Sony's Xperia line has a rich history, and two notable entries are the Xperia E5 and the Xperia Arc S. Both offer a glimpse into different eras of Android development, but which one holds up better today? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Arc S edges out the E5 thanks to its superior display and slightly faster processor, despite the E5's impressive battery life. While both are dated, the Arc S offers a more refined user experience and a better screen for media consumption. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: battery or display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - F3311 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - LT18i |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - F3311 | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 - F3313 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - LT18a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, June | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144 x 69 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.72 x 0.32 in) | 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.2 inches, 48.6 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | 1.4 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), not upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 1GB (320MB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS; GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
HDMI port
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
NeoReader barcode scanner
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 65 h | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 511 h (2G) / Up to 518 h (3G) | Up to 460 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 9 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 7 h 25 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 35 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, White | Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, Sakura Pink |
| Models | F3311, F3313, C1604 | - |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | 0.66 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
Noise -89.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 47h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1243 (nominal), 2.386 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 69dB
|
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 575 | - |
Sony Xperia E5
- Exceptional battery life (47h)
- More modern Android version (relatively)
- Decent contrast ratio display
- Limited performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated design
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
- Vibrant OLED display
- Slightly faster processor
- Classic Sony design
- Shorter battery life
- Older Android version
- Basic camera
Display Comparison
The Xperia Arc S boasts a significantly better display. Its OLED panel offers richer colors and deeper blacks compared to the E5's LCD. The contrast ratio of 1243 (nominal) for the E5 is good, but the Arc S's OLED technology provides a more immersive viewing experience. Sunlight readability is a weakness for both, with the E5 scoring 2.386, but the Arc S's OLED generally handles bright conditions better.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is limited by their age. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities, but image quality is noticeably lacking compared to modern smartphones. The Arc S's camera, while not exceptional, might offer slightly better color reproduction. Low-light performance is poor on both.
Performance
The Xperia Arc S holds a slight advantage in performance. Its 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset are marginally faster than the E5's 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 Mediatek MT6735. While neither phone is a powerhouse by today's standards, the Arc S feels a bit more responsive in everyday tasks. Both phones run older versions of Android, impacting app compatibility.
Battery Life
The Xperia E5 shines in battery life. Its endurance rating of 47 hours is remarkable, significantly outperforming the Arc S. This makes the E5 a better choice for users who need a phone that can last for multiple days on a single charge. The Arc S's battery life is adequate but not exceptional.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia E5 is a good choice for those prioritizing long battery life and a more modern (though still basic) Android experience. The Xperia Arc S is ideal for enthusiasts seeking a classic Android phone with a vibrant display and a touch of Sony's early smartphone design flair.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. App compatibility is a major concern due to their older Android versions. Network support (4G/5G) may also be limited depending on your carrier.
❓ Which phone is easier to find?
The Xperia E5 is generally easier to find on the used market, though both require searching online marketplaces or vintage phone retailers.
