The Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro and Neo V represent a specific era of Android smartphones, offering a glimpse into the company's early mobile endeavors. Both devices aimed to deliver a premium experience, but with subtle differences. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you understand which one held a slight edge.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Neo V emerges as the winner, primarily due to its significantly improved display contrast ratio. While both share the same chipset and CPU, the Neo V's slightly better battery life and superior screen contribute to a more compelling overall experience for users seeking a vibrant display and extended usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MK16i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MT11i |
| 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 - MK16a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - MT11a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, October | 2011, August. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 57 x 15.3 mm (4.72 x 2.24 x 0.60 in) | 116 x 57 x 13 mm (4.57 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 142 g (5.01 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~55.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| 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 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | 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 | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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 | HTML, Adobe Flash | No |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
Type & Send feature
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Office Suite Pro document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input | 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 |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Red | White, Blue Gradient, Silver |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 37h |
Endurance rating 42h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1578:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia pro
- Compact design
- Decent battery life (37h)
- Lower contrast display (928:1)
- Older technology
- Limited RAM
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
- Superior contrast display (1578:1)
- Slightly better battery life (42h)
- More vibrant visuals
- Older technology
- Limited RAM
- May be harder to find
Display Comparison
The Xperia Neo V boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1578:1 compared to the Xperia Pro's 928:1. This translates to deeper blacks, brighter whites, and a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Both phones likely used similar LCD panel technology, but the Neo V's improved contrast makes a noticeable difference. Screen size and resolution were likely similar, around 3.7 inches with a resolution of 480x854 pixels.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not explicitly detailed, but both phones featured Photo/Video capabilities. Image quality would likely be similar, reflecting the limitations of the sensors and processing power available at the time. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance will be comparable, suitable for basic tasks and older Android games. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards. RAM was likely 512MB on both devices, limiting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The Xperia Neo V holds a slight advantage in battery life, offering an endurance rating of 42h compared to the Xperia Pro's 37h. This difference, while not massive, suggests slightly better power efficiency in the Neo V, potentially due to minor hardware or software optimizations.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Pro might appeal to those seeking a more compact device or a slightly lower price point (if found used). However, the Xperia Neo V is the better choice for users prioritizing a richer visual experience and marginally longer battery life. Both are relics of the past, so consider their age and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are quite outdated. They run older versions of Android and lack modern features. Performance will be limited, and app compatibility may be an issue.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
Finding these phones new is impossible. You'll likely need to search online marketplaces or auction sites for used devices. Be sure to check the condition carefully before purchasing.
