Sony Xperia 10 IV Review: Compact Design, Powerful Features

The Xperia 10 IV blends compact design with powerful features, offering a lightweight body, triple-lens camera, and vibrant OLED display. Its all-day battery life and premium audio technologies make it a standout for users seeking durability, performance, and affordability in one package.

Design & Build: Compact, Comfortable, and Tough

The Xperia 10 IV strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality with its lightweight body weighing just 161g. The compact dimensions and matte or soft finishes in Lavender, Mint, Black, and White enhance its appeal. IP65/68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus make it durable for daily use.

Sony’s focus on one-handed usability shines through the hand-fit design, offering comfort without compromising on screen size. Despite its petite frame, the phone feels sturdy, ready to withstand the rigours of everyday life.

Display: Cinematic Visuals in a Small Package

The 6.0” OLED display offers a 21:9 aspect ratio, perfect for immersive media consumption. Sony’s TRILUMINOS technology enhances colours and contrast, delivering a vivid visual experience. With Full HD+ resolution, content is crisp, although the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated compared to competitors offering smoother scrolling at 90Hz or 120Hz.

Ideal for multi-tasking, its unique aspect ratio supports multi-window functionality. However, outdoor readability could be better in bright sunlight despite video optimisation features.

Performance: Efficient for Everyday Tasks

Powered by the Snapdragon 695, the Xperia 10 IV is efficient for routine tasks like browsing, media consumption, and light gaming. Paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage (expandable via microSDXC), it supports multitasking without hiccups.

5G connectivity ensures faster downloads and smoother streaming, though heavy gamers might find the performance underwhelming for intensive graphics. Its power efficiency, however, is a standout feature, enabling extended usage.

Camera: Versatile Triple-Lens Setup

The Xperia 10 IV boasts a triple-camera system: a 12MP wide lens, 8MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide. Sony’s image processing excels in delivering detail-rich photos under good lighting.

Night mode and Auto HDR elevate low-light photography, while OIS minimises blur. The 8MP front camera produces decent selfies, though it lacks the sharpness of competitors in the same price range. Video recording is reliable, with Optical SteadyShot reducing motion blur effectively.

Battery Life: Exceptional Longevity

With a robust 5,000mAh battery, the Xperia 10 IV provides over a day of use on a single charge. Adaptive charging technologies like Xperia Adaptive Charging and Battery Care ensure battery health over time.

Charging, however, is capped at 18W, which is slower compared to rivals offering up to 30W or 45W fast charging. Still, its efficient processor and optimised software stretch battery performance significantly.

Audio: Premium Listening Experience

Audiophiles will appreciate Hi-Res Audio support with both wired and wireless headphones. LDAC and 360 Reality Audio enhance the soundscape for immersive listening. DSEE Ultimate further improves audio quality by upscaling compressed tracks.

The stereo speakers deliver balanced audio, but their volume could be more powerful, particularly in noisy environments.

Verdict: Should You Buy the Xperia 10 IV?

Who It’s For?

Those seeking a compact, lightweight 5G phone with excellent battery life and versatile cameras.

Should You Buy It?

At £299, the Xperia 10 IV is a solid choice for everyday use, offering durability, great battery performance, and premium audio features. While it lacks some cutting-edge specs, its balance of price and features makes it compelling.

Final Rating

• Design & Build Quality: 4.5/5
• Display: 4.0/5
• Performance: 3.8/5
• Camera: 4.1/5
• Battery Life: 4.6/5
• Overall: 4.2/5