Mobile buyers looking to buy a Sony handset are currently confused between two of the company’s hugely popular Android phones – Xperia U and Xperia S. Today we look at both models’ specs so that you can decide which one is better for you.
These two smartphone models are sold in different names in various countries. Sony Xperia U is also marketed as Sony ST25i and Sony Kumquat, whereas Sony Xperia S also goes with names like Sony Nozomi, Sony Xperia Arc HD and Sony LT26i. Both are GSM phones. The Sony Xperia U was launched recently.
Here is the comparison between the two models.
Looks
The Xperia U has candybar shape with a 3.5in capacitive, multi-touch TFT screen delivering 480 x 854 pixel resolution in a 280ppi pixel density. It weighs about 110g and has sidekeys for camera-shutter, lock/unlock and volume control. Color options are black or white. The screen has a scratch resistant glass.
The candybar shaped Xperia S is a slightly superior smartphone compared to the Xperia U. Weighing about 144g it measures 4.3in and has a multi-touch capacitive screen. With an image resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, the picture quality is much better than its sibling. This one too has a TFT scratch-resistant screen.
Camera
Xperia U has a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flashlight and at the front we have a very basic 0.3mp VGA camera. The main camera has supporting features like Face detection, Auto focus, Digital zoom, Panorama and Geo tagging. For video you have a camcorder offering 1280×720 (720p HD) recording, video light and video calling.
The camera in Sony Xperia S is perhaps its most attractive feature. This 12.1 megapixel camera at the back makes shooting pictures such a delight. Features like an aperture size of F2.4, face detection, a back-illuminated sensor (BSI), Auto focus, Touch to focus, and Image stabilizer make it a photographer’s choice for a mobile phone. The front facing camera is not too bad either at 1.3 megapixels. For videos, it has a camcorder for 1920×1080 (1080p HD) (29 fps) shooting and recording in the MPEG4 format.
Connectivity
Xperia U is WI-Fi enabled and has the standard of connectivity features like Bluetooth, mobile hotspot, USB 2.0 and microUSB connector which can also be used for charging. You would also find Computer sync, OTA sync, DLNA and Tethering.
Xperia S connectivity features are no different from those in the Xperia U, i.e. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile hotspot, etc.
Technology
Running on the Android (2.3) OS, Xperia U has system memory of 512 MB RAM. For data usage, it features HSPA, UMTS, GPRS and EDGE. It features a graphics processor with a dual core 1000MHz, STE U8500 and includes the A-GPS.
Sony Xperia S runs on Android (2.3.7, 2.3.5) and has a Dual core 1500MHz processor with a system memory of 1024 MB RAM and in-built storage cap of 32 GB. For web-surfing, you have HSPA, UMTS, GPRS and EDGE. It is powered by a graphics processor with a dual core 1000MHz, STE U8500.
Multimedia
The Sony Xperia U has support for MP3, MPEG, WAV, MP4, 3GPP and OGG. Includes FM radio, stereo RDS and a Youtube player.
Xperia S supports formats like MP3, WAV, MP4, 3GPP, OGG, MPEG4, H.263 and H.264. . You also have FM radio, stereo RDS and a Youtube player in the set.
For Web surfing
You have a browser with support for Flash and HTML and online service support for Facebook, Twitter, Picasa and for uploading videos on Youtube. For Email, you have IMAP, POP3, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange and Google Talk for instant messaging.
The Sony Xperia S offers a browser plus support for Flash and HTML. Facebook, Twitter, etc. are also part of the Web-experience set including IMAP, POP3, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange for email and Google Talk for instant messaging.
Add-ons
Xperia U : Additional features include an accelerometer plus light and proximity sensors.
The Xperia S smartphone includes sensors for light and proximity besides an accelerometer, GPS and Glonass.
Battery
This U handset has a rather standard 1320 mAh battery which means running for the usual 6.60hrs talktime, or 260hrs standby time, video playback usage of 6hrs or music playback of 45hrs.
Xpera S have a Lithium Ion battery with a 1750mAh capacity ensures you can use this phone for longer on single charge compared to other phones in the same range. You can expect 7.5hrs talk-time, 450hrs (18.8 days) standby time, or non-stop usage of 25hrs for music or 30hrs of video playback.
The prices
Sony Xperia U cost Rs. 17,399.
Sony Xperia S cost Rs. 30,999.