Sony Xperia 10 V review
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark V is a compact mid-range phone that stands out from its competitors with its unique form factor and focus on battery life. The device features a slightly larger 6.1-inch OLED display compared to its predecessor, with a 1080p resolution and a tall 21:9 aspect ratio. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, but unfortunately, it only has a 60Hz refresh rate. One of the standout features of this phone is its battery life, which earned an impressive 175 hours in our endurance tests. The device also boasts IP65 and IP68 water resistance, stereo speakers with good loudness and clean sound, and a side-mounted fingerprint reader for quick unlocking. However, the Xperia 10 Mark V's performance falls short due to its use of a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, which lags behind other mid-range phones. This results in some slowdowns and stutters during day-to-day tasks and gaming. The camera setup includes a new 48-megapixel main cam, an 8-megapixel telephoto zoom, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. While the main cam captures decent photos with good detail and natural colors, it often struggles in low light conditions. The telephoto cam performs well for 2x zoom photos, but the ultra-wide camera's photos are generally underexposed. Overall, the Xperia 10 Mark V offers a unique compact design and impressive battery life, making it worth considering for those who don't prioritize high-performance specs or advanced cameras. However, users looking for more powerful options will likely find better alternatives in this price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark V is a compact mid-ranger that boasts some impressive features, but its build quality and design are worth a closer look. On the surface, the phone's body is made of plastic, just like its predecessor. However, despite this, it feels surprisingly solid in the hand. The device's dimensions have increased slightly, with a taller 6.1-inch OLED display that offers a 21:9 aspect ratio and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The phone's design has a subtle premium feel to it, with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. While some may find the overall shape and size of the device unremarkable, others will appreciate its compact form factor. One notable addition is the inclusion of IP65/IP68 Ingress Protection, a feature that is not often seen in mid-range devices. This suggests that Sony has taken steps to make the Xperia 10 Mark V more resilient to dust and water ingress. The phone's weight is surprisingly light, coming in at just 159 grams. While this may be a plus for some users, others may find it too lightweight or insubstantial. Overall, the build quality and design of the Sony Xperia 10 Mark V are unobjectionable but not particularly noteworthy either. The device feels solid and compact, with a good balance of weight and size. However, it's unlikely to win any design awards or set hearts racing in this regard. Still, if you're looking for a well-built mid-range phone that won't break the bank, the Xperia 10 Mark V is worth considering. * Solid build quality * Compact form factor * Good balance of weight and size * IP65/IP68 Ingress Protection * Plastic body may feel too lightweight to some users * Design is unremarkable but not particularly bad either
Battery Life
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark V boasts an impressive battery life that's sure to please even the most discerning users. With its massive 5000mAh power cell, this compact mid-ranger can easily last for days without needing a recharge. In our extensive testing, the Xperia 10 Mark V earned an incredible endurance rating of 175 hours, putting it among the top battery-life performers in its class. We were able to charge the phone from 0 to 37 percent in just half an hour, which may not be the most impressive feat but is still a respectable turnaround time. The combination of a power-efficient chipset and a large-capacity battery results in a device that can easily handle heavy usage without batting an eyelid. Whether you're a social media junkie, a gamer, or someone who just likes to stay connected, the Xperia 10 Mark V's battery life is unlikely to disappoint. One of the most impressive aspects of the battery performance is its ability to maintain juice even when pushed to its limits. We subjected the device to prolonged stress tests, and it still managed to deliver an impressive level of battery life. Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 Mark V's battery life is a major strength that sets it apart from other mid-range devices in this price bracket.
Display
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark V boasts an impressive display that sets it apart from its mid-range counterparts. The phone features a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. While the resolution is limited to 1080p, the display's contrasty nature and support for HDR video make up for this. The max brightness of the screen has been improved, reaching a respectable 620 nits in manual mode and boosting up to nearly 950 nits when in auto mode under direct sunlight. This ensures that the display remains visible even in bright conditions. One notable omission from the phone's display is the lack of a high refresh rate. At just 60Hz, it may not offer the same level of smoothness as competitors with higher refresh rates. However, this shouldn't be a deal-breaker for those who value battery life and don't require the most demanding visual experiences. The panel itself is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, providing an added layer of protection against scratches and drops. Overall, the display on the Xperia 10 Mark V is a strong point, offering good color accuracy, decent viewing angles, and sufficient brightness to make it suitable for everyday use. While not perfect, the display on this mid-range phone holds its own against more expensive flagships, making it a great option for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed device without breaking the bank.
