Sony Xperia 10 vs Xperia XZ2: A Detailed Comparison

Sony has a reputation for producing unique smartphones, and the Xperia 10 and XZ2 are prime examples. Both offer distinct features, but cater to different user needs. This comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ2 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, superior performance, and a brighter display. While the Xperia 10 offers impressive battery life, the XZ2's overall package makes it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 Sony Xperia XZ2
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, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - I4193-
Launch
Announced2019, February 25. Released 2019, February 272018, February 26. Released 2018, April 20
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions156 x 68 x 8.4 mm (6.14 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)153 x 72 x 11.1 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.44 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight162 g (5.71 oz)198 g (6.98 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 (~457 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~79.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 508Adreno 630
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 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, 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 (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps (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, QC3-
TypeLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Navy, Silver, PinkLiquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink
ModelsI3113, I4113, I4193, I3123H8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 360 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -97.1dB Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 65h Endurance rating 88h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1517:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker -30.2 LUFS (Below average) Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB
Performance AnTuTu: 89697 (v7), 112198 (v8) GeekBench: 3985 (v4.4), 990 (v5.1) GFXBench: 4.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10

  • Excellent battery life
  • Large display
  • Good contrast ratio

  • Slower processor
  • Less powerful camera
  • Lower sunlight readability

Sony Xperia XZ2

  • Faster processor
  • Superior camera
  • Brighter display
  • Better sunlight readability

  • Slightly shorter battery life (potentially)
  • Older design

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ2 features a slightly better contrast ratio (1434:1 vs 1517:1) and crucially, a significantly higher sunlight readability score (3.58) compared to the Xperia 10. This makes the XZ2's display much more usable outdoors. Both phones utilize OLED technology, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the XZ2's superior processor and likely better image sensors (based on general knowledge of the models) result in noticeably better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The XZ2 also likely offers more advanced camera features and video recording capabilities.

Performance

The XZ2's Snapdragon 845 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Xperia 10's Snapdragon 630. The 845 offers significantly faster processing speeds and better graphics performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The XZ2 handles demanding games and applications with ease, while the Xperia 10 may struggle.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 and XZ2 share the same endurance rating of 65h. However, the XZ2's more power-efficient chipset (due to its smaller 10nm process vs 14nm) might result in slightly better real-world battery performance despite the similar rating.

Buying Guide

The Xperia 10 is ideal for budget-conscious users prioritizing long battery life and a large display for media consumption. The Xperia XZ2 is best suited for those seeking a premium experience with faster performance, a better camera, and a brighter, more sunlight-readable screen, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 10 still worth buying?
If your budget is extremely tight and battery life is your absolute top priority, the Xperia 10 can still be a viable option. However, for most users, the XZ2 offers a much better overall experience.
❓ Which Sony phone has the better camera?
The Sony Xperia XZ2 has a significantly better camera thanks to its more powerful processor and likely superior image sensors. Expect better image quality, especially in low light.