Remember a time before massive screens and ubiquitous apps? The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro and Nokia E7 represent that era, offering a glimpse into the evolution of mobile technology. Both were popular devices in their time, but how do they stack up against each other today?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia E7 edges out the X10 mini pro thanks to its video recording capabilities, slightly faster processor, and more robust operating system (Symbian). However, the X10 mini pro's compact size and Android OS (albeit older) offer a unique appeal for those seeking a pocketable retro experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, June | 2010, September. Released 2011, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in) | 123.7 x 62.4 x 13.6 mm, 104.9 cc (4.87 x 2.46 x 0.54 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~184 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | AMOLED |
| | Timescape UI | Nokia ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 680 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Broadcom BCM2727 |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) | Symbian^3, upgradable to Nokia Belle OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | No |
| Internal | 128MB | 16GB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p@25fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| 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 | GPS, A-GPS; Ovi Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | TV-out (720p video) via HDMI and composite
Dolby Digital Plus via HDMI
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Voice command/dial
Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Video/photo editor
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 432 h (2G) / Up to 480 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4D) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Pink | Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, Orange |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.61 W/kg (head) | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
Noise -88.3dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 75dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- Extremely compact and pocketable
- Early Android experience
- Physical QWERTY keyboard
- Relatively lightweight
- Outdated Android version
- Low screen resolution
- Basic camera functionality (photo only)
- Limited app availability
Nokia E7
- Physical QWERTY keyboard
- Video recording capability
- Slightly faster processor
- More robust build quality (typically Nokia)
- Longer battery life
- Symbian OS is outdated
- Low screen resolution
- Bulky compared to modern smartphones
- Limited app ecosystem
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small displays by modern standards. The X10 mini pro has a 2.9-inch touchscreen, while the Nokia E7 boasts a 3.5-inch display. The E7's slightly larger screen offers a bit more viewing space, but both suffer from low resolution compared to contemporary smartphones. The Nokia E7's display generally had better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The X10 mini pro is listed as having a 'Photo' camera, implying a basic still image capture. The Nokia E7, however, offers both photo and video recording. While the image quality on both devices is poor by today's standards, the ability to record video gives the E7 a clear edge. Both cameras likely feature around 3-5MP sensors.
Performance
The Nokia E7 holds a slight advantage with its 680 MHz processor compared to the X10 mini pro's 600 MHz. While both run on ARM 11 architecture, the E7's marginally faster speed translates to slightly smoother performance, especially when multitasking. The X10 mini pro's Android experience, even in its early form, offers a different user interface compared to Symbian.
Battery Life
Battery life was a significant factor in older phones. The Nokia E7, with its larger battery capacity (likely around 1200mAh), generally offered longer battery life than the X10 mini pro (around 1000mAh). Expect a full day of moderate use from the E7, while the X10 mini pro might require charging before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro is for collectors and enthusiasts interested in experiencing early Android. The Nokia E7 is for those who appreciate a well-built, compact device with a physical keyboard and a more feature-rich (for its time) Symbian experience, and potentially a more durable build.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I update the Android version on the Xperia X10 mini pro?
Officially, no. The X10 mini pro's Android version is severely outdated and unlikely to receive updates. Custom ROMs might be available, but flashing them carries risks and voids any warranty.
❓ Is the Nokia E7 worth buying for its keyboard?
If you miss physical keyboards and appreciate a compact device, the E7's keyboard is a strong selling point. However, be aware that Symbian is outdated and app availability is limited.
