Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY vs. W995: A Clash of Classics

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and W995 represent distinct eras of mobile technology. The PLAY aimed to be a portable gaming console, while the W995 focused on premium music playback. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device holds up best today.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia PLAY wins for gaming enthusiasts thanks to its dedicated gaming controls and significantly faster processor. However, the W995 boasts superior audio quality and a more refined design for music lovers. It's a trade-off depending on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY	Sony Ericsson W995

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71	-
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800	HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a

Launch
Announced	2011, February. Released 2011, March	2009, February. Released 2009, May
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)	97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	175 g (6.17 oz)	113 g (3.99 oz)
	-	Built-in kickstand

Display
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)
Size	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	TFT, 256K colors
	Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI	-

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	369 MHz ARM 11
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 16 GB, 8 GB included
Internal	400MB 512MB RAM	118MB
Phonebook	-	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	8.1 MP, AF
Video	720p	320p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	VGA	-
	-	Videocall camera

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	2.0, A2DP
NFC	No	-
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder navigator
Radio	No	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash	WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader
Games	-	Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable
Java	-	Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging	-	SMS, MMS, Email, IM
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer
	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/MP4 player TrackID music recognition Photo editor Organizer Voice memo/dial Walkman 4.0 player Shake control SensMe

Battery
Charging	10W wired	-
Music play	Up to 31 h	Up to 20 h
Stand-by	Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)	Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G)	Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38)

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange	Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red
Price	About 140 EUR	About 100 EUR
SAR EU	0.36 W/kg (head)	1.18 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB	Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB
Camera	Photo	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Dedicated gaming controls
Faster processor
Larger display
Better gaming performance
Longer battery life

Bulky design
Camera performance is average
Software feels dated

Sony Ericsson W995

Excellent audio quality
Stylish and compact design
Xenon flash for better photos
More refined build quality

Slow processor
Small display
Limited gaming capabilities
Shorter battery life

Display Comparison

The Xperia PLAY features a 4.0-inch Reality Display with a resolution of 480x854 pixels. The W995 has a 2.8-inch QVGA display. The Xperia PLAY's larger size and higher resolution provide a noticeably better viewing experience, especially for gaming. The W995's screen is adequate for its time but feels small by modern standards.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have cameras, but neither is exceptional by today's standards. The Xperia PLAY has an 8.1MP camera, while the W995 has a 8.1MP camera. Image quality is comparable, with both producing decent photos in good lighting conditions but struggling in low light. The W995's camera has a Xenon flash, which provides better illumination than the PLAY's LED flash.

Performance

Here's where the Xperia PLAY truly shines. Its 1.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset and Scorpion CPU offer a substantial performance advantage over the W995's 369 MHz ARM 11 processor. The PLAY handles games far more smoothly, while the W995 can feel sluggish at times.

Battery Life

The Xperia PLAY has a 1500 mAh battery, while the W995 has a 1120 mAh battery. The PLAY generally offers longer battery life, especially when gaming. The W995's battery life is acceptable for music playback but drains quickly with heavy use.

Buying Guide

The Xperia PLAY is ideal for retro gamers seeking a portable console experience. The W995 is perfect for audiophiles who appreciate high-quality music playback and a stylish, compact design. Both are niche purchases now, primarily for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.