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 III 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 III is the clear winner. While the L4 offers affordability, the 10 III's superior chipset, brighter display, better camera, and 5G connectivity provide a significantly better overall experience, justifying the 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, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 20. Released 2020, April 28 | 2021, April 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| 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) | 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 169 g (5.96 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 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, 1B colors, HDR |
| | - | Triluminos display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS |
| 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/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 | 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, 27mm (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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port |
| 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 | 21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, White, Blue, Pink |
| Models | XQ-AD52, XQ-AD51 | SO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SO |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 137h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286216 (v8)
GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia L4
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Compact size
- Outdated chipset
- Lower display quality
- Basic camera
- No 5G
Sony Xperia 10 III
- Better performance
- Brighter and higher quality display
- Improved camera
- 5G connectivity
- Excellent battery life
- Higher price
- Design can feel dated
Display Comparison
The Xperia 10 III boasts a significantly brighter display (559 nits vs. likely lower on the L4) and a theoretically infinite contrast ratio, offering a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The L4 likely uses a standard LCD panel, while the 10 III's OLED display provides richer colors and deeper blacks.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Xperia 10 III's camera system is expected to be superior due to the more powerful processor and likely better image sensors. Expect improved image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance on the 10 III. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The Xperia 10 III's Snapdragon 690 5G chipset is a substantial upgrade over the L4's Helio P22. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the 10 III. The 10 III's 8nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 137h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Xperia 10 III's more efficient Snapdragon chipset might translate to slightly better real-world battery performance despite potentially having a similar or slightly smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia L4 is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize basic smartphone functionality and don't need advanced features. The Xperia 10 III is a better choice for those seeking a more capable device with a better display, camera, and performance, and who appreciate 5G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia L4 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and primarily need basic smartphone functions. Otherwise, the Xperia 10 III offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the Xperia 10 III support 5G?
Yes, the Xperia 10 III features 5G connectivity, providing faster download and streaming speeds where available.
