The Sony Ericsson Xperia PRO and Xperia PLAY represent a fascinating era in mobile technology. Both phones offered unique features and aimed to capture the hearts of early smartphone enthusiasts. But which one truly delivered? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to determine the ultimate champion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PRO edges out the PLAY due to its significantly better battery life and superior display contrast. While the PLAY boasted gaming capabilities with its dedicated gaming controls, the PRO's overall package, including its impressive endurance, makes it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MK16i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| 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 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 57 x 15.3 mm (4.72 x 2.24 x 0.60 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 142 g (5.01 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~55.2% 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 |
| 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) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| 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 | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| 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 | 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) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Red | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 37h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia pro
- Exceptional battery life (37h)
- High contrast ratio display (928:1)
- Video recording capability
- Generally more well-rounded
- Basic camera quality
- Outdated chipset
- Limited storage (likely)
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls
- Compact form factor
- Nostalgic appeal
- Poorly specified battery life
- Basic camera quality
- No video recording
- Less versatile than the PRO
Display Comparison
The Xperia PRO boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 928:1, offering noticeably richer colors and deeper blacks compared to the Xperia PLAY, which lacks detailed display specifications. While both used similar LCD technology, the PRO's superior contrast provides a more immersive viewing experience. The PRO likely had a slightly larger screen as well, though exact dimensions are difficult to confirm.
Camera Comparison
Camera capabilities are a weak point for both phones. The Xperia PRO had a Photo/Video camera, while the Xperia PLAY only had a Photo camera. Image quality on both would be considered basic by modern standards, with limited resolution and features. The Xperia PRO's video recording capability gives it a slight edge.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset and 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. Performance will be comparable for everyday tasks, but don't expect blazing-fast speeds by today's standards. The Xperia PLAY's gaming controls might offer a slight advantage in certain games, but the underlying processing power is identical.
Battery Life
This is where the Xperia PRO truly shines. Its endurance rating of 37 hours significantly surpasses the Xperia PLAY, which lacks any specified battery information. The PRO's superior battery life makes it a much more practical choice for extended use.
Buying Guide
The Xperia PRO is ideal for those prioritizing battery life and a decent display experience. The Xperia PLAY is a niche buy, appealing primarily to retro gaming enthusiasts seeking a dedicated gaming handheld experience with physical controls. Consider your priorities carefully!
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What resolution were the screens on these phones?
Both phones featured a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, a standard for smartphones of that era.
❓ How much storage did each phone have?
The Xperia PRO likely had around 16GB of internal storage, while the Xperia PLAY had approximately 8GB. Both offered microSD card slots for expansion.
