Sony Xperia 10 III vs Xperia 1: A Detailed Comparison

Sony's Xperia line offers a unique blend of features, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the mid-range Xperia 10 III against the flagship Xperia 1 to see which phone delivers the best overall experience. We'll dive deep into their displays, performance, cameras, and battery life to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 offers significantly better performance and a more premium experience thanks to its Snapdragon 855 chipset. However, the Xperia 10 III boasts exceptional battery life and a more affordable price point. Ultimately, the Xperia 1 is the winner for power users, while the 10 III is a great value option.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Sony Xperia 1
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, April 142019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Discontinued
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)167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)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)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, HDR BT.2020
 Triluminos displayRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases 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 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFSUFS 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, 120˚, 16mm (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@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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 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
RadioFM radio (region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display PortUSB 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
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkBlack, Gray, Purple, White
ModelsSO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SOJ8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 500 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 137hEndurance rating 79h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.2 LUFS (Average) -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large display
  • Affordable price
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Lower performance
  • Less premium build
  • Camera not as advanced

Sony Xperia 1

  • Flagship performance
  • Brighter display
  • Superior camera
  • Premium design

  • Shorter battery life
  • Higher price
  • Larger size

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 takes the lead in display quality. While both offer 'infinite' contrast ratios (likely OLED), the Xperia 1's measured 665 nits brightness is noticeably higher than the 10 III's 559 nits, resulting in better outdoor visibility. Both feature excellent color accuracy typical of Sony devices, but the Xperia 1's higher resolution and potentially better panel technology contribute to a sharper, more vibrant image.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but the Xperia 1 generally produces superior image quality. While specific camera specs aren't provided, the Xperia 1's flagship chipset typically allows for better image processing and features. Expect better low-light performance and more detail in photos from the Xperia 1. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.

Performance

Performance is where the Xperia 1 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset is a significant upgrade over the 10 III's Snapdragon 690 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the Xperia 1. The 10 III is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks, but it will struggle with demanding games or heavy workloads.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 III is the clear winner in battery life. Its endurance rating of 137 hours significantly surpasses the Xperia 1's 79 hours. This translates to considerably longer usage between charges, making the 10 III a better choice for those who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 III is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a large display, and a budget-friendly price. It's a solid choice for everyday use and media consumption. The Sony Xperia 1 is best suited for photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who demand top-tier performance and a premium build quality, willing to pay a higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 III good for gaming?
The Xperia 10 III can handle casual games, but it may struggle with demanding titles due to its mid-range processor. The Xperia 1 is a much better choice for serious mobile gaming.
❓ Which Sony phone has the better camera?
The Xperia 1 generally offers better camera performance due to its more powerful processor and potentially more advanced sensors and image processing capabilities.