Sony Xperia 1 vs Xperia 10 II: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Sony's Xperia line offers a unique blend of features, but choosing between models can be tricky. The Xperia 1 caters to enthusiasts with premium specs, while the Xperia 10 II aims for broader appeal with a focus on value. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is the perfect fit.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 delivers flagship performance and a stunning display, but the Xperia 10 II offers exceptional battery life and a more accessible price point. For power users, the 1 wins; for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing longevity, the 10 II is the better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 Sony Xperia 10 II
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 661, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, February 25. Released 2019, May 302020, February 24
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, May 05
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight178 g (6.28 oz)151 g (5.33 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR BT.2020OLED
 Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 610
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11Android 10, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlymicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm12 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"
Video4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.018W wired, PD, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, Purple, WhiteBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry Blue
ModelsJ8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03LXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41A
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 700 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB-
Battery lifeEndurance rating 79hEndurance rating 92h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.7 LUFS (Good) -28.8 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1

  • Flagship Performance
  • Brighter, Higher-Resolution Display
  • Superior Camera Quality
  • Premium Build Quality

  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Higher Price
  • Can be bulky

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • More Affordable
  • Compact Design
  • Supports QC3 Charging

  • Lower Performance
  • Less Vibrant Display
  • Camera Not as Capable
  • Plastic Build

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 boasts a significantly brighter display at 665 nits compared to the 10 II's 520 nits, resulting in better outdoor visibility. Both feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), but the 1's OLED panel offers richer colors and deeper blacks. The 1 also has a higher resolution, contributing to a sharper image. The 10 II's display is still good, but noticeably less vibrant.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but the Xperia 1 generally produces higher-quality photos and videos thanks to its more advanced hardware and image processing. The 1 often has more features and shooting modes. While the 10 II's camera is decent for everyday use, the 1 provides a more professional-grade experience.

Performance

The Xperia 1's Snapdragon 855 is a powerhouse, offering significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking than the 10 II's Snapdragon 665. This difference is especially noticeable in demanding games and applications. The 1 handles intensive tasks with ease, while the 10 II might show some lag under heavy load.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 II takes a clear lead in battery life, achieving an impressive endurance rating of 92 hours compared to the Xperia 1's 79 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, making the 10 II a better choice for those who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 is ideal for photography enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and a premium display. The Xperia 10 II is a great option for users who prioritize battery life, a compact design, and a more affordable price without sacrificing essential features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, a premium display, and a top-tier camera, then yes. However, if you're on a budget and battery life is your main concern, the Xperia 10 II offers excellent value.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia 1 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and superior cooling system. It can handle demanding games at higher settings without overheating.