The Motorola Moto Z4 Force, released with a flagship Snapdragon 855, now finds itself competing with newer, more efficient mid-range options like the Sony Xperia 10 VII. This comparison examines whether the Z4 Force’s older, more powerful chipset still holds up against the Xperia 10 VII’s focus on battery life and modern efficiency.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Sony Xperia 10 VII is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while less powerful on paper, delivers excellent real-world performance coupled with exceptional battery endurance – 48:10h – a feat the Moto Z4 Force simply cannot match.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2025, September 12 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 153 x 72 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~422 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 15, upgradable to Android 16, up to 4 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0" |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto)
13 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 25 MP, f/1.9 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Moto Mods snap-on accessories | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wired, PD, QC |
| Type | Li-Ion, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | White, Turquoise, Charcoal |
| Models | - | XQ-FE54, XQZ-CBFE, xqfe54eukcl.gc, xqfe54eukcw.gc, xqfe54eukcb.gc |
| Price | - | $ 459.99 / £ 329.00 / € 379.00 |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 48:10h endurance, 1400 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class D |
Motorola Moto Z4 Force
- Potentially higher peak CPU/GPU performance for demanding tasks.
- May offer modularity through Moto Mods (depending on availability).
- Older device may be available at a significantly lower price.
- Significantly shorter battery life.
- Older chipset prone to thermal throttling.
- Likely outdated software support.
Sony Xperia 10 VII
- Exceptional battery life (48:10h endurance).
- Modern, efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor.
- Bright and clear display (1064 nits).
- Fast charging support (PD, QC).
- Lower peak CPU/GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 855.
- May not be ideal for extremely demanding gaming.
- Potentially higher initial cost.
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia 10 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1064 nits, compared to the Moto Z4 Force’s likely lower peak brightness (spec not provided, but typical for the era). This makes the Xperia 10 VII far more usable outdoors. While the Z4 Force’s display technology isn’t specified, the Xperia 10 VII’s brightness advantage is a clear win for visibility. The Xperia 10 VII’s panel is likely OLED, offering superior contrast, while the Z4 Force likely uses an LCD panel.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto Z4 Force, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Xperia 10 VII likely focuses on computational photography and image processing to deliver consistent results. The Z4 Force’s camera system, while potentially capable, is likely hampered by its age and less advanced image processing algorithms. The Xperia 10 VII’s image processing will likely benefit from newer software optimizations.
Performance
The Motorola Moto Z4 Force’s Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, was a flagship processor in its time. Its octa-core configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) provides substantial processing power. However, the Sony Xperia 10 VII’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) utilizes a more modern and efficient architecture. While the 6 Gen 3’s CPU (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) has a lower clock speed, the 4nm process and newer Cortex-A78 cores offer improved performance-per-watt. This translates to less thermal throttling and more consistent performance during sustained loads. The Z4 Force will likely exhibit higher peak performance, but the Xperia 10 VII will maintain performance for longer.
Battery Life
This is where the Xperia 10 VII truly shines. Its reported 48:10h endurance and 12:57h active use score are exceptional. The Moto Z4 Force’s battery life is not specified, but given the power-hungry Snapdragon 855 and a likely smaller battery capacity, it will fall significantly short. The Xperia 10 VII also supports wired charging with PD and QC standards, offering fast and versatile charging options.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto Z4 Force if you absolutely need the peak performance of a Snapdragon 855 for demanding tasks like emulation or older, graphically intensive games, and are willing to accept significantly shorter battery life. Buy the Sony Xperia 10 VII if you prioritize all-day battery life, a bright and clear display, and a smooth, efficient user experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the Xperia 10 VII struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 isn't a flagship processor, it's capable of running Genshin Impact at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The key advantage is sustained performance; the 4nm process prevents significant throttling, ensuring a more consistent gaming experience than the older Snapdragon 855 in the Moto Z4 Force, which will likely throttle more aggressively.
❓ How does the software support compare between these two devices?
The Motorola Moto Z4 Force is likely nearing the end of its software support lifecycle, meaning it may no longer receive security updates or major Android version upgrades. The Sony Xperia 10 VII, being a newer device, will receive software updates for a longer period, ensuring better security and access to new features.
❓ Is the Moto Z4 Force's modularity with Moto Mods still a viable benefit in 2024?
The availability and support for Moto Mods have diminished over time. While the concept is interesting, finding compatible and useful Moto Mods may be challenging, and the added cost can negate any potential benefits. The Xperia 10 VII offers a more streamlined and consistently supported experience.
