The early 2010s were a fascinating time for smartphones, and Sony Ericsson was a major player. Two devices, the Xperia PLAY and the Live with Walkman, stand out as unique offerings. This article dives deep into a comparison of these two phones, exploring their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Live with Walkman edges out the Xperia PLAY due to its video recording capabilities and slightly better audio focus. While the PLAY's gaming focus was innovative, the Live's broader appeal and multimedia features make it the more well-rounded choice for modern retro enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - WT19i |
| 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 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - WT19a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2011, August. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) | 106 x 56.5 x 14.2 mm (4.17 x 2.22 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 115 g (4.06 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT |
| | 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) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 400MB 512MB RAM | 320MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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, HTML5, Adobe Flash | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | 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) | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 17 h 30 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) | Up to 14 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 42 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange | Black, White |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | 1.00 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -87.9dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Unique gaming controls (physical buttons)
- Dedicated gaming focus
- Relatively compact size
- No video recording
- Limited app support today
- Basic display quality
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Video recording capability
- Enhanced audio features (Walkman branding)
- Slightly more refined design
- Better multimedia experience
- Limited app support today
- Basic display quality
- Performance can be sluggish
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.0-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The displays are adequate for their time, but by today's standards, they are quite small and lack the sharpness of modern screens. Neither phone offered particularly vibrant colors or wide viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia PLAY's camera is listed as 'Photo' only, suggesting a focus on still images. The Live with Walkman boasts both 'Photo' and 'Video' capabilities. Both cameras are 8.1MP, but the Live's ability to record video gives it a significant advantage. Image quality on both is average for the era, with limited dynamic range and noticeable noise.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, performance is largely comparable. Expect basic app functionality and some lag with more demanding tasks. The Xperia PLAY's gaming focus meant it had slightly better optimization for some games, but overall, performance is similar.
Battery Life
Both devices utilized a 1200mAh battery. Battery life was generally adequate for moderate use, but heavy gaming on the Xperia PLAY would drain the battery quickly. Expect around a day of typical usage on either device.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PLAY is for those nostalgic for dedicated gaming handhelds and appreciate its physical controls. The Live with Walkman is ideal for music lovers and those seeking a solid multimedia experience with a focus on audio quality and a slightly more refined design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. App support is dwindling, and you'll need to explore alternative app stores or custom ROMs. They are best suited for nostalgia and light usage.
❓ Which phone is rarer to find?
The Xperia PLAY is generally considered rarer due to its limited production run and higher demand from collectors.
❓ Can I connect headphones to these phones?
Yes, both phones have a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
