The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 series was a significant step in the company's Android journey. Two of the smaller models, the X10 mini and X10 mini pro, offered a more compact experience. But which one was truly the better choice? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The X10 mini pro edges out the standard X10 mini thanks to its QWERTY keyboard, offering a superior typing experience. Both phones share the same processor and chipset, but the mini pro's added functionality makes it the slightly better overall package, especially for those who value quick messaging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a |
| 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) | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 88 g (3.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | TFT (65K effective) |
| | Timescape UI | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 128MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP, EDR |
| 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, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML |
| 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 |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Pink | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.61 W/kg (head) | 1.17 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- QWERTY keyboard for faster typing
- Compact and pocketable
- Android OS (albeit outdated)
- Decent call quality
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Even more compact than the pro version
- Clean and simple design
- Android OS (albeit outdated)
- Decent call quality
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
- No physical keyboard
Display Comparison
Both the X10 mini and X10 mini pro feature a 2.55-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. The display quality is adequate for the time, but don't expect vibrant colors or high sharpness. There's no significant difference in display performance between the two models.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 3.15MP camera capable of capturing photos. Image quality is typical of cameras from this era – decent in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. There's no video recording capability on either device.
Performance
Both devices are powered by a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU and the Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset. Performance is generally sluggish by modern standards, but adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing. Don't expect to run demanding apps or games smoothly on either phone.
Battery Life
The X10 mini has a slightly larger battery (1200 mAh) compared to the X10 mini pro (1150 mAh). This translates to marginally better battery life on the X10 mini, potentially providing a few extra hours of usage. However, both phones will require daily charging with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini pro is ideal for users who frequently type messages and prefer a physical keyboard. The Xperia X10 mini is a good option for those who want a smaller, more pocketable phone without the keyboard, prioritizing a cleaner design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, these phones are very outdated. They lack modern features, security updates, and app compatibility. They are best suited for nostalgia or very basic tasks.
❓ What Android version did these phones ship with?
Both the X10 mini and X10 mini pro launched with Android 1.6 (Donut). They received updates to Android 2.1 (Eclair) but never received further major updates.
