Sony Xperia 10 Plus vs Xperia 1: A Detailed Comparison

Sony's Xperia line offers a range of devices catering to different needs and budgets. The Xperia 10 Plus and Xperia 1, while both bearing the Sony name, represent distinct tiers of performance and features. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset, a brighter display, and a generally more premium experience. While the 10 Plus offers impressive battery life and a good value proposition, the Xperia 1 delivers flagship-level performance and features.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 Plus Sony Xperia 1
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3213, I4213, I4293HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 - I3213, I42131, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - I3223-
Launch
Announced2019, February 25. Released 2019, February 272019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions167 x 73 x 8.3 mm (6.57 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~422 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.7 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 509Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC318W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Navy, Silver, GoldBlack, Gray, Purple, White
ModelsI3213, I4213, I4293, I3223J8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 500 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -96.7dB Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 78h Endurance rating 79h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1530:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 120573 (v7), 147163 (v8) GeekBench: 4780 (v4.4), 1238 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 Plus

  • Excellent battery life
  • Large display
  • More affordable
  • Good value for money

  • Less powerful processor
  • Older chipset
  • Simpler camera system
  • Lower brightness display

Sony Xperia 1

  • Flagship performance
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Advanced camera system
  • Premium design and build quality
  • CinemaWide OLED

  • Higher price
  • Battery life slightly less impressive (though still good)
  • Can be bulky

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 boasts a significant advantage with its 665 nits max brightness, making it far more visible in direct sunlight. While both offer a nominal contrast ratio of 1530:1 (Xperia 10 Plus) and 'Infinite' (Xperia 1), the Xperia 1's brightness and potentially superior color accuracy (typical of higher-end Sony displays) make it the winner. The Xperia 1 also features a CinemaWide OLED display, offering a wider aspect ratio and more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the Xperia 1's hardware and image processing are generally superior. The Xperia 1 typically features a more advanced camera system with multiple lenses (often including a telephoto lens for optical zoom), while the 10 Plus often has a simpler dual-lens setup. Sony's image processing algorithms are also typically more refined on the higher-end models.

Performance

The Snapdragon 855 in the Xperia 1 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 636 in the Xperia 10 Plus. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. The Xperia 1's CPU architecture (with a powerful prime core) further enhances its processing capabilities. The 10 Plus is adequate for everyday tasks, but the 1 offers a flagship-level experience.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with endurance ratings of 78h and 79h respectively. The difference is negligible, suggesting similar real-world battery performance. Both support 18W fast charging, though charging speeds can vary based on the charger used.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a large display for media consumption, and a more budget-friendly price point. The Sony Xperia 1 is best suited for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those seeking a premium smartphone experience with top-tier performance and features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 Plus worth buying in 2024?
If you're on a budget and prioritize battery life and a large screen, the Xperia 10 Plus can still be a decent option. However, consider newer mid-range phones with more modern chipsets.
❓ What is the main difference between the Xperia 1 and Xperia 10 Plus?
The primary difference lies in performance. The Xperia 1 features a flagship Snapdragon 855 processor, while the Xperia 10 Plus uses a mid-range Snapdragon 636. This translates to a significant difference in speed and overall user experience.