The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini and Xperia PLAY represent a fascinating era in mobile technology. Both phones offered unique features and aimed to capture a specific audience. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to determine the ultimate winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia PLAY clearly wins due to its superior processor, larger screen, and dedicated gaming controls. While the X10 mini boasts a smaller form factor, the PLAY's enhanced performance and gaming capabilities make it the more compelling choice for most users, even in retrospect.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 38, 66, 71 |
| 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 / 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2011, February. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 119 x 62 x 16 mm (4.69 x 2.44 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant 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 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | Timescape UI | Touch-sensitive gaming controls
PSP like gaming buttons
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 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 400MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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, HTML5, 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 | Dedicated game store
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Organizer
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | - | Up to 31 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 413 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver | Black, White, Stealth Blue (for Play 4G), Orange |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 0.36 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 79dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Extremely compact and pocketable
- Lightweight design
- Simple and easy to use
- Very small screen
- Limited performance
- Basic camera
- Short battery life
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
- Better performance for gaming and apps
- Larger and more vibrant display
- Dedicated gaming controls
- Improved battery life
- Larger and less pocketable than the X10 mini
- Camera quality is still limited by the era
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
The Xperia PLAY features a 4.0-inch Reality Display with a resolution of 480x854 pixels, offering a noticeably larger and more vibrant viewing experience compared to the X10 mini's 2.55-inch QVGA display. The PLAY's screen is significantly better for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo' camera, implying basic camera functionality. However, given the PLAY's more powerful processor and likely slightly improved image processing, it likely produces marginally better image quality, though both are limited by their era's technology. Expect grainy images in low light from both.
Performance
The Xperia PLAY's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset provide a substantial performance boost over the X10 mini's 600 MHz ARM 11 and MSM7227 Snapdragon S1. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is considerably more enjoyable on the PLAY.
Battery Life
The Xperia PLAY, with its 1500mAh battery, generally offers better battery life than the X10 mini's 800mAh battery, especially considering its larger screen and more demanding processor. The 10W wired charging on the PLAY is also a slight advantage.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini is for those prioritizing extreme portability and a compact design above all else. The Xperia PLAY is ideal for retro gaming enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a more powerful and feature-rich smartphone experience, even with older technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia PLAY is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor, larger screen, and dedicated gaming controls.
❓ Is the X10 mini worth buying for its size?
If extreme portability is your absolute top priority, the X10 mini might be appealing. However, the Xperia PLAY offers a much better overall experience.
