The Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray and Arc S represent a fascinating era of Android smartphones. Both devices offered unique features and designs, but which one ultimately delivers a better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S edges out the Ray thanks to its faster processor and slightly improved overall performance. While both offer a nostalgic Android experience, the Arc S's 1.4GHz CPU provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness. Both are showing their age, but the Arc S is the slightly better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - ST18i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International | - |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - ST18a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, June. Released 2011, August | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 111 x 53 x 9.4 mm (4.37 x 2.09 x 0.37 in) | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 100 g (3.53 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~297 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.3 inches, 30.0 cm2 (~51.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | Touch sensitive controls | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.4 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB (300MB user available), 512MB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Quad | 40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (Periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, (depth) | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| 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 | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
SensMe
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | ANT+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
NeoReader barcode scanner
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired
5W reverse wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 36 h | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, White, Pink | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink |
| Models | BMH-AN10, BMH-AN20 | - |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.96 W/kg (head) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1.955:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia ray
- Slim and lightweight design
- Decent sunlight contrast ratio
- Good build quality
- Slower processor
- Limited performance
- Camera quality is average
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Faster processor (1.4 GHz)
- Improved performance
- Slightly better camera (likely)
- Larger size compared to Ray
- Battery life could be shorter with heavy use
- Outdated technology
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.0-inch LED-backlit LCD display. The Ray boasts a contrast ratio of 1.955:1 in sunlight, which is impressive for its time, suggesting good outdoor visibility. However, the Arc S likely had slightly better color accuracy and brightness, though specific data is scarce. Neither display would be considered exceptional by today's standards, but they were adequate for the era.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed specifications are missing. Generally, the Arc S was considered to have a slightly better camera, producing marginally better image quality in various lighting conditions. However, both cameras are limited by the technology of the time and won't compete with modern smartphone cameras.
Performance
This is where the Arc S shines. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU is a significant upgrade over the Ray's 1.0 GHz processor. The Arc S's MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset also contributes to improved performance. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Arc S. The Ray, while functional, can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Ray supports 40W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging. The Arc S's battery capacity is likely similar (around 1500mAh), but the faster processor could lead to slightly quicker battery drain under heavy use. Neither phone offers exceptional battery life by today's standards.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Ray is a good choice for those prioritizing a slim and lightweight design and a decent camera. The Xperia Arc S is better suited for users who value performance and a slightly more modern (for its time) design, even with its larger size.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
They offer a nostalgic experience for Android enthusiasts, but their performance is severely limited by today's standards. Consider them for collecting or light use only.
❓ What Android version did these phones ship with?
Both phones initially shipped with Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and received updates to Android 2.3.7.
