Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY vs. Xperia PLAY CDMA: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY, fondly remembered as the 'PlayStation Phone,' offered a unique gaming experience with its slide-out gamepad. But what about the CDMA variant? This article dives deep into a comparison of the Xperia PLAY and Xperia PLAY CDMA, examining their specs, performance, and overall value for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

Both phones share the same core Snapdragon processor and gaming experience. The key difference lies in network compatibility – GSM for the standard PLAY and CDMA for the CDMA variant. Ultimately, the 'better' phone depends entirely on your carrier and regional availability. Functionally, they are nearly identical.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY	Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY CDMA

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	CDMA 800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G bands	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71	-
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	CDMA / EVDO
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800	-

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

Body
Dimensions	119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)	119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	175 g (6.17 oz)	175 g (6.17 oz)

Display
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	LED-backlit LCD,
	Touch-sensitive gaming controls PSP like gaming buttons Timescape UI	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)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included
Internal	400MB 512MB RAM	400MB 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	Yes

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
NFC	No	-
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS
Radio	No	No
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0
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	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite
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)	Dedicated game store MP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player Track ID Organizer Document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input

Battery
Charging	10W wired	-
Music play	Up to 31 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G)	Up to 405 h
Talk time	Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G)	Up to 7 h 40 min
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange	Black, White
Price	About 140 EUR	About 70 EUR
SAR EU	0.36 W/kg (head)	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

Unique slide-out gamepad
Nostalgic gaming experience
GSM compatibility
Decent camera for its time

Outdated processor
Limited storage
Poor low-light camera performance
Short battery life with heavy use

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY CDMA

Unique slide-out gamepad
Nostalgic gaming experience
CDMA compatibility
Decent camera for its time

Outdated processor
Limited storage
Poor low-light camera performance
Short battery life with heavy use

Display Comparison

Both devices feature a 4.0-inch Reality Display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The display quality is adequate for its time, but not exceptional by modern standards. Color reproduction and viewing angles are average. No significant difference exists between the two models.

Camera Comparison

Both models feature an 8.1MP rear camera capable of capturing photos. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but suffers in low light. Video recording is limited to 20fps. Camera performance is consistent across both versions.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, both phones offer similar performance. Gaming is possible, but don't expect to run modern titles smoothly. The Snapdragon S2 was a capable processor for its era, but it's showing its age. Performance is virtually identical between the two.

Battery Life

Both devices are equipped with a 1500 mAh battery. Battery life is generally adequate for moderate use, but heavy gaming will drain the battery quickly. Expect around 6-8 hours of mixed usage. Battery performance is comparable between the two.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is ideal for GSM users seeking a nostalgic gaming experience. The Xperia PLAY CDMA caters specifically to CDMA network users wanting the same gaming functionality. Consider your carrier compatibility above all else, as other differences are minimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the main difference between the Xperia PLAY and Xperia PLAY CDMA?

The primary difference is network compatibility. The standard Xperia PLAY supports GSM networks, while the CDMA variant supports CDMA networks. All other core specifications are identical.

❓ Can I play modern games on the Xperia PLAY?

No, the Xperia PLAY's Snapdragon S2 processor is too outdated to handle modern games. It's best suited for older Android titles and emulated retro games.