The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini and Xperia mini were popular Android smartphones of their time, offering a compact form factor and a taste of the Android experience. But which one truly delivered a better experience? This comparison dives deep into their specs, features, and overall performance to help you decide which was the better phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia mini edges out the X10 mini thanks to its faster processor, video recording capabilities, and slightly improved overall performance. While both are dated, the mini offers a more modern and capable experience, making it the preferred choice for those looking back at these devices.
| 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 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 88 x 52 x 16 mm (3.46 x 2.05 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz) | 99 g (3.49 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 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~58.6% 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), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 512MB RAM, 320MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p |
| 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, 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 25 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 340 h (2G) / Up to 320 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) |
| 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, Blue, Dark pink |
| Models | - | ST15i |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 0.78 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
Noise -88.7dB / Crosstalk -90.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Extremely compact size
- Early Android experience
- Relatively lightweight
- Slow processor
- Limited features
- No video recording
- Small screen
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
- Faster processor
- Video recording capability
- Slightly larger screen
- More responsive UI
- Still dated technology
- Small screen by modern standards
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small displays, typical for their era. The Xperia mini had a slightly larger 2.95-inch display compared to the X10 mini's 2.65-inch screen. Both used a similar resolution, so the difference in viewing experience was minimal, with the mini offering a slightly more spacious feel.
Camera Comparison
While both phones were primarily marketed for photo capture, the Xperia mini had the added ability to record video. The Xperia mini's camera likely offered slightly better image quality due to the more advanced chipset, but both cameras were limited by the technology of the time. The X10 mini's camera was adequate for basic snapshots.
Performance
The Xperia mini boasts a significant advantage in performance. Its 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor is considerably faster than the X10 mini's 600 MHz ARM 11. This translates to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience on the Xperia mini.
Battery Life
Battery life was a crucial factor in these devices. While exact battery capacities are difficult to confirm definitively, the Xperia mini likely had a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life than the X10 mini. Usage patterns would heavily influence actual battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini might appeal to those seeking a truly tiny device and a nostalgic look at early Android. However, the Xperia mini is the better choice for anyone prioritizing performance and a slightly more modern feature set, including video recording. Both are relics of the past and not recommended for primary use today.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both the Xperia X10 mini and Xperia mini ran Android, though on older versions. The exact version varied depending on updates.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are very outdated. They lack modern features, security updates, and app compatibility. They are primarily of interest for nostalgic purposes.
