Sony Xperia 10 II vs Xperia 1: A Detailed Comparison

Sony offers a range of smartphones catering to different needs and budgets. The Xperia 10 II and Xperia 1 represent two distinct points on that spectrum – one focused on affordability and battery life, the other on premium features and performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is the better fit.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 wins decisively thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset, brighter display, and superior camera capabilities. However, the Xperia 10 II offers exceptional battery life and a more budget-friendly price point, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing longevity and value.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 II Sony Xperia 1
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, February 242019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 05Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)178 g (6.28 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
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDOLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple12 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"12 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", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC318W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAhLi-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry BlueBlack, Gray, Purple, White
ModelsXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41AJ8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 500 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 92hEndurance rating 79h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large and vibrant display
  • More affordable price
  • Compact and lightweight design

  • Less powerful processor
  • Mediocre camera performance
  • Plastic build quality
  • Slower charging

Sony Xperia 1

  • Powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Brighter and more accurate display
  • Superior camera system
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Faster charging

  • Higher price
  • Shorter battery life compared to 10 II
  • Can be bulky

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 boasts a brighter display (665 nits vs 520 nits) offering better visibility in sunlight. Both feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), and both utilize OLED technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Xperia 1's display is also generally considered to be more color accurate, a key feature for content creators.

Camera Comparison

While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Xperia 1's camera system is considerably more advanced. It typically features a more versatile lens setup (often including a telephoto lens for optical zoom) and superior image processing. The 10 II's camera is competent but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the Xperia 1.

Performance

This is where the Xperia 1 truly shines. The Snapdragon 855 chipset is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 665 in the Xperia 10 II. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Xperia 1. The 10 II is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 II holds a slight edge in battery endurance, boasting a remarkable 92h rating compared to the Xperia 1's 79h. However, the Xperia 1's faster processor can consume more power under load, so real-world usage may narrow the gap.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 II is ideal for users who prioritize long battery life, a large display for media consumption, and a budget-conscious purchase. The Sony Xperia 1 is best suited for photography enthusiasts, power users who demand high performance, and those willing to invest in a premium smartphone experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 II good for gaming?
The Xperia 10 II can handle casual games, but it may struggle with graphically intensive titles. The Xperia 1 is a much better choice for serious mobile gaming.
❓ Which Sony phone has the better camera for photography?
The Xperia 1 offers a significantly better camera experience with its more advanced hardware and image processing capabilities.
❓ How much does each phone cost?
The Xperia 10 II is typically more affordable, often found in the $300-$400 range. The Xperia 1 is a premium device and usually costs between $600-$800, depending on storage configuration and retailer.