Sony Xperia 10 VIvsSamsung Galaxy S21 5G

Sony Xperia 10 VI
#560
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen1
RAM:8 GBGB
Storage:128 GBGB

Quick Stats

The Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6's battery life falls short of expectations, with slow charging times too.
The Sony Xperia 10 Mark 6's display is decent but unremarkable, lacking high refresh rate and HDR support features.
Sony's decision to remove manual mode is the most notable drawback of the Xperia 10 Mark 6's camera system.
The Sony Xperia 10 VI's performance is decent but lags behind others in graphics processing power and stress tests.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#229
Winner
Processor:Samsung Exynos 2100
RAM:8 GBGB
Storage:128 GBGB

Quick Stats

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G's 4000mAh battery with 25W fast charging ensures all-day endurance and efficient power management.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G’s 120Hz display delivers vibrant visuals, high brightness, and scratch-resistant durability for immersive use.
Triple-lens camera system with 8K video, 3x optical zoom, and AI enhancements delivers professional-grade versatility.
Exynos 2100 and 8GB RAM ensure seamless multitasking, 120Hz responsiveness, and efficient 5G performance.
Specifications Comparison
Specification
Sony Sony Xperia 10 VI
Samsung Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Model
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen1
Samsung Exynos 2100
CPU
4x2.2GHz Cortex A78 + 4x1.80GHz Cortex A55
1x Cortex, X1 2,91 GHz + 3x Cortex, A78 2,81 GHz + 4x Cortex, A55 2,21 GHz.
Type
Octa-Core
Octa-Core
Nanometer
4 nm
5 nm
Frequency
2,2 GHz
2,9 GHz
64 Bits
Yes
Yes
GPU
Adreno 710
ARM Mali-G78 MP14
RAM
8 GB
8 GB
Type
LPDDR4X RAM
RAM LPDDR5
Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
Type
UFS Storage
UFS Storage 3.1
SD slot
N/A
No
Fingerprint security
Yes, on the side
Yes, in screen
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Proximity sensor
Yes
Yes
Light sensor
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer sensor
Yes
Yes
Compass sensor
Yes
Yes
Gyroscope sensor
N/A
Yes
Barometer sensor
N/A
Yes
Hall sensor
Yes
Yes
Geomagnetic sensor
N/A
Yes
Audio
Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers
Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers
Antutu Score
512000
749100
Antutu Version
Antutu v10
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing
Overall performance better than 74% of devices
Overall performance better than 80% of devices
Cooling system
No
No
Gaming buttons
No
No
Extras
N/A
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Rankings
Connectivity
Sony Xperia 10 VI
#354
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#351
Winner
Design
Sony Xperia 10 VI
#131
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#7
Winner
Display
Sony Xperia 10 VI
#681
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#161
Winner
Performance
Sony Xperia 10 VI
#431
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#333
Winner
Battery
Sony Xperia 10 VI
#595
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#592
Winner
Camera
Sony Xperia 10 VI
#614
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#223
Winner

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Scores by Category
Pros and Cons

Sony Xperia 10 VI

Strengths

The phone has solid Ingress Protection with IP65 rating, which is a nice feature for a mid-ranger.
The speakers on the phone are louder than last year's model and deliver good sound quality with no distortion.
The battery life is quite competitive, with an active use score of almost 14 hours, although not as exciting as the previous model.
The phone has improved thermal management compared to last year's model, keeping performance relatively stable during stress tests.
The camera app is redesigned and simplified, making it easier to use.
The front-facing camera produces better detail definition than last year's model, even if skin tones don't come out natural.
The Ultra-wide camera captures great images with good level of detail, saturated colors, and more natural looking highlights in low light.
The phone has improved software support with a simplified camera app and better low-light performance.

Weaknesses

The display has a strong color shift, which might be a concern for some users.
The phone only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is lower than most other smartphones on the market today.
The main camera captures contrasty images with dark shadows and saturated colors that don't appear very natural, especially in low light.
The phone misses out on a telephoto camera, which might be a disappointment for some users who value zoom capabilities.
The phone doesn't come with a charger in the box, and charging is slow even with a proper adapter.
Low-light photos from the main camera have noticeably dark shadows and lack detailed colors, although they are better than last year's model.

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Strengths

Vibrant 120Hz display with HDR10+ and 1300 nits brightness for immersive visuals
Triple-lens rear camera system with 8K video, 3x optical zoom, and AI-enhanced modes
Powerful Exynos 2100 chipset and 8GB RAM for seamless multitasking and gaming
Premium build with IP68 water/dust resistance and lightweight, compact design
Future-proof 5G connectivity and reverse wireless charging for versatility
Efficient 4000mAh battery with 25W fast charging for all-day usage

Weaknesses

FHD+ resolution (vs. QHD+) may feel less sharp for some users
No expandable storage options (128GB/256GB fixed variants)
No included charger in the box, requiring a separate purchase
Lacks a headphone jack in certain regional variants
10MP front camera may not match the detail of the rear triple system
Read Full Reviews

Sony Xperia 10 VI

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.

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers vibrant display, powerful performance, and versatile camera for stunning photos. Compact design with buttery smooth 120Hz action. Elevate your mobile experience with effortless style.

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