Sony offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets and needs. The Xperia L4 sits firmly in the budget category, while the Xperia 10 II aims for a mid-range experience. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia 10 II is the clear winner. While the L4 is a budget option, the 10 II’s superior chipset, brighter display, and significantly better battery life make it a more compelling choice, especially considering the relatively small price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 20. Released 2020, April 28 | 2020, February 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159 x 71 x 8.7 mm (6.26 x 2.80 x 0.34 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 151 g (5.33 oz) |
| | - | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1680 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | 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, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 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 | USB Power Delivery | 18W wired, PD, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh | Li-Po 3600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, White, Mint Green, Berry Blue |
| Models | XQ-AD52, XQ-AD51 | XQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41A |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 196545 (v8)
GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia L4
- Affordable
- Compact size
- USB Power Delivery charging
- Slow performance
- Dim display
- Short battery life
- Basic camera
Sony Xperia 10 II
- Excellent battery life
- Brighter display
- Better performance
- Good camera
- Supports PD, QC3 charging
- Design can feel dated
- Not a flagship performer
Display Comparison
The Xperia 10 II boasts a significantly brighter display at 520 nits (measured) compared to the L4's likely lower brightness. The 'infinite' contrast ratio on the 10 II suggests deeper blacks and better image quality. While both have similar screen sizes, the 10 II's superior brightness and contrast provide a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Xperia 10 II is expected to deliver superior image quality due to its more advanced chipset and likely better camera sensors. The Snapdragon 665's image signal processor (ISP) is also more capable than the Helio P22's, resulting in better noise reduction and dynamic range. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison, but the 10 II is generally expected to perform better.
Performance
The Xperia 10 II's Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) chipset is a substantial upgrade over the L4's Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 665 offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming capabilities. The L4 will feel noticeably slower in everyday use.
Battery Life
The Xperia 10 II shines in battery life, boasting an incredible endurance rating of 92 hours. This is a massive advantage over the L4, which likely offers significantly shorter battery life. The 10 II's efficient chipset and larger battery capacity contribute to its exceptional longevity.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia L4 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability over performance and features. The Xperia 10 II is a better choice for those seeking a more well-rounded experience with a good camera, long battery life, and a brighter display, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia L4 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize affordability above all else. Otherwise, the Xperia 10 II offers significantly better value.
❓ What is the main difference between the Xperia L4 and Xperia 10 II?
The main difference is performance. The Xperia 10 II has a much more powerful chipset, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience, along with a better camera and significantly longer battery life.
