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Xperia X10 vs. Nexus One (if you are thinking about buying)

Mxtc

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2010
103
9
USA
I used the Nexus One for a few hours. I figured, I would make a comparison in case anyone is thinking of getting the Sony Ericsson XperiaX10 versus the Nexus One (or if you are thinking about getting it's brother the HTC Desire).

Obviously, they are both excellent phones. I won't pick a favorite (it's personal taste). I am happy with X10, and Sony totally understood my lifestyle with this product, but Nexus One is hot. :D

Reason to get either one:

N1 - The "Google Everything Phone". If you want access to all apps in the Market, voice search, and the latest version Android 2.1. (2.2..etc) Also handy, if you like to use pinch-zoom to surf the web.

X10 - More of a "Sony's lifestyle" phone, stylistic look of the phone, advantage of staying socially connected, or viewing digital media (music and videos)
 
Here are some (somewhat) objective observations.

Physical:
N1
This phone is far thinner than I thought, and the graphite and silver casing make this phone expensive and quality looking. Feels good in your hand. It has 4 touch-sensitive buttons and a trackball.

X10
Everyone really likes X10's design. It has 3 frontal buttons, and the camera and ringer/media volume control button on the side.

Camera:
The X10 takes better pictures, both higher res (8mp vs. 5mp) and color quality. The N1 does however have a bright flash as opposed to a camera light on the X10. To explain why Sony made it a light instead of flash (maybe video recording?)

Screen:
The 3.7" AMOLED screen on the N1 doesn't look any smaller than the 4" LCD on the X10 at first glance. So far, compared with LCD, side by Side, the AMOLED's brightest whites seem more light grey on the AMOLED than the LCD, and less crisp with LCD but the AMOLED is nice. The LCD has 65 Thousand colors, but AMOLED has 16 Million and uses less power. Side by side, screen difference is small enough that it's definately not a deciding factor to buy either phone.

Software:

N1
Being Google's "Official" phone, it always has the most updated official release of Android, and has far more available Apps in the Market.

X10
There are many apps that aren't visible in the Market for X10. Sony has committed to upgrades. With a promise of 2.1 in September, hopefully that'll bring the availability of more Apps to the Market. Currently, it runs Sony's custom 1.6 with a blue background.
Looks better than stock Androids black and grey color scheme. (o.k. that's not totally objective!)

Interface:
N1
Being a 2.1 phone, it has animated wallpapers. This phone pretty much has the same interface as any Android phone, but it works very fast and smooth compared with the earlier devices. This device has voice google search which was taken out of the X10.

X10
Additionally, it runs Timescape & Mediascape. This keeps you in the 'social loop' with your friends, including facebook and twitter updates. You can intuitively link friends in your address book to their facebook profile & e-mail. Mediascape also works a lot better than the mediaplayer that comes with stock Android and is a better iPod than iTouch/iPhone. (with the exception of the small shuttle icon that lets you control the current song position)


Touchscreen:

N1
Supports Multi-Touch including pinch to zoom browsing on the web and google maps. N1's touchscreen also seems more responsive than X10 - I think this would help with keyboard response.

X10
No Multi-Touch (ever?). Web surfing is still a good experience since there is a box that zooms in. Typing on the X10, I still make mistakes, but that's coming from using phones with a physical keyboard for two years.


Despite what comparisons have been made, I highly recommend both phones over earlier Android devices (the 320x480 screen devices).
 
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Just a few comments:

why Sony made it a light instead of flash
I've heard this is a limitation of android 1.6.

The LCD has 65 Thousand colors
This deffently is a limitation of Android 1.6 and not the screen so after the update it will be 16 Million Colours. And the X10 has more pixels !.

This device has voice google search which was taken out of the X10.
Erm i have Google Voice Search on my X10 ?
 
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X10=lock; N1=freedom *cough* unlock I mean ;) lol
X10=carrier bloatwear; N1...none ...it's good to be light ;)
N1 ability to root, while X10 doesn't have that ability...yet...hmm...I wonder how the XDA ransom is going? lol
X10=3 home screens N1=5...of course if you dl home++ or HelixLauncher you'll get 7!!! :D
N1 update to 2.2 soon (hopefully right after they announce it @ the Google I/O conference next week), while X10 update to 2.x (maybe just 2.1 ;))...Q3...Q4...

