Sony Xperia 10 III in the test: Excellent, but not exceptional
Meanwhile, the middle class at Android is like a major event before the pandemic. There is a huge selection of devices in the price range up to 600 euros, each manufacturer pretends to have the best solution for your needs. With the Xperia 10 III, Sony has released a very interesting device that I took a closer look at for a week.
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Unusual form factor
When you hold the Sony Xperia 10 III in your hand for the first time, you will notice two features. Most noticeable is the atypical form factor (length over 15 centimeters), Sony has created a clear distinguishing feature with its long smartphones. As unusual as such a shape is, it is difficult to operate with one hand. Because only huge hands can get from one corner to the next.
The other thing that stands out is the value. The Xperia 10 III has a glass back and feels more valuable in the hand than a mid-range device. Unfortunately, the material and shape mean that the device is rather unsteady in the hand, especially with small hands.
The screen, however, is excellent and offers a 21: 9 format with a resolution of 2520 x 1080 pixels. Sony installed an OLED panel with 60 Hertz that supports HDR, so series and films can be enjoyed on the screen. The screen reacts without any problems, colors are displayed vigorously and content is easy to read even in bright surroundings.
On the right side of the device there are two more buttons in addition to the buttons for controlling the volume. One activates the Google Assistant, the second locks or unlocks the device. The fingerprint sensor is built into the lock button and reacts reliably and quickly. This is a good thing, especially in times of Corona. The Xperia 10 III is also water-repellent (IPX5 / IPX8).
Not a racehorse but 5G
If you use the Sony Xperia 10 III in everyday life, you will notice a rather mediocre performance. Especially when quickly switching between apps or opening the camera app, the device jerks noticeably, a Qualcomm® Snapdragon ™ 690 and 6 gigabytes of RAM are installed.
On the other hand, the device also supports 5G, which is still often a niche, but can already be used widely in large cities. Unfortunately, I don’t understand Sony’s priorities here. With the Xperia 10 III, I would have preferred a smartphone with LTE, which has a slightly more powerful chip, than switching directly to 5G. I think that 5G plays even less of a role in the middle class than with premium devices.
No stereo
When we play music with the Sony Xperia 10 III for the first time, one thing is immediately noticeable. The smartphone only has speakers installed in the lower part, so if you are looking for stereo sound without headphones, you will not necessarily be happy with this. The playback quality is okay, but unfortunately the basses are occasionally missing.
One thing should be emphasized positively. The Xperia 10 III has a headphone jack, something we see less and less on the market. So if you still haven’t switched to wireless headphones or swear by wired headphones, you will find a suitable device in the Sony Xperia 10 III.
Good and clear shots
Like many Android smartphones, the Sony Xperia 10 III uses three camera modules that can display different resolutions. The first main camera has a resolution of 12 megapixels and an F1.8 aperture, the second and third cameras each have a resolution of 8 megapixels, with an F2.4 aperture or F2.2 aperture being used.
Video recordings can be made in 4K resolution, the front camera with 8 megapixels and an F2.0 aperture is suitable for well-lit selfies. The camera software from Sony is interesting. Depending on the scene, this changes the color warmth and brightness of the recording, which often leads to beautiful snapshots. Sometimes, however, this functionality also interferes, pictures then look unnatural.
The Sony Xperia 10 III is also convincing when zooming in. Even distant objects are photographed in good quality.
Excellent battery life
Installing a more than sufficient battery is something Sony can do with its new end device. This measures 4,500 mAh and also supports fast charging via cable. In the everyday test, I used the Xperia 10 III for a whole day and drove across the city with Google Maps. Then in the evening there was a surprise.
Despite frequent use, continuous GPS tracking and other usage scenarios, the Xperia 10 III was still 50 percent charged at the end of the day. So if you are looking for a smartphone that can make it through two days, then you are equipped with the Xperia 10 III.
Good but not exceptional
Is the Sony Xperia 10 III a good mid-range smartphone? Yes! Is it an extraordinary device? No! In the highly competitive Android market in particular, it is becoming increasingly difficult to have a unique selling proposition; the competition from China (e.g. realme, OnePlus and Oppo) usually offers even more for the same price.
But if you like Sony’s form factor, want a slightly modified Android system and are looking for a good camera at the same time, the Xperia 10 III is well advised. If you don’t care about the brand, you should make a comparison with the competition.
The Sony Xperia 10 III has an RRP of 429 euros, as of today (28.06.2021) the device is available from various retailers from 413 euros. In addition to the black color scheme we tested, the device is also available in white, blue and red. All devices have an internal memory of 128 gigabytes, which can be expanded by up to 1 terabyte via an SD card.
