Sony Xperia 10 III Lite vs Google Pixel 4a: A Detailed Comparison

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite and the Google Pixel 4a. Both offer compelling features at accessible price points, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 4a edges out the Xperia 10 III Lite thanks to its superior camera, cleaner software experience, and brighter display. While the Xperia offers 5G and faster charging, the Pixel's overall package delivers a more polished and enjoyable user experience, especially for photography enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Lite Google Pixel 4a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1900HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 12, 18, 19, 38, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, August 202020, August 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 27Available. Released 2020, August 20
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.73 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)143 g (5.04 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~443 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.81 inches, 83.2 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 618
OSAndroid 11Android 10, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal64GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
Triple12 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, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0"-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 3.1
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, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD, QC18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 3140 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkJust Black, Barely Blue
ModelsXQ-BT44G025J, GA02099, G025N
PriceAbout 370 EUR$ 139.99 / C$ 159.99
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 76h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 268714 (v8) GeekBench: 6426 (v4.4), 1626 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Faster 30W Charging
  • OLED Display (potentially better color accuracy)
  • Sleek Design

  • Lower Performance than Pixel 4a
  • Less Impressive Camera
  • Lower Display Brightness

Google Pixel 4a

  • Excellent Camera (Computational Photography)
  • Clean Android Experience
  • Brighter Display
  • Strong Performance

  • Slower 18W Charging
  • Older Chipset (but still capable)
  • Less Premium Build

Display Comparison

The Pixel 4a boasts a significantly brighter display (803 nits) compared to the Xperia 10 III Lite, making it easier to view outdoors. While the Xperia's display is decent, the Pixel's contrast ratio (infinite, nominal) provides richer blacks and more vibrant colors. The Xperia's OLED panel offers potentially better color accuracy, but the Pixel's brightness is a key advantage.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Pixel 4a truly shines. Google's computational photography is renowned, and the Pixel 4a delivers exceptional image quality, especially in low light. The Xperia 10 III Lite's camera is capable, but it doesn't match the Pixel's dynamic range, detail, and overall image processing. The Pixel's single rear camera is often considered superior to the Xperia's multi-lens setup.

Performance

The Pixel 4a's Snapdragon 730G generally outperforms the Xperia 10 III Lite's Snapdragon 690 5G in real-world usage. While both have octa-core CPUs, the 730G's architecture and GPU provide a smoother experience for gaming and demanding apps. The Xperia's 5G capabilities are a plus for future-proofing, but the Pixel's performance is more consistent.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with an endurance rating of 76 hours. This suggests comparable longevity for typical usage. However, the Xperia 10 III Lite's 30W charging is considerably faster than the Pixel 4a's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 III Lite is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and faster charging speeds, and those who appreciate Sony's design aesthetic. The Google Pixel 4a is a great choice for those who value a fantastic camera, a clean Android experience, and a bright, vibrant display, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better 5G?
The Sony Xperia 10 III Lite supports 5G connectivity, while the Google Pixel 4a does not.
❓ Is the Pixel 4a still a good phone in 2024?
Yes, the Pixel 4a remains a compelling option due to its excellent camera and clean Android experience, even though it's an older model. Its software support is still decent.