The Sharp Aquos R3, released with a flagship Snapdragon 855, represents a bygone era of powerful, yet often overlooked, devices. The Sony Xperia 10 VII, a more recent release, prioritizes efficiency with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and a focus on long-term battery health. This comparison dissects these contrasting philosophies to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Sony Xperia 10 VII is the better choice. Its modern 4nm chipset and exceptional battery endurance (48:10h) outweigh the Aquos R3’s older, but initially more powerful, Snapdragon 855. The R3 may offer a burst of speed, but risks throttling and shorter battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38 | 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 (3CA) Cat15 1024/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2025, September 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156 x 74 x 8.9 mm (6.14 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) | 153 x 72 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| | IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~554 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~422 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 94.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision | 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), upgradable to Android 10 | 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 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
20 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide), AF, OIS | 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 flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | 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 (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD
Wireless | Wired, PD, QC |
| Type | Li-Po 3200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Classic Black | White, Turquoise, Charcoal |
| Models | - | XQ-FE54, XQZ-CBFE, xqfe54eukcl.gc, xqfe54eukcw.gc, xqfe54eukcb.gc |
| Price | About 750 EUR | $ 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 |
Sharp Aquos R3
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance (Snapdragon 855)
- Wireless charging support
- May be available at a very low price point
- Older chipset prone to throttling
- Shorter battery life
- Likely limited software support
Sony Xperia 10 VII
- Exceptional battery life (48:10h endurance)
- Modern, efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm)
- Longer software support horizon
- Brighter display (1064 nits)
- Lower peak CPU performance compared to Snapdragon 855
- May not be ideal for extremely demanding gaming
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia 10 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1064 nits, compared to the Aquos R3’s unspecified peak brightness. This translates to superior outdoor visibility. While the Aquos R3’s display technology isn’t detailed, the Xperia 10 VII’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Xperia 10 VII’s panel likely benefits from newer manufacturing techniques, offering improved color accuracy and viewing angles. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the newer Xperia 10 VII, contributing to a more modern aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Aquos R3, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Sony typically focuses on image processing and color science. The Xperia 10 VII likely benefits from Sony’s advanced algorithms, even with a potentially smaller sensor. The R3’s camera performance will be heavily reliant on its image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 855. It’s reasonable to assume the Xperia 10 VII offers more refined image processing and potentially better low-light performance due to software optimizations. We'll disregard any 2MP macro lenses on both devices as offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sharp Aquos R3’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) was a flagship processor in its time, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz. However, the Sony Xperia 10 VII’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) utilizes a more efficient manufacturing process. While the 6 Gen 3’s clock speeds (2.4 GHz Cortex-A78) are lower, the 4nm node provides better thermal efficiency and sustained performance. The R3 is likely to throttle under prolonged load, while the 10 VII will maintain more consistent performance. The 10 VII’s Cortex-A78 cores offer a significant architectural improvement over the Kryo 485 cores in the R3, improving single-core performance.
Battery Life
The Sony Xperia 10 VII truly shines in battery life. Its reported 48:10h endurance and 12:57h active use score are exceptional. While the Aquos R3’s battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon 855’s power consumption, combined with an older battery technology, will result in significantly shorter runtimes. The Xperia 10 VII supports both PD and QC charging, offering flexibility, while the Aquos R3 supports PD and wireless charging. However, the Xperia 10 VII’s battery longevity and 1400 cycle lifespan are key advantages.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sharp Aquos R3 if you need raw, albeit potentially inconsistent, processing power for demanding tasks and are comfortable with a phone that’s likely nearing the end of its software support lifecycle. Buy the Sony Xperia 10 VII if you prefer a balanced experience with exceptional battery life, reliable performance for everyday tasks, and a longer software support horizon. The Xperia 10 VII is ideal for users who value efficiency and longevity over peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Aquos R3 struggle with modern apps and games?
While the Snapdragon 855 was powerful for its time, newer apps and games are increasingly optimized for more modern chipsets like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. The Aquos R3 may experience slowdowns or require reduced graphics settings in demanding titles. The 855 is also more prone to thermal throttling, further impacting sustained performance.
❓ How does the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 impact real-world usage on the Xperia 10 VII?
The 4nm process node allows the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 to operate more efficiently, generating less heat and consuming less power. This translates to longer battery life, reduced throttling, and a cooler device during prolonged use. It's a key factor in the Xperia 10 VII's impressive endurance.
❓ Is the Aquos R3 still receiving software updates?
Given its release date, the Sharp Aquos R3 is likely nearing or has already reached the end of its software support lifecycle. This means it may not receive critical security updates or new Android features, posing a potential security risk.
❓ Does the Xperia 10 VII support fast charging, and how long does it take to charge?
The Xperia 10 VII supports both PD and QC fast charging. While specific 0-100% charging times aren't provided, it will charge significantly faster than older devices lacking these standards. The focus, however, is on the phone's exceptional battery endurance, minimizing the need for frequent charging.
