Sony has a history of producing unique smartphones, and the Xperia 10 III Lite and Xperia XZ1 Compact are prime examples. Both offer distinct advantages, but cater to different user needs. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XZ1 Compact boasts a significantly more powerful processor and a surprisingly enduring battery despite its age. While the 10 III Lite offers 5G connectivity and faster charging, the XZ1 Compact's performance and exceptional battery life make it the overall winner for many.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 12, 18, 19, 38, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 20 | 2017, August. Released 2017, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in) | 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (5.08 x 2.56 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF |
| Triple | 12 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" | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0" | 8 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 1/4.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD, QC | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Pink | Black, White Silver, Horizon Blue, Twilight Pink |
| Models | XQ-BT44 | G8441, SO-02K |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 108h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1243:1 (nominal), 3.729 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 204581 (v7), 255140 (v8)
GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4), 1681 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia 10 III Lite
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Charging (30W)
- Larger Display (6.0 inch)
- Modern Design
- Less Powerful Processor
- Shorter Battery Life
- Potentially Lower Camera Quality (compared to XZ1 Compact)
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
- Exceptional Battery Life (108h Endurance)
- Powerful Snapdragon 835 Processor
- Compact Size (5.2 inch)
- Classic Sony Experience
- Older Design
- Slower Charging (18W)
- No 5G Connectivity
- Older Software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a respectable contrast ratio of 1243:1 (nominal) and 3.729 in sunlight. However, the XZ1 Compact's smaller 5.2-inch display might be preferable for one-handed use. The 10 III Lite has a larger 6.0-inch display, offering more screen real estate for media consumption, but potentially sacrificing portability.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. Both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed specifications are lacking. The XZ1 Compact's camera, while older, benefits from Sony's image processing expertise. The 10 III Lite likely has a more modern sensor, but the XZ1 Compact's image quality is surprisingly good for its age. Real-world testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
Here's where the XZ1 Compact shines. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset, while older, still outperforms the 10 III Lite's Snapdragon 690 5G in raw processing power. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the XZ1 Compact. The 10 III Lite's chipset is adequate for everyday tasks, but may struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
The XZ1 Compact's legendary 108-hour endurance rating is a major selling point. This is significantly better than what the 10 III Lite is likely to achieve. While the 10 III Lite supports 30W fast charging, the XZ1 Compact's battery life advantage is substantial.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia 10 III Lite is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity, a modern design, and faster charging. The Xperia XZ1 Compact is a great choice for those seeking a compact phone with excellent battery life, a powerful processor for its size, and a more classic Sony experience, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia 10 III Lite worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If 5G is a must-have and you prioritize a modern design, it's a decent option. However, consider the performance trade-offs.
❓ Can the Xperia XZ1 Compact still handle modern apps?
Yes, surprisingly well! The Snapdragon 835 is still capable, but you might experience occasional slowdowns with the most demanding apps.
