Samsung Galaxy 5 vs. Cherry Mobile Nova vs. Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

We now have a clearer picture of entry-level Android phones out in the local market. These smartphones hover around the Php11k mark which I think is a nice price point targeting consumers who wants to switch to Android.

I would like to include the LG Optimus but that’s almost Php13k which is on par with the Samsung Galaxy Spica.

Here is a specs comparison table of the Php11k smartphones: Samsung Galaxy 5, Cherry Mobile Nova and the newly launched Sony Ericsson Xperia X8.

galaxy5_nova_x8

Samsung Galaxy 5	Cherry Mobile Nova	Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Android 2.1 (Eclair)	Android 2.1 (Eclair)	Android 1.6 (Donut)*
ARM 600MHz	Qualcomm MSM7227 600MHz processor	Qualcomm MSM7227 600MHz processor
2.8” QVGA TFT capacitive LCD (240 x 320) – 256K colors	3.2” capacitive LCD (320×480)	3″ TFT capacitive touchscreen (320 x 480) – 16m colors
170MB internal memory, expandable up to 16GB	512MB internal memory, expandable up to 32GB	128MB internal memory, expandable up to 16GB
2mp fixed focus camera w/o flash	5mp autofocus camera with LED flash	3.2mp camera fixed focus camera w/o flash
WiFi 802.11 b/g, DLNA	WiFi 802.11 b/g	WiFi 802.11 b/g
HSDPA 7.2 Mbps	HSDPA 7.2 Mbps	HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
Bluetooth 2.1	Bluetooth 2.1	Bluetooth 2.1
A-GPS	A-GPS	A-GPS
Li – Ion, 1200 mAh	Li – Polymer, 1270 mAh	Li – Polymer, 1200 mAh
SRP: Php10,980	SRP: Php11,490	SRP: Php11,600

*Sony Ericsson announced that Android 2.1 update on their Xperia X8 will arrive this November.

Based on these specs, Cherry Mobile has the edge in terms of hardware with its 32GB microSD support and 5mp autofocus camera. However, we shouldn’t discount value-added features from Samsung like their Social Hub, Swype texting and TouchWiz UI. Same with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 and its emphasis on security via WaveSecure.

18 Comments

Rendl says:
October 14, 2010 at 11:21 am

does Samsung Galaxy 5 support Swype texting even if it’s not multi-touch?

reply
- dongding says:
  October 14, 2010 at 1:15 pm
  
  swype feature actually does not require multi-touch screens
  
  reply
- Calvin says:
  October 14, 2010 at 3:17 pm
  
  and yes it can do Swype but only in landscape mode. it will use the alphanumeric keypad in portrait mode.
  
  reply
- Spidey says:
  October 14, 2010 at 6:48 pm
  
  Nova ako…
  
  It looks more decent, and corporate…
  
  reply
Ton2 says:
October 20, 2010 at 3:03 pm

I’ve been looking around for the Cherry Nove, but haven’t had any luck. Does anyone know of where it is being sold in the Cubao area?

reply
- Ton2 says:
  October 20, 2010 at 3:04 pm
  
  *Nova
  
  reply
  - metatron says:
    November 12, 2010 at 11:14 am
    
    I got mine in SM Marikina
    
    reply
Ton2 says:
October 20, 2010 at 3:06 pm

I found the Galaxy 5 at one of the shops at the Cyberzone sa SM Cubao. I’ve had very little luck finding the other two phones. This contest might boil down to availability for me.

reply
- Ton2 says:
  October 20, 2010 at 3:07 pm
  
  It was priced @ P10,400 a couple of days ago.
  
  reply
  - aldrin says:
    July 6, 2011 at 3:04 pm
    
    it’s only 8K something so far, in SM Megamall..
    
    reply
- Spring Maia says:
  October 22, 2010 at 12:59 am
  
  Nova would be available by November “)
  
  reply
obet pagdangan says:
November 10, 2010 at 4:08 pm

Is the Cherry Mobile manufactured in the Philippines or China?

reply
- Calvin says:
  November 10, 2010 at 5:33 pm
  
  China but the brand is local.
  
  reply
doods says:
December 10, 2010 at 3:49 pm

does anyone knows the maximum # of address book, standby time and talk time for cherry mobile nova? thanks

reply
samsung says:
January 9, 2011 at 9:30 pm

galaxy 5 is better for me. i like it’s swype technology i don’t need multi touch. it’s small but i like it! Dun na ako sa may Brand.

reply
- nova say'e says:
  January 11, 2011 at 9:30 am
  
  i have a nova and galaxy5′addict kasi ako sa android’ but nova is much better than galaxy in terms of feature’ pag pinag sabay q sa games like angry birds’mas mabilis ung response ng nova kesa sa galaxy’ although samsung is samsung when it comes to brand…for me its CM nova
  
  reply
  - jerome says:
    February 24, 2011 at 2:46 pm
    
    13 year old po ako,, adik po me sa gadgets,, may iphone 4 n po ako,, gus2 ko po sana ng nova,, san po ba sa laspinas area makakabili????
    
    reply
    - Kean says:
      June 18, 2011 at 6:18 pm
      
      Baka mahilig ka nga sa gadgets. Pero iPhone 4 lang yata meron ka eh. At kung mahilig ka sa gadgets, kailangan din na alam mo yung specs. Hindi yung sa brand at presyo lang.
      
      reply