Sony Xperia 10 III vs. OnePlus Nord 2T: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Choices

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Sony Xperia 10 III and OnePlus Nord 2T represent distinct philosophies. The Xperia 10 III, a veteran of the segment, prioritizes exceptional battery life and a more conservative approach to performance. The Nord 2T, a newer entrant, aims to deliver a faster experience with a more powerful chipset and blazing-fast charging, but at the cost of endurance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a more balanced experience, the Sony Xperia 10 III is the better choice. Its significantly superior battery endurance (137h vs 100h) outweighs the Nord 2T’s performance advantage. However, users who frequently game or need rapid charging will find the Nord 2T more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III OnePlus Nord 2T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, April 142022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 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)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDRAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
 Triluminos display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
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, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioFM radio (region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display PortUSB 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC80W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsSO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SOCPH2399, CPH2401
PriceAbout 300 EUR€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 137h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.2 LUFS (Average) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Exceptional battery life (137h endurance)
  • More efficient processor for longer usage
  • Potentially more comfortable for prolonged use due to lower screen brightness

  • Slower processor compared to the Nord 2T
  • Slower charging speed (21W)
  • Less vibrant display in bright conditions

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Faster processor (Dimensity 1300) for smoother performance
  • Significantly faster 80W charging
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Shorter battery life (100h endurance)
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under heavy load
  • May require more frequent charging

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a brighter display, reaching 636 nits compared to the Xperia 10 III’s 559 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting standard OLED characteristics. While neither phone features a high refresh rate panel, the Nord 2T’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant viewing experience, particularly for HDR content. The Xperia 10 III’s lower brightness may be preferable for users sensitive to bright screens.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo/Video' are limited. The absence of sensor size information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the Nord 2T’s processor likely enables more advanced image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The Xperia 10 III’s camera likely focuses on Sony’s established color science, which appeals to some users. Without further details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Nord 2T’s processing power gives it an edge.

Performance

The chipset is where the most significant difference lies. The OnePlus Nord 2T’s MediaTek Dimensity 1300, built on a 6nm process, offers a substantial performance leap over the Sony Xperia 10 III’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm). The Dimensity 1300’s octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A78 prime core, delivers faster CPU and GPU performance. This is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Snapdragon 690, while capable, is geared towards efficient power consumption rather than raw speed. The 6nm node of the Dimensity 1300 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

Battery life is the Xperia 10 III’s standout feature. Its endurance rating of 137 hours significantly surpasses the Nord 2T’s 100 hours. This difference is attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 690 chipset and likely a more optimized software experience. While the Nord 2T compensates with incredibly fast 80W wired charging, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the Xperia 10 III’s unofficial 21W rating, the convenience of rapid charging doesn’t negate the benefit of a battery that lasts significantly longer between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 10 III if you need a phone that will reliably last through two full days of moderate use, value a more understated design, and prefer a consistent, if not blazing-fast, user experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you prioritize quick app loading, smoother multitasking, and the convenience of 80W SuperVOOC charging, even if it means charging your phone more frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 in the Nord 2T get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1300 is more efficient than the Snapdragon 690, its higher performance ceiling means it *can* generate more heat under sustained load. The Nord 2T’s thermal management system will likely throttle performance to prevent overheating, potentially leading to frame rate drops in demanding games after prolonged play. The Xperia 10 III, with its less powerful chipset, is less prone to this issue.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Nord 2T compared to the 21W charging on the Xperia 10 III in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Nord 2T can charge from 0-100% in approximately 30-40 minutes, while the Xperia 10 III will likely take over 2 hours. This makes the Nord 2T ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly, while the Xperia 10 III requires overnight charging.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the two phones noticeable in everyday use, or is it only apparent in specific scenarios?
The difference is quite noticeable in everyday use. The Xperia 10 III can comfortably last a full day with moderate to heavy use, and often extends into a second day. The Nord 2T, while offering a decent battery life, will likely require a charge before the end of the day with similar usage patterns.