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

Sony's Xperia series consistently delivers a unique blend of features, often prioritizing display quality and a clean Android experience. The Xperia 10 V and 10 III are two mid-range contenders, but which one offers the better value? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 10 V emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly brighter display, a more efficient chipset, and improved battery life. While the 10 III remains a capable device, the 10 V’s upgrades make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 V 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 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
Announced2023, May 112021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 21Available. 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
Dimensions155 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.10 x 2.68 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
Weight159 g (5.61 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 (~449 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~82.5% 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 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 UFSUFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
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", 1.12µm12 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, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 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
ChargingWired, PD, QC21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Sage Green, LavenderBlack, White, Blue, Pink
ModelsXQ-DC72, XQ-DC54SO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SO
Price€ 225.00 / $ 699.00 / £ 194.99About 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 175h Endurance rating 137h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.4 LUFS (Good) -28.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 357142 (v9) GeekBench: 1897 (v5.5), 2067 (v6) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 V

  • Brighter Display (947 nits)
  • More Efficient Chipset (Snapdragon 695)
  • Longer Battery Life (175h Endurance)
  • Improved Performance

  • Potentially Higher Price

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Clean Android Experience
  • Compact Size
  • Decent Camera

  • Dimmer Display (559 nits)
  • Older Chipset (Snapdragon 690)
  • Shorter Battery Life (137h Endurance)
  • Less Responsive Performance

Display Comparison

The Xperia 10 V’s display is a major upgrade, reaching a peak brightness of 947 nits compared to the 10 III’s 559 nits. This makes the 10 V significantly easier to view outdoors and in bright sunlight. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), indicating deep blacks, and a similar OLED panel technology. The 10 V's higher brightness provides a noticeably better viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature similar camera setups, but the 10 V benefits from Sony's image processing improvements. While detailed camera specs are not provided, the 10 V's newer chipset likely contributes to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the 10 V is expected to have slightly better results.

Performance

The Xperia 10 V utilizes the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm), a more modern and efficient processor than the 10 III’s Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). This translates to smoother performance in everyday tasks, better gaming performance, and improved power efficiency. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the 10 V offers a more responsive and fluid experience.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 V demonstrates significantly better battery life, achieving an active use score of 16:14h and an endurance rating of 175h, compared to the 10 III’s 137h endurance rating. This is a key advantage for the 10 V, allowing for longer usage between charges.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 V is ideal for users who prioritize a vibrant display, longer battery life, and a smoother overall experience. It's a great option for media consumption and everyday tasks. The Xperia 10 III is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a Sony phone with a decent camera and a clean Android experience, but are willing to compromise on brightness and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 V worth the upgrade from the Xperia 10 III?
Yes, the Xperia 10 V offers significant improvements in display brightness, performance, and battery life, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ What is the charging speed of each phone?
Both phones support PD and QC charging. The Xperia 10 III has an unofficial rating of 21W, while the 10 V supports wired PD and QC charging, but the specific wattage isn't explicitly stated.