Beauty factor...what one of my friend said, 'the X10 is so beautiful that I'd get the N1 just to fit it with my lifestyle' when I showed her the pictures of the two phones.

I played with the X10 at the store, and I found it was quite big and thick ...considering there are only a 0.3" and 2.5mm differences between the two. One thing that the picture didn't show was how platicky the X10 was. So that took away from the look/feel for me.

Overall, I'm a happy with my N1. I'm waiting for one of the XDA devs to port Mediascape :D Mediascape surpasses the stock music player for sure! lol.
 
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X10=lock; N1=freedom *cough* unlock I mean ;) lol
Huh?


X10=carrier bloatwear; N1...none ...it's good to be light ;)
My X10 has non either.


N1 ability to root, while X10 doesn't have that ability...yet...hmm...I wonder how the XDA ransom is going? lol
True but its a matter of time.

X10=3 home screens N1=5...of course if you dl home++ or HelixLauncher you'll get 7!!! :D
Of course X10 only has 3 its a limitation of 1.6 but saying that Home++ = 7 so no difference.

N1 update to 2.2 soon (hopefully right after they announce it @ the Google I/O conference next week), while X10 update to 2.x (maybe just 2.1 ;))...Q3...Q4...
Again this is obvious the Google phone will get updates first.

Beauty factor...what one of my friend said, 'the X10 is so beautiful that I'd get the N1 just to fit it with my lifestyle' when I showed her the pictures of the two phones.
?

One thing that the picture didn't show was how platicky the X10 was. So that took away from the look/feel for me.
Platicky ? lol yes its plastic but still solid.

What you failed to mention is the X10 has a bigger screen with a higher resolution and it's perfectly viewable in sunlight.

And the X10 has a much better camera and is confirmed of getting HD Video Recording which is something the N1 will still be lacking even on 2.2 update.

Then theres the N1's annoying capacitive buttons compared to much more useable hardware buttons on the X10.

Then theres DLNA as far as i know N1 does'nt have this where as the X10 will probably be able to connect to the PS3.

And one other thing despite the X10 being made of plastic there has been alot more faults with the N1 in terms of Hardware for example i've heard of: Dodgy Trackballs, Touchscreen Tracking way off, a frequent issue with the front glass breaking etc etc.

Then theres the fact HTC's phones heat up like Microwave's after a while of constant usage and whilst on charge, the X10 hasn't heated up once yet even after hours of constant web surfing via wifi.

And HTC's response to cracking screens...http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029453,49305156,00.htm?s_cid=96&tag=content;selector-perfector

They don't go in pockets... lol
 
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X I'm waiting for one of the XDA devs to port Mediascape :D Mediascape surpasses the stock music player for sure! lol.

Not an XDA Dev, but for some reason I don't think Timescape/Mediascape can be ported. Its not just an app (otherwise Sony would have released 2.1 faster). I think it's deeply tied into their custom android build, even more so than HTC Sense UI.
 
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X10=lock; N1=freedom *cough* unlock I mean ;) lol
X10=carrier bloatwear; N1...none ...it's good to be light ;)
N1 ability to root, while X10 doesn't have that ability...yet...hmm...I wonder how the XDA ransom is going? lol
X10=3 home screens N1=5...of course if you dl home++ or HelixLauncher you'll get 7!!! :D
N1 update to 2.2 soon (hopefully right after they announce it @ the Google I/O conference next week), while X10 update to 2.x (maybe just 2.1 ;))...Q3...Q4...

Beauty factor...what one of my friend said, 'the X10 is so beautiful that I'd get the N1 just to fit it with my lifestyle' when I showed her the pictures of the two phones.

I played with the X10 at the store, and I found it was quite big and thick ...considering there are only a 0.3" and 2.5mm differences between the two. One thing that the picture didn't show was how platicky the X10 was. So that took away from the look/feel for me.

Overall, I'm a happy with my N1. I'm waiting for one of the XDA devs to port Mediascape :D Mediascape surpasses the stock music player for sure! lol.
lol did you even try to hide your Bias?
 
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Huh?
I meant it was locked to the carrier

My X10 has non either.
Well my carrier does XD

True but its a matter of time.
Man you're so patient! lol...

Of course X10 only has 3 its a limitation of 1.6 but saying that Home++ = 7 so no difference.
Well there are other goodies with 2.1 that 1.6 doesn’t have :p

Again this is obvious the Google phone will get updates first.

