Remember the days of Sony Ericsson Android phones? Two standouts were the Xperia PLAY, marketed as a gaming powerhouse, and the Xperia X8, a more budget-friendly option. Let's revisit these devices and see how they stack up today, considering their age and original intentions.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY wins for performance and gaming thanks to its Snapdragon S2 and dedicated gaming controls. However, the Xperia X8 offers a slightly better screen and potentially better value if you prioritize multimedia over raw power, especially considering their current used prices. It's a close call!
| 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 | - |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| 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 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, March | 2010, June. Released 2010, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) | 99 x 54 x 15 mm (3.90 x 2.13 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 104 g (3.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~50.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT |
| | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 400MB 512MB RAM | 128MB 168MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries , Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 720p | 480p@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 |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash | HTML |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.1 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| 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+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 23 h 40 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) | Up to 446 h (2G) / Up to 476 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) | Up to 4 h 45 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange | White, Dark Blue/ White, Aqua Blue/ White, Pink/ White, Silver/ White |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | 0.84 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
Noise -75.6dB / Crosstalk -70.7dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Superior Performance
- Dedicated Gaming Controls
- Slightly Better Battery Life
- More Powerful GPU
- Older Software
- Limited App Compatibility
- Can be harder to find in good condition
Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
- Slightly Better Screen Resolution
- Potentially Better Value (used)
- More Common Availability (used)
- Compact Size
- Weaker Performance
- Outdated Processor
- Limited App Compatibility
- Older Software
Display Comparison
The Xperia X8 boasts a 4-inch 480x854 pixel display, offering a slightly better resolution than the Xperia PLAY's 4-inch 480x854 screen. While both are LCD panels with decent color reproduction for their time, the X8's slightly higher resolution gives it a minor edge in sharpness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo' cameras, which generally means 8MP sensors. However, image quality is heavily impacted by the processors and software. The Xperia PLAY likely has slightly better image processing due to its more powerful chipset, resulting in marginally better photos, but don't expect miracles from either.
Performance
Here's where the Xperia PLAY truly shines. Its Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU significantly outperforms the Xperia X8's MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 and 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU. The PLAY handles apps and games much smoother, though both will struggle with modern titles. The PLAY's Adreno 205 GPU is also superior.
Battery Life
The Xperia PLAY has a 1500 mAh battery, while the Xperia X8 has a 1300 mAh battery. This suggests the PLAY should offer slightly better battery life, but real-world usage will depend on the tasks performed. Both will likely require daily charging.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PLAY is for retro gaming enthusiasts and those who appreciate physical controls. The Xperia X8 is for users seeking a basic, affordable Android experience for media consumption and light tasks. Both are relics of the past, so manage expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with significant limitations. They run older versions of Android and have limited app compatibility. They are best suited for retro gaming or as basic media players.
❓ Can I update the software on either phone?
Officially, no. While custom ROMs might exist, installing them is complex and carries risks. Expect to be stuck with the original Android version.
