Sony always surprises users with its smartphone products, although it does not focus too much on commercial factors when its products are often expensive compared to the actual configuration. However, what makes a Sony phone is not the configuration but the unique qualities and experiences it brings. The Sony Xperia 10 VI review reveals that the device is no exception, highlighting its features.
Sony Xperia 10 VI does not bring too many changes in design but impresses with the innovation of the rear camera cluster, which is somewhat more unique and personal.
Sony Xperia 10 VI Review
Unboxing
The Xperia 10 VI box, like the Xperia 10 V, is crafted from recycled cardboard. The exterior features the Xperia 10 VI product name and the Sony logo. To reduce packaging, Sony excludes a charger and charging cable from the box.
It comes in three attractive Black, Blue, and White colors, and our Sony Xperia 10 VI review unit is in Blue.
Design
Although not Sony’s flagship, the Sony Xperia 10 VI still has a sophisticated look with a plastic frame. It is designed with a plastic frame and back, combined with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front. The product is meticulously crafted and meets IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance standards, ensuring safe use in all environmental conditions.
The first special feature to mention is the dual speaker cluster located at the top and bottom of the screen, an unmistakable feature of the Xperia line.
The smooth back of the Xperia 10 VI is engraved with the NFC logo near the camera cluster, the Sony logo in the center, and the Xperia logo near the bottom edge. This is a delicate arrangement, bringing a sense of harmony and balance. The Xperia 10 VI does not follow the multi-lens trend, featuring only two rear lenses. However, it matches the back color, creating a seamless and aesthetic look.
The Sony Xperia 10 VI maintains its signature elongated shape and 21:9 screen ratio, preserving the Xperia line’s unique traits. Ignoring the unremarkable design, the device feels great to hold and use.
The device features beveled flat edges with a matte finish and slightly curved corners, creating a harmonious and sturdy design. The matte back of the Xperia 10 VI also contributes significantly to the comfortable grip experience and effective anti-fingerprint.
The top includes a microphone and a 3.5mm audio port, typical of the Xperia 10 Series and Xperia smartphones.
The SIM tray on the left has a small, easy-to-remove slot, a user-friendly feature I appreciate from Sony.
The right side of the device features the volume buttons and a power key with an integrated fingerprint sensor. The bottom edge of the Xperia 10 VI is where the second recording microphone and USB-C charging port are located.
Display
Sony Xperia 10 VI has a 6.1-inch OLED screen with FHD + resolution (2,520 x 1,080 pixels). A quick experience shows that the Xperia 10 VI screen brings vivid colors, and high detail and is quite pleasing to the eye. However, the limitation is that the screen only has a 60Hz refresh rate, lower than other competitors in the same price range.
Camera
The Sony Xperia 10 VI has removed the telephoto camera that appeared on the Xperia 10 V, instead, it combines a 48 MP main camera with PDAF and OIS, along with an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. This design brings minimalism but still ensures image quality and versatility in shooting situations.
The rear camera of the Xperia 10 VI supports 4K video recording at 30FPS and 1080P up to 120FPS, providing users with numerous video recording options, from high-resolution footage to smooth motion scenes at high frame rates. I rate the photo quality as quite good, however, the image is a bit dark but still ensures sharpness.
On the front, the Xperia 10 VI features a single 8 MP camera that supports HDR, allowing for selfies with harmonious colors and good contrast. The front camera also supports 1080P video recording, but unfortunately only at 30FPS.
Performance
Sony has refreshed the Xperia 10 series by switching to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip from Qualcomm, after two generations of loyalty to the Snapdragon 695. The manufacturer uses a 4nm process to produce this new chip. It features ARM Cortex-A78 cores running at up to 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. Notably, the Adreno 710 GPU equips the Sony Xperia 10 VI, promising significant improvements in graphics performance and battery life. This upgrade ensures a more seamless entertainment and work experience for users.
Additionally, the Sony Xperia 10 VI comes with 8 GB of RAM and offers up to 128 GB of internal memory. This configuration allows the device to manage multiple tasks smoothly and offers ample storage space for documents, applications, images, and videos.
Battery life
We’ve reached the end of our Sony Xperia 10 VI review. Notably, the 5,000 mAh battery in the device delivers one to two days of usage, depending on how intensively you use it. Although this is a fairly common battery capacity in the segment, when combined with the power-saving efficiency of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip, users can comfortably perform daily activities without worrying about running out of battery.
However, Sony did not announce the actual charging speed of the Xperia 10 VI. I tried charging it with a standard 30W charger and the device fully charged in about 2 hours.
Should I buy a Sony Xperia 10 VI?
Sony Xperia 10 VI is still a notable phone in the segment with a unique Sony design, high-end IP68 water and dust resistance, a large 5000mAh battery capacity in a compact body, as well as a dual speaker system and Hi-Res audio technology, providing an excellent audio-visual experience.
However, the Xperia 10 VI’s drawbacks include its relatively high price concerning its specifications. It only stops at the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip, a popular choice in the low-cost and mid-range segments. On the other hand, the device lacks a high refresh rate, which is now standard in most phones.
Investing in the Sony Xperia 10 VI is a good choice for those who value durability and high-quality sound. However, if you seek a device with superior performance and modern features, you might want to explore other options that better fit your needs and budget. You can buy the Sony Xperia 10 VI for £349 on Amazon.co.uk and $382 on Amazon.com.
