SMARTPHONE TIER: MID
Battery Capacity mAh: 5000
Sony Xperia 10 IV - Best-In-Class Battery Performance
Smartphone Battery Performance Overall
Score: 38/100
Ranking #96
Credit Image: Sony
This review offers all you need to know about the Sony Xperia 10 IV smartphone.
Overview
The Sony Xperia 10 IV looks a lot like the Xperia 10 III. The sides of the Sony Xperia 10 IV are flatter, and it lacks a dedicated Google Assistant button. Additionally, the back of the phone is made of plastic instead of glass, contributing to a lighter overall weight.
With an IP65/IP68 rating, the phone provides dust and water protection, allowing it to withstand submersion in water at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. Such durability is uncommon and impressive for a smartphone at this price.
On the Sony Xperia 10 IV, the phone frame houses a fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the standard power and volume buttons. The camera sits flush with the rear, resulting in a more sleek and compact appearance.
Being an exceptionally slim and lightweight smartphone, the Sony Xperia 10 IV keeps its hefty 5,000 mAh battery hidden. It measures 153 x 67 x 8.3mm and weighs 161g, making it suitable for most pockets or purses. Being so compact in design, the Sony Xperia 10 IV makes it convenient for users to carry it around without feeling bulky or weighed down. Also, it has an ergonomic feel, ensuring a comfortable grip and ease of handling.
The Sony Xperia 10 IV joins the Mid Tier (€200-€499), being a more affordable smartphone category.
What's it like to Use?
The Sony Xperia 10 IV features a vibrant 6-inch OLED display with 1080 x 2520 pixels resolution. The screen is made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for added scratch resistance. One drawback is the 60Hz refresh rate, lower than competitors offering 90Hz or 120Hz panels. However, the screen performs well for video streaming and social media browsing.
The Sony Xperia 10 IV has a compact size due to its relatively small display and narrow form factor with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It allows for easy single-handed use, but accessing the top of the screen may still require both hands. This is addressed by enabling users to access the notification pane anywhere on the home screen.
The FHD+ display with a 2520 x1080 pixels resolution provides sharp visuals and vibrant colours due to OLED technology. The default "Standard" display mode offers punchy colours, while the "Original" mode delivers a more natural look.
How does it perform?
Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 IV delivers a smooth battery performance, although occasional stuttering may occur during demanding tasks like quickly switching between complex apps. Nevertheless, this minor issue hardly impacts the overall experience, as most apps and games run smoothly. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset powers the device, slightly evolving from the previous 690 chipset. Built on a 6nm manufacturing process, the Snapdragon 695 offers improved efficiency.
The chipset comprises two Kryo 660 Gold (Cortex-A78) cores clocked at 2200 MHz and six Kryo 660 Silver (Cortex-A55) cores clocked at 1700 MHz. This innovative architecture balances performance and battery life, enabling the Sony Xperia 10 IV to achieve impressive longevity. With 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal memory (expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card slot), the device provides ample storage space.
It's worth noting that the Sony Xperia 10 IV features a headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. However, it lacks accurate stereo sound output, which may be a drawback compared to competitors that offer this feature.
The camera setup of the Sony Xperia 10 IV retains the same triple camera system as its predecessor. This setup comprises a wide 27mm lens, an ultrawide 16mm lens, and a telephoto 54mm lens. In theory, this configuration offers versatility and covers many shooting scenarios. Also, this smartphone is available in four colours: Black, White, Mint, and Lavender.
What else is in the box?
Sony has taken a step towards sustainability by eliminating plastic packaging. The box does not include a charger or USB cable but instead contains a significant amount of folded paper, which raises questions about why Sony didn't reduce the packaging size to better fit the phone.
A Quick Summary
The Sony Xperia 10 IV offers a significant improvement over previous Xperia smartphones, one being it uses Gorilla Glass Victus, which is stronger and more resistant to scratches. It has many desirable features, including a telephoto camera, excellent battery performance and an IP68 rating. However, there are a few areas where this smartphone is genuinely lacking, with slow and no wireless charging and only a 60Hz refresh rate display.
