Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY vs. W550: A Clash of Eras

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY was a bold attempt at a dedicated gaming phone in 2010, while the W550 represented the peak of Sony Ericsson's slider phone design. Both hold a special place in the hearts of many, but how do they stack up against each other today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia PLAY wins decisively for those seeking gaming capabilities and a more modern smartphone experience. However, the W550's compact design, robust build quality, and focus on music make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing simplicity and a classic feel. It's a battle of priorities!

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY	Sony Ericsson W550

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	-
4G bands	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71	-
EDGE	-	No
GPRS	-	Class 10
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	-
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800	-

Launch
Announced	2011, February. Released 2011, March	2005, July
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)	93 x 46.5 x 22.5 mm (3.66 x 1.83 x 0.89 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	175 g (6.17 oz)	120 g (4.23 oz)

Display
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)	176 x 220 pixels (~157 ppi density)
Size	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)	1.8 inches, 28 x 35 mm, 10.2 cm2 (~23.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	TFT, 256K colors
	Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI	Dedicated gaming buttons 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	No
Internal	400MB 512MB RAM	256MB
Phonebook	-	1000 x 24 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	1.3 MP
Video	720p	Yes

Selfie camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	VGA	-
	-	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Alert types	-	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones, composer
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP, EDR	2.0
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	No	-
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS	No
Radio	No	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	Proprietary
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)
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 Player Predictive text input Organizer

Battery
Charging	10W wired	-
Music play	Up to 31 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)	Up to 400 h
Talk time	Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G)	Up to 8 h 30 min
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Po 900 mAh battery (BST-37)

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange	Vibrant Orange, Orchid White, Universe Blue
Price	About 140 EUR	About 130 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 capabilities (physical controls)
Larger, better display
More powerful processor
Dedicated camera

Outdated software
Limited app compatibility
Bulky design compared to the W550

Sony Ericsson W550

Compact and durable slider design
Excellent music playback (likely)
Classic Sony Ericsson feel
Potentially longer battery life (due to lower power consumption)

Very limited functionality compared to modern smartphones
Small screen
Slow performance
Likely no camera or a very basic one

Display Comparison

The Xperia PLAY boasts a 4.0-inch Reality Display, offering a significantly larger and more vibrant viewing experience compared to the W550's likely smaller, lower-resolution screen (estimated around 2.2 inches). The PLAY's display is better suited for gaming and media consumption.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia PLAY features a dedicated camera for photos, while the W550 likely had a basic camera or none at all. Image quality on the PLAY will be considerably better, though still limited by the technology of the time.

Performance

The Xperia PLAY's Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the W550's likely older and less powerful processor. The PLAY can handle more demanding apps and games, while the W550 is best suited for basic tasks.

Battery Life

While specific battery capacities are unavailable for the W550, the Xperia PLAY's 10W wired charging suggests a larger battery capacity and potentially longer battery life, especially considering its more demanding processor and display.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY? Gamers and enthusiasts seeking a retro gaming experience with a decent smartphone feature set. Who should buy the Sony Ericsson W550? Users who appreciate a compact, durable slider phone with a strong emphasis on music playback and a classic design.