Sony Xperia 10 VI review
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 is a compact mid-range phone that doesn't break new ground, but rather offers a generational refresh to the series. The most notable changes include a new chipset and a reduction in camera count from three to two. Design-wise, it's similar to its predecessor, with a lightweight and relatively tall and thin body. The display is a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 1080p resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. While it looks decent, it suffers from a strong color shift and maintains the same 60Hz refresh rate as before. The speakers, however, have improved in terms of volume and sound quality. The phone runs on Android 14 with some custom Sony features, such as multi-window mode and s sense, which allows for quick access to apps and features through a handle on the side of the screen. A notable upgrade is the ability to record 4K video using the main camera, but the quality still suffers from an overly contrasty look. The camera setup has been trimmed down, with a 48MP main cam and an 8MP Ultra-wide, but lacks features like manual mode and PR mode. Photos taken in good lighting are contrasty, while those in low light are more detailed and accurate in terms of color representation. Overall, the Xperia 10 Mark 6 is a solid mid-ranger with a unique compact form factor, commendable battery life, and improved software support. However, its display's strong color shift and 60Hz refresh rate may be a drawback for some users.
Build Quality and Design
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 is a compact mid-range phone that doesn't break the mold in terms of its design. In fact, it's more of a generational refresh for Sony's mid-range offering. The most significant changes you'll find here are a new chipset and actually one less camera on the back. The design of the Mark 6 is basically identical to that of the mark 5, with the phone being quite lightweight and relatively tall and thin due to the display's tall aspect ratio. Both the back and frame are made of plastic, just like last year's model. This may not be the most premium feel, but it's still a solid build quality for its price range. The Mark 6 brings IP65 i68 Ingress Protection rating, which is nice to have in a mid-ranger. The display is a 6.1-inch OLED with a 1080p resolution and a tall aspect ratio. While it gets the job done, the display has a strong color shift, which might be a turn-off for some users. In terms of design, the Xperia 10 Mark 6 is a compact phone that's easy to hold and use with one hand. The plastic back feels smooth to the touch, but it's not particularly premium or eye-catching. Overall, the design of the Mark 6 is a bit uninspired, but it still gets the job done as a mid-range device. In summary, the build quality and design of the Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 are unremarkable but solid for its price range. While it may not be the most premium feel, it's still a reliable phone that should last you for some time to come.
Battery Life
While the Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 has received praise in various areas, its battery life is somewhat of a letdown. The phone's 5,000mAh battery, which was one of the standout features of its predecessor, doesn't quite live up to expectations. In our testing, the Xperia 10 Mark 6 managed an active use score of around 14 hours, which is respectable but not particularly impressive. While it can still get through a full day of moderate use without needing a charge, users who are heavy phone users or engage in activities that drain battery life quickly (such as gaming) may find themselves needing to top up before the end of the day. Furthermore, charging times seem slow compared to other devices on the market. Our tests showed that the phone can go from 0-36% in just half an hour with a proper adapter, but it takes nearly two hours to reach full charge. This is somewhat disappointing given the size and capacity of the battery. Overall, while the Xperia 10 Mark 6's battery life is adequate, it doesn't quite match up to the standards set by its predecessor or some other devices in this price range.
Display
The display on the Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 is an interesting aspect of this mid-range device. While it's not breaking new ground in terms of innovation, it does offer a decent viewing experience. The 6.1-inch OLED screen features a 1080p resolution and a tall 21:9 aspect ratio, which is typical for Sony's compact smartphones. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, a durable glass that can withstand scratches and drops. However, the refresh rate remains at a standard 60Hz, which might be a letdown for some users who have come to expect higher refresh rates from modern smartphones. In terms of brightness, the Xperia 10 Mark 6 delivers up to 660 nits with manual adjustment and over 1,000 nits in auto mode. This is a welcome improvement over its predecessor, but it's still not exceptional compared to other devices on the market. One notable issue with the display is the strong color shift, which can be noticed when viewing content with vibrant colors or gradients. While this might not be a deal-breaker for some users, it does affect the overall visual experience and makes it less immersive than one would hope. HDR support is also absent from the Xperia 10 Mark 6's display, which further diminishes its appeal to those who value cinematic visuals. Overall, the display on the Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 is a decent but unremarkable aspect of this device. While it gets the job done, it doesn't particularly stand out in a market where higher refresh rates and better color accuracy are becoming increasingly common.
