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Our Sony Xperia 10 VI Review

Most thought the Xperia range to be of smartphones past, but instead, Sony have quietly worked on and delivered a stellar new range of devices that have the capabilities of rivalling the likes of Samsung and Google.

With the latest Xperia VI range, more specifically the 10 VI in this case, Sony has created a device that is most ideal for the content-heavy phone users.

Sony Xperia 10 VI: Display

A feature in which the 10 VI excels in, it boasts a 6.1 inch OLED screen with 1080 x 2520 resolution and a pixel density of 449ppi. This helps deliver a crisp and colourful picture, which if you are fond of watching videos and movies/shows on your phone, you’d love this.

It does only support HDR and not HDR10 like most top devices and is limited to 60Hz refresh rate rather than the recognised standard 120Hz, but what must be remembered about the Xperia 10 VI is that this is Sony’s budget/entry-level smartphone. The best specs are saved for its more expensive counterparts.

And for what it’s worth, many people have been so impressed with its visuals that it’s been claimed as the most cinematic phone for the money.

Sony Xperia 10 VI: Camera

Sony is known for their cameras and photography, providing some of the best equipment available. For the Xperia 1 VI, Sony developed outstanding camera quality that puts the device in the upper echelon of photography-heavy smartphones.

Unfortunately, that’s a downside of the 10 VI as the lower cost does come with a lacking camera setup.

The three lens design on the 10 V has been scrapped in favour of just two lenses, opting to bin off the 8MP telephoto lens but retaining the 48MP main and 8MP ultrawide lenses.

This isn’t to say that the 10 VI is inherently bad when it comes to taking photos, but if you enjoy taking high quality images and a wide suite of photo editing software, this isn’t the device for you.

Sony Xperia 10 VI: Design

Sony went for a unique design for the Xperia range, making them thinner in width while keeping to the same length and depth as direct comparison devices like the Samsung Galaxy A55.

That thinner design leads to a different feel when in the hand. Nothing crazy or anything, but could take some getting used to. It’s a difference of only around 10mm, but it certainly is noticeable, even when simply looking at the device.

When compared with its predecessor, the 10 VI does weigh more - albeit a miniscule 5g more, but more nonetheless.

As for the actual build and durability, it features a glass front with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the same brand used by practically all smartphones, but has a plastic frame and back, which may put some people off due to the slightly cheaper feel.

It has an IP65/IP68 dust and water rating, which will allow it to be submerged up to 1.5m for 30 minutes.

Sony Xperia 10 VI: Performance

The Xperia 10 V had some performance issues due to the lesser Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset. Sony has addressed those issues in the 10 VI by fitting it with the improved Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset. Still not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in many top end devices such as the Xperia 1 VI, but an upgrade still.

The improved chipset allows for a more seamless experience with less stuttering that was found on its predecessor.

Sony also improved on the RAM front, upping it from 6GB to 8GB for better compatibility with the improved chipset.

As for battery life, this is one of the main features Sony likes to highlight for the device, as with its mega 5000mAh battery, they claim it gives it two days of battery life.

Sony Xperia 10 VI: Features

The Xperia 10 VI uses the standard Android OS, running the latest Android 14 which gives it access to some of Google’s latest AI features, such as Magic Eraser for photo editing and Gemini assistant.

It is said that the Xperia 10 VI will support the next three major Android system updates at the minimum.

The real showoff feature about Sony phones is the audio quality, which is positively unmatched compared to other rival devices, even on the 10 VI.

The front stereo speakers that are found on the top and bottom of the device are improved from the 10 V and are unlike any other device, producing a sound quality that rivals a standard Sony speaker.

For those that prefer a wired connection, the good news is the 10 VI still has the now old-school high quality 3.5mm headphone jack.

If you’d rather a wireless connection, it has the latest Bluetooth connectivity capabilities and audiophile-quality materials and components to deliver sensational sound quality on your compatible headphones and earphones.

Immerse yourself in your music with 360 Reality Audio and 360 Reality Audio Upmix, both of which are capable of bringing unparalleled sound. Then there’s DSEE Ultimate, which works via AI to enhance the overall quality of every track.

How much is the Sony Xperia 10 VI?

As mentioned at various points throughout the review, the Sony Xperia 10 VI is the budget-friendly, entry level smartphone in Sony’s flagship line. It packs a punch while not burning a hole in your pocket.

The Sony Xperia 10 VI is available with one storage option (128GB) and a starting price of £349 (on release).

Sony Xperia 10 VI: Our verdict

This is genuinely one of the most impressive budget-friendly devices available. It may seem like a rogue choice, but in reality you know that you’re getting a great device at a fraction of the price of the major brands’ flagship offerings.