The Sony Xperia 10 IV remains a reliable choice for users who want a sleek and solid smartphone with excellent battery performance and a top-grade 6-inch AMOLED display.
Product - Good Points
The Sony Xperia 10 IV has the following features:
lightweight and a hand-fit design
excellent battery life
P65/68 rated having a tough, water-resistant design
triple-lens camera with improved features
Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6 display protection
Product - Be Aware of Points
The Sony Xperia 10 IV lacks in performance in the following ways:
lacks performance, so not ideal for gaming
lacks camera image quality, especially in night mode
only has a 60Hz display screen refresh
there is no stereo speaker
poor charging speed
comes with no charging adapter
Smartphone Battery Performance Score
and Battery Performance Results
ViserMark brings you a Smartphone Performance Score based on different criteria and benchmarks for evaluating a smartphone's performance. Our tests are performed with the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered by SmartViser's test automation solution viSer.
Using various testing criteria, including different user actions, from calls to social media and periods of standby times, ViserMark measures using real-life scenarios and live networks. All results are obtained and evaluated with calculations from Battery Life, Power Efficiency, and Charging Time.
ViserMark wants to help you find and compare the right smartphone, ensuring it fits your requirements and budget. Our smartphone battery performance reviews and helpful ratings have all the necessary battery information. Our smartphone battery performance reviews can also provide a reference point for performance benchmarks and smartphone comparisons.
The battery performance of the Sony Xperia 10 IV is focused on critical areas and precise criteria. These results have been translated into various ViserMark Labels, and an overall Smartphone Performance Score is awarded.
Sony Xperia 10 IV Battery Performance is translated into ViserMark Labels detailed here.
Our experts are asked to test more than 100 Smartphones every year. As an independent mobile phone testing environment, SmartViser measures areas of user experience. More details can be found on how we perform our smartphone testing here.
The Sony Xperia 10 IV Battery Performance review by ViserMark is based on the smartphone battery performance results obtained during testing.
Reading this review, you can find a full breakdown of our battery performance results.
Smartphone Battery Performance Overall Score:
Using repeatable and rigorous testing criteria, ViserMark measures battery performance using real-life scenarios and live networks.
The test results are collated with calculations from smartphone Battery Life, Power Efficiency, and Charging results that total a score between 0 and 100. This is the number displayed on the Battery Performance ViserMark Label shown below.
The Sony Xperia 10 IV achieved a Battery Performance Score of 38 out of hundred. Being classified as a ViserMark Mid Tier (€200-€499) smartphone, we can see other comparable devices with similar Battery Performance Scores within this tier.
The chart above shows two other smartphones, the Realme Narzo 50 and the Nothing Phone 1, with slightly higher Battery Performance Scores than the Sony Xperia 10 IV. However, with both achieving scores over 40, the Realme Narzo 50 leads the way with a score of 46. It's impressive that only 8 marks separate all three mobile phones with"unique offerings.
The Realme Narzo 50, launched in February 2022, offers excellent value for money. It runs UI 3.0, based on Android 12, and has benefited from multiple upgrades and improved technology integrations introduced by Realme, which have contributed to a much-improved performance.
The 6.6-inch IPS display, with an FHD+ resolution and a 180Hz touch sampling rate, provides smooth graphics. However, the 120Hz refresh rate, unlike the Sony Xperia 10 IV having only 60Hz, makes it a perfect choice for gamers on a tight budget. It also offers a Gaming Mode to customise your games' themes and alert preferences.
Making its debut in July 2022, the Nothing Phone 1 offers wireless charging and a fast screen refresh rate than the Sony Xperia 10 IV. Being powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, the Nothing Phone 1 is available with 8G of RAM and 128GB of storage. The Sony Xperia 10 IV was launched in May 2022, and although powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, it's run by an older version, so this may account for the lack of battery performance.