Camera
The camera setup on the Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6 has undergone some significant changes from its predecessor. Gone is the triple-camera arrangement, replaced by a more streamlined dual-camera system. The main camera now boasts a 48MP sensor, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. While the camera app has been simplified and redesigned, I couldn't help but feel that some features have been lost in the process. The most notable absence is the manual or pro mode, which was previously available to give users more control over their photography experience. Sony justifies this omission by suggesting that its AI can handle settings automatically, but as someone who values flexibility and creative expression, I find this decision disappointing. In terms of image quality, the Xperia 10 Mark 6's main camera produces contrasty photos with dark shadows and saturated colors. This results in images that don't quite feel natural, particularly when it comes to capturing greenery. The same sensor used on the previous model was expected to produce similar overall photo quality, but there are noticeable differences, especially in low-light conditions. One area where the Xperia 10 Mark 6 excels is in its ability to capture detailed low-light photos with more accurate color reproduction. However, these images still suffer from being overly contrasty, which can make shadows appear too dark. The ultra-wide-angle camera, on the other hand, has seen significant improvement. It produces great levels of detail and captures well-balanced colors without being over-contrasty. Low-light shots taken with this lens are also quite good, offering more detail definition than its predecessor. It's worth noting that the digital zoom function from the main camera is not as sharp as I had hoped, but it's serviceable in daylight conditions. The 8MP front-facing camera has seen a change in output compared to last year's model, and unfortunately, this change isn't for the better. Selfies lack natural skin tones and have limited dynamic range. Overall, while the Xperia 10 Mark 6's camera system has its strengths and weaknesses, it feels like Sony has taken a step back in terms of providing users with flexibility and creative control over their photography experience.
Price and Value
The Sony Xperia 10 VI is the latest mid-range offering from the Japanese tech giant, and it's hard to ignore its unique blend of features and compromises. Priced around $500, the phone promises a compact form factor, solid ingress protection, commendable speakers, and improved battery life. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the Xperia 10 VI is more of a generational refresh than a revolutionary update. The design remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, with the same plastic build and tall, thin profile. While this might appeal to fans of Sony's compact form factor, others might find it less desirable. One area where the Xperia 10 VI excels is in software support. Sony has committed to three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, which is more than what some flagships can offer. Additionally, the improved chipset provides a noticeable boost in performance and efficiency. But let's talk about the elephant in the room: value. For $500, you'd expect more from a mid-range phone. The display, while decent, suffers from a strong color shift and a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels outdated compared to the high-refresh-rate competition. The camera setup has been trimmed down to just two lenses, with the telephoto camera being replaced by a mere digital zoom. The price-to-performance ratio is where things get murky. While the Xperia 10 VI offers some commendable features, it's hard to justify its cost when more affordable options offer similar specs and better display quality. In conclusion, the Sony Xperia 10 VI feels like a middle-of-the-road option that tries to tick every box without truly excelling in any one area. If you're willing to settle for an average experience and don't mind the compromises, then perhaps this phone is worth considering. However, if you're on the lookout for something better, there are certainly other options available.
Performance
The Sony Xperia 10 VI is a compact mid-range phone that boasts a new chipset, but its performance doesn't necessarily live up to expectations. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor provides a decent upgrade over last year's model, but it still lags behind other mid-rangers in terms of graphics performance. In benchmarks, the Xperia 10 VI places around the middle of the pack, which is somewhat disappointing considering its price point. While it can handle daily tasks and some light gaming without any issues, it's not exactly a powerhouse. The thermal management has improved compared to last year's model, but stress tests still reveal some performance hiccups. One area where the Xperia 10 VI excels is in battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery, it manages an impressive 14 hours of active use time, which is quite competitive. However, charging times are somewhat slow, taking nearly two hours to reach full capacity from zero. In terms of overall performance, the Xperia 10 VI feels like a mid-range phone that's trying to punch above its weight class. While it gets some things right, such as improved software support and better battery life, it falls short in other areas, particularly when it comes to graphics processing power. If you're looking for a compact smartphone with good battery life and decent performance, the Xperia 10 VI might be worth considering. However, if you need more demanding performance or want a phone that can handle heavy gaming, you may want to look elsewhere.
Pros
1. The phone has solid Ingress Protection with IP65 rating, which is a nice feature for a mid-ranger.
2. The speakers on the phone are louder than last year's model and deliver good sound quality with no distortion.
3. The battery life is quite competitive, with an active use score of almost 14 hours, although not as exciting as the previous model.
4. The phone has improved thermal management compared to last year's model, keeping performance relatively stable during stress tests.
5. The camera app is redesigned and simplified, making it easier to use.
6. The front-facing camera produces better detail definition than last year's model, even if skin tones don't come out natural.
7. The Ultra-wide camera captures great images with good level of detail, saturated colors, and more natural looking highlights in low light.
8. The phone has improved software support with a simplified camera app and better low-light performance.
Cons
1. The display has a strong color shift, which might be a concern for some users.
2. The phone only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is lower than most other smartphones on the market today.
3. The main camera captures contrasty images with dark shadows and saturated colors that don't appear very natural, especially in low light.
4. The phone misses out on a telephoto camera, which might be a disappointment for some users who value zoom capabilities.
5. The phone doesn't come with a charger in the box, and charging is slow even with a proper adapter.
6. Low-light photos from the main camera have noticeably dark shadows and lack detailed colors, although they are better than last year's model.