Sony Xperia 10 Plus vs Xperia XZ3: A Detailed Comparison

Sony has a reputation for producing unique Android phones, and the Xperia 10 Plus and Xperia XZ3 are prime examples. Both offer distinct features and cater to different user preferences. But which one is the better choice for you? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ3 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset, superior display brightness, and wireless charging. While the 10 Plus boasts impressive battery life, the XZ3's overall performance and features make it the more compelling option.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 Plus Sony Xperia XZ3
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 - H8416, H9436, H9493
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 - H8416, H9436, H9493
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 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 272018, August 30. Released 2018, October 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions167 x 73 x 8.3 mm (6.57 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)158 x 73 x 9.9 mm (6.22 x 2.87 x 0.39 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -IP65/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)1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.7 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDP-OLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 509Adreno 630
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 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, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm13 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC318W wired, PD2.0 Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Navy, Silver, GoldBlack, Silver White, Forest Green, Bordeaux Red
ModelsI3213, I4213, I4293, I3223H9436, H8416, H9493
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 510 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -96.7dB Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB
Battery life Endurance rating 78h Endurance rating 90h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1530:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.502 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 82dB
Performance AnTuTu: 120573 (v7), 147163 (v8) GeekBench: 4780 (v4.4), 1238 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 284555 (v7), 295468 (v8) GeekBench: 8607 (v4.4), 2137 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 Plus

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large display
  • Affordable price

  • Slower performance
  • Less vibrant display
  • Outdated chipset

Sony Xperia XZ3

  • Flagship performance
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Wireless charging
  • Superior camera

  • Shorter battery life than 10 Plus
  • Higher price
  • Design can feel dated

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ3's display is a standout feature. Its 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) and impressive 4502 nits sunlight readability significantly outperform the 10 Plus's 1530:1 contrast ratio. The XZ3 also features a dynamic OLED panel, offering richer colors and deeper blacks. The 10 Plus, while having a large screen, lacks the vibrancy and outdoor visibility of the XZ3.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but the XZ3 generally produces better results. While both have Photo/Video capabilities, the XZ3's image processing and sensor technology are superior, resulting in sharper images with better dynamic range. Low-light performance is also improved on the XZ3. The 10 Plus camera is adequate, but not exceptional.

Performance

Here, the XZ3 dominates. The Snapdragon 845 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the 636 found in the 10 Plus. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the XZ3. The XZ3's CPU and GPU are simply in a different league.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 Plus holds a slight edge in battery endurance, with an endurance rating of 78h compared to the XZ3's 90h. However, the XZ3's more efficient chipset and smaller battery still provide respectable battery life for most users. The 10 Plus's larger battery is a key selling point for those who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a large display on a budget. The Xperia XZ3 is best suited for those who demand flagship-level performance, a brighter display, and features like wireless charging, even if it means a slightly shorter battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 Plus still worth buying in 2024?
If you're on a tight budget and prioritize battery life above all else, the 10 Plus can still be a decent option. However, newer phones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ Does the Xperia XZ3 have 5G?
No, the Xperia XZ3 does not support 5G connectivity. It's a 4G LTE device.