 likely has a smaller, lower-resolution screen typical of 2006-era phones. The PLAY's larger screen and potentially better color reproduction give it a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia PLAY has a dedicated camera for photos, though image quality will be limited by its age. The K618 likely had a basic camera, if any, with very low resolution. The PLAY's camera, even with its limitations, is a step up.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY's Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides significantly more processing power than the K618. The PLAY can handle basic games and apps, while the K618 is limited to simple tasks and pre-installed applications. The PLAY's performance is noticeably superior.
Battery Life
The Xperia PLAY supports 10W wired charging, suggesting a larger battery capacity than the K618. However, both phones will suffer from battery degradation after years of use. Expect limited battery life from either device.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PLAY is for retro gaming enthusiasts and those curious about early smartphone gaming. The K618 is for collectors of classic Sony Ericsson phones and those appreciating a simple, durable slider design. Neither is recommended for primary daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones usable in 2024?
Both are primarily collector's items. While they can technically function, modern apps won't run, and network compatibility may be an issue. They're best enjoyed for their nostalgic value.
❓ Can I find replacement parts for these phones?
Finding replacement parts is increasingly difficult. Online marketplaces like eBay are your best bet, but availability is limited and prices can be high.
