Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo Review: Specs & Features

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo (2011)

Definition: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo (model: MT15i) is a mid-range Android smartphone launched in March 2011, positioned between the budget Xperia Mini and flagship Xperia Arc in Sony Ericsson’s 2011 Xperia lineup. Targeting young multimedia enthusiasts and social media users, it blended a compact design, Sony’s Exmor R for mobile camera sensor, and a vibrant Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine—delivering a balanced mix of performance, imaging, and media capabilities at a competitive price point. The Xperia Neo marked a step forward in Sony Ericsson’s Android optimization, addressing the software limitations of its predecessor (the Xperia X10) while retaining the brand’s focus on multimedia experiences.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	3.7-inch TFT LCD Reality Display, 480×854 resolution (WVGA, 265 PPI), 16M colors, capacitive touchscreen, Mobile BRAVIA Engine (enhanced contrast/color), scratch-resistant mineral glass
Processor & Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 MSM8255 (45 nm), single-core 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, Adreno 205 GPU
Memory & Storage	512 MB RAM; 320 MB internal storage; microSD card slot (up to 32 GB, expandable, hot-swappable)
Camera System	Rear Camera: 8.1 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor (back-illuminated, for low-light performance), f/2.4 aperture, autofocus, LED flash, 720p HD video recording at 30 fps, face detection, smile shutter, geo-taggingFront Camera: 0.3 MP VGA sensor (for video calls, QVGA resolution)
Battery & Charging	1500 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 4.5 hours 3G talk time; 430 hours standby time; micro-USB 2.0 charging (no fast charging support)
Connectivity	3G HSPA+ (14.4 Mbps downlink), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, GPS/AGPS, FM radio with RDS, no NFC
Operating System	Launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread; upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (official Sony Ericsson update, released in 2012); custom UI: Sony Ericsson Timescape (social hub) + Mediascape (multimedia manager)
Design & Dimensions	Curved polycarbonate unibody; dimensions: 116 × 57 × 13 mm; weight: 126 g; color options: Midnight Blue, Silver, Red; three physical capacitive buttons (Home, Back, Menu) below the display
Sensors & Other Features	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor; stereo speakers; 3.5 mm headphone jack; Sony TrackID music recognition

Key Selling Points & Innovations

Exmor R for Mobile Camera SensorThe 8.1 MP rear camera’s back-illuminated Exmor R sensor was the Xperia Neo’s standout feature. Unlike traditional front-illuminated sensors, Exmor R captured more light in low-light conditions, delivering brighter, less noisy photos and 720p HD videos—even in dim environments like restaurants or concerts. Features like smile shutter (auto-captures when a subject smiles) and face detection further enhanced its appeal to casual photographers.
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA EngineSony’s Mobile BRAVIA Engine optimized the 3.7-inch WVGA display for vivid colors, sharp contrast, and reduced glare—borrowing image processing technology from Sony’s BRAVIA TVs. This made the Xperia Neo ideal for media consumption (watching videos, viewing photos) and web browsing, outperforming many mid-range Android phones of 2011 in display quality.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread Launch & ICS UpgradeUnlike the Xperia X10 (trapped on Android 2.1), the Xperia Neo launched with the modern Android 2.3 Gingerbread, supporting features like improved battery management, better app performance, and native tethering. Sony Ericsson later released an official upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, extending the phone’s lifespan and adding a more intuitive UI with features like face unlock and a revamped notification bar.
Compact & Ergonomic DesignThe Xperia Neo’s curved polycarbonate body fit comfortably in one hand, striking a balance between screen size (3.7 inches) and portability. At 126 g, it was lighter than flagship competitors like the Xperia Arc (117 g, but thinner) and HTC Desire S (130 g), making it a practical daily driver for users who valued comfort over extreme slimness.
Balanced Mid-Range PerformanceThe 1.0 GHz Snapdragon S2 processor and Adreno 205 GPU handled daily tasks (social media, messaging, light gaming) smoothly, with support for popular 2011 games like Angry Birds and Temple Run. The 512 MB RAM was sufficient for basic multitasking, though it struggled with multiple apps running simultaneously.

Limitations & Criticisms

Limited Internal StorageWith only 320 MB of internal storage, the Xperia Neo forced users to install most apps on a microSD card—an inconvenience, as some apps (especially games) did not support external storage installation in 2011. This was a major drawback compared to competitors with larger internal storage (e.g., HTC Desire S with 1.1 GB).
No 4G LTE ConnectivityThe Xperia Neo only supported 3G HSPA+, missing out on 4G LTE which was starting to roll out in major markets (e.g., the U.S.) in 2011. This limited its future-proofing for users seeking high-speed mobile internet.
Underpowered Front CameraThe 0.3 MP VGA front camera was low-resolution, suitable only for basic video calls (e.g., Skype) but not for selfies— a growing trend in 2011. Competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S II offered 2 MP front cameras for better self-portrait quality.
No Wireless Charging or NFCAs a mid-range device, the Xperia Neo lacked premium features like wireless charging and NFC, which were starting to appear in flagship phones of the era. This limited its functionality for emerging use cases like contactless payments.
Battery Life for Heavy UseThe 1500 mAh battery delivered adequate life for light use (calls, texts, social media), but heavy media consumption or gaming drained it quickly—often requiring a mid-day charge.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: March 2011 (global release, available in Europe, Asia, Australia, and unlocked in North America).
Pricing: ~€300 unlocked at launch, positioning it as a mid-range alternative to flagships like the Xperia Arc (~€450) and Samsung Galaxy S II (~€500).
Sales Highlights: The Xperia Neo was a solid seller for Sony Ericsson, appealing to users who wanted Sony’s camera and display technology without the flagship price tag. It performed particularly well in Europe and Asia, where mid-range Android phones were in high demand.
Discontinuation: Phased out in late 2012, replaced by the Xperia V— a 4G-enabled mid-range phone with a better camera and faster processor.

Legacy

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo is remembered as a well-rounded mid-range Android phone that showcased Sony’s strengths in imaging and display technology. It addressed the software shortcomings of the Xperia X10, proving that Sony Ericsson could deliver timely Android updates for its mid-range lineup. The Exmor R sensor set a benchmark for low-light photography in mid-range phones, a feature that would become a staple of future Xperia devices. For Android history enthusiasts, the Xperia Neo represents a transition period for Sony Ericsson—before Sony fully acquired the joint venture in 2012 and rebranded the lineup as Sony Xperia.