Remember the early days of Android? Sony Ericsson was a major player, and the Xperia X10 and X10 mini were two popular choices. But which one offered the better experience? We're diving deep into a comparison of these classic smartphones to help you understand their strengths and weaknesses.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X10 clearly wins due to its faster processor, video recording capabilities, and larger display. While the X10 mini offered a more compact form factor, the X10's superior performance and features make it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - X10a for Americas |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2009, November. Released 2010, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 119 x 63 x 13 mm (4.69 x 2.48 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | 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 (~58.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | TFT, 65K colors |
| | Timescape UI | Timescape/Mediascape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 1GB 384MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | w480p@30fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| 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 | No |
| 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, 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 415 h (2G) / Up to 425 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BST-41) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver | Sensous Black, Luster White |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 1.25 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
Noise -85.4dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Compact and pocketable
- Lightweight
- Relatively affordable (at the time)
- Slow performance
- Small screen
- No video recording
- Limited app support
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
- Faster processor
- Larger display
- Video recording capability
- Better overall user experience
- Larger size
- Battery life could be better
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
The Xperia X10 boasts a 4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480x854 pixels, offering a noticeably larger and more immersive viewing experience compared to the X10 mini's 2.9-inch display (240x320). The larger screen makes browsing, watching videos, and using apps significantly more enjoyable on the X10.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are primarily 'photo' cameras according to the provided specs, the X10 had the capability to record video. The X10's camera, though limited by today's standards, offered slightly better image quality due to its more advanced processing capabilities. The X10 mini's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but lacks the versatility of the X10.
Performance
Performance is a key differentiator. The Xperia X10's 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor provides a substantial speed advantage over the X10 mini's 600 MHz ARM 11. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the X10. The X10 mini can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
The Xperia X10 generally had a slightly larger battery capacity (1500 mAh) compared to the X10 mini (1200 mAh), resulting in slightly longer battery life under typical usage. However, both phones suffered from relatively short battery life compared to modern smartphones.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini is ideal for users prioritizing portability and a smaller device. It's a good option if you need a phone that fits easily in a pocket and don't require advanced features. The Xperia X10 is better suited for users who want a more powerful device with a larger screen, video recording, and a generally smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both the Xperia X10 and X10 mini initially launched with Android 1.6 (Donut), but were later updated to Android 2.1 (Eclair) and eventually Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
❓ 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 historical interest now.