:p *yay* lol

Plasticky ? lol yes its plastic but still solid.
For such a rich looking phone…it shouldn’t feel plasticky

What you failed to mention is the X10 has a bigger screen with a higher resolution and it's perfectly viewable in sunlight.
It was already mentioned by Mxtc :p Yeah...stupid AMOLED, it's suppose to be better than LCD too XD

And the X10 has a much better camera and is confirmed of getting HD Video Recording which is something the N1 will still be lacking even on 2.2 update.
Yes for the camera and I believe the HD Video is a recent thing.

Then there’s the N1's annoying capacitive buttons compared to much more useable hardware buttons on the X10.
This is very subjective

Then there’s DLNA as far as i know N1 doesn’t have this where as the X10 will probably be able to connect to the PS3.
Interesting...

And one other thing despite the X10 being made of plastic there has been a lot more faults with the N1 in terms of Hardware for example I’ve heard of: Dodgy Trackballs, Touchscreen Tracking way off, a frequent issue with the front glass breaking etc etc.
I have heard of the same issues, although I have experience none of that.

Then there’s the fact HTC's phones heat up like Microwave's after a while of constant usage and whilst on charge, the X10 hasn't heated up once yet even after hours of constant web surfing via wifi.
When the X10 is charging you mean? The N1 goes over 45 degrees C when it's charging >_>

And HTC's response to cracking screens...http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029453,49305156,00.htm?s_cid=96&tag=content;selector-perfector

They don't go in pockets... lol
Oh yes I just LOVE that response!!! Like really F* you HTC! That's not even an answer and guess where I put my lovely Nexus? In my lovely bloody tight little skinny jean's pocket ;) No cracking. Conspiracy theory: it's not the pocket! Now...if you sit on your smart phone...I'd think it'll affect the screen...but since I'm a lightweight I sit on my N1 XD

lol did you even try to hide your Bias?
Did it look like it? lol, of course not. I was on the X10 band wagon when they just announced it in Nov...All I could think about was the X10, I drove my friends NUT with the X10 this and the X10 that...and did you know if you put all of the letters together Sony Ericsson X10...it's SEX10 >_>;;; I always wonder if that was intentional or not...ok...back to my rambling...so I guess I'm not as patient as everyone here...but 6 months is a long wait for a phone -_-; I would have justify the long delay if the X10 came with 2.1...but nope...and then the no multitouch...and >_> yeah...I got the N1...and yes, I'm still upset with SE...that's why my post is so bias! The X10 to be could have been the IT phone that surpasses all the phones out now...oi! long post >_> Anyways, at the moment every smartphone has great features and not so great features...you just have to find the one right for you...I can give you a list that match's Santa on what I don't like about my Nexus. But the features I do like, override them all!

I do apologise for the bias post I did XD Usually I'm not that bad:p
 
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We can't get the Nexus one in Canada without ordering online, Rogers gave me my X10 for 100$ while I had just got a 3GS in July 09'

Yes. N1 is only available online. Same with everywhere else. Thats another reason that it wasn't as popular as it could have been.

If more people (including myself) would have been able to hold and touch the Nexus One at the store, then they might have bought it. (because its a great phone in person)

Roze said:
I was on the X10 band wagon when they just announced it in Nov...All I could think about was the X10

Roze is hilarious!

Same with me, and in January, I was like "damn. Come out already". Then they said February 19th, and that day came, and still no X10. Finally got it on April 2nd. Happy, forgave Sony:D
I think sometimes these products are announced and demo'd too prematurely. In this instant gratification world, waiting 6 months for a phone is unheard of, especially since technology changes so quickly, and HTC is on fire with a new phone every couple months.
 
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Did it look like it? lol, of course not. I was on the X10 band wagon when they just announced it in Nov...All I could think about was the X10, I drove my friends NUT with the X10 this and the X10 that...and did you know if you put all of the letters together Sony Ericsson X10...it's SEX10 >_>;;; I always wonder if that was intentional or not...ok...back to my rambling...so I guess I'm not as patient as everyone here...but 6 months is a long wait for a phone -_-; I would have justify the long delay if the X10 came with 2.1...but nope...and then the no multitouch...and >_> yeah...I got the N1...and yes, I'm still upset with SE...that's why my post is so bias! The X10 to be could have been the IT phone that surpasses all the phones out now...oi! long post >_> Anyways, at the moment every smartphone has great features and not so great features...you just have to find the one right for you...I can give you a list that match's Santa on what I don't like about my Nexus. But the features I do like, override them all!

