Sony Xperia 10 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Sony Xperia 10 is a sleek and stylish smartphone that offers a unique viewing experience. With its 6-inch IPS LCD display and 21:9 aspect ratio, you can enjoy immersive cinematic visuals right in the palm of your hand. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset and running on Android 9.0 Pie, this device delivers smooth performance and efficient multitasking. The dual 13MP + 5MP rear cameras capture stunning photos and videos, while the 8MP front camera is perfect for selfies. With a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, NFC capabilities, and a 2870mAh battery, the Xperia 10 has all the essential features you need. Available in various colors and priced around 280 EUR, this smartphone offers great value for your money.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia 10 boasts an aesthetically pleasing design with its sleek and premium look. It features a glass front with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, a plastic back panel, and a plastic frame. The device has dimensions of 156 x 68 x 8.4 mm and weighs 162g, making it compact and lightweight for easy portability. The 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with a 21:9 aspect ratio provides an immersive viewing experience. The slim bezels and the 84.1% screen-to-body ratio maximize the screen real estate. The construction of the Xperia 10 feels robust and sturdy, ensuring durability. The back panel has a smooth texture, offering a comfortable grip. The placement of the fingerprint sensor on the side enhances ergonomics and allows for easy one-handed usability. The buttons and controls are well-positioned and provide a satisfying tactile feedback. Overall, the Xperia 10's fit and finish are commendable, giving it a polished and refined appearance. The device is available in various colors, including Black, Navy, Silver, and Pink, allowing users to choose their preferred style. With its combination of sleek design, premium feel, and compact form factor, the Sony Xperia 10 is an attractive option for users seeking a visually appealing and portable smartphone.

Display

The Sony Xperia 10 features a 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with a 21:9 aspect ratio, offering a unique and cinematic viewing experience. The screen size is ideal for multimedia consumption and enhances the immersive feel while watching movies or playing games. With a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 457 ppi, the display delivers sharp and detailed visuals. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 ensures protection against scratches and accidental drops.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the Xperia 10's display performs well, providing vivid and true-to-life colors. The brightness levels are decent, allowing for good visibility even in outdoor environments. The touch responsiveness of the screen is smooth and accurate, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Although the Xperia 10 does not feature OLED technology, its IPS LCD display offers good viewing angles, allowing for comfortable viewing from different positions. The lack of a notch design and minimal bezels contribute to a high screen-to-body ratio, maximizing the display area.

The device does not have HDR support, which means it may not offer the same level of contrast and dynamic range as some other high-end smartphones. Additionally, it doesn't have a wide color gamut, limiting the range of colors it can reproduce.

On the positive side, the Xperia 10 does include features like an anti-reflective coating and a blue light filter, which help reduce glare and eye strain. The adaptive brightness feature adjusts the screen brightness according to ambient lighting conditions, optimizing visibility while conserving battery life. Overall, the display of the Sony Xperia 10 offers an enjoyable viewing experience with its size, resolution, and color reproduction.

Performance

The Sony Xperia 10 boasts a performance that is commendable for its price range. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset, which features an octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 508 GPU, this device offers smooth and lag-free performance. In benchmark tests, the Xperia 10 delivers impressive scores, with an AnTuTu score of 89,697 (v7) and 112,198 (v8), and a GeekBench score of 3,985 (v4.4) and 990 (v5.1). These results highlight the processor's efficiency and the GPU's capabilities.

When it comes to gaming, the Xperia 10 provides a satisfactory experience. The Adreno 508 GPU ensures smooth graphics rendering, allowing for enjoyable gaming sessions. In gaming benchmarks, the device performs well, delivering good graphics scores. While it may not excel in high-end gaming, it handles most popular games with ease.

The Xperia 10 also shines in terms of multitasking performance and app loading speeds. Thanks to its 3GB or 4GB of RAM (depending on the variant), the device can handle multiple apps simultaneously without significant lag. Apps load quickly, contributing to a smooth user experience.

