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

The Sony Xperia 10 series consistently delivers a blend of affordability and unique features. The Xperia 10 IV and its predecessor, the Xperia 10 III, both offer compelling mid-range experiences. But which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 10 IV edges out the 10 III thanks to its slightly improved chipset, brighter display, and longer battery life. While the differences aren't massive, the 10 IV represents a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking a more modern and efficient smartphone experience. However, the 10 III remains a solid option, especially if found at a significantly lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 IV Sony Xperia 10 III
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, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, May 112021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 30Available. Released 2021, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions153 x 67 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.64 x 0.33 in)154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight161 g (5.68 oz)169 g (5.96 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 6
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 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDROLED, 1B colors, HDR
 Triluminos displayTriluminos display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 UFSUFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"-
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"12 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"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@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 HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio (region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port
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 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint, LavenderBlack, White, Blue, Pink
ModelsXQ-CC54, XQ-CC72, SOG07SO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SO
Price£ 99.99 / € 112.89About 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 163h Endurance rating 137h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -30.6 LUFS (Below average) -28.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 396008 (v9) GeekBench: 1908 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 IV

  • Brighter Display
  • Improved Performance (Snapdragon 695)
  • Longer Battery Life
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Still a 60Hz Display
  • Camera improvements are incremental
  • Charging speed could be faster

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Compact and Lightweight Design
  • Affordable Price (often discounted)
  • Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
  • Good Battery Life

  • Less Bright Display
  • Older Chipset (Snapdragon 690)
  • Slower Performance compared to 10 IV

Display Comparison

The Xperia 10 IV boasts a noticeable improvement in display brightness, reaching 683 nits compared to the 10 III's 559 nits. Both feature a 6.0-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and an infinite contrast ratio. The brighter screen on the 10 IV makes it easier to view content outdoors. Both phones maintain Sony's commitment to a tall, narrow aspect ratio, ideal for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature similar camera setups, typically including a main lens, ultrawide lens, and telephoto lens. While specific megapixel counts and features may vary slightly, the image quality is generally comparable. Sony's image processing algorithms are consistent across both devices, prioritizing natural colors and detail. The 10 IV may offer slightly improved low-light performance due to the newer chipset.

Performance

The Xperia 10 IV utilizes the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, a step up from the 10 III's Snapdragon 690 5G. This translates to slightly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the 10 IV handles everyday tasks and light gaming with greater ease. The 6nm process of the 10 IV also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 IV demonstrates a significant advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 163 hours compared to the 10 III's 137 hours. This difference is largely attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset and software optimizations. Both phones support 21W wired charging, but charging speeds are not a standout feature.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 IV? Users prioritizing a brighter display, slightly faster performance, and extended battery life will appreciate the 10 IV. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 III? Budget-conscious buyers who value a compact design and reliable performance, and don't need the absolute latest features, will find the 10 III a compelling choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 IV worth the upgrade from the Xperia 10 III?
If you prioritize a brighter display, slightly faster performance, and longer battery life, then the Xperia 10 IV is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're on a tight budget and the 10 III is significantly cheaper, it remains a solid option.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 695 and Snapdragon 690?
The Snapdragon 695 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, better power efficiency thanks to its 6nm process, and supports faster 5G speeds compared to the Snapdragon 690's 8nm process.