I do apologise for the bias post I did XD Usually I'm not that bad:p


Its ok. We are all a little Bias about things, but like you said, you have to find the right phone for you! I personally had the N1, Hero, and Milestone, I wouldn't trade my X10 for any phone right now, I love it! And like you said, There are some features that I dont like about my X10 but the ones I do like overshadow the ones I dont, plus many of the things I dont like will be fixed in the 2.1 update so when it gets 2.1 this will be my perfect phone!
 
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Roze is hilarious!
I try my best ;)
Same with me, and in January, I was like "damn. Come out already". Then they said February 19th, and that day came, and still no X10. Finally got it on April 2nd. Happy, forgave Sony:D
I think sometimes these products are announced and demo'd too prematurely. In this instant gratification world, waiting 6 months for a phone is unheard of, especially since technology changes so quickly, and HTC is on fire with a new phone every couple months.

You are way too kind and generous with SE. I am not that patient, nor am I forgiving. Even though personally...2.1 vs 1.6 is more flavouring then not...the fact that SE made us WAIT 6 whole months before releasing the phone on an OUTDATED softwear! It had 4 months to update it! I saw that as a bad BAD omen of what the OS updates would be like >_> If what you said about Timescape/Mediascape as being more ingrained into the Android OS...then I can imagine the wait...good thing everyone here is patient ;) lol

Well if you look at the life of most smart phones...they only last about half a year before EVERYONE considers them 'outdated'. Just look at the Dream (G1)...HTC announced that it will not updat the DREAM beyond 1.5 (ie. it's discontinued) just 8 months from its release...So by the time SE rolls out 2.x...the X10 will be 'outdated' >_>; By then...phones will be running 1.5 Ghz snapdragon with maxTouch on all of the screens :D

Its ok. We are all a little Bias about things, but like you said, you have to find the right phone for you! I personally had the N1, Hero, and Milestone, I wouldn't trade my X10 for any phone right now, I love it! And like you said, There are some features that I dont like about my X10 but the ones I do like overshadow the ones I dont, plus many of the things I dont like will be fixed in the 2.1 update so when it gets 2.1 this will be my perfect phone!
The X10 should have BEEN the perfect phone out of the box! That's something I've noticed, every single N1 users that have gotten the X10 all said they love it! So I guess SE is doing something right ;) lol
 
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It does'nt feel plasticky to me it just feels solid, And after reading all the problems with the N1 and after owning a HTC G1 before the X10 then it comes down to not what the phones made of but how well its put together.
It must be my N1 adoration talking...but I think the N1 is well put together...

You can't really say its subjective if some do have problems with the N1's on screen buttons apposed to no one having problems with the X10's hardware buttons.
Fine, you win this argument! I don't have a rebuttal for this :p

Theres no phone that will be "perfect" thats just the way it is.
Sad :( but that's why we continue to 'hunt' for the 'perfect' phone.

As for the X10 being outdated i look at it like this: The X10 too me at least has the better hardware as is Camera and Screen i would rather buy a phone with good hardware and have to wait for better Software as i am in a long contract anyway at least i know it will be a while at least before the camera and screen are vastly outdated.
I'd give Sony for the better Camera, which is something I expect considering cameras is one of Sony's areas of specialty.

I seem to be in a minority of picking better hardware over better software i mean just look at how well the Iphone sells and in terms of hardware its a complete joke.
No, just look at all of the people that bought the X10 ;) You are in a minority with a good company :p

Another thing that puts me off the N1 is the pricing Google seem to be taking the apple route in that respect.
Actually, only problem that most people have is forking up the initial cost of an unlock phone (which is subsidized by an inflated plan in most cases). The N1 is US$530+ unlock, the iPhone is $700+ unlock, X10 is CA$550 unlock, the Milestone is CA$600 etc. So price wise, the N1 is very competitive with other unlock phones. Not sure what you mean by the same as 'taking the apple route'...

Anyway glad your happy with the N1 as i am happy with the X10 :)
When it comes down to it, that's all that matters ;)
...
 
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