The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and X10 mini were popular Android phones of their time, offering distinct features and price points. But which one was the better choice? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X10 is the clear winner for users prioritizing performance and a larger display. Its faster processor and more capable camera offer a superior experience. However, the X10 mini's compact size and lower price make it a compelling option for budget-conscious users who value portability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - X10a for Americas | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, November. Released 2010, March | 2010, February. Released 2010, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 63 x 13 mm (4.69 x 2.48 x 0.51 in) | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 88 g (3.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~58.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | TFT (65K effective) |
| | Timescape/Mediascape UI | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 1GB 384MB RAM | 128MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | w480p@30fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | 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 415 h (2G) / Up to 425 h (3G) | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BST-41) | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sensous Black, Luster White | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.25 W/kg (head) | 1.17 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -85.4dB / Crosstalk -83.6dB |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
- Larger Display
- Faster Processor
- Better Camera
- HD Video Recording
- More RAM (256MB vs 128MB)
- Larger Size
- Potentially Higher Price (when new)
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Compact Size
- Lower Price
- Easier to Handle with One Hand
- Smaller Display
- Slower Processor
- Lower Quality Camera
- No Video Recording
Display Comparison
The Xperia X10 boasts a 4.0-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480x854 pixels. The X10 mini features a smaller 2.55-inch display with a resolution of 320x240 pixels. The X10's larger screen offers a significantly better viewing experience for videos and web browsing.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia X10 features an 8.1MP camera with autofocus and LED flash, capable of recording 720p HD video. The X10 mini has a 5MP camera for photos only. The X10's superior camera hardware and video recording capabilities make it the clear winner in this category.
Performance
The Xperia X10 is powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon chipset, providing noticeably faster performance compared to the X10 mini's 600 MHz ARM 11 processor and Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon chipset. Apps launch quicker, and multitasking is smoother on the X10.
Battery Life
The Xperia X10 has a 1500mAh battery, while the X10 mini has a 1200mAh battery. While both offered reasonable battery life for their time, the X10's larger battery generally provided slightly longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is ideal for users who want a larger screen, faster performance, and a better camera. It's suitable for those who enjoy multimedia and gaming. The Xperia X10 mini is best for users who prioritize portability and affordability. It's a good choice for those who need a compact phone for calls and basic messaging.
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 2.3 (Gingerbread).
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are quite outdated. They lack modern features, security updates, and app compatibility. They are primarily of historical interest now.