One of the highlights of the Nothing Phone 1 is its unique notification system. This "Ear (1) phone" system uses the phone's back panel to display various notifications and messages and a series of glyphs that appear around the edges of the display to alert users to incoming calls, messages, and other information.
Let us discover if our battery performance testing results can show more key improvements. Other smartphone Battery Performance Scores can be viewed as ViserMark Labels in the Smartphone Ranking Table.
Battery Life
Smartphone battery life performance can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the device's hardware, software optimisation, battery capacity, usage patterns, and individual settings.
When contemplating smartphone battery life, focus on these areas:
The battery capacity, usually measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), determines how much charge a battery can store.
The Battery Life ViserMark Label displays the "Days-of-Use" in both actual days and provides accurate information in hours. It reflects the usage of a smartphone from a full charge.
How long will the Sony Xperia 10 IV battery last?
ViserMark understands that this is a key factor when considering any smartphone, and we are pleased to announce that the Sony Xperia 10 IV delivered on battery performance. With an impressive 2 days of use, translating into 50 hours between charges, it nudges ahead of the Nothing Phone 1 by 1 hour.
All three comparative smartphones can last up to 2 days, and it must be said that most smartphones in the Mid Tier can also match this remarkable battery performance. With the introduction of hours added to the ViserMark Battery Life Label, it is even easier to see just how competitive the devices are in their functionality.
With many manufacturers opting for a 5000 mAh battery capacity, as used in the Sony Xperia 10 IV and the Realme Narzo 50, the Nothing Phone 1 has a smaller battery capacity of 4500 mAh. From the chart, the Nothing Phone 1 can still deliver on battery performance and is only marginally behind the Sony Xperia 10 IV. Notably, both are powered by Snapdragon chipsets providing more power efficiency and a smooth experience.
Often the display is one of the most power-hungry components of a smartphone. The Nothing Phone 1 has a 6.5-inch screen, and with a 6.4-inch screen, the Realme Narzo, both smartphones are more significant than the 6.0-inch Sony Xperia 10 IV. All devices take advantage of pre-set features like adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient lighting and can help conserve battery life.
The Realme Narzo 50 is ideal for gaming, equipped with powerful octa-core architecture comprising ARM Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55. The CPU reaches clock speeds up to 2.05GHz, delivering a seamless gaming experience. A larger battery capacity helps to ensure smooth performance and an excellent all-around user experience. Activities like gaming, video streaming, or using resource-intensive apps can consume more power than tasks like texting or checking emails.
With Sony, Nothing, and now Realme offering regular software and security updates, smartphones can benefit from further optimisations to enhance battery performance.
Other smartphone Battery Life results can be viewed as ViserMark Labels in the Smartphone Ranking Table.
Power Efficiency
Smartphone Power Efficiency is crucial for smartphone users as it directly impacts battery life and overall device usage. It refers to the ability of a smartphone to maximise its performance while minimising power consumption.
Calculated using Battery Life and Battery Capacity and expressed in "Leaves", it reflects a rating between 1 being the least and 5 being the most power efficient.
How power efficient is the Sony Xperia 10 IV?
The Sony Xperia 10 IV was awarded 1 out of 5 as a smartphone battery efficiency score. This matches the Realme Narzo 50 when tested for battery efficiency, although the Nothing Phone 1 did achieve a higher rating.
Comparison of Smarsmartphone'shones in the Mid Tier
As the Sony Xperia 10 IV and the Nothing Phone 1 use the latest Snapdragon processors, they help to provide more power efficiency. With a smaller battery, the Nothing Phone 1 is the most power-efficient with a 1.5 rating, above the Sony Xperia 10 IV and Realme Narzo 50.
All smartphone chipsets, including the Mediatek Helio G96 processor for the Realme Narzo 50 designed for gaming, deliver high performance while consuming minimal power to optimise system resources for improved efficiency.
