Sony Xperia 10 II vs Xperia 10 IV: 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 IV, is it time to upgrade from the older 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 IV is the clear winner, boasting significantly improved battery life, a brighter display, a more modern chipset with 5G, and a generally more refined experience. While the 10 II remains a capable device, the 10 IV offers substantial upgrades justifying the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 II Sony Xperia 10 IV
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, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, February 242022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 05Available. Released 2022, June 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)153 x 67 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.64 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)161 g (5.68 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
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 (~82.0% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"
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, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@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, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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
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 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry BlueBlack, White, Mint, Lavender
ModelsXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41AXQ-CC54, XQ-CC72, SOG07
PriceAbout 700 EUR£ 99.99 / € 112.89
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 92h Endurance rating 163h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) -30.6 LUFS (Below average)
Performance AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 396008 (v9) GeekBench: 1908 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Exceptional battery life (92h)
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Affordable price

  • Older chipset
  • Lower display brightness
  • No 5G connectivity

Sony Xperia 10 IV

  • Significantly improved battery life (163h)
  • Brighter display
  • 5G connectivity
  • More powerful chipset

  • Higher price
  • Charging speed could be faster

Display Comparison

The Xperia 10 IV features a noticeable upgrade in display brightness, reaching 683 nits compared to the 10 II's 520 nits. Both offer a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and OLED technology, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks. The improved brightness on the 10 IV makes it more usable outdoors. Both have an infinite contrast ratio.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Xperia 10 IV benefits from software enhancements and potentially improved image processing. Both offer similar camera configurations, but the 10 IV's newer sensor and processing pipeline likely result in slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Video recording capabilities are comparable.

Performance

The Snapdragon 695 5G in the Xperia 10 IV provides a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 665 in the 10 II. The 10 IV's newer chipset is built on a more efficient 6nm process, contributing to better power efficiency and smoother multitasking. The CPU architecture is also improved, offering faster processing speeds.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 IV's battery life is a standout feature, achieving an impressive endurance rating of 163 hours compared to the 10 II's 92 hours. This represents a substantial improvement, allowing for significantly longer usage between charges. The more efficient Snapdragon 695 5G also contributes to this extended battery life.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 II? Those on a tight budget who prioritize exceptional battery life and don't need 5G. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 IV? Anyone seeking a brighter screen, faster performance, 5G connectivity, and a longer-lasting battery in a compact form factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 IV worth the upgrade from the Xperia 10 II?
Yes, especially if you value battery life, a brighter display, and 5G connectivity. The performance improvements are also noticeable.
❓ What is the charging speed like on both phones?
Both support 18W/21W charging, but the Xperia 10 IV's charging speed is officially rated at 21W, though it's often reported as 18W in practice. Charging times are comparable.