Sony Xperia U (ST25a) vs LG Optimus Black (P970)

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Side by side comparison between Sony Xperia U vs LG Optimus Black phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

8/20/2012 7:00 AM, updated: 6/19/2025 8:26 AM

Compare LG Optimus Black X Sony Xperia U (ST25a) 07Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

3.5"
LED

480x854

5
MP

0.3mp

512MB
RAM

Dual-core

1320
mAh

(Removable)

07Points LG Optimus Black (P970) Compare Sony Xperia U X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

4"
IPS

480x800

5
MP

2mp

512MB
RAM

Single-core

1500
mAh

(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!

7 Advantages Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	vs	7 Advantages LG Optimus Black (P970)
+1GHz 32bit Dual-core (45nm)20% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	1GHz 32bit Single-core (45nm)
+512MB LPDDR2Advantage This RAM type is better and more efficient.	vs	512MB LPDDR
+8GB (4GB available)3 times More internal storage for applications and files	vs	2GB (1GB available)
+480x854 pixels7% Higher resolution screen	vs	480x800 pixels
+280 PPI20% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	233 PPI
+(3G HSUPA) 14.4 Mbps100% Faster for surfing the internet and download files	vs	(3G HSUPA) 7.2 Mbps
+Active noise cancellationAdvantage More noise-canceling microphones allow for better quality in calls and audio for recorded videos	vs	Not supported
Not supported	vs	+Until 32GB microSD, microSDHCAdvantage More external storage for files using memory cards
110 grams (3.85 ounces)	vs	+109 grams (3.82 ounces)1% Lighter
12 millimeters (0.47 inches)	vs	+9.2 millimeters (0.36 inches)30% Thinner
TFT LED-Backlit LCD	vs	+TFT NOVA IPSAdvantage TFT NOVA IPS display is brighter and more vivid
3.5"	vs	+4"14% Larger screen
(front) 0.3MP	vs	+(front) 2MP5 times Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
1320 mAh	vs	+1500 mAh14% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use

30 Common items in both devices

Plastic body, glass front

60Hz

16 million

(back) 5MP

LED flash

Only digital zoom

Autofocus

+23 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)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Change model
Model	Xperia U (ST25a)	Optimus Black (P970)
Other model names	Sony Xperia U ST25, Sony Kumquat	LG Optimus P970H, LG Ignite, LG Schwarz
Country or region available	(Latin America), Brazil, Canada, USA	(Global, International), Germany, USA
Brand	Sony	LG
Release date	5/7/2012	5/9/2011
Depth	12 millimeters (0.47 inches)	9.2 millimeters (0.36 inches)
Size (width x height)	54 x 112 millimeters (2.13 x 4.41 in)	64 x 122 millimeters (2.52 x 4.8 in)
Weight	110 grams (3.85 ounces)	109 grams (3.82 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)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Display type	TFT LED-Backlit LCD	TFT NOVA IPS
Screen size	3.5" inches	4" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~55.8% (screen-to-body ratio)	~58.3% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	480x854 pixels (16:9)	480x800 pixels
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 4-points	Capacitive Multitouch
Pixel density (dot pitch)	280 PPI	233 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)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
System version	Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread	Android 2.2.1 Froyo
Firmware update	Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich ICS	Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich ICS
User Interface	feature not registered	Optimus 2.0 Gesture UI
⚙️ Processor
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Chipset	32bit: ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 (45nm)	32bit: Texas Instruments OMAP 3630 (45nm)
CPU	Dual-core, 1 processor: 2x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 (Dual-core)	Single-core, 1 processor: 1x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 (Single-core)
GPU graphical controller	ARM Mali-400 MP1	PowerVR SGX530 MP1
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
RAM memory	512MB LPDDR2	512MB LPDDR
Internal storage	8GB (4GB available)	2GB (1GB available)
External storage	Not supported	Until 32GB microSD, microSDHC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) Standard mini-SIM (2FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) Standard mini-SIM (2FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	14.4/5.76 Mbps	7.2/5.76 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G	2G
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	Not supported
Primary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA
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)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Back camera (main camera)	5 megapixels	5 megapixels
Main camera resolution	2592x1944 pixels	2592x1944 pixels
Video recording (primary)	HD (1280x720) 30 fps	HD (1280x720) 24 fps
Flash	LED flash	LED flash
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	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection
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)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Front camera (secondary)	0.3 megapixels	2 megapixels
Front camera resolution	640x480 pixels	1600x1200 pixels
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)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Loudspeaker	Supported	Mono sound (not stereo)
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	1 microphone
Radio	FM (RDS)	FM (RDS)
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, H.263, H.264, WMV	MP4, DivX, Xvid, H.264, H.263, WMV
Audio formats	MP3, eAAC+, WMA, WAV	MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+
🔌 Connectivity
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
USB	MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go	MicroUSB 2.0
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Not supported	Not supported
Bluetooth	2.1 + A2DP	2.1 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz)	802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz) WiFi hotspot
DLNA	Supported	Supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging	A-GPS, GeoTagging
NFC	Not supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) BA600	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) BL-44JN
Battery capacity	1320 mAh	1500 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	Wired charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	5.6 hours	6 hours
Standby	472 hours (19.7 days)	350 hours (14.6 days)
➕ Other features
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, Flash player	HTML, XHTML, Flash player
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, Pink, Silver, White, Brown • Java framework
☢️ Radiation rate
	Sony Xperia U (ST25a)	LG Optimus Black (P970)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	1.09W/kg (head), 0.93W/kg (body)	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	1.62W/kg (head)	1.27W/kg (head), 1.43W/kg (body)