The Sony Xperia 10 II (often referred to as the “Sony Xperia 10 Mark II”) is part of Sony’s mid-range lineup for 2020. It builds upon the foundation set by the Xperia 10 and aims to offer a balanced smartphone experience at a more affordable price point compared to the flagship Xperia 1 II. Here’s an in-depth review of the Sony Xperia 10 II:
Overview:
Introduced in 2020, the Xperia 10 II is Sony’s mid-range offering, emphasizing a premium design, a decent camera setup, and a focus on multimedia consumption with its 21:9 aspect ratio display.
Features:
- Operating System: Shipped with Android 10, upgradable to later versions.
- Display: 6.0-inch OLED with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665.
- Memory: 4 GB RAM with 128 GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
- Camera: Triple rear camera setup – 12 MP primary sensor, 8 MP telephoto lens, and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. The front camera is an 8 MP shooter.
- Battery: 3600 mAh non-removable battery with USB Type-C charging.
- Other Features: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, IP65/IP68 dust/water resistance, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Pros:
- 21:9 Display: The unique aspect ratio offers a different viewing experience, especially for movies and multitasking.
- Water and Dust Resistance: IP65/IP68 rating is a welcome feature, especially in the mid-range segment.
- Camera Versatility: The triple camera setup offers versatility in shooting with primary, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses.
- Design: The device offers a sleek and premium design, reminiscent of Sony’s flagship devices.
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Retaining the headphone jack provides flexibility for users who prefer wired audio.
Cons:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 665 is a decent mid-range chipset, but it might not handle heavy tasks or gaming as smoothly as some of the more powerful chipsets.
- Camera Performance: While the hardware offers versatility, the image processing might not be on par with some competitors in the same price range.
- No Wireless Charging: Given the glass back, some users might have expected wireless charging, but it’s absent in this model.
Comparisons to Other Technologies:
In its price bracket, the Xperia 10 II faced competition from:
- Samsung Galaxy A51: Offering a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 9611, and a quad-camera setup.
- Moto G8 Plus: Featuring a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 665, and a triple camera system.
- Realme 6: With its 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, MediaTek Helio G90T, and a quad-camera setup.
Launch Date:
The Sony Xperia 10 II was announced in February 2020.
Common Issues/Problems:
- Software Updates: Some users reported slow or infrequent software updates from Sony for this model.
- Camera Software: While the camera hardware is versatile, some users felt that the software could benefit from further refinements, especially in terms of image processing and low-light performance.
Conclusion:
The Sony Xperia 10 II is a balanced mid-range offering that brings some of the premium features from Sony’s flagship lineup, like the 21:9 display and water/dust resistance, to a more affordable price point. While it does make some compromises in terms of performance and camera software, it offers a unique package in the mid-range segment, especially for those who prioritize multimedia consumption and a sleek design.