Sony Xperia 10 vs Xperia 5: A Detailed Comparison

Sony's Xperia line offers a unique blend of features, often prioritizing photography and a clean Android experience. The Xperia 10 and Xperia 5 represent different tiers within this lineup. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 855 chipset, a brighter display, and a longer-lasting battery. While the Xperia 10 is more budget-friendly, the Xperia 5's upgrades make it a worthwhile investment for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 Sony Xperia 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3113, I4113, I4193HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 - I3113, I41131, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - I4193-
Launch
Announced2019, February 25. Released 2019, February 272019, September 05. Released 2019, October 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions156 x 68 x 8.4 mm (6.14 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)158 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight162 g (5.71 oz)164 g (5.78 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~79.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 508Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC318W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3140 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Navy, Silver, PinkBlue, Red, Black, Grey
ModelsI3113, I4113, I4193, I3123J8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01M
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 500 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 409.99
RENEWED-$ 674.00
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -97.1dB Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB
Battery life Endurance rating 65h Endurance rating 96h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1517:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -30.2 LUFS (Below average) -27.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 89697 (v7), 112198 (v8) GeekBench: 3985 (v4.4), 990 (v5.1) GFXBench: 4.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10

  • Excellent battery life
  • Large display
  • Affordable price
  • Clean Android experience

  • Outdated chipset
  • Lower performance
  • Less bright display
  • Basic camera capabilities

Sony Xperia 5

  • Powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Improved camera performance
  • Premium design
  • Longer software support likely

  • Higher price
  • Potentially less ergonomic due to size

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 boasts a significant advantage with its measured 630 nits max brightness, making it far more usable outdoors. While both offer excellent contrast ratios (1517:1 for the 10, 'Infinite' for the 5 - likely referring to OLED's inherent contrast), the 5's brightness is a key differentiator. The Xperia 10's display is still good, but the 5's is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Xperia 5's superior chipset and likely improved image processing algorithms result in better image quality, especially in low light. The Xperia 5 also typically features more advanced camera features and potentially better video stabilization. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would need further research to fully compare.

Performance

The Xperia 5's Snapdragon 855 is a powerhouse compared to the Xperia 10's Snapdragon 630. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much better experience with demanding games on the Xperia 5. The 10 is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with heavier workloads.

Battery Life

Both phones offer a respectable endurance rating of 65h, indicating similar battery performance in typical usage scenarios. However, the Xperia 5's more efficient chipset and potentially slightly larger battery capacity contribute to its longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 10 is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a large display for media consumption. The Xperia 5 is ideal for those seeking a premium experience with faster performance, a better camera, and a brighter, more vibrant display, and are willing to spend more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 5 worth the extra cost over the Xperia 10?
If performance and display quality are important to you, then yes. The Xperia 5 offers a significant upgrade in these areas. However, if you're on a tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic tasks and long battery life, the Xperia 10 remains a viable option.
❓ What is the difference in software support between the two phones?
The Xperia 5, being a newer device, is likely to receive longer software support and updates from Sony compared to the Xperia 10. This means you'll have access to the latest Android features and security patches for a longer period.