Sony Xperia 10 II vs Xperia 10 III: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Xperia 10 series has consistently offered a compelling blend of features and affordability. But with the release of the Xperia 10 III, is it time to upgrade from the 10 II? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key differences to help you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 10 III is the clear winner, boasting a significantly improved chipset, better battery life, and a slightly brighter display. While the 10 II remains a capable device, the 10 III offers a noticeable upgrade for a reasonable price, making it the better long-term investment.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 II Sony Xperia 10 III
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, February 242021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 05Available. Released 2021, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)169 g (5.96 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)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDOLED, 1B colors, HDR
 -Triluminos display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
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/1.8, 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, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio (region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC321W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry BlueBlack, White, Blue, Pink
ModelsXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41ASO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SO
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 92hEndurance rating 137h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) -28.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Affordable price

  • Slower performance
  • Older chipset
  • Less bright display

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Improved performance (Snapdragon 690 5G)
  • Longer battery life
  • Slightly brighter display
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slightly higher price
  • Charging speed could be faster

Display Comparison

The Xperia 10 III edges out the 10 II with a slightly brighter display (559 nits vs 520 nits), though both offer excellent contrast thanks to their OLED panels and 'infinite' contrast ratio. Both feature a 6.0-inch FHD+ (21:9) display, providing a cinematic viewing experience. The 10 III's display also benefits from a more modern color science.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a triple-lens rear camera system, but the 10 III's camera benefits from software improvements and potentially a slightly better sensor. While both capture decent photos in good lighting, the 10 III generally produces more detailed and vibrant images. Video recording capabilities are similar on both devices.

Performance

The Snapdragon 690 5G in the Xperia 10 III represents a substantial performance leap over the Snapdragon 665 in the 10 II. The 10 III handles multitasking and demanding apps with greater ease, while the 10 II can occasionally feel sluggish. The 8nm process of the 690 also contributes to improved efficiency.

Battery Life

Battery life is a major differentiator. The Xperia 10 III delivers an impressive endurance rating of 137 hours, significantly surpassing the 10 II's 92 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, a key advantage for the 10 III.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 II? Those on a tight budget who prioritize exceptional battery life and don't need the latest performance. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 III? Anyone seeking a smoother experience, improved 5G connectivity, and a more future-proof device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 III worth upgrading from the Xperia 10 II?
Yes, the Xperia 10 III offers significant improvements in performance and battery life, making it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value a smoother user experience and longer battery life.
❓ Does the Xperia 10 III support 5G?
Yes, the Xperia 10 III features a Snapdragon 690 5G chipset, enabling 5G connectivity.