Sony Xperia 5 III vs Xperia 10 III: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Choosing a new Sony phone can be tough, especially with the Xperia 5 III and 10 III offering distinct features. Both devices boast Sony's signature design and camera capabilities, but cater to different user needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 III delivers significantly more power and a brighter display thanks to its Snapdragon 888 chipset. However, the Xperia 10 III offers exceptional battery life and a more budget-friendly price. For performance enthusiasts, the 5 III wins; for those prioritizing longevity and value, the 10 III is the better pick.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia 5 III	Sony Xperia 10 III

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA	1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA	1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia	-

Launch
Announced	2021, April 14	2021, April 14
Status	Available. Released 2021, October 08	Available. Released 2021, June 11

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions	157 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)	154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	168 g (5.93 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
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 6	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution	1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)	1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size	6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020	OLED, 1B colors, HDR
	-	Triluminos display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Adreno 619
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 3.X	UFS

Main Camera
Features	Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm	-
Triple	12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF	12 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"
Video	4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video	1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Radio	No	FM radio (region dependent)
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
	Native Sony Alpha camera support	-

Battery
Charging	Wired, PD, 50% in 30 min	21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Green, Pink	Black, White, Blue, Pink
Models	XQBQ62/G, XQBQ52G.UKCX, XQBQ52B.UKCX, XQ-BQ52, XQ-BQ72, XQ-BQ42, XQ-BQ62, SO-53B	SO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SO
Price	€ 431.90 / £ 199.99	About 300 EUR

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 100h	Endurance rating 137h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-26.7 LUFS (Good)	-28.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance	AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5 III

Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888)
Brighter Display
Compact Size
Faster Charging (PD)

Shorter Battery Life
Higher Price
Less Efficient Processor

Sony Xperia 10 III

Exceptional Battery Life
More Affordable
Larger Screen
Good Value

Slower Performance (Snapdragon 690)
Lower Brightness
Less Powerful Camera

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 III boasts a slightly brighter display at 590 nits compared to the 10 III's 559 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the 5 III's higher brightness provides better visibility in direct sunlight. The 5 III also has a more compact size, which some users may prefer.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the 5 III generally produces higher-quality images and videos due to its more powerful processor and potentially better image processing algorithms. While specific camera specs are not detailed, the 5 III's hardware and processing advantage are expected to result in superior results, especially in low-light conditions. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.

Performance

Here's where the Xperia 5 III truly shines. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset and Octa-core Cortex-X1 CPU offer significantly faster performance than the Xperia 10 III's Snapdragon 690. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 5 III.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 III takes the crown in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 137 hours, significantly exceeding the Xperia 5 III's 100 hours. This makes the 10 III a better choice for users who need their phone to last through multiple days of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 III is ideal for users who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or photography. It's a great choice for those who appreciate a compact form factor and a vibrant display. The Sony Xperia 10 III is perfect for users who prioritize battery life, affordability, and a larger screen for media consumption. It's a solid option for everyday use and those on a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 5 III worth the extra cost?

If you prioritize performance and a compact design, the Xperia 5 III's extra cost is justified. However, if battery life and affordability are your top priorities, the Xperia 10 III offers excellent value.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

Sony has historically provided decent software updates, but specific timelines and feature support can vary. It's best to check Sony's official website for the latest update information for each device.