One area where the Xperia 10 impresses is its system optimization and thermal management. The device efficiently manages resources, ensuring that it delivers consistent performance without overheating. This is particularly beneficial during extended gaming or intensive multitasking sessions.

In terms of synthetic benchmarks, the Xperia 10 performs admirably, indicating its overall performance capabilities. It is worth noting that while the device may not compete with flagship smartphones in terms of raw power, it offers a well-balanced performance for its price point.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 delivers a satisfactory performance package. Its chipset, CPU, and GPU ensure smooth performance for daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking. The device's system optimization and thermal management further enhance the user experience. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it offers a compelling performance proposition for those seeking a mid-range smartphone.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia 10 comes equipped with the Android 9.0 (Pie) operating system, providing users with a smooth and efficient user experience. This version of Android offers a range of features and improvements, ensuring that the device operates seamlessly. Additionally, Sony has implemented its own customization on top of the stock Android interface, adding a unique touch to the user interface.

The Xperia 10 also comes with a variety of pre-installed apps, which can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. On the positive side, these apps offer a range of functionalities and convenience right out of the box. However, some users may find certain pre-installed apps to be unnecessary or "bloatware," as they take up storage space and cannot be uninstalled.

In terms of user-friendliness, the Xperia 10 offers a straightforward interface that is easy to navigate. The Android operating system provides a familiar layout and intuitive controls, allowing users to quickly access their desired apps and settings. Sony has also incorporated its own customizations to enhance usability, such as personalized themes and settings options.

Overall, the software on the Sony Xperia 10 offers a balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The Android 9.0 (Pie) operating system provides a solid foundation, while Sony's customizations add a touch of uniqueness. Pre-installed apps may be a mixed bag for some users, but they can be useful for others. Ultimately, the software on the Xperia 10 aims to provide a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

Camera

The Sony Xperia 10 boasts a dual camera setup, featuring a 13 MP primary lens with an aperture of f/2.0 and a 5 MP depth sensor. This combination allows for a versatile range of photography options. The primary camera captures images with good sharpness and detail, producing natural colors in daylight photography. The camera performs well in outdoor settings, thanks to its wide focal length of 27mm. It also offers image stabilization, which helps in reducing blur caused by hand movements, resulting in clearer images. The camera's dynamic range is commendable, allowing for well-exposed shots in high-contrast scenes.

In terms of low-light performance, the Xperia 10 delivers decent results. It has a low-light sensitivity that allows for capturing images in dimly lit environments, although noise reduction could be improved. The device offers a night mode, which enhances low-light photography by optimizing settings and reducing noise further.

The camera app comes with various features such as portrait mode, HDR, and panorama mode, allowing users to capture creative shots. The Xperia 10 also offers a pro mode, giving users manual control over settings like ISO and shutter speed. Additionally, the camera supports AI scene recognition, which automatically adjusts settings based on the scene being captured.

When it comes to video recording, the Xperia 10 can shoot in 4K resolution, ensuring high-quality videos. Video stabilization helps in reducing shakiness, resulting in smoother footage. The device also supports slow-motion video and time-lapse modes, offering creative options for capturing moments.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 10's camera performs well in various shooting conditions, providing users with a reliable and versatile photography experience.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 10 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 2870 mAh battery, which provides a decent battery life considering its specifications. The device supports 18W wired charging, with support for PD (Power Delivery) and QC3 (Quick Charge 3). This allows for relatively fast charging times and ensures that you can quickly top up your battery when needed. However, it's worth noting that the Xperia 10 does not support wireless charging, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging options. In terms of battery performance, the Xperia 10 offers a standby time of up to several days and can provide a screen-on time of around 6-7 hours, depending on usage. The phone also comes with battery optimization features, which help in maximizing power efficiency and extending battery life. Overall, while the Xperia 10's battery capacity may not be the highest in its class, it offers a satisfactory battery backup and performs well in terms of battery management and optimization.

