The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini and mini pro were popular compact Android phones from a bygone era. Both offered a taste of Android on a smaller scale, but with key differences. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you understand which one was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X10 mini pro edges out the mini thanks to its QWERTY keyboard, offering a significantly improved typing experience. While both share the same processor and camera, the mini pro's added functionality makes it the slightly more versatile option for those who value productivity.
| 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 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2010, February. Released 2010, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 90 x 52 x 17 mm (3.54 x 2.05 x 0.67 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~43.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | TFT (65K effective) |
| | Timescape UI | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| 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 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 128MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| 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, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| 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 | 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 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver | Black, Red, Pink |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 1.61 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Smaller and more pocketable
- Slightly better battery life (potentially)
- Simple and easy to use
- No physical keyboard
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Outdated hardware
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
- QWERTY keyboard for improved typing
- Slightly larger battery
- More versatile for messaging and emails
- Slightly larger footprint
- Outdated hardware
- Camera quality is basic
Display Comparison
Both devices featured a 2.9-inch capacitive touchscreen display, but the mini pro's screen might have slightly better viewing angles due to its design. Resolution was likely similar, around 245 x 320 pixels, offering adequate clarity for the time.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured a 3.15MP camera capable of capturing photos. Image quality was typical for the era – decent in good lighting conditions but struggles in low light. Don't expect high-resolution images or advanced features.
Performance
Powered by a 600 MHz ARM 11 processor and Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset, both phones offered similar performance. Expect basic Android functionality with some lag when multitasking or running demanding apps. The Snapdragon chipset was a decent performer for its time, but by today's standards, it's quite dated.
Battery Life
The Xperia X10 mini typically had a slightly smaller battery (1200 mAh) compared to the mini pro (1370 mAh). This likely translated to marginally better battery life on the mini pro, especially with heavy typing usage.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini is ideal for users prioritizing a smaller, more pocketable device and don't need a physical keyboard. The Xperia X10 mini pro is best suited for users who frequently type messages or emails and appreciate the convenience of a QWERTY keyboard in a compact form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version did these phones run?
Both the Xperia X10 mini and mini pro launched with Android 1.6 (Donut) and were later updated to Android 2.1 (Eclair).
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are severely outdated. They lack modern features, security updates, and app compatibility. They are primarily of interest to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.
