Intro
The focus of Sony's current range of smartphones is primarily on media creation and consumption. These devices feature high-quality components such as 4K resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio OLED displays and HDR support, along with retaining the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The Xperia 10 IV tackles the challenge of making these features more accessible by making some compromises, such as dropping specs, using a lower-quality screen, and switching to a plastic build.
Pluses
- Detailed display
- Good black depth
- Headphone jack
Cons
- Weak speakers
- Movement could be smoother
Specifications
- Release date: 2022, May 11
- Colors: Black, White, Mint, Lavender
- Dimensions: 153 x 67 x 8.3 mm.
- Weight: 161 g.
- Screen: 6" inc, 1080 x 2520, OLED
- Camera : Triple, 12MP
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
- Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM
- Battery: 5000, Li-Po, non-removable
- Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
- Operating system: Android 12
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Sony Xperia 10 IV Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Price
The Xperia 10 IV is affordable at around 500 euros. However, its availability is limited, currently only available in the UK and Europe. For the price, you get a decent set of specs, including 128GB of internal storage, 6GB of RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, and 5G capability. It is worth mentioning that the memory can be expanded later with an SD card. Although the device doesn't have any major performance issues, there may be some occasional stutters during use.
Design
The Xperia 10 IV has a plastic exterior, a departure from the premium aluminum and glass design of the Xperia 1 IV. This change was made by Sony to reduce costs. Despite being made of plastic, the device doesn't feel cheap in the hand, thanks to the matte plastic back panel that resembles the frosted glass on the back of the 1 IV. In addition, the plastic construction makes the 10 IV light, weighing only 161 g and compact, despite having a 6-inch display.
The device features a camera housing that houses a triple camera setup that is non-bulging and sits firmly on any surface, avoiding wobble or wobble. It also has a lock button and a reliable fingerprint sensor, and retains the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that Sony has retained even though many other companies have abandoned it.
The Xperia 10 IV does not have a complex design, but its simple and unobtrusive appearance gives the impression of a more premium device. It is available in four color options - black, white, lavender and mint.
Characteristic
All current Xperia devices feature a 21:9 OLED display, including the Xperia 10 IV's 6-inch display. It has a resolution of 1080p and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The resolution is adequate, but a higher refresh rate would improve the scrolling and gaming experience. The 21:9 aspect ratio is perfect for watching widescreen movies without black bars on optimized streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+.
Camera
The Xperia 10 IV, Sony's budget phone, has a triple camera setup consisting of a 12MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto lens. The camera takes decent photos, if not exceptional, and is better than you'd expect for the price.
Battery
The phone is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that provides a full day of use before needing to be charged via the USB-C charging connector. Surprisingly, though, neither a wall adapter nor a charging cable are included in the box, which feels like a cost-saving measure from Sony, even though it does reduce e-waste.
Display
The Xperia 10 IV boasts a display that exceeds expectations for its budget price. While it's not the sharpest screen available, it delivers impressive dark detail, deep blacks, contrast and colors, resulting in a surprisingly cinematic viewing experience.
Although not HDR certified, its carefully calibrated colors create an HDR-like performance. Sony offers a variety of picture settings, including an "original mode" that strives to reproduce colors accurately. This is the mode most often used, with the white balance set to "Warm" for a more cinematic look. It's notable that Sony includes these options in the Xperia 10 IV, demonstrating their commitment to providing a comprehensive AV experience, even on their more affordable devices.
A sound
Sound quality on the Xperia 10 IV is inconsistent. The built-in speaker is not impressive and fails to deliver full sound, making it inadequate for listening to music. However, the performance of the headphones is remarkable, providing clear vocals, precise synchronization and an immersive audio experience. This level of sound quality is exceptional for a device of its price.
Conclusion
The Sony Xperia 10 IV is a budget smartphone that impresses in key areas. Unlike other budget Android devices that achieve affordability through major compromises, Sony has found a way to maintain the core features of the Xperia line while delivering good performance.
The device isn't perfect, but with a display that exceeds expectations for the price and a headphone audio experience that's enjoyable, the Xperia 10 IV offers great value for those looking for a basic Android phone that can also be used as a portable device to watch movies.
Sony Xperia 10 IV video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Sony Xperia 10 IV and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Sony.
