Sony Xperia 10 III Lite vs Xperia 5: A Detailed Comparison

Sony offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets and needs. The Xperia 10 III Lite aims for affordability with 5G connectivity, while the Xperia 5 delivers a premium experience. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 is the clear winner for performance and display quality, thanks to its Snapdragon 855 and brighter screen. However, the Xperia 10 III Lite offers 5G and potentially better value for budget-conscious buyers. It depends on your priorities: power vs. affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Lite Sony Xperia 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1900HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 12, 18, 19, 38, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, August 202019, September 05. Released 2019, October 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 27Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)158 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)164 g (5.78 oz)
 -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 (~449 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
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/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video outputUSB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD, QC18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 3140 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkBlue, Red, Black, Grey
ModelsXQ-BT44J8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01M
PriceAbout 370 EURAbout 500 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 409.99
RENEWED-$ 674.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

  • 5G Connectivity
  • More Affordable
  • Faster Charging (30W)
  • Good Battery Life (96h)

  • Lower Performance
  • Less Bright Display
  • Likely LCD Panel
  • Less Advanced Camera

Sony Xperia 5

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 855)
  • Brighter & Better Display (OLED)
  • More Advanced Camera System
  • Excellent Battery Life (96h)

  • Slower Charging (18W)
  • Higher Price
  • Older Model

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 boasts a significantly brighter display (630 nits) with an impressive contrast ratio (Infinite), offering a more vivid and immersive viewing experience. The Xperia 10 III Lite's display is likely less bright and may not offer the same level of color accuracy or vibrancy. The Xperia 5's OLED technology also provides deeper blacks compared to the likely LCD panel on the 10 III Lite.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable cameras, the Xperia 5 generally has a more advanced camera system. Expect better image quality, especially in low light, and potentially more features like improved video stabilization. The Xperia 5 likely has a wider range of camera modes and settings. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would need to be confirmed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

The Snapdragon 855 in the Xperia 5 provides a substantial performance advantage over the Snapdragon 690 in the Xperia 10 III Lite. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Xperia 5. The 855 is a flagship chip from a previous generation, still capable of handling demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Xperia 5's battery capacity is likely larger to compensate for its more power-hungry processor. Charging speeds are also a factor; the Xperia 10 III Lite supports faster 30W charging compared to the Xperia 5's 18W.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 III Lite? Users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a more budget-friendly price point. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 5? Users seeking a premium experience with superior performance, a vibrant display, and a more refined camera system.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 III Lite worth it if I just need 5G?
Yes, if 5G is your primary concern and you're on a budget, the Xperia 10 III Lite is a solid option. However, be prepared for compromises in performance and display quality.
❓ Can the Xperia 5 still handle modern games?
Absolutely! The Snapdragon 855 is still a capable chip and can handle most modern games, although you might need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance.