Sony Xperia 10 III vs Xperia 10 IV: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Xperia 10 series consistently delivers a blend of affordability and unique features. The Xperia 10 III and its successor, the Xperia 10 IV, continue this trend. But which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 10 IV is the clear winner, offering a brighter display, a more efficient chipset, and improved battery life. While the 10 III remains a capable device, the 10 IV's upgrades make it a worthwhile investment for most users seeking a mid-range Sony phone.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Sony Xperia 10 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, April 142022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Available. Released 2022, June 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)153 x 67 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.64 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)161 g (5.68 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)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, 1B colors, HDR
 Triluminos displayTriluminos display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFSUFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"
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/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkBlack, White, Mint, Lavender
ModelsSO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SOXQ-CC54, XQ-CC72, SOG07
PriceAbout 300 EUR£ 99.99 / € 112.89
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 137h Endurance rating 163h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.2 LUFS (Average) -30.6 LUFS (Below average)
Performance AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 396008 (v9) GeekBench: 1908 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Excellent battery life
  • Affordable price
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Headphone jack

  • Older chipset
  • Lower display brightness
  • Slower charging speeds

Sony Xperia 10 IV

  • Brighter display
  • Improved performance
  • Longer battery life
  • More modern design
  • 120Hz refresh rate

  • Slightly higher price
  • Still a mid-range chipset

Display Comparison

The Xperia 10 IV boasts a significantly brighter display at 683 nits compared to the 10 III's 559 nits. Both feature a 6.0-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate (Xperia 10 IV) and an infinite contrast ratio, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The 10 IV's improved brightness makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a triple-lens rear camera system. While specific megapixel counts are similar, the 10 IV benefits from improved image processing thanks to its newer chipset. Expect slightly better low-light performance and more accurate colors on the 10 IV. Video recording capabilities are comparable.

Performance

The Xperia 10 IV's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm) is a noticeable upgrade over the 10 III's Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The Kryo 660 Gold cores offer improved CPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the 10 IV handles everyday tasks with greater ease.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 IV demonstrates a significant improvement in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 163 hours compared to the 10 III's 137 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage times on a single charge, a key advantage for the 10 IV.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 III? Those on a tight budget who prioritize long battery life and don't need the latest performance. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 IV? Users seeking a brighter screen, smoother performance, and a slightly more modern design, willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 IV worth the upgrade from the Xperia 10 III?
Yes, the Xperia 10 IV offers meaningful improvements in display brightness, performance, and battery life, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ Does the Xperia 10 IV have a headphone jack?
Yes, both the Xperia 10 III and Xperia 10 IV retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature increasingly rare in smartphones.