Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro vs. T-Mobile Sidekick 4G: A Blast from the Past

Remember the days of physical keyboards and slide-out designs? The Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro and T-Mobile Sidekick 4G represent distinct eras of mobile technology. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to see how these iconic devices stack up today.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Pro boasts superior battery life and a notably better display contrast. However, the Sidekick 4G's Cortex-A8 processor offers a more modern, albeit still dated, performance. Ultimately, the Xperia Pro wins for longevity and visual quality, while the Sidekick appeals to nostalgia.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia pro	T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - MK16i	HSDPA 1700 / 2100
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 2100

Launch
Announced	2011, February. Released 2011, October	2011, March. Released 2011, April 20
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	120 x 57 x 15.3 mm (4.72 x 2.24 x 0.60 in)	127 x 61 x 15 mm (5.0 x 2.40 x 0.59 in)
Keyboard	QWERTY	QWERTY
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	142 g (5.01 oz)	162 g (5.71 oz)
	-	Optical trackpad

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	-
Resolution	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density)	480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~267 ppi density)
Size	3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~55.2% screen-to-body ratio)	3.5 inches, 34.9 cm2 (~45.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	TFT

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	1.0 GHz Cortex-A8
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2	Hummingbird
GPU	Adreno 205	PowerVR SGX540
OS	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)	Android 2.2 (Froyo)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included
Internal	1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM	1GB 512MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	8 MP, AF	3.15 MP, AF
Video	720p@30fps	480p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	VGA	VGA

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	3.0, A2DP
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Nо
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Browser	HTML, Adobe Flash	HTML, Adobe Flash
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Accelerometer, proximity
	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	T-Mobile TV MP4/H.264 player MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player Organizer ThinkFree Office document editor , PDF viewer Voice memo Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 31 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)	Up to 456 h
Talk time	Up to 6 h 55 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)	Up to 6 h 30 min
Type	Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Black, Silver, Red	Matte black, Pearl magenta
Price	About 190 EUR	About 310 EUR
SAR	-	0.34 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.88 W/kg (head)	-

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 37h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 928:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	-

Sony Ericsson Xperia pro

Exceptional battery life (37h)
High contrast ratio display (928:1)
Physical QWERTY keyboard
Compact and durable design

Outdated processor
Limited app compatibility
Basic camera
Lack of modern features

T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

Iconic design and full QWERTY keyboard
Slightly more modern processor (Cortex-A8)
Unique slide-out form factor

Limited app compatibility
Likely shorter battery life
Basic camera
Outdated display technology
Performance limitations

Display Comparison

The Xperia Pro's display, with a 928:1 contrast ratio, provides noticeably richer blacks and better overall image quality compared to the Sidekick 4G's likely lower contrast ratio (spec unavailable, assumed to be standard for the era). While both displays are small by today's standards, the Xperia Pro's contrast gives it a clear edge.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. Both likely offer basic photo and video capabilities, but image quality will be low by modern standards. Neither phone was known for its camera prowess.

Performance

The Sidekick 4G's 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 processor is a more modern architecture than the Xperia Pro's 1.0 GHz Scorpion. However, both are significantly slower than modern chipsets. The Sidekick 4G *might* offer slightly snappier performance in basic tasks, but both will struggle with demanding apps.

Battery Life

The Xperia Pro's endurance rating of 37 hours is a standout feature, showcasing its exceptional battery efficiency. The Sidekick 4G's battery life is likely shorter, though specific figures are unavailable. This is a significant advantage for the Xperia Pro.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro is for those seeking incredible battery life and a decent display in a compact form factor, appreciating a physical keyboard. The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is ideal for collectors, nostalgia enthusiasts, or those who prefer a full QWERTY keyboard and a unique, iconic design, understanding its limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable today?

Yes, but with significant limitations. App compatibility is a major issue, and performance will be slow compared to modern smartphones. They are best suited for basic tasks or as collector's items.

❓ Can I find apps for these phones?

Finding apps will be extremely difficult. Both phones run older operating systems with limited app store support. Sideloading might be possible, but compatibility is not guaranteed.