Sony Xperia 10 III vs Xperia 5 II: A Detailed Showdown

Sony consistently delivers unique smartphone experiences, and the Xperia 10 III and Xperia 5 II are prime examples. Both offer distinct features and cater to different user preferences. But which one is the better choice? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 II is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 865 chipset and superior camera capabilities. While the 10 III boasts impressive battery life, the 5 II's overall package justifies its higher price point for users prioritizing speed and image quality.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Sony Xperia 5 II
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, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 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 142020, September 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Available. Released 2020, October 12
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)158 x 68 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)163 g (5.75 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)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 Triluminos displayTriluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 10, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, color 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/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p, 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 HD5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
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
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
Battery
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC21W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkBlack, Grey, Blue, Pink
ModelsSO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SOSO-52A, XQ-AS52, XQ-AS62, XQ-AS72, A002SO, SOG02
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 650 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 695.00
RENEWED-£ 239.00
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 137h Endurance rating 102h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.2 LUFS (Average) -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 532655 (v8) GeekBench: 3301 (v5.1) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large, accessible display
  • Affordable price
  • 5G connectivity

  • Lower performance compared to flagship phones
  • Less advanced camera system
  • Plastic build quality

Sony Xperia 5 II

  • Powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Compact and ergonomic design
  • Fast charging

  • Shorter battery life than the 10 III
  • Higher price point
  • Can get warm under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 II edges out the 10 III with a slightly brighter display (600 nits vs 559 nits), though both offer excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal). The 5 II's smaller size also makes it more pocketable, while the 10 III's larger screen is better for media consumption. Both utilize OLED technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 5 II's camera system is a significant upgrade. While both phones offer capable photo and video capabilities, the 5 II's superior image processing and hardware result in sharper, more detailed photos and videos, especially in low light. The 5 II also typically offers more advanced camera features and modes.

Performance

This is where the Xperia 5 II truly shines. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset and Cortex-A77 CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the 10 III's Snapdragon 690. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a significantly better gaming experience on the 5 II. The 8GB of RAM on the 5 II also contributes to its superior performance.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 III holds a slight advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 137 hours compared to the 5 II's 102 hours. However, the 5 II's faster charging (PD3.0, 50% in 30 min) helps mitigate this difference.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 III is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life and a large, accessible display. It's a solid choice for media consumption and everyday tasks. The Sony Xperia 5 II is for photography enthusiasts, gamers, and power users who demand top-tier performance and a more compact form factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 III good for gaming?
While the Xperia 10 III can handle casual games, its processor isn't ideal for demanding titles. The Xperia 5 II is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ Which Sony phone has the better camera for video recording?
The Xperia 5 II offers superior video recording capabilities due to its more advanced hardware and image processing.