Sony Xperia XZ3 vs Xperia 10 II: A Detailed Comparison

Sony offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets and needs. The Xperia XZ3, a flagship from a few years ago, boasts premium specs, while the Xperia 10 II aims for affordability with a focus on battery life and a large display. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ3 offers significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 845 chipset. However, the Xperia 10 II provides slightly better battery life and a more budget-friendly price point. Ultimately, the XZ3 is for power users, while the 10 II is ideal for those prioritizing battery and value.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XZ3 Sony Xperia 10 II
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H8416, H9436, H9493HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - H8416, H9436, H94931, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2018, August 30. Released 2018, October 052020, February 24
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, May 05
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions158 x 73 x 9.9 mm (6.22 x 2.87 x 0.39 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
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)151 g (5.33 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, HDR BT.2020OLED
 Triluminos display X-Reality Engine-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Adreno 610
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlymicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF-
Triple-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"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless (Qi)18W wired, PD, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver White, Forest Green, Bordeaux RedBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry Blue
ModelsH9436, H8416, H9493XQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41A
PriceAbout 510 EURAbout 700 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB-
Battery lifeEndurance rating 90hEndurance rating 92h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.502 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 82dB -28.8 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 284555 (v7), 295468 (v8) GeekBench: 8607 (v4.4), 2137 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XZ3

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 845)
  • Vibrant OLED Display
  • Premium Build Quality
  • Faster Charging (PD 2.0)

  • Older Model (Limited Software Updates)
  • Potentially Higher Price on the Used Market
  • Slightly Shorter Battery Life than 10 II

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Longer Battery Life
  • Larger Display (6.0 inches)
  • More Affordable
  • QC3 Charging Support

  • Lower Performance (Snapdragon 665)
  • LCD Display (Less Vibrant)
  • Less Refined Camera

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ3 boasts a stunning OLED display with an impressive contrast ratio (nominally infinite, 4.502 in sunlight). While the Xperia 10 II also claims an infinite contrast ratio, its LCD panel lacks the vibrancy and deep blacks of the OLED. The XZ3's display is noticeably brighter and more visually appealing, though the 10 II's 520 nits max brightness is respectable. The 10 II's larger screen size (6.0 inches vs 5.9 inches) is a plus for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the XZ3 generally produces better image quality, especially in low light, due to its superior processing power. The XZ3's camera is known for its accurate colors and detail. The 10 II's camera is competent but lacks the same level of refinement. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are not provided, but the XZ3's hardware and processing generally give it an edge.

Performance

Here's where the XZ3 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Xperia 10 II's Snapdragon 665. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. The XZ3's octa-core CPU with Kryo 385 cores provides a substantial performance advantage over the 10 II's Kryo 260 cores.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 II edges out the XZ3 with a slightly higher endurance rating (92h vs 90h). While the difference is minimal, it suggests the 10 II's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity contribute to slightly longer battery life. Both phones support 18W wired charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia XZ3? Users who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking. Those who appreciate a premium build and a vibrant display. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 10 II? Budget-conscious buyers seeking long battery life and a large screen for media consumption. Those who prioritize simplicity and reliability over raw power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XZ3 still worth buying?
If you prioritize performance and a great display and can find it at a good price, the XZ3 is still a capable phone. However, consider the limited software updates.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia XZ3 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset.