Back in the early days of Android, budget smartphones were a compromise. Today, we're revisiting two contenders from that era: the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini and the Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other, considering their age and capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X10 mini edges out the Galaxy Mini S5570 due to its slightly more powerful processor and potentially better software experience (though both are dated). However, both offer a nostalgic glimpse into early Android and are best suited for very basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2011, January. Released 2011, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 110.4 x 60.8 x 12.1 mm (4.35 x 2.39 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz) | 105 g (3.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~127 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.14 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~45.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Timescape UI | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARMv6 |
| 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 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), TouchWiz UI 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 160MB 384MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 320p@15fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP, EDR | 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, hotspot |
| 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 570 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 9 h 30 min |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver | Black, White |
| Models | - | GT-S5570 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 0.96 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
Noise -83.0dB / Crosstalk -80.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 70dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Compact size
- Potentially slightly better performance
- Sony brand recognition
- Classic Android design
- Very outdated hardware
- Poor camera quality
- Limited app compatibility
- Low-resolution display
Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570
- Samsung brand recognition
- Compact size
- Slightly different design aesthetic
- Decent for basic tasks
- Very outdated hardware
- Poor camera quality
- Limited app compatibility
- Low-resolution display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature small, low-resolution displays (likely around 320x480). The Xperia X10 mini's screen might offer slightly better color reproduction due to Sony's historical focus on display quality, but the difference would be minimal. Expect washed-out colors and low brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones have basic 'photo' cameras, likely 3.2MP. Image quality will be poor by today's standards, with limited dynamic range and noise. The Xperia X10 mini *might* have a slight edge in image processing due to Sony's camera expertise, but don't expect miracles.
Performance
While both have 600 MHz processors, the Xperia X10 mini utilizes an ARM 11 core, generally considered more efficient than the Galaxy Mini's ARMv6. This translates to slightly snappier performance, though both will struggle with modern apps and multitasking. The Snapdragon S1 chipset is shared, so core performance is similar.
Battery Life
The Xperia X10 mini likely has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 1200mAh) compared to the Galaxy Mini S5570 (around 1000mAh). This could translate to marginally better battery life, but both will require daily charging with minimal usage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini might appeal to collectors or those seeking a compact Android phone for extremely basic use. The Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570 is a similar option, best suited for users who prioritize Samsung's brand and a slightly different design aesthetic, but with similar limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2023?
Yes, but with significant limitations. They can handle basic calling, texting, and very light web browsing. Don't expect to run modern apps or games.
❓ Can I update the software on either of these phones?
Highly unlikely. Both phones are long past their software update cycles and are running outdated versions of Android.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos?
The Xperia X10 mini *might* have a slight edge, but both cameras are very basic and produce low-quality images.
