Unveiling Sony Xperia 10 Plus Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Sony Xperia 10 Plus boasts a sophisticated and sleek design, aimed at users who appreciate both aesthetics and practicality. The phone's dimensions are 167 x 73 x 8.3 mm, and it weighs a comfortable 180 g. This makes it easy to handle despite the large screen size. The build quality is solid, with a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and a plastic back and frame that ensure durability while keeping the device lightweight.

Display

One of the standout features of the Sony Xperia 10 Plus is its 6.5-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels and a unique 21:9 aspect ratio, the display is designed to provide a cinematic viewing experience. The pixel density of approximately 422 ppi ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, making it a pleasure to watch movies and play games on this device. The screen-to-body ratio of about 81% maximizes the viewable area without increasing the phone's size excessively.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Xperia 10 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 chipset, built on a 14 nm process. It features an octa-core CPU comprising four 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores and four 1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, accompanied by an Adreno 509 GPU. This combination ensures smooth and efficient performance for everyday tasks and mid-range gaming. Users can choose between two configurations for RAM: 4GB or 6GB, both paired with 64GB of internal storage. Additionally, there is support for microSDXC, utilizing a shared SIM slot, to allow for storage expansion.

Camera

The camera system on the Xperia 10 Plus offers versatile photography capabilities. The dual rear camera setup includes a 12 MP f/1.8 primary sensor with wide-angle coverage, and an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom. With features like PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus), LED flash, HDR, and panorama, users can capture stunning photos in a variety of settings. Video recording options include 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps, ensuring high-quality video capture. The front-facing camera is a single 8 MP sensor capable of 1080p video, complemented by HDR for sharper selfies.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a 3000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, which should provide ample power for a day of moderate use. It supports 18W wired charging, with Power Delivery and Quick Charge 3.0 technology, ensuring the phone can be quickly recharged when needed. This capability is crucial for users who are frequently on the go and can’t afford long downtimes.

Operating System and Software

Out of the box, the Sony Xperia 10 Plus runs on Android 9.0 (Pie). This version of Android offers a smooth user experience with features like adaptive battery, adaptive brightness, and gesture navigation. Sony's own tweaks to Android help improve usability, adding unique applications and tools that enhance the user experience without overwhelming the system's stock interface.

Network and Connectivity

The Xperia 10 Plus supports a wide range of network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring broad compatibility with global networks. The device features hybrid dual SIM capability for users who need to manage multiple numbers. Connectivity options are comprehensive, with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, and GLONASS. Additionally, it includes a USB Type-C 2.0 port that supports OTG (On-The-Go), enhancing the device’s connectivity versatility.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio enthusiasts, the Xperia 10 Plus includes a 3.5mm audio jack, which is becoming a rarity in modern smartphones, allowing users to use their preferred wired headphones without the need for an adapter. The loudspeaker provides decent audio output, and thanks to aptX HD support, users can expect high-resolution audio streaming over Bluetooth.

Additional Features

The device incorporates several useful sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These add layers of security and functionality to the user experience. The device also includes FM radio, which some users may appreciate for streaming music or news.

Market Availability and Price

The Sony Xperia 10 Plus was announced in February 2019 and has been available since the end of that month. It is offered in several colors, including Black, Navy, Silver, and Gold, providing options to match personal style preferences. At an approximate price of 560 EUR, it’s positioned in the mid-range segