The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro and Xperia mini pro were compact powerhouses in their time, catering to users who valued portability without sacrificing too much functionality. But which of these diminutive devices truly offered the better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia mini pro edges out the X10 mini pro thanks to its faster processor, video recording capabilities, and slightly improved overall performance. While both are relics of the past, the mini pro offers a more modern, albeit still limited, experience.
| 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 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, June | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in) | 92 x 53 x 18 mm (3.62 x 2.09 x 0.71 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~55.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | Timescape UI | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 512MB RAM, 400MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| 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 |
| 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/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| 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 | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 29 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 331 h (2G) / Up to 340 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 5 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Pink | Black, White, Pink, Turquoise |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.61 W/kg (head) | 0.46 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 714:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 70dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- Ultra-compact design
- Physical QWERTY keyboard
- Relatively lightweight
- Slow processor
- No video recording
- Dim display
- Outdated software
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro
- Faster processor
- Video recording capabilities
- Slightly better display
- More responsive user experience
- Still quite slow by modern standards
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
- Small screen
Display Comparison
Both devices featured relatively small displays, typical for their era. While the contrast ratio is listed as 714:1 for both, anecdotal evidence suggests the Xperia mini pro's display was slightly brighter and offered marginally better viewing angles. The X10 mini pro's screen, while functional, was often criticized for its limited brightness.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are primarily marketed as 'photo' devices, the Xperia mini pro uniquely offered video recording capabilities. The X10 mini pro was limited to still images. Image quality on both was modest by today's standards, but the mini pro's slightly newer sensor and processing might have yielded marginally better results in certain conditions.
Performance
The Xperia mini pro boasts a significant advantage here with its 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor compared to the X10 mini pro's 600 MHz ARM 11. This translates to noticeably snappier performance in everyday tasks and a smoother user experience. The Snapdragon S2 chipset in the mini pro also contributes to its improved responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery life was a crucial factor for these compact phones. While specific battery capacities are difficult to confirm definitively, both devices offered reasonable battery life for their time, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. The Xperia mini pro's more efficient processor might have provided a slight edge in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini pro might appeal to collectors or those seeking a very basic, ultra-compact phone for calls and texts. The Xperia mini pro is a slightly better choice for anyone wanting a bit more functionality, including video recording and a faster user experience, though both are outdated for modern use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are severely outdated. They lack modern features, have limited app compatibility, and are vulnerable to security risks. They are best suited for collectors or very basic tasks.
❓ Which phone has the better keyboard?
The Xperia X10 mini pro's physical QWERTY keyboard is generally considered to be slightly better than the Xperia mini pro's, offering a more tactile and satisfying typing experience.
