Sony Xperia 10 III vs Xperia 1 III: A Clash of Titans

Sony's Xperia line offers a diverse range of smartphones, catering to different needs and budgets. The Xperia 10 III represents a more accessible option, while the Xperia 1 III aims for flagship performance. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 III is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, superior camera system, and faster charging. However, the Xperia 10 III offers exceptional battery life and a more budget-friendly price point, making it a solid choice for value-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Sony Xperia 1 III
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, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 - SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA (specific)
Launch
Announced2021, April 142021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Available. Released 2021, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)186 g / 187.1 g (mmWave) (6.56 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)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)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 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 Triluminos displayRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
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/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
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 YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radio (region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display PortUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
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, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkFrosted Black, Frosted Gray, Frosted Purple
ModelsSO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SOXQBC62/V, XQBC52V.UKCX, SO-51B, SOG03, A101SO, XQ-BC62, XQ-BC72, XQ-BC52, XQ-BC01, XQ-BC11, XQ-BC21, XQ-BC72
PriceAbout 300 EUR€ 505.26 / $ 903.43
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 137h Endurance rating 82h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.2 LUFS (Average) -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) GeekBench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Exceptional battery life
  • More affordable price
  • Decent OLED display
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slower processor
  • Less impressive camera
  • Slower charging
  • Less premium build

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Flagship performance (Snapdragon 888)
  • Superior camera system
  • 120Hz OLED display
  • Fast charging (30W)
  • Premium design

  • Higher price
  • Shorter battery life compared to 10 III
  • Can get warm under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 III's 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED display with 620 nits brightness offers a smoother and more vibrant viewing experience compared to the Xperia 10 III's 6.0-inch OLED display. While both have excellent contrast ratios, the 120Hz refresh rate on the 1 III is a noticeable advantage for gaming and scrolling.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 1 III's camera system is a major upgrade, featuring a variable telephoto lens, improved image processing, and 8K video recording. The Xperia 10 III's camera is capable, but lacks the advanced features and image quality of the 1 III. The 1 III's dedicated shutter button is also a plus for photographers.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888 in the Xperia 1 III provides a massive performance leap over the Snapdragon 690 in the Xperia 10 III. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 1 III. The 1 III's Cortex-X1 core is a game-changer.

Battery Life

Surprisingly, the Xperia 10 III holds a slight edge in battery endurance with a reported 137h rating, compared to the Xperia 1 III's 82h. However, the Xperia 1 III's 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 III is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a decent display, and a more affordable price tag. It's great for everyday tasks and media consumption. The Sony Xperia 1 III is for photography enthusiasts, power users, and those who demand top-tier performance and a premium experience, regardless of the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 III worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium experience, then yes. The Xperia 1 III offers a significant upgrade over the 10 III in these areas.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Sony has historically provided decent software updates, but the Xperia 1 III, being a newer flagship, is likely to receive updates for a longer period.