Sony Xperia 10 IV full review

Here is a detailed breakdown of the GSMArena Official Review of the Sony Xperia 10 IV.

Sony Xperia 10 IV. Source: Wongsakorn Napaeng / Getty Images

Overview

In this review, GSMArena takes a comprehensive look at the Sony Xperia 10 IV, a compact mid-range smartphone designed for users who prioritize battery longevity, single-handed ergonomics, and durable build quality.

Key Highlights & Specifications

Feature Details Video Timestamp

Design & Ergonomics Plastic back with matte finish, sharper edges, IP-rated waterproofing, lightweight build [00:23]

Battery & Charging 5,000 mAh battery, 163-hour endurance rating, slow 28% charge in 30 min

utes, no charger in box [00:56]

Processor & Hardware Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), 128GB expandable storage [01:36]

Display 6.0-inch 1080p OLED (21:9 aspect ratio), Gorilla Glass Victus, 60Hz refresh rate, peak brightness ~680 nits [02:09]

Audio & Biometrics 3.5mm headphone jack, single front-facing speaker, side-mounted fingerprint scanner [03:04]

Rear Cameras 12MP Main (OIS) + 8MP 2x Telephoto + 8MP Ultrawide [04:17]

Video Recording Max 1080p at 30fps (lacks 4K support due to chipset limitation) [06:40]

Detailed Breakdown

1. Build Quality & Design [00:23]

Unlike its predecessor (Xperia 10 III), which featured a glass back, the Ma

rk IV shifts to a plastic body. Despite the material change, it retains IP-rated dust and water resistance. The matte finish and defined frame edges improve overall hand grip. Sony managed to cram a larger 5,000 mAh battery into a chassis that is noticeably lighter and easier to navigate one-handed.

2. Class-Leading Battery Life [00:56]

Battery endurance is the standout feature of the Xperia 10 IV. In standard testing, mid-range smartphones average roughly 120 hours of battery life, but the Xperia 10 IV achieved an extraordinary 163-hour endurance rating. On the downside, charging speeds remain slow—a 65W USB Power Delivery adapter yie

lds only a 28% charge in 30 minutes, and Sony no longer includes a power brick or cable in the box.

3. Chipset & Performance [01:36]

Powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G, everyday UI navigation feels crisp and responsive. Synthetic benchmarks show incremental improvements over the Snapdragon 690. However, a notable trade-off of this chipset is the lack of 4K video recording, which was previously supported on the Mark III.

4. Display & Audio Capabilities [02:09]

Display: The 6-inch 1080p OLED panel features Sony’s signature 21:9 cinematic ratio without punch-hole cutouts, covered by Gorilla Glass Victus. Max brightness reaches around 680 ni

ts. Its primary shortcoming is the standard 60Hz refresh rate, which feels dated compared to high-refresh competition.

Audio: Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack [03:04]. The single front-facing speaker scored below average in loudness tests and lacks the warmth and stereo separation of dual-speaker setups.

5. Software Experience [03:37]

The phone runs a clean, near-stock Android 12 build paired with useful Sony productivity additions:

Multi-Window Switcher: Simplifies launching and splitting apps in two-window multitasking modes.

Side Sense: A side touch control bar offering fast shortcuts to preferred apps and split-screen pairs.

6. Came

ra Performance [04:17]

Main Sensor (12MP with OIS): Sharp daylight images with realistic colors, though dynamic range can occasionally clip highlights. Low-light photos show clear improvements over previous generations thanks to Optical Image Stabilization and Night Mode.

Telephoto (8MP 2x Optical): Delivers clean exposures and solid dynamic range during the day, outperforming typical digital zooms in this price category.

Ultrawide (8MP): Provides saturated colors and decent detail for daylight landscapes.

Front Camera (8MP) & Video: Front photos feature an AI "Sharpened Faces" toggle [06:19]. Video recording across all rear cameras is

limited to 1080p resolution [06:40].

Pros & Cons Summary [07:12]

Pros

Compact design with lightweight ergonomics

Exceptional 163h battery endurance rating

Full IP dust and water resistance rating

Dedicated 2x optical telephoto lens

Bright 21:9 OLED display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus

Cons

Locked to a 60Hz screen refresh rate

No 4K video recording capability

Charging speeds are very slow; no charger included in box

Single speaker with below-average volume

For full coverage, sample footage, and photos, check out the complete video on YouTube: Sony Xperia 10 IV full review.

Sony Xperia 10 IV full review

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