Sony Xperia 10 II vs Xperia XZ3: A Clash of Generations

Sony's smartphone lineup has always offered unique features, and the Xperia 10 II and Xperia XZ3 are prime examples. The XZ3, a flagship from a few years ago, boasts premium hardware, while the 10 II focuses on affordability and long battery life. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ3 offers significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 845 chipset and wireless charging. However, the Xperia 10 II boasts exceptional battery life and a slightly more modern design. For power users, the XZ3 wins; for budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity, the 10 II is a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 II Sony Xperia XZ3
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 - H8416, H9436, H9493
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 - H8416, H9436, H9493
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, February 242018, August 30. Released 2018, October 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 05Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)158 x 73 x 9.9 mm (6.22 x 2.87 x 0.39 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)193 g (6.81 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 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDP-OLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 630
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
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"-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"13 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC318W wired, PD2.0 Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAhLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry BlueBlack, Silver White, Forest Green, Bordeaux Red
ModelsXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41AH9436, H8416, H9493
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 510 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 92hEndurance rating 90h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.502 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 82dB
Performance AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 284555 (v7), 295468 (v8) GeekBench: 8607 (v4.4), 2137 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Affordable price
  • Large display
  • Modern design

  • Lower performance
  • Less bright display
  • Older chipset

Sony Xperia XZ3

  • Superior performance
  • Brighter display (sunlight)
  • Wireless charging
  • Premium build quality

  • Older design
  • Shorter battery life compared to 10 II
  • Potentially less software support

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ3's display shines brighter, literally. Its measured sunlight legibility of 4.502 is noticeably better than the 10 II's. While both have 'infinite' contrast ratios (typical of OLED), the XZ3's higher peak brightness (estimated around 600 nits) provides a more vibrant viewing experience. The 10 II's display is perfectly adequate, but lacks the XZ3's punch.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but the XZ3 generally produces slightly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The XZ3's image processing tends to be more refined. Both offer standard photo and video capabilities, but the XZ3's hardware advantage gives it a slight edge.

Performance

This is where the XZ3 truly dominates. The Snapdragon 845 is a significant step up from the 665 in the 10 II. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XZ3. The 10 II is capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or heavy workloads.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 II takes the crown here. Its endurance rating of 92h is exceptional, significantly outperforming the XZ3's 90h. This translates to multiple days of use on a single charge for the 10 II, a major advantage for users who prioritize battery life.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 II? Users seeking a budget-friendly phone with incredible battery life and a large display for media consumption. Who should buy the Sony Xperia XZ3? Users who prioritize performance, a brighter display in sunlight, and wireless charging, and are comfortable with an older device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XZ3 still worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If you need a powerful phone and don't mind an older design, the XZ3 can still be a good value. However, consider software support and potential battery degradation.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Xperia 10 II likely has slightly better software support, as it's a newer device. However, both phones are nearing the end of their official support cycles.