The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and Arc S were flagship Android devices from a bygone era, each offering a unique appeal. The PLAY was marketed as a dedicated gaming phone, while the Arc S aimed for a more refined all-around experience. 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, improved camera capabilities (video recording), and slightly better overall design. While the PLAY's dedicated gaming controls were a novelty, the Arc S's performance and versatility make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| 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+
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 |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) | 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, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls (shoulder buttons)
- Unique design
- Compact size
- Slower processor
- Basic camera
- Limited video recording
- Outdated software
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster processor
- Better camera (including video)
- Slightly improved display
- More versatile
- Aging design
- Limited storage (potentially)
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.0-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480x854 pixels. However, the Arc S boasts a slightly brighter display and potentially better color accuracy, though both are showing their age by modern standards. The PLAY's screen is adequate, but the Arc S offers a marginally better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Arc S's camera is superior. While both are listed as 'Photo' initially, the Arc S definitively supported video recording. The Arc S also likely had slightly better image processing and potentially a marginally better sensor, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. The PLAY's camera is functional but basic.
Performance
The Xperia Arc S holds a clear advantage here. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU, compared to the PLAY's 1.0 GHz, provides a noticeable performance boost. The Arc S's MSM8255T Snapdragon chipset also contributes to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The PLAY can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
Both phones utilized a 1500mAh battery. Battery life was generally decent for the time, but the Arc S's more efficient chipset likely provided slightly longer usage times, especially under load. Expect around a day of moderate use from either device.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PLAY is for nostalgic gamers who value dedicated physical controls and don't mind sacrificing some performance. The Xperia Arc S is for users seeking a balanced Android experience with a better camera and faster performance for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia PLAY worth buying for its gaming controls?
If you're a hardcore retro gamer and appreciate physical controls, it might be a fun novelty. However, the performance limitations make it less appealing for modern games.
❓ Can I update the software on either of these phones?
Officially, no. Both phones are long past their official software update cycle. Custom ROMs might be available, but flashing them carries risks and voids any warranty.
