The Sony Ericsson Xperia line holds a special place in many tech enthusiasts' hearts. Two models, the Xperia Pureness and the Xperia PLAY, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. Let's dive into a comparison of these classic devices.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY takes the crown due to its dedicated gaming hardware and readily available specs. While the Pureness likely prioritized design and elegance, its lack of detailed information makes a direct comparison difficult. The PLAY offers a more tangible and engaging experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, November. Released 2009, November | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 102 x 43 x 13 mm (4.02 x 1.69 x 0.51 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 70 g (2.47 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~222 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.8 inches, 10.0 cm2 (~22.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Transparent, monochrome | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 205 |
| OS | - | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 2GB | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | Proprietary | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0 / xHTML (NetFront) | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Concierge service
TrackID
MP3 player
Voice memo
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 |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up 8 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.37 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.60 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.7dB / Crosstalk -86.1dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness
- Potentially elegant design
- Likely good build quality
- Collectibility
- Lack of detailed specs
- Unknown performance
- Limited functionality
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Dedicated gaming controls
- Decent performance for its time
- More readily available information
- Unique design
- Basic display
- Limited camera capabilities
- Outdated hardware
Display Comparison
The Xperia Pureness was rumored to have a sleek, minimalist design, potentially with a focus on a high-quality display. The Xperia PLAY, however, featured a standard display, overshadowed by its slide-out gamepad. The Pureness likely had a more visually appealing screen, but the PLAY prioritized functionality over aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, suggesting basic camera capabilities. Neither was known for exceptional photography, but the Xperia PLAY's camera was likely slightly better due to the more advanced chipset.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY boasts a Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, providing a decent level of performance for its time. The Pureness's performance remains unknown, but it likely offered adequate performance for everyday tasks, potentially prioritizing efficiency over raw power.
Battery Life
The Xperia PLAY supported 10W wired charging. Battery life for both devices would have been typical for their era, likely lasting a full day with moderate use. Without specific Pureness specs, a direct comparison is impossible.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Pureness might appeal to collectors seeking a pristine example of Sony Ericsson's design aesthetic. The Xperia PLAY is for retro gamers and those interested in experiencing a unique, early attempt at mobile gaming hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What was the Xperia Pureness known for?
The Xperia Pureness was primarily known for its rumored sleek and minimalist design, representing a focus on aesthetics and premium materials.
❓ Why is the Xperia PLAY considered significant?
The Xperia PLAY is significant for being one of the earliest smartphones to integrate dedicated gaming controls, attempting to bridge the gap between mobile phones and handheld gaming consoles.
