Sony Xperia U (ST25a) vs Apple iPhone 3GS (32GB)

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Side by side comparison between Sony Xperia U vs Apple iPhone 3GS phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

7/24/2012 2:05 PM, updated: 6/19/2025 2:19 PM

Compare Apple iPhone 3GS X Sony Xperia U (ST25a) 24Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

3.5"
LED

480x854

5
MP

0.3mp

512MB
RAM

Dual-core

1320
mAh

(Removable)

02Points Apple iPhone 3GS (32GB) Compare Sony Xperia U X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

3.5"
TFT

320x480

3.1
MP

256MB
RAM

Single-core

1219
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Sony Xperia U (ST25a)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

24 Advantages Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	vs	2 Advantages Apple iPhone 3GS (32GB)
+1GHz 32bit Dual-core (45nm)100% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	600MHz 32bit Single-core
+512MB LPDDR2100% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.	vs	256MB SDRAM
+110 grams (3.85 ounces)23% Lighter	vs	135 grams (4.73 ounces)
+12 millimeters (0.47 inches)2% Thinner	vs	12.3 millimeters (0.48 inches)
+TFT LED-Backlit LCDAdvantage TFT LED-Backlit LCD display is brighter and more vivid	vs	TFT LCD
+480x854 pixels167% Higher resolution screen	vs	320x480 pixels
+280 PPI70% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	165 PPI
+(back) 5MP60% Higher resolution main camera	vs	(back) 3.1MP
+LED flashAdvantage The LED flash helps in dark places or in low light	vs	Not supported
+Only digital zoomAdvantage The zoom allows for better focus and approach to take pictures	vs	Not supported
+EIS: Digital stabilizationAdvantage Image stabilization prevents blurry photos and helps in recording motion video	vs	Not supported
+(front) 0.3MPAdvantage A front-camera is best for taking selfies	vs	Not supported
+HD (1280x720)2 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera	vs	VGA (640x480)
+3500000 apps (Google Play Store)52% More apps available to download and use	vs	2300000 apps (App Store)
+3G HSUPAAdvantage The 3G HSUPA network is newer and faster	vs	3G HSDPA
+(3G HSUPA) 14.4 Mbps100% Faster for surfing the internet and download files	vs	(3G HSDPA) 7.2 Mbps
+Ambient light sensorAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+1320 mAh8% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use	vs	1219 mAh
+Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable)Advantage Removable battery can be replaced easily	vs	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
+Video callingAdvantage The video calling allows to make calls with voice and video	vs	Not supported
+Active noise cancellationAdvantage More noise-canceling microphones allow for better quality in calls and audio for recorded videos	vs	Not supported
+FM (RDS)Advantage The radio lets you listen to your songs and sports in general	vs	Not supported
+802.11 b/g/n [wifi4]Advantage WiFi 802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] is newer and faster	vs	802.11 b/g [wifi3]
+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.	vs	Not supported
8GB (4GB available)	vs	+32GB (28GB available)6 times More internal storage for applications and files
Not supported	vs	+Proprietary TV-outAdvantage The TV-output lets you use your device on TV by cable

18 Common items in both devices

Plastic body, glass front

60Hz

16 million

3.5"

Autofocus

Capacitive

Multitouch

+11 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Other model names	Sony Xperia U ST25, Sony Kumquat	Apple iPhone 3GS
Country or region available	(Latin America), Brazil, Canada, USA	(Global, International)
Brand	Sony	Apple
Release date	5/7/2012	6/19/2009, Announced: 4/13/2012
Depth	12 millimeters (0.47 inches)	12.3 millimeters (0.48 inches)
Size (width x height)	54 x 112 millimeters (2.13 x 4.41 in)	62.1 x 115.5 millimeters (2.44 x 4.55 in)
Weight	110 grams (3.85 ounces)	135 grams (4.73 ounces)
Build, materials	Plastic body, glass front	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Not supported	Not supported
📲 Display
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Display type	TFT LED-Backlit LCD	TFT LCD
Screen size	3.5" inches	3.5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~55.8% (screen-to-body ratio)	~50.9% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	480x854 pixels (16:9)	320x480 pixels (3:2)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 4-points	Capacitive Multitouch 5-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	280 PPI	165 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	Not supported	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
System version	Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread	iOS 3.0
Firmware update	Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich ICS	iOS 6.0
User Interface	feature not registered	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Chipset	32bit: ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 (45nm)	32bit: Samsung S5PC100
CPU	Dual-core, 1 processor: 2x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 (Dual-core)	Single-core, 1 processor: 1x 600MHz ARM Cortex-A8 (Single-core)
GPU graphical controller	ARM Mali-400 MP1	PowerVR SGX535
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
RAM memory	512MB LPDDR2	256MB SDRAM
Internal storage	8GB (4GB available)	32GB (28GB available) Flash (EEPROM)
External storage	Not supported	Not supported
📶 Mobile networks
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) Standard mini-SIM (2FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	14.4/5.76 Mbps	7.2 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G	2G, 3G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/1900/2100	UMTS 850/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA	CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Back camera (main camera)	5 megapixels	3.1 megapixels
Main camera resolution	2592x1944 pixels	2048x1536 pixels
Video recording (primary)	HD (1280x720) 30 fps	VGA (640x480) 30 fps
Flash	LED flash	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Autofocus	Autofocus	Autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization	Not supported
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Not supported
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Not supported
BSI sensor	Not supported	Not supported
HDR	Not supported	Not supported
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Front camera (secondary)	0.3 megapixels	Not supported
Front camera resolution	640x480 pixels	Not supported
Video recording (secondary)	VGA (640x480)	Not supported
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Loudspeaker	Supported	Mono sound (not stereo)
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	1 microphone
Radio	FM (RDS)	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, H.263, H.264, WMV	MPEG4, MOV
Audio formats	MP3, eAAC+, WMA, WAV	MP3
🔌 Connectivity
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
USB	MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go	USB 2.0 proprietary connector
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Not supported	Proprietary TV-out
Bluetooth	2.1 + A2DP	2.1 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz)	802.11 b/g [wifi3] (2.4GHz)
DLNA	Supported	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging	A-GPS, GeoTagging
NFC	Not supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Compass Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) BA600	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) 616-0435
Battery capacity	1320 mAh	1219 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	5W (5V/1A) Wired charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	5.6 hours	11.7 hours
Standby	472 hours (19.7 days)	300 hours (12.5 days)
➕ Other features
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS, MMS, E-mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Not supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized with tutorial
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, Flash player	HTML, XHTML
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Black, White • Exchangeable bottom caps: White, Black, Pink, Yellow • Sony Reality Display • Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine • xLoud • 3D surround sound • WiFi hotspot Java framework	• Colors: Black, White • Audio/video player • Image editor iCloud service • Google Maps • Twitter
☢️ Radiation rate
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	iPhone 3GS (32GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	1.09W/kg (head), 0.93W/kg (body)	0.26W/kg (head), 0.79W/kg (body)
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	1.62W/kg (head)	0.45W/kg (head), 0.4W/kg (body)