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No smartphone is as unique as the Sony Xperia 10 V. Unfortunately, “unique” and “good” are not interchangeable characteristics. Sony has been hitting the same rocks for years
No smartphone is as unique as the Sony Xperia 10 V. Unfortunately, “unique” and “good” are not interchangeable characteristics. Sony has been hitting the same rocks for years and is breaking out again with the Xperia 10 V.
If we put all twelve devices in our mass test of smartphones between 250 and 500 euros on the table with the screen turned off, we can only recognize one device immediately: the Sony Xperia 10 V. Sony is the only manufacturer to have decided on a 21:9 screen ratio, which means that the smartphone is narrower and higher than its colleagues.
In addition, the screen is clearly enclosed by the screen edges, which are certainly clearly visible at the top and bottom. Sony has been using this design language for more than a decade and we love it. There is a manufacturer on the market today that dares to be unique. The build quality is also excellent. The phone fits well in the hand and the matte plastic back feels comfortable and robust.
The Sony Xperia 10 V feels unique and a little retro, but not in a bad way. Unfortunately, the device is not very comfortable to use. The performance is immediately noticeable. Or better yet, the lack thereof. When we open the app slider, scroll through a website or open the Google Discover feed, we notice small glitches.
Although the chosen Qualcomm 695 5G is a solid mid-range, the chip does not manage to give the smartphone a fluid feel. In addition, this processor feels more at home in smartphones that are around a hundred euros cheaper. In our comparison test in the segment between 350 and 500 euros, there is no smartphone that can deliver worse values.
This also applies to graphics performance. We don’t include a drawing because otherwise the GPU in the chip of the Xperia 10 V could melt.
Despite these low numbers, the CPU is still powerful enough to power Android, so it can’t be solely responsible. It won’t be due to the (not overly bright) 6.1 OLED-inch screen (1,080 x 2,520 pixels). The refresh rate of 60 Hz is low for this price range, but does not explain the visible stuttering. We suspect that the optimization of the operating system is too limited. Although the shocks are not particularly noticeable, we cannot tolerate them on a smartphone with a current RRP of 379 euros.
We’re not crazy about the camera either. Although Sony makes fantastic camera sensors, the manufacturer has failed to do justice to these sensors in its own devices for years. Unfortunately, things are no different now.
In the Sony Xperia 10 V, you get a 48MP main camera, an 8MP zoom and an 8MP wide-angle rear camera. We miss the sharpness and clarity of the colors across the board. That’s not to say that Sony should oversaturate everything like some other manufacturers, but in this case the snapshots are a lot less graphic than reality.
Since the main camera is already disappointing, we have low expectations for the zoom and wide-angle cameras. Rightly so: the photos are simply not good enough for a device in this price range. In fact, in a blind test, the images from this Sony Xperia 10 V performed worse than the photos from almost all other devices in a lower price range.
If photos in daylight are disappointing, it is not surprising that the results at night are also unsatisfactory.
That’s a shame, because the power button on the side (which also serves as a fingerprint sensor) also allows quick access to the camera application. You can manually adjust many settings in this app. In combination with better cameras, the app would be worth a lot.
Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom. Sony does one thing very well. The chunky 5,000 mAh is a masterpiece. Maybe it’s due to the weak hardware of the Sony Xperia 10 V, but no other device lasts longer on one battery charge.
Unfortunately, this value also has a downside: there can be no question of fast charging here. Sony uses an almost medieval 20 watts, which means that it takes more than half an hour for the smartphone to be fully charged. In this price range, fast charging is no longer an exception and we find anything under 40 watts simply rude.
The bad news cycle is almost over, but not quite yet. Finally, we still have to communicate a very disappointing update policy. Sony only guarantees two years of operating system updates. The manufacturer is very quick with these updates. The Sony Xperia 10 V launched with Android 13 and now already has Android 14. Unfortunately, this means you only have one operating system update left. Three years of security updates is also very little.
The Sony Xperia 10 V makes us unhappy. The slim device feels good in the hand and has a unique design that we appreciate, but otherwise it feels unkempt. Poor performance, poor cameras, slow loading and a limited update policy: So we can’t really recommend this device. Only if the battery is an absolute top priority should you consider the Sony Xperia 10 V.
This short test is part of our comparative mass test of mid-range cell phones between 350 and 500 euros. Click Here for the other reviews.
The Sony Xperia 10 V is available in black, green, white and purple for 379 euros including VAT.
Android Update Policy: Sony guarantees at least two years of Android updates and three years of security updates for the Sony Xperia 10 V. The term started with the launch on June 21 last year.
Source: IT Daily
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
