Tech Blog #179 | Sony Xperia 10 VI - Major Drawbacks are Still There...
The Sony Xperia 10 VI continues the tradition set by its predecessor, the Xperia 10 V, by maintaining a similar design and feature set while introducing several noteworthy upgrades. Physically, the phone keeps its slim, tall body with the same dimensions with 8.3mm thickness but has gained a few grams in weight, scaling at 164 g. It uses a mix of materials, including a plastic frame and back, with over 50% of the plastic parts being recycled or environmentally friendly, covered with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front. Inclusion of IP65/IP68 dust and water resistance is a plus point. Available in Black, White, and Blue, the Xperia 10 VI continues to offer its unique design code.
The display of the Xperia 10 VI remains a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, maintaining the FullHD+ resolution of 1080P, with a pixel density of 449 ppi. The screen supports HDR and Triluminos display technology, and though its refresh rate is still capped at 60Hz, it does deliver a slightly improved brightness compared to its predecessor, reaching 660 nits typical and 1,010 nits max auto brightness, making it more usable in outdoors.
Performance-wise, the Xperia 10 VI sees a significant upgrade with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, replacing the Snapdragon 695 used in previous models. But they could go for a much better one though. This new chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB, and 128GB of storage, expandable via microSDXC using a shared SIM slot. This hardware boost promises better overall performance and multitasking capabilities.
The camera setup includes a 48 MP main sensor with PDAF, and OIS, complemented by an 8 MP ultra-wide sensor with a 120-degree field of view. On the front, there's an 8 MP camera for selfies and video calls. Video capture capabilities are not top-notch, with the rear camera supporting only 1080p at 30/60/120fps with gyro-EIS and OIS, while the front camera handles 1080p at 30fps. No 4K recording here. The Sony Xperia 10 VI is missing out the 2X telephoto lens from predecessor which is a bummer.
Battery life has traditionally been a strong point for the Xperia 10 series, but charging speed is a big bummer. While the Xperia 10 VI doesn’t quite match its predecessor, it still offers commendable performance with a 5000mAh battery. It supports wired PD and QC charging, though the maximum rate appears to be around 21W. The Xperia 10 VI can charge to about 20% in 15 minutes, 36% in 30 minutes, with a full charge taking nearly two hours. Notably, the device includes a Battery Care feature designed to extend battery longevity by managing the charge levels.
Audio quality is enhanced with front-facing stereo speakers, offering improved loudness and dynamic range. The Xperia 10 VI includes features like 360 Reality Audio and DSEE Ultimate audio upscaling, enhancing the multimedia experience. Connectivity options are comprehensive, including 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, NFC, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Running on Android 14, the device also features a side-mounted fingerprint reader, which doubles as the power button.
The Sony Xperia 10 VI refines its predecessor's design and functionality with significant performance improvements and eco-friendly materials. However, the unchanged 60Hz refresh rate and slower charging speeds are notable drawbacks in a competitive mid-range market. Anyhow, its sturdy build, improved brightness, and audio capabilities make it an attractive choice for users who prioritize these features.