The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro and Vivaz Pro represent a snapshot of the late 2000s smartphone landscape. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling user experience, but with different approaches. This review dives deep into a comparison of these two phones, examining their strengths and weaknesses to help you understand which one held up better over time.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro edges out the X10 mini pro thanks to its faster processor, dedicated GPU, and slightly improved overall performance. While both are dated, the Vivaz Pro offers a more responsive and enjoyable experience, making it the preferable choice for those seeking a nostalgic smartphone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, June | 2010, February. Released 2010, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in) | 109 x 52 x 15 mm (4.29 x 2.05 x 0.59 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 28.2 cm2 (~49.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| | Timescape UI | Handwriting recognition |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 720 MHz, PowerVR SGX GPU |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | - |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) | Symbian Series 60, 5th edition |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 75MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p@24fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | Facebook and Twitter apps
WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
TrackID music recognition
TV out (VGA resolution)
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 12 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 10 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Pink | Black, White |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.61 W/kg (head) | 1.03 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
Noise -88.0dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 69dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 72dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- Compact and pocketable
- Physical QWERTY keyboard for easy typing
- Relatively durable build quality
- Slower processor
- Limited performance
- Outdated display technology
- Basic camera
Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro
- Faster processor and GPU
- Smoother user experience
- Potentially better multimedia capabilities
- Slightly improved battery life (estimated)
- Larger than the X10 mini pro
- Outdated display technology
- Basic camera
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small displays for their time, typically around 3.2 inches. The Vivaz Pro's display might have offered slightly better color reproduction due to potential hardware differences, but both were adequate for the era. Resolution was similar, limiting visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones were marketed with 'photo' cameras, indicating a focus on still photography. While specific megapixel counts are difficult to confirm definitively without further research, both likely offered similar image quality for their time – adequate for casual snapshots but lacking in detail and low-light performance by modern standards. Video recording capabilities were also present on both.
Performance
The Vivaz Pro's 720 MHz processor and PowerVR SGX GPU provide a noticeable performance advantage over the X10 mini pro's 600 MHz ARM 11 processor. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience. The Snapdragon S1 chipset in the X10 mini pro was competent, but couldn't match the Vivaz Pro's power.
Battery Life
Battery life was a crucial factor in older smartphones. The Vivaz Pro likely had a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially offering marginally better battery life than the X10 mini pro, but both would require daily charging with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini pro is ideal for users prioritizing a compact form factor and a physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing. The Vivaz Pro is better suited for those who value a smoother user experience and slightly better multimedia capabilities, even with its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are very outdated. They lack modern features, have limited app compatibility, and are vulnerable to security risks. They are best suited for nostalgic purposes or as retro devices.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Vivaz Pro is the better choice for gaming due to its faster processor and dedicated GPU. However, don't expect a modern gaming experience – the games available for these phones are very limited.