Sony Xperia 10 IV review

Sony has launched a brand new pair of telephones for 2022, the flagship Sony Xperia 1 IV and the mid-range Sony Xperia 10 IV. Leaving apart the considerably curious logic of christening a much less premium cellphone with the next quantity, the Xperia 10 IV boasts some very stable specs for a tool in its mid-range bracket. 

Priced at £429/€499, the Xperia 10 IV marries an enormous battery with a pleasant 6in OLED show, a light-weight design and a triple-lens rear digicam setup. The query is: do these specs translate to extremely usable options?

Design & Construct

• Slimline dimensions, light-weight construct 
• Clear rear with vertical digicam module 
• Plastic body and rear 
• IP 65/68 score 

Aesthetically, the design of the Sony Xperia 10 IV isn’t all that a lot to shout about. Its entrance is outlined by an edge-to-edge show with a punch-hole selfie digicam at off-center, in addition to a really slim notch that accommodates the highest speaker. On the plastic again, there’s Sony’s emblem within the center and the triple-lens digicam module alligned in a slim vertical line.

That is hardly exceptional, however Sony has designed the Xperia 10 IV with slim dimensions, in that it’s solely 63mm (or 2.64in) throughout, in addition to solely 161g. This makes it a extremely comfy cellphone to make use of and stow away, with its 21:9 which means that it could actually present a comparatively massive display whereas nonetheless offering an antidote to outsized phablets. Although reaching the highest is kind of an effort.

Different options of the design embrace the fingerprint sensor constructed into the facility button on the right-hand aspect of the cellphone, in addition to the amount up/down button simply above it. On the alternative aspect, there’s the SIM/microSD slot, when you have a 3.5mm jack on the prime and a USB-C port on the backside. All in all, the structure is primary, however you could possibly additionally say it’s pleasingly minimal and uncluttered. 

When it comes to sturdiness, the plastic chassis will imply that you just gained’t have to fret about cracks or splinters, whereas it has additionally been strengthened by glass fiber. On the similar time, there’s a Gorilla Glass Victus display to maintain the entrance of the cellphone insured towards any accidents. 

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Likewise, the cellphone comes with an IP65/68 score. In different phrases, it has been rated IP65 and IP68, which means the cellphone is protected towards immersion in shallow water and spray from jets of water. It’s additionally dust-proof, so customers may be assured taking it to most locations.

In the event you don’t just like the look of my black evaluation pattern, the cellphone additionally is available in White, Mint and Lavender choices.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6in OLED show 
• Stereo audio system 
• 60Hz refresh charge solely 

The Xperia 10 IV’s display doesn’t fairly have the high-end specs of the Xperia 1 IV, naturally, however it isn’t too far off. Its 6in OLED panel squeezes in 2520 x 1080 pixels, whereas it additionally helps over one billion colors and HDR. This makes for some vibrant and crisp watching, with pictures and movies coming by means of effectively within the overwhelming majority of circumstances. 

One draw back, nevertheless, is that there’s no help for the next 90- or 120Hz refresh charge. This mightn’t appear stunning, however when the OnePlus Nord 2T and Poco F4 include 90- and 120Hz shows (respectively), you start to wonder if Sony hasn’t shortchanged you a bit of. For anybody not used to increased refresh charges but, this most likely isn’t an issue, however should you have been to run the Xperia 10 IV subsequent to a Nord 2T or F4, you’d see the distinction and also you shouldn’t must miss out.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Turning to audio, issues are additionally a little bit of a blended bag. The cellphone’s audio system working on their very own have a tendency to interrupt up a bit of when taking part in music at increased volumes, which means they aren’t actually an alternative choice to a great pair of headphones or audio system.

Nonetheless, the usage of Excessive-Decision Audio and Bluetooth 5.1 permits the cellphone to function a good supply audio system. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset 
• Common velocity, occasional lag 
• 5G 

Qualcomm’s SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G processor drives the Sony Xperia 10 IV. Constructed utilizing a 6nm manufacturing course of, it’s a mid-powered chip you can even discover on the equally priced Poco X4 Professional 5G, OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite and the Xiaomi Redmi Observe 11 Professional. 

Neither of those telephones are famous for lightning-fast efficiency, and it’s the same story with the Xperia 10 IV. The cellphone is on the market solely with 6GB of RAM, which implies that it’s okay dealing with most duties, however you’ll discover occasional lag and pauses when opening/utilizing apps. 

Simon Chandler / Foundry

You’ll additionally discover that it doesn’t run the most recent video games as easily as flagship telephones. Certainly one of our ordinary go-to video games, Asphalt 9, confirmed some refined slowdown in locations, and on condition that it’s now 4 years outdated, I think about that more moderen and demanding releases will maybe trigger extra issues for the system. 

Nonetheless, the cellphone’s efficiency is first rate for its value and might deal with cut up home windows and a number of open apps fairly effectively. However as the next benchmarks present, it isn’t the quickest Android in its value vary.

Cameras

• Triple-lens rear setup 
• Video maxes out at 1080p 
• Good important digicam, inconsistent ultrawide and telephoto lenses 

When mid-range and price range Androids are coming with 50Mp (and greater) important rear lenses, you’d be forgiven for pondering that the Sony Xperia 10 IV is considerably underpowered at 12Mp. That is the scale of its extensive lens, whereas its ultrawide and telephoto lenses measure at solely 8Mp a bit. 

