Sony Xperia 10 III Lite vs Xperia 10 IV: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Xperia series offers a unique blend of features, often prioritizing a clean Android experience and a focus on photography. The Xperia 10 III Lite and Xperia 10 IV are both mid-range contenders, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the best one for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 10 IV edges out the Lite with a slightly more powerful chipset, brighter display, and faster charging. While the Lite offers a more budget-friendly option, the IV's improvements in key areas make it the overall better choice for most users seeking a reliable and capable mid-range Sony phone.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Lite Sony Xperia 10 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1900HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 12, 18, 19, 38, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, August 202022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 27Available. 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
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)153 x 67 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.64 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)161 g (5.68 oz)
 -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 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, 1B colors, HDR
 -Triluminos display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 6GB 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/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"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
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video outputUSB 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
Charging30W wired, PD, QC21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkBlack, White, Mint, Lavender
ModelsXQ-BT44XQ-CC54, XQ-CC72, SOG07
PriceAbout 370 EUR£ 99.99 / € 112.89
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 163h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -30.6 LUFS (Below average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 396008 (v9) GeekBench: 1908 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

  • More affordable
  • Clean Android experience
  • Decent battery life
  • 5G connectivity

  • Older chipset
  • Lower display brightness
  • Slower charging (in practice)
  • Less powerful camera

Sony Xperia 10 IV

  • Slightly more powerful chipset
  • Brighter display
  • Faster charging (potentially)
  • Improved camera performance (likely)
  • More modern design

  • Higher price
  • Still a mid-range device
  • Charging speed not officially confirmed

Display Comparison

The Xperia 10 IV boasts a significantly brighter display, measured at 683 nits, compared to the Lite's unspecified brightness. While both offer a similar OLED panel, the IV's higher brightness provides a noticeable advantage in outdoor visibility. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio claim for the IV is nominal and doesn't provide concrete data, but OLED panels inherently offer excellent contrast.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature Sony's camera technology, but the IV likely benefits from software optimizations and potentially slightly improved image processing due to its newer chipset. While specific camera specs are not detailed, the IV's newer hardware suggests a marginal improvement in photo and video quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

Performance

The Xperia 10 IV's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm) is a step up from the Lite's Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). This translates to slightly better overall performance, smoother multitasking, and improved efficiency. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the IV offers a more responsive experience.

Battery Life

Both phones share an impressive endurance rating of 163h, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Xperia 10 IV's faster 21W charging (unofficial) provides a quicker top-up compared to the Lite's 30W charging (PD, QC). While 30W sounds faster, the IV's implementation and chipset efficiency may result in similar charging times in practice.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite? Budget-conscious users who prioritize a clean Android experience and don't need the absolute latest performance. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 IV? Users seeking a slightly more powerful processor, a brighter display for better outdoor visibility, and faster charging speeds, all while maintaining Sony's signature design and software.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 IV worth the extra cost over the Xperia 10 III Lite?
If you value a brighter display, slightly better performance, and potentially improved camera quality, then the Xperia 10 IV is worth the extra cost. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Lite remains a capable option.
❓ What is the battery life like on both phones?
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with an endurance rating of 163 hours. You can expect a full day of use, and potentially longer, on either device.