Sony Xperia 10 IV vs Google Pixel 6a: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Choosing a new Android phone can be overwhelming. The Sony Xperia 10 IV and Google Pixel 6a offer compelling features at competitive prices, but cater to different user needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 6a takes the crown for most users thanks to its superior performance, excellent camera, and smoother software experience. However, the Xperia 10 IV boasts exceptional battery life and a slightly more compact design, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing longevity and portability.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 IV Google Pixel 6a
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, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)
Launch
Announced2022, May 112022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 30Available. Released 2022, July 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions153 x 67 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.64 x 0.33 in)152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight161 g (5.68 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, HDR
 Triluminos displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple12 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"-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC18W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4410 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint, LavenderChalk, Charcoal, Sage
ModelsXQ-CC54, XQ-CC72, SOG07GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price£ 99.99 / € 112.89$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 163h Endurance rating 94h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -30.6 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 396008 (v9) GeekBench: 1908 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Sony Xperia 10 IV

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Water and dust resistance (IP68)
  • Expandable storage (microSD card slot)
  • Traditional Android experience

  • Lower performance compared to Pixel 6a
  • Less impressive camera
  • Slower charging speed
  • Less vibrant display

Google Pixel 6a

  • Excellent performance with Google Tensor chip
  • Outstanding camera with Google's computational photography
  • Clean and smooth Android experience with timely updates
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Competitive price

  • Shorter battery life compared to Xperia 10 IV
  • Slower charging speed
  • No expandable storage
  • Design can be polarizing

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a's display shines with a measured peak brightness of 876 nits, significantly brighter than the Xperia 10 IV's 683 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Pixel 6a's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The Xperia 10 IV has a slightly wider aspect ratio, which some may prefer for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6a's camera is a standout feature, leveraging Google's computational photography expertise to produce stunning images with excellent dynamic range and detail. While the Xperia 10 IV's camera is capable, it doesn't match the Pixel 6a's image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 6a also offers more advanced video recording features.

Performance

The Google Pixel 6a's Google Tensor chip delivers a substantial performance advantage over the Xperia 10 IV's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Pixel 6a. Gaming performance will also be noticeably better.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 IV's endurance rating of 163h is truly impressive, significantly outperforming the Pixel 6a's 94h. This translates to significantly longer battery life for the Xperia 10 IV, potentially lasting multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 IV? Users prioritizing long battery life, a compact form factor, and a more traditional Android experience. Who should buy the Google Pixel 6a? Those seeking a powerful processor, a top-tier camera, and Google's clean software with timely updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Google Pixel 6a will receive faster and more frequent software updates directly from Google, ensuring you have the latest features and security patches.
❓ Is the Xperia 10 IV worth it if battery life is my top priority?
Absolutely. The Xperia 10 IV's exceptional battery life makes it a compelling choice for users who prioritize longevity above all else.