The Sony Xperia J and Xperia Sola were both budget-friendly Android smartphones released around the same time. Both aimed to offer a taste of the Sony experience without breaking the bank. But which one ultimately delivers a better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Sola edges out the J thanks to its dual-core processor and video recording capabilities. While the J boasts impressive sunlight display contrast, the Sola's performance and broader feature set make it the slightly better choice for most users, especially considering their age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - ST26i | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - ST26a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, August. Released 2012, October | 2012, March. Released 2012, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 124.3 x 61.2 x 9.2 mm (4.89 x 2.41 x 0.36 in) | 116 x 59 x 9.9 mm (4.57 x 2.32 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 124 g (4.37 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~58.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~55.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | LED-backlit LCD, |
| | - | Floating touch display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 | NovaThor U8500 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB (2GB user available), 512MB RAM | 8GB (5GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 3D surround sound
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 40 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 607 h (2G) / Up to 618 h (3G) | Up to 470 h (2G) / Up to 475 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h 36 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 18 min (3G) | Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1750 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 1320 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold, Pink | Black, White, Red |
| Models | ST26i | - |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 0.63 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.73 W/kg (head) | 1.25 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -80.8dB / Crosstalk -80.8dB |
Noise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1359:1 (nominal) / 1.932:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1002:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 72dB
|
Voice 60dB / Noise 59dB / Ring 61dB
|
Sony Xperia J
- Excellent sunlight display contrast
- Long battery life (claimed)
- Compact size
- Single-core processor (slow)
- No video recording
- Limited storage
Sony Xperia sola
- Dual-core processor (faster)
- Video recording capabilities
- Slightly more modern design
- Lower sunlight display contrast than J
- Battery life not as exceptional as J
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios in nominal conditions (1359:1 for J vs 1002:1 for Sola). However, the Xperia J shines in direct sunlight with a remarkable 1.932:1 contrast ratio, making it significantly easier to view outdoors. The Sola's display, while adequate, doesn't match this level of sunlight visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are primarily focused on photo capture. However, the Xperia Sola includes video recording capabilities, a feature absent in the Xperia J. Image quality is comparable, though both are limited by their budget hardware. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The Xperia Sola holds a clear advantage here. Its dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor is noticeably faster and more efficient than the Xperia J's single-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5. This translates to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience. The J can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Xperia J claims an impressive endurance rating of 50 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. While real-world usage may vary, it likely outperforms the Sola in this area. The Sola's battery life is still respectable, but not as outstanding as the J's reported figures.
Buying Guide
The Xperia J is a decent option for users prioritizing excellent sunlight readability and long battery life, but who don't need video recording. The Xperia Sola is better suited for those seeking a smoother performance, video recording, and a slightly more modern feature set, even within the budget category.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia Sola is the better choice for gaming due to its dual-core processor, which provides a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
❓ Can I record videos with the Xperia J?
No, the Xperia J does not support video recording. The Xperia Sola does offer this feature.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for primary use. However, they could be suitable for very basic tasks or as secondary devices if found at a very low price.
