Sony Xperia 10 Plus vs Xperia XZ Premium: A Detailed Showdown

Sony has a history of producing unique smartphones, and the Xperia 10 Plus and Xperia XZ Premium are prime examples. Both offer distinct features and target different users. This comparison will delve into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ Premium boasts a significantly more powerful processor and a brighter display, making it the clear winner for performance and outdoor visibility. However, the Xperia 10 Plus offers exceptional battery life and a more affordable price point, appealing to budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 Plus Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G8142
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3213, I4213, I4293HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - G8141, G8142
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 - G8141, G8142
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat16 1024/150 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 272017, February 27. Released 2017, June 18
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/plastic frame
Dimensions167 x 73 x 8.3 mm (6.57 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)156 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.14 x 3.03 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM (G8141)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (G8142)
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~422 ppi density)3840 x 2160 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~807 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.7 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.46 inches, 82.2 cm2 (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
 -Runs at 1080 x 1920 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 (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 509Adreno 540
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB 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, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio
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, region dependent), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC318W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3230 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Navy, Silver, GoldLuminous Chrome, Deepsea Black, Bronze Pink, Rosso
ModelsI3213, I4213, I4293, I3223G8142, G8141, SO-04K, SO-04J
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 320 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -96.7dB Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB
Battery life Endurance rating 78h Endurance rating 72h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1530:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1238:1 (nominal), 2.877 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) Voice 62dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
Performance AnTuTu: 120573 (v7), 147163 (v8) GeekBench: 4780 (v4.4), 1238 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) GeekBench: 5460 (v4.4), 1603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 Plus

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large display for media
  • More affordable price
  • Good value for money

  • Less powerful processor
  • Camera not as impressive
  • Slower performance
  • Plastic build

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

  • Powerful Snapdragon 835 processor
  • Excellent display with great sunlight readability
  • Premium camera system
  • Sleek design
  • Faster performance

  • Shorter battery life compared to 10 Plus
  • Higher price
  • Can get warm under heavy load
  • Older model

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ Premium's display, while having a similar nominal contrast ratio (1238:1 vs 1530:1), shines in direct sunlight with a remarkable 2.877 contrast ratio – a significant advantage over the 10 Plus. The 10 Plus offers a larger screen, which is great for media, but the XZ Premium's brightness and sunlight readability are superior.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the XZ Premium's camera system is generally considered superior. It features faster autofocus, better low-light performance, and often produces more detailed images. The 10 Plus camera is decent, but lacks the premium feel and image quality of the XZ Premium.

Performance

Here, the Xperia XZ Premium leaves no doubt. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset is considerably more powerful than the 10 Plus's Snapdragon 636. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the XZ Premium. The 10 Plus is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 Plus holds a slight edge in battery endurance, boasting a rated 78h compared to the XZ Premium's 72h. However, real-world usage can vary, and the XZ Premium's more powerful processor will likely consume more power under heavy load.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize long battery life, a large display for media consumption, and a more budget-friendly price. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is best suited for those who demand top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and a premium camera experience, even if it comes at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XZ Premium still worth buying in [current year]?
While an older model, the XZ Premium's performance and camera remain competitive, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. However, consider that software updates may be limited.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia XZ Premium is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and dedicated GPU.