Motorola Moto G100 vs Sony Xperia 10 III Lite: A Performance and Efficiency Showdown

The Motorola Moto G100 (2021) and the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite represent divergent approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The G100 aims for near-flagship performance with its Snapdragon 870, while the Xperia 10 III Lite prioritizes efficiency and a more balanced experience with the Snapdragon 690. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, the Motorola Moto G100 is the clear winner. However, the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite offers a more refined, efficient experience with faster charging and a potentially more manageable thermal profile, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G100 (2021) Sony Xperia 10 III Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 1900
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 3, 4, 12, 18, 19, 38, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub677, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 252021, August 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 15Available. Released 2021, August 27
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions168.4 x 74 x 9.7 mm (6.63 x 2.91 x 0.38 in)154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)169 g (5.96 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 560 nits (HBM)OLED, 1B colors, HDR
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, ring flash (macro mode), panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm, PDAF TOF 3D Auxiliary lens12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 54mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0"
Video6K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.4, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired30W wired, PD, QC
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsIridescent Sky, Iridescent Ocean, Slate GreyBlack, White, Blue, Pink
ModelsXT2125, XT2125-4XQ-BT44
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 370 EUR

Motorola Moto G100 (2021)

  • Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
  • Higher peak display brightness for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially better video recording capabilities

  • Slower 20W charging
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
  • Limited camera details provided

Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

  • Faster 30W charging with PD and QC support
  • More efficient Snapdragon 690 processor
  • Likely better thermal management

  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Display specifications are unknown
  • Potentially less capable camera system

Display Comparison

The Moto G100 boasts a display capable of reaching 613 nits of peak brightness, providing good visibility outdoors. Its 1427:1 contrast ratio suggests a decent, though not exceptional, viewing experience. The Xperia 10 III Lite’s display specifications are not provided, but Sony typically focuses on color accuracy in this series. The G100’s brightness advantage will be noticeable in direct sunlight, while the Xperia 10 III Lite likely prioritizes color fidelity for media consumption. Without knowing the panel technology of the Xperia 10 III Lite, it's difficult to assess potential differences in refresh rate or power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The context data doesn't provide specifics beyond 'Photo / Video' for the G100. Sony’s Xperia line generally emphasizes image processing and color science. Given the G100’s higher processing power, it *could* handle more complex computational photography tasks, but without knowing sensor sizes or lens apertures, a definitive comparison is impossible. It's likely the G100 offers more flexibility in video recording capabilities due to the Snapdragon 870’s image signal processor (ISP).

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G100’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant step up from the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite’s Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The 870 features an octa-core CPU with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 690’s 2.0 GHz cores. This translates to substantially faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the G100. The 7nm process node of the 870, while older, allows for high performance, but may be more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load than the 8nm 690. The G100 is geared towards power users, while the 10 III Lite is designed for efficient everyday tasks.

Battery Life

The Moto G100 is rated for 100 hours of endurance, a strong figure, but this is a broad metric. The Xperia 10 III Lite compensates for potentially lower capacity with 30W wired charging, supporting Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge (QC) standards, while the G100 is limited to 20W. This means the Xperia 10 III Lite will likely achieve a 0-100% charge significantly faster, offering more convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The G100’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery capacity, but the 690’s efficiency could close the gap in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G100 (2021) if you need a phone capable of handling intensive applications, demanding mobile games, and benefit from the Snapdragon 870's processing power. Buy the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite if you prefer a phone with a focus on battery efficiency, faster charging speeds, and a more streamlined user experience without sacrificing 5G connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the Xperia 10 III Lite struggle with graphically intensive games?
The Snapdragon 690 is a capable processor, but it's not designed for the highest graphics settings in demanding games. You'll likely need to lower the settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate in titles like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile. The Moto G100’s Snapdragon 870 will handle these games with ease at higher settings.
❓ How much of a difference will the charging speed make in daily use?
The Xperia 10 III Lite’s 30W charging is a significant advantage. A quick 30-minute charge can provide a substantial boost in battery life, whereas the G100’s 20W charging will take considerably longer to achieve the same level of charge. This is particularly useful for users who have limited time to charge their phones.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G100 likely to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is a powerful chip, and while it's efficient, it can generate heat under sustained load. The G100 may experience some thermal throttling during prolonged gaming, potentially leading to a slight decrease in performance to prevent overheating. The Xperia 10 III Lite’s Snapdragon 690 is less prone to this issue.