Manufacturers are continuously making minor improvements to balance smartphone performance and energy efficiency. These include the management of background processes and improved app organisation, which enhance resource allocation so power consumption can be minimised.
Other smartphone Battery Efficiency results can be viewed as ViserMark Labels in the Smartphone Ranking Table.
Annual Energy Consumption
ViserMark is pleased to offer a new label providing a smartphone's Annual Energy Consumption. The calculation is typically based on several factors, including the smartphone model, battery capacity, usage patterns, and charging habits. Although challenging, specific testing criteria are measured using real-life scenarios and live networks to reflect usage accurately.
How much energy does the Sony Xperia 10 IV use?
The ViserMark calculations show the Sony Xperia 10 IV would use 3.2 kWh per Annum. The Nothing Phone 1, when tested, used 3 kWh and the Realme Narzo 50 slightly more with 3.6 kWh.
A smartphone's battery capacity plays a significant role in determining energy consumption. Devices with larger batteries of 5000 mAh, like the Sony Xperia 10 IV and Realme Narzo 50, tend to consume more energy than the Nothing Phone 1, which has a smaller battery because it stores more energy.
Comparison of Smartphones in the Mid Tier
Daily activities greatly influence energy consumption. For instance, frequent use of power-intensive apps, heavy gaming, or prolonged video streaming can drain the battery faster, resulting in higher energy consumption. Conversely, conservative usage and enabling power-saving features can reduce energy consumption.
Through ViserMark's battery performance testing protocol, end-users can see an objective benchmark across all devices on their smartphone's expected annual electricity consumption.
Other smartphones' Annual Energy Consumption results can be viewed as ViserMark Labels in the Smartphone Ranking Table.
Should I buy it?
The Sony Xperia 10 IV has many standout features worth considering as the next smartphone purchase. It boasts exceptional water resistance, a dedicated telephoto camera and excellent battery life, making it a reliable choice for users who prioritise these features.
Furthermore, this phone is sleek in design and delivers a smooth overall user experience having a snappy performance and a high-quality 6-inch AMOLED display. However, there are a few drawbacks for the Sony Xperia 10 IV: the slow refresh rate and lack of a camera system compared to other smartphone competitors.
The Sony Xperia 10 IV still represents a significant improvement over previous Xperia smartphones of the past. Its ease of use and affordable price make it an attractive smartphone choice for those seeking an over-around functional device that delivers.
Product Features and Specification
Release Date June 2022
colours
Extra Insights
Q: Does the Sony Xperia 10 IV support 5G?
A: Yes, it does
Q: Does the Sony Xperia 10 IV have a headphone jack?
Q: Does the Sony Xperia 10 IV support wireless charging?
Q: Does the Sony Xperia 10 IV have dual-SIM capabilities?
Q: What storage and RAM variants are the Sony Xperia 10 IV available?
Q: Does the Sony Xperia 10 IV have stereo speakers?
Q: Does the Sony Xperia 10 IV have a microSD card slot?
Q: Is the Sony Xperia 10 IV have VoLTE enabled?
ViserMark tests are performed with the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered and automated by SmartViser’s test automation solution viSer. The automation test includes a variety of user actions, from calls to social media and periods omes.
VCX (Valued Camera eXperience)
The VCX Forum has been working with its members on the system and infrastructure as a non-profit organisation. We strive to improve our technology to develop and exchange accurate and objective quality and performance indicators that are our ultimate goal. We will also serve as a compass for the smartphone camera industry. We appreciate your interest in VCX-Forum.
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Background
The Sony Group Corporation was founded in May 1946, and its Headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group consists of the following segments: Game & Network Services, Music, Pictures, Entertainment Technology & Services (Mobile Communications/Imaging Products & Solutions/Home Entertainment & Sound), Imaging & Sensing Solutions, Financial Services, and All Other businesses.
While Sony smartphones may not have as prominent a market presence as some other brands, they are known for their unique features, sleek designs, and emphasis on audio-visual technologies.
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