Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro vs Sony Xperia J: A Throwback Showdown

Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and these two Sony phones represent different eras of mobile technology. The Xperia X10 mini pro, a classic from the early Android days, faces off against the slightly later Xperia J. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Xperia J edges out the X10 mini pro thanks to its faster processor, slightly improved chipset, and generally better overall user experience. While the X10 mini pro has a certain charm, the J offers a more modern and usable experience, especially considering their age.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro	Sony Xperia J

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - ST26i
EDGE	-	Class 10
GPRS	-	Class 10
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 - ST26a

Launch
Announced	2010, February. Released 2010, June	2012, August. Released 2012, October
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in)	124.3 x 61.2 x 9.2 mm (4.89 x 2.41 x 0.36 in)
Keyboard	QWERTY	-
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	120 g (4.23 oz)	124 g (4.37 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density)	480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size	2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio)	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~58.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT (65K effective)	TFT
	Timescape UI	-

Platform
CPU	600 MHz ARM 11	1.0 GHz Cortex-A5
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1	Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1
GPU	Adreno 200	Adreno 200
OS	Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair)	Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)

Memory
Call records	-	20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128MB	4GB (2GB user available), 512MB RAM
Phonebook	-	1000 entries

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	480p

Selfie camera
Single	-	VGA
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Alert types	-	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.1, 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/n, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Browser	HTML	WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games	-	Yes
Java	-	Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging	-	SMS, MMS
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	-

Battery
Stand-by	Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)	Up to 607 h (2G) / Up to 618 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 5 h 36 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 18 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1750 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Black, Red, Pink	Black, White, Gold, Pink
Models	-	ST26i
Price	About 70 EUR	About 140 EUR
SAR	-	0.63 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.61 W/kg (head)	0.73 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB	Noise -80.8dB / Crosstalk -80.8dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 50h
Camera	Photo	Photo
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1359:1 (nominal) / 1.932:1 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 72dB

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro

Extremely compact and portable
Classic retro design
Physical QWERTY keyboard

Slow performance
Outdated software
Limited app compatibility
Unknown battery capacity

Sony Xperia J

Faster processor
Better battery life (50h endurance)
Slightly more modern design
Potentially better app compatibility

Still an older device
Limited storage
Camera quality is basic

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (1359:1 nominal, 1.932:1 sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the Xperia J likely has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The X10 mini pro's screen is smaller, prioritizing portability over screen real estate.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are described as having a 'Photo' camera, indicating basic camera functionality. Detailed camera specs are missing, but it's likely the Xperia J's slightly newer chipset and processor provide a marginal improvement in image quality, though both will be significantly behind modern smartphone cameras.

Performance

The Xperia J boasts a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 processor, a noticeable upgrade over the X10 mini pro's 600 MHz ARM 11. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a generally more responsive user interface on the Xperia J. The X10 mini pro's performance will feel dated by today's standards.

Battery Life

The Xperia J's endurance rating of 50h suggests superior battery life compared to the X10 mini pro. While the X10 mini pro's battery capacity is unknown, the J's rating indicates a more efficient power management system.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro is for dedicated collectors or those seeking a very specific, compact retro Android experience. The Sony Xperia J is a better choice for anyone wanting a functional, albeit older, smartphone with decent battery life and a slightly more responsive performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?

Yes, but with limitations. Both phones run older versions of Android and may have limited app compatibility. They are best suited for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing.

❓ Can I update the software on either of these phones?

Officially, no. Software updates for both devices have long ceased. Custom ROMs might be available for the X10 mini pro, but flashing them carries risks.