Relive the early days of Android with a comparison of two iconic Sony Ericsson devices: the Xperia PLAY and the Xperia neo V. Both offer a glimpse into a bygone era of smartphone design and features, but which one holds up better today? Let's dive in and see which phone emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia neo V edges out the PLAY thanks to its superior battery life and video recording capabilities. While the PLAY boasts a unique gaming controller, the neo V's overall balance of features and endurance makes it the slightly better choice for most users seeking a retro Android experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| 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 - MT11a |
| 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) | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% 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 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 400MB 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| 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 | - |
| 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 | No |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| 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/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (T9 Trace) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) | Up to 430 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 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange | White, Blue Gradient, Silver |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 42h
|
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB | Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 42h |
| Camera | Photo | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB | Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Unique gaming controller
- Compact size
- Nostalgic design
- Poor battery life
- Limited video recording
- Outdated performance
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Excellent battery life
- Photo & Video Recording
- Slightly better display
- More refined design
- No dedicated gaming controls
- Outdated performance
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.0-inch display with a respectable 1578:1 contrast ratio. However, the neo V generally offered slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to minor hardware differences in the panel. The PLAY's screen was adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia PLAY's camera was primarily focused on still photography. The Xperia neo V, however, offered both photo and video recording capabilities, a significant advantage. While image quality on both was decent for the time, the neo V's video recording was noticeably better.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, performance is largely comparable. Expect moderate performance suitable for basic apps and older games. Demanding modern apps will struggle on both devices. The neo V might have slightly better thermal management.
Battery Life
This is where the neo V truly shines. Its endurance rating of 42h significantly surpasses the Xperia PLAY's battery life (estimated around 20-25h). The neo V's larger battery capacity provides a substantial advantage for all-day usage.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PLAY is ideal for nostalgic gamers seeking a dedicated gaming experience with physical controls. The Xperia neo V is a better fit for users prioritizing longer battery life, a more versatile camera (including video), and a generally more refined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia PLAY worth buying for gaming?
If you're a hardcore retro gamer and value physical controls above all else, the Xperia PLAY can be a fun novelty. However, modern emulators on more powerful devices offer a far superior gaming experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives active software support today. Both are running outdated versions of Android. Custom ROMs might be available for enthusiasts, but proceed with caution.
