Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini & Pro: Compact Powerhouses

Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini & Xperia Mini Pro (2011)

Definition

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini (SK17i) and Xperia Mini Pro (SK17a) are compact Android smartphones launched in June 2011, positioned as premium miniaturized devices for users seeking flagship-like performance in a pocketable form factor. Part of Sony Ericsson’s mid-range Xperia lineup, the two models share most core hardware, with the Mini Pro differentiating itself via a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for enhanced messaging and productivity. Targeting style-conscious users, social media enthusiasts, and business professionals who prioritized portability, these devices featured a vibrant 3-inch Reality Display, a 5MP camera with HD video recording, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread (upgradable to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich), solidifying Sony Ericsson’s presence in the compact smartphone segment.

Series Overview

Model	Release Date	Market Positioning	Core Differentiator
Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini (SK17i)	June 2011	Compact Android smartphone	Full-touch interface, pocketable 3-inch form factor
Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro (SK17a)	June 2011	Compact productivity-focused smartphone	Slide-out 4-row QWERTY keyboard + touch interface

1. Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini (SK17i)

Core Specifications

Design & Display

Form Factor: Ultra-compact candybar with a curved back panel for ergonomic one-handed use; no physical keyboard (full-touch operation).
Display: 3.0-inch Reality Display (TFT LCD), 480×320 HVGA resolution (166 ppi), Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine for enhanced contrast and color accuracy, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass protection, 16M color support, and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Build & Materials: Matte plastic front, glossy plastic rear with a removable battery cover; color options: Black, White, Pink, Blue, Silver.
Dimensions & Weight: 88×52×16 mm; 109g—one of the smallest Android smartphones of 2011, easily fitting in small pockets or purses.
Biometrics: No fingerprint sensor; screen lock via pattern, PIN, or password (standard for Android 2.3).

Processor & Performance

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 MSM8255 (1.0 GHz single-core Scorpion CPU, Adreno 205 GPU, 45nm process)—flagship-grade single-core performance for 2011, capable of smooth multitasking and light gaming.
RAM: 512 MB LPDDR2 (non-expandable); sufficient for Android 2.3 and basic apps (social media, messaging, web browsing).
Storage: 320 MB internal storage; expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card (supports microSDHC) — a microSD card slot is located under the battery cover.
Software: Launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread; officially upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in early 2012 (with optimized UI for the small display). Key preloaded apps: Sony Ericsson Timescape (social media aggregator), Mediascape (multimedia hub), Google Mobile Services (Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Market).
Gaming: Supports 3D games like Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, and Asphalt 6; the Adreno 205 GPU delivers smooth frame rates for casual gaming.

Camera System

Rear Camera: 5.0 MP sensor, f/2.6 aperture, 4× digital zoom, auto-focus, LED flash, Exmor R CMOS sensor (for improved low-light performance), and HD video recording (720p at 30 fps).
Front Camera: VGA (0.3 MP) sensor, fixed focus, for video calls (compatible with apps like Skype).
Key Camera Features: Smile detection, face recognition, panorama mode, touch focus, and image stabilization (digital). The Exmor R sensor was a standout feature, enabling better photos in dimly lit environments compared to competitors.

Connectivity & Power

Aspect	Detailed Specifications
Cellular	3G HSPA+ (14.4 Mbps download / 5.76 Mbps upload), quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); single nano-SIM slot.
Wireless	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (supports A2DP for wireless audio), NFC (near-field communication, for contactless payments and file transfer), GPS + A-GPS (for location tracking via Google Maps).
Ports	Micro-USB 2.0 (charging, data transfer, USB OTG support), 3.5 mm headphone jack (standard for the era).
Battery	1200 mAh removable Li-ion battery; Talk time: Up to 5 hours (3G) / 8 hours (GSM); Standby time: Up to 340 hours (3G) / 370 hours (GSM); Music playback time: Up to 25 hours.

2. Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro (SK17a)

Core Specifications

Design & Display

Form Factor: Compact slider with a slide-out 4-row QWERTY keyboard (hidden when not in use); the keyboard features dedicated keys for email, social media, and navigation, making it ideal for heavy texting and email users.
Display: Identical to the Xperia Mini—3.0-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, Gorilla Glass, 480×320 HVGA resolution, 16M colors.
Build & Materials: Same as the Xperia Mini (matte front, glossy rear); color options: Black, White, Silver (pink/blue variants not available for the Pro model).
Dimensions & Weight: 88×52×18 mm (thicker than the Mini due to the keyboard); 120g—still compact despite the slider design.
Biometrics: Same as the Xperia Mini (pattern/PIN/password lock).

Processor & Performance

Chipset, RAM, Storage: Identical to the Xperia Mini—Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 MSM8255 (1.0 GHz single-core), 512 MB RAM, 320 MB internal storage + microSD expansion (up to 32 GB).
Software: Launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich; optimized for both touch and keyboard input (e.g., keyboard shortcuts for app navigation, text selection).
Productivity Features: The QWERTY keyboard supports fast typing for emails, SMS, and social media posts; dedicated shortcut keys for Timescape/Mediascape and Google Search enhance workflow efficiency.

Camera System

Rear & Front Cameras: Identical to the Xperia Mini—5.0 MP rear with Exmor R sensor, LED flash, 720p HD video; 0.3 MP VGA front camera for video calls.

Connectivity & Power

Cellular, Wireless, Ports: Identical to the Xperia Mini—3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, NFC, GPS, micro-USB 2.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Battery: Same 1200 mAh removable Li-ion battery as the Xperia Mini; slightly reduced battery life due to the keyboard’s additional hardware (Talk time: Up to 4.5 hours 3G; Standby time: Up to 320 hours 3G).

Key Series Traits & Target Audience

Ultra-Compact Form Factor: The 3-inch display and sub-110g (Mini)/120g (Pro) weight made these devices stand out in an era of growing smartphone sizes, catering to users who valued portability over screen real estate.
Balanced Performance: The Snapdragon S2 chip delivered flagship-level single-core performance for 2011, ensuring smooth operation of Android 2.3/4.0 and casual games.
Camera Prowess: The Exmor R sensor and 720p HD video recording were premium features for a mid-range compact smartphone, appealing to casual photographers.
Dual Input Options: The Mini offered full-touch convenience, while the Mini Pro targeted productivity users with its slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Legacy & Discontinuation

Today, both models are sought-after collector’s items for Android enthusiasts who appreciate the compact, pocket-friendly design that has become rare in modern smartphones.

The Xperia Mini and Mini Pro were commercial successes in Europe and Asia, where compact smartphones were popular among young users and commuters.

They were discontinued in late 2012, replaced by the Sony Xperia Miro and Xperia Tipo—budget compact Android phones that retained the Mini’s portability but used lower-cost hardware.

The Mini Pro’s slide-out QWERTY keyboard was one of the last in Sony’s Xperia lineup, as the brand shifted to full-touch designs with the launch of the Xperia Z series in 2013.