Camera
The camera is an essential feature for any smartphone, and the Sony Xperia 10 Mark V does not disappoint. However, it's not without its limitations. The primary camera features a new 48-megapixel sensor, which is an improvement over the previous model. But, due to pixel binning, photos are captured at a default resolution of 12 megapixels. Despite this, image quality is decent, with good detail and natural colors. The dynamic range is generally good, but portrait shots can be improved. One notable issue with the main camera is its performance in low-light conditions. Photos often come out underexposed, with dark shadows and a lack of detail. However, enabling night shooting mode helps to brighten up the frame, reduce noise, and apply some sharpening. This feature is a welcome addition, but it's not enough to make up for the main camera's limitations in low-light situations. The 8-megapixel telephoto camera with two times zoom is another story altogether. Photos are nicely sharp and detailed, with good dynamic range and natural-looking colors. However, like the main camera, they can be underexposed in low light, and night shooting mode helps to brighten things up. The dynamic range of 1080p zoomed videos from this camera is also decent. The 8-megapixel ultrawide camera captures good photos with a decent level of detail and good dynamic range. Colors match the main camera's well in low-light conditions, but night shooting mode helps to brighten things up further and contain light sources. Selfies taken with the front-facing 8-megapixel camera have plenty of detail and natural-looking colors. The dynamic range is reasonably wide, and exposure is dependable. In conclusion, while the camera on the Sony Xperia 10 Mark V has its strengths, it also falls short in some areas. The main camera struggles in low-light conditions, and the lack of high refresh rate video recording for all cameras is a disappointment. However, the telephoto and ultrawide cameras do well in their respective roles. If you're considering purchasing this phone, be aware that the camera might not meet your expectations, especially in low-light situations.
Price and Value
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark V is a compact mid-range smartphone that stands out from the crowd with its unique form factor and focus on battery life. While it may not be the most powerful device in its price range, it offers excellent value for money. The Xperia 10 Mark V is priced at around $400, making it an attractive option for those looking for a compact mid-range smartphone without breaking the bank. In comparison to other devices in this price range, the Xperia 10 Mark V offers impressive specs, including a large OLED display and long-lasting battery life. Considering its price point, the Xperia 10 Mark V delivers excellent value for money. The device's compact size, lightweight design, and impressive battery life make it an ideal choice for those who want a phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle without weighing them down. While the Xperia 10 Mark V may not be the most powerful smartphone on the market, its price point and feature set make it a compelling option for those looking for a reliable mid-range device. The addition of stereo speakers, a brighter screen, and impressive battery life further enhance its value proposition. Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 Mark V is a solid choice for anyone seeking a compact mid-range smartphone with long-lasting battery life without sacrificing too much in terms of performance. Its price point and feature set make it an excellent value for money, making it a great option for those who want a reliable device that won't break the bank.
Performance
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark V's performance is somewhat underwhelming, with its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset struggling to keep up with the demands of modern smartphones. While it's capable of handling everyday tasks without too much issue, more demanding activities like gaming can cause noticeable slowdowns and stutters. In our stress tests, the thermal management system left a lot to be desired, leading to dips and spikes in performance that can result in issues while gaming or running resource-intensive apps. The performance gap between this device and its competitors is considerable, making it feel like an older model when compared to more recent releases. Despite its lackluster performance, the Xperia 10 Mark V's chipset does have one redeeming quality: power efficiency. This allows the phone to make the most of its large 5000mAh battery, providing some of the best battery life we've seen on a phone yet. The endurance rating of 175 hours in our proprietary tests is a testament to this. However, it's worth noting that you won't get much else besides the phone itself with a proper adapter. Charging from 0-37% in half an hour feels unimpressive given the battery size and power efficiency. Overall, while the Xperia 10 Mark V's performance may not be its strongest suit, its focus on battery life makes it still worth considering for those who value longevity above all else.
Pros
1. Excellent Battery Life: The Xperia 10 V has some of the best battery life we've seen on a phone, earning an incredible endurance rating of 175 hours in our proprietary tests.
2. Stellar Display: The phone boasts a 6.1-inch OLED display with a tall 21x9 aspect ratio and Gorilla Glass Victus protection, offering good brightness (up to 620 nits) and HDR video support.
3. Stereo Speakers: The Xperia 10 V features front-facing stereo speakers that deliver good loudness and clean sound with nice mids and highs.
4. Ingress Protection: The phone has IP65/IP68 ingress protection, which is a rare feature in the mid-range segment.
5. Good Cameras: While not exceptional, the cameras on the Xperia 10 V take decent photos with good detail, natural colors, and adequate subject separation.
Cons
1. Underpowered Chipset: The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset is underwhelming, leading to slowdowns and stutters in day-to-day tasks and gaming.
2. No High Refresh Rate: The display has a mere 60Hz refresh rate, which can be a drawback for those who value smooth visuals.
3. Limited Camera Capabilities: While the cameras are good, they're not great, with limited features and video recording capabilities (maxing out at 1080p).
4. No Charger in Box: The phone doesn't come with a charger or other accessories, which is disappointing considering its price point.