Sony Xperia 10 IIIvsZTE Blade A34

Sony Xperia 10 III

ZTE Blade A34

Sony Xperia 10 III

The Sony Xperia 10 III is a mid-range smartphone that looks almost identical to its predecessor, the X10 Mark II. The device features a 6-inch OLED screen with a tall 21:9 aspect ratio and a 1080p resolution, protected by Gorilla Glass 6. However, the display's brightness is on the lower side, making it less ideal for use in sunny conditions. The phone has a single front-facing speaker, which, although decent, lacks presence and is best paired with a second speaker for a stereo setup. The audio quality is average, with some noticeable low-end and mids that lack definition. One of the notable upgrades of the Xperia 10 III is its larger battery, which provides excellent battery life, scoring 137 hours in our tests. However, charging speed is slow, taking half an hour to reach just 20% with the provided 7.5W charger. The camera setup on the Xperia 10 III consists of a 12MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto camera. While daytime shots from the main camera are adequate for the class, they often come out underexposed. The ultra-wide lens produces good-quality shots with excellent detail and dynamic range. However, low-light performance is lacking, with shots from the main camera being underexposed and soft. The phone's selfie camera is unremarkable, producing muted colors and limited fine detail. Video recording capabilities are decent, but 4K footage can be soft and has an average dynamic range. Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 III offers a compact and lightweight design with IP-rated water resistance, as well as a versatile camera setup. However, its display is not the brightest, charging speed is slow, and it faces competition from other mid-range smartphones that offer better features at similar prices.

ZTE Blade A34

The ZTE Blade A34 is an affordable smartphone that promises a decent Android experience without breaking the bank. With its 5,000mAh battery, octa-core processor, and 6-inch display, it's designed to provide a reliable daily driver for those on a tight budget. However, with such a low price point, compromises have been made - and we're not just talking about performance. In this review, we'll explore whether the Blade A34 is worth considering as your next phone, or if its limitations make it better suited for specific use cases.