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia 10 offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports network compatibility with GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring that you can connect to fast and reliable mobile data networks. With its dual SIM capability, you have the flexibility to use two different SIM cards for personal and work purposes.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Xperia 10 features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing you to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. This ensures a stable and fast internet connection when you're in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot. Bluetooth 5.0 is also supported, enabling you to connect wirelessly to other devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.

For convenient file transfers and charging, the Xperia 10 is equipped with a USB Type-C 2.0 port. This allows for faster data transfer speeds and supports fast charging. NFC is also included, enabling you to make contactless payments and easily pair with other NFC-enabled devices.

In terms of navigation, the Xperia 10 features GPS and GLONASS, ensuring accurate location tracking. It also has a mobile hotspot feature, allowing you to share your mobile data connection with other devices. Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, keeping you connected and productive.

Additional Features

Here are some additional features of the Sony Xperia 10:

1. Standout features: The Sony Xperia 10 boasts a sleek 21:9 aspect ratio display, which offers an immersive viewing experience for movies and games. The slim design and compact form factor make it comfortable to hold and use.

2. Water and dust resistance: The Xperia 10 is not water or dust resistant. It lacks an IP rating, which means it is not designed to withstand submersion in water or exposure to dust and dirt.

3. Wireless charging: Unfortunately, the Xperia 10 does not support wireless charging. You will need to charge it using the included USB Type-C cable.

4. Advanced sensors: The Xperia 10 features a variety of sensors, including an accelerometer and gyroscope. These sensors enable advanced motion tracking and gesture control, enhancing the user experience.

5. Additional sensors: In addition to the basic sensors, the Xperia 10 also includes proximity and compass sensors. These sensors provide additional functionality such as automatic screen rotation and accurate navigation.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 offers a range of features that enhance usability and performance. While it lacks water resistance and wireless charging capabilities, it compensates with its unique display and advanced sensor suite.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Sony Xperia 10 is a mid-range smartphone that offers a unique 21:9 aspect ratio display, which sets it apart from its competitors in the market. When comparing it to related devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy A50 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, the Xperia 10 stands out for its sleek design, compact size, and excellent build quality.

In terms of specifications, the Xperia 10 features a 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels. This gives it a pixel density of around 457 ppi, resulting in sharp and vibrant visuals. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset, which is paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the variant. While not the most powerful processor in its class, the Xperia 10 still delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.

When it comes to camera capabilities, the Xperia 10 offers a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13MP main lens and a 5MP depth sensor. This allows for the capture of impressive bokeh shots and detailed images in various lighting conditions. On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera, which produces decent results for social media sharing.

One of the standout features of the Xperia 10 is its 21:9 aspect ratio display, which provides a cinematic viewing experience for multimedia consumption. This is particularly beneficial for watching movies and gaming, as it offers a wider field of view. However, this aspect ratio may not be suitable for everyone, as it can result in black bars when viewing content that is not optimized for this format.

In terms of pricing, the Xperia 10 is positioned as a mid-range device, with a price point of around 280 EUR. When compared to its competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy A50 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, the Xperia 10 offers a unique design and display experience. However, it may fall short in terms of overall performance and camera capabilities.

Overall, the Xperia 10 offers a compelling package with its unique 21:9 aspect ratio display and sleek design. While it may not be the most powerful device in its class, it provides a good balance of features and performance at its price point. Consumers who prioritize an immersive cinematic experience and compact size may find the Xperia 10 to be a suitable choice in the mid-range smartphone market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia 10 offers a sleek design and a unique 21:9 aspect ratio display that sets it apart from other smartphones in its price range. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks. The dual-camera setup captures decent photos, and the 8MP front camera takes satisfactory selfies. The battery life is average and the audio quality is below average. However, the inclusion of a headphone jack and expandable storage are notable features. Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 is a good option for those who prioritize a stylish design and a cinematic viewing experience, but it may not be the best choice for heavy multimedia consumers or audiophiles.