LG Optimus Black vs SE Xperia Arc S

[apf_]

Hey guys, I am about to upgrade my current phone to an Android device and I have pretty much narrowed my choices to the LG Optimus Black and the SE Xperia Arc S.
In one hand, the NOVA display on the Optimus Black seems to have one of the best brightnesses in the market and newer technology than the TFT in the Arc S. Despite this, I have read about the Arc S being very capable of matching the NOVA's quality. What is your take on this?

The 0.4 extra GHz on the Arc S isn't a very relevant feature since I'll be using the phone mostly for texting (Whatsapp and so), and I won't be playing games any soon.
By the way, am I right guessing Swype can be used on the Optimus? I've heard some complains about it not working properly or simply not being able to be installed.

Now, in the aesthetics departament, I'm coming from a tiny 2.4 inches phone, so any of the aforementioned phones will seem big to me but, would you say the 4.2 inches on the Arc S are actually too much for almost no multimedia use?
What about the build quality? Some people say the Arc S feels a bit too plastic and cheap, but I haven't heard any good mentions to the quality of the Optimus.

On a last note, the Arc S is about 30€ more expensive than the Optimus.

Thanks!

[Drillbit]

The Optimus Black kind of reminds me of HTC. Nice solid hefty feeling phone, with smooth textures that is nice on the hand and the touch that gives it a glassy feeling. Should be noted that the plastics on the Xperia Arc S feels glossy and cheap, well they make Samsungs even feel premium.

Having said that I would prefer the Xperia Arc S. Why? The styling isn't boring. The phone really looks beautiful and elegant in its style, and it can sell via looks alone. Not only that, I prefer Sony's implementation of Android and its UI layer. They seemed to be on the same wavelength when they made that Mediascape layer because it somehow resembles Ice Cream Sandwich in theme, and they are quick to announce they will upgrade their phones to ICS. The Arc S itself feels very snappy, everything moves very quickly, this suggests that the UI layer is only very thin and well accelerated. Also the Xperia is noted for its cameras. LG's own interface seems quite functional and easy to get by but seems ugly and if not boring. Overall the Optimus Black isn't bad, but you get a feeling that the Xperia Arc S is a much more exciting phone.

As for displays, both are very good. It is LG's Nova IPS display tech vs. Sony's SLCD and Bravia engine. I would give it a tie here.

[apf_]

Well, I ended up buying the Optimus. Even though the processor is slower and the camera is worse, when I had both them in my hand, the screen quality on the LG was notably better than that on the Arc S and, since I pretty much don't use the camera, it seemed an obvious choice. Also, the build quality on the Arc S simply wasn't up to its price.
Anyway, thank you

[Deathwish238]

Why are you stuck between these two phones? They're both single core which I would really try to avoid if you like battery life or speed.

I find it hard to believe that the LG Black's screen looked better than the Arc S. The Sony Arc S is supposed to have their BRAVIA engine powering it which basically means the same software behind the colors of their actual LCD HDTVs which Sony is what Sony is known for originally(their HDTVs). Perhaps the LG is brighter, but the Arc S should have better colors. Too high brightness often kills picture quality and not to mention drains battery hard.


What carrier are you bound to?