Nonetheless, whereas the latter two lenses are arguably undercooked (extra under), the 12Mp lens greater than holds its personal towards extra well-endowed counterparts. Certain, it doesn’t all the time cope effectively with low-light conditions, however this reviewer personally had a lot of enjoyable taking a wide range of photographs throughout daylight.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Colors are well-balanced, pure and never overly saturated, with panorama photographs turning out notably effectively. Pictures of individuals additionally mirror effectively on the cellphone, with sufficient element and dynamism. 

That stated, it could actually sometimes battle in an excessive amount of gentle (overexposure), and never simply in too little. On prime of this, the telephoto and ultrawide lenses lack energy, with their smaller megapixel depend leading to pictures that might profit from extra readability and definition. 

The identical goes for the Xperia 10 IV’s video capabilities. It may shoot transferring pictures solely at 1080p and 30 frames per second, which isn’t too dangerous, however when (once more) the Poco F4 takes 4K video at 60fps, it looks like it is a cellphone from a few years in the past hastily. 

Battery Life & Charging

• Giant 5000mAh battery 
• Quick-charging shouldn’t be that quick 
• No wi-fi charging 

The 5000mAh battery housed by the Xperia 10 IV is indisputably the cellphone’s strongest level. It’s giant on paper, and on condition that the system is comparatively undemanding by way of its display measurement and specs, it actually does go a good distance.  

In periods after I used the cellphone evenly it might go for a few days with no need to refuel, whereas heavier utilization will nonetheless run down the battery solely after a full day. Our normal battery check utilizing PCMark ended with a time of 24 hours and 52 minutes, which is fairly jaw-dropping for any form of smartphone, not to mention one so reasonably priced. 

Simon Chandler / Foundry

However as with most different areas of the cellphone’s efficiency, there are some dangerous issues in addition to good. Whereas marketed as providing ‘quick charging’, simply 21W doesn’t really feel notably quick in follow.  

Once more, many equally priced telephones now flaunt quick charging at 65W and even increased, so having to attend almost three hours for a full recharge from the ten IV can typically stretch your persistence. 

Software program & Apps 

• Android 12 
• Some welcome Sony-exclusive mods 
• Presumably just one core replace 

The Sony Xperia 10 IV makes use of Android 12 out of the field, with some Sony-exclusive modifications that may make it extra sensible, relying in your wants. What’s most likely most laudable about Sony’s implementation of Android 12 is that there’s an absence of bloatware and extra, with only a few pointless apps preinstalled on the system. 

As well as, the cellphone gives a wide range of customization choices, however not so many who customers will find yourself feeling overwhelmed. Its UI is clear and easy to navigate, whereas the aforementioned Sony modes make navigation even simpler.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

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Specifically, the Facet Sense characteristic gives a shortcut to entry numerous necessary apps, whereas it can be used to make the most of the cellphone’s 21:9 facet and cut up its display into two. That is helpful if it’s good to do two issues without delay, whereas should you’re a non-subscribing YouTube consumer, it additionally means you may hearken to music and test your emails/surf the online on the similar time. 

One draw back is that, in the intervening time, it appears as if Sony has dedicated to just one core Android replace. This can take you as much as Android 13, however we’re unsure if Sony will promise any additional important updates, so the cellphone may not have an particularly lengthy shelf life. 

Value & Availability 

The Xperia 10 IV formally retails for £429 within the UK, in addition to €499 in Europe. It’s not formally accessible within the US, however you should purchase a global model from Amazon at $379.

In addition to the official UK website, you may get the cellphone from retailers together with John Lewis, AO, Laptops Direct, Ebuyer, Very and Argos. Amazon has the bottom value should you don’t thoughts the white color. This makes the cellphone much more worth for cash, and on condition that it faces some very stiff competitors within the mid-range class, it might promote at sub-RRP costs indefinitely.

In fact, the factor with the ten IV is that there’s at the moment no scarcity of equally priced telephones within the mid-range market providing some nice specs. This contains the next: 

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Verdict 

The Sony Xperia 10 IV is a good mid-range cellphone general, combining quite a few engaging options into an appealingly designed package deal. Its slim dimensions make it comfy to make use of, whereas its lasting battery, targeted show and pleasant software program additionally make it very sensible. 

The factor is, in a busy market of mid-range Androids, it doesn’t fairly stand proud of the gang sufficient. Whereas its important digicam is nice sufficient, its so-so further lenses don’t add a lot, whereas its efficiency isn’t something particular and charging is sluggish compared to rivals.

Handsets such because the Poco X4, Poco F4 and Samsung Galaxy A53, all of which allow a 120Hz refresh charge, too. If you’ll find the Xperia at a reduced value on-line, it’s undoubtedly value contemplating, since its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. 

Specs

• Android 12 
• 6in FHD+ OLED extensive show, 21:9 facet ratio 
• Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
• 6GB RAM
• 128GB inner storage
• microSD card slot (as much as 512GB) 
• 12Mp extensive, f/1.8, 27mm, 1/2.8″, PDAF, OIS rear digicam
• 8Mp ultrawide, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm, 1/4.0″
• 8Mp telephoto, f/2.2, 54mm, 1/4.4″, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 
• 8Mp f/2.0, 27mm (extensive), 1/4.0″ entrance digicam
• Facet-mounted fingerprint sensor
• 11ac dual-band Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX
• GPS
• NFC
• 5G
• Headphone jack
• USB-C
• 5000mAh non-removable battery
• 21W quick charging
• IP65/68 mud & waterproof score
• 153 x 67 x 8.3 mm
• 161g
• Launch colors: Black, White, Mint, Lavender