The Sony Xperia 10 series has consistently offered a compelling blend of features and affordability. But with the release of the Xperia 10 II, the question arises: is the upgrade worth it? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into both devices to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia 10 II is the clear winner, offering significant improvements in performance, battery life, and display brightness. While the original Xperia 10 remains a decent budget option, the II’s enhancements make it a more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3113, I4113, I4193 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 - I3113, I4113 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - I4193 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 25. Released 2019, February 27 | 2020, February 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156 x 68 x 8.4 mm (6.14 x 2.68 x 0.33 in) | 157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 151 g (5.33 oz) |
| | - | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~79.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 508 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0" |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD, QC3 | 18W wired, PD, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Navy, Silver, Pink | Black, White, Mint Green, Berry Blue |
| Models | I3113, I4113, I4193, I3123 | XQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41A |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -97.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 65h
| Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1517:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.2 LUFS (Below average)
|
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 89697 (v7), 112198 (v8)
GeekBench: 3985 (v4.4), 990 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 4.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 196545 (v8)
GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia 10
- Excellent battery life (65h)
- High contrast ratio display (1517:1)
- Affordable price
- Slower performance
- Dim display
- Older chipset
Sony Xperia 10 II
- Significantly improved battery life (92h)
- Brighter display (520 nits)
- Faster performance (Snapdragon 665)
- More efficient chipset (11nm)
- Slightly higher price than original
Display Comparison
The Xperia 10 II boasts a significant upgrade with a measured peak brightness of 520 nits, making it much easier to see in sunlight. While both offer a nominal infinite contrast ratio, the II's brightness provides a more practical advantage. The original Xperia 10's 1517:1 contrast ratio is still respectable, but noticeably dimmer.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, but the improved processing power of the Snapdragon 665 in the Xperia 10 II likely results in slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect more accurate colors and reduced noise. Both offer decent photo and video capabilities for their price range.
Performance
The Snapdragon 665 in the Xperia 10 II is a substantial improvement over the 630 in the original. The 11nm process allows for better efficiency and performance. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the II. The original Xperia 10 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Xperia 10 II shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 92h endurance rating compared to the original's 65h. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, a major advantage for users who rely on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia 10 is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a high contrast ratio display and don't need top-tier performance. The Xperia 10 II is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better battery endurance, and a brighter, more visible display, especially outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia 10 II worth the upgrade from the original Xperia 10?
Yes, the Xperia 10 II offers significant improvements in performance, battery life, and display brightness, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ What is the main difference between the two phones?
The primary differences lie in the chipset (Snapdragon 665 vs 630), display brightness, and battery endurance. The II offers a noticeably smoother and longer-lasting experience.
