Sony Xperia 10 V vs. Nothing Phone (2): A Detailed Comparison of Battery, Performance, and Value

The Sony Xperia 10 V and Nothing Phone (2) represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Xperia 10 V prioritizes exceptional battery life and a more traditional smartphone experience, while the Nothing Phone (2) aims to disrupt with its unique design, faster performance, and feature-rich software. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Sony Xperia 10 V is the clear winner. Its 16:14 hour active use and 175-hour endurance rating significantly outperform the Nothing Phone (2)'s 14:21 and 103 hours. However, those seeking a more powerful and visually striking device will find the Nothing Phone (2) a compelling alternative.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 V Nothing Phone (2)
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, May 112023, July 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 21Available. Released 2023, July 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions155 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.10 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight159 g (5.61 oz)201.2 g (7.09 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDRLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak)
 Triluminos display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD, QC45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4, 100% in 55 min 15W wireless, 100% in 130 min 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Sage Green, LavenderWhite, Dark Gray
ModelsXQ-DC72, XQ-DC54A065
Price€ 225.00 / $ 699.00 / £ 194.99$ 379.99 / £ 370.00
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 175h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.4 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 357142 (v9) GeekBench: 1897 (v5.5), 2067 (v6) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Sony Xperia 10 V

  • Exceptional battery life (16:14h active use)
  • More affordable price point
  • Understated and practical design

  • Less powerful processor
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Likely lacks advanced display features (e.g., high refresh rate)

Nothing Phone (2)

  • Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Faster charging (45W wired, 15W wireless)
  • Unique and eye-catching design

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Higher price
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature capable displays, but differ in their strengths. The Nothing Phone (2) boasts a slightly brighter panel at 998 nits measured, compared to the Xperia 10 V’s 947 nits. While the difference isn’t massive, it will be noticeable in direct sunlight. Both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. However, the Nothing Phone (2) benefits from a higher refresh rate (assumed 120Hz based on market positioning) which the Xperia 10 V lacks, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The Xperia 10 V’s display is likely tuned for more natural color accuracy, aligning with Sony’s broader display technology philosophy.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Nothing Phone (2), positioned as a more premium device, likely incorporates a more advanced camera system with larger sensors and improved image processing. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also significantly more powerful than the one found in the Snapdragon 695, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. The Xperia 10 V likely focuses on Sony’s established color science and image processing algorithms, potentially offering a more natural look. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Nothing Phone (2) is highly probable, further enhancing image and video stability.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Nothing Phone (2) is powered by the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm), a flagship-level chipset from the previous generation, featuring an octa-core CPU with a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Xperia 10 V’s Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm). The Snapdragon 695 is a capable mid-range chip, but its octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) simply cannot compete with the 8+ Gen 1 in terms of raw processing power or graphical capabilities. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 also offers superior thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a significantly smoother experience for gaming, video editing, and multitasking on the Nothing Phone (2).

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Xperia 10 V truly shines. Its active use score of 16:14 hours and endurance rating of 175 hours are exceptional. The Nothing Phone (2), with 14:21 hours of active use and a 103-hour endurance rating, falls considerably short. While the Nothing Phone (2) offers significantly faster charging – 45W wired (100% in 55 minutes), 15W wireless (100% in 130 minutes), and 5W reverse wireless – the Xperia 10 V’s longevity reduces the need for frequent top-ups. The Nothing Phone (2)'s charging capabilities are a clear convenience factor, but the Xperia 10 V’s battery endurance is a more impactful benefit for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 10 V if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, value a more understated design, and prioritize battery life above all else. Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if you prefer a faster processor for demanding apps and games, appreciate a unique and eye-catching aesthetic, and desire faster charging speeds – including wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Xperia 10 V struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 is a mid-range chip and will likely require significant graphical settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential stuttering, especially during intense combat sequences. The Nothing Phone (2)'s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will provide a far smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the Nothing Phone (2)'s Glyph Interface impact battery life?
The Glyph Interface, while visually distinctive, does consume battery power. The extent of the impact depends on usage patterns. Constant notifications and animations will noticeably reduce battery life. However, the Nothing Phone (2) allows users to customize the Glyph Interface and limit its usage to minimize battery drain.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Nothing Phone (2) truly a full 45W, or is it limited by internal components?
The Nothing Phone (2) does support full 45W PD charging, and tests confirm it can reach 100% in approximately 55 minutes with a compatible charger. However, charging speed may slow down slightly as the battery approaches full capacity to protect battery health.
❓ Does the Sony Xperia 10 V support any form of fast charging, and what charger is recommended?
The Sony Xperia 10 V supports Wired, PD, and QC charging, but doesn't specify a maximum wattage. A Power Delivery (PD) charger delivering up to 30W is recommended for optimal charging speeds. While it supports Quick Charge, a PD charger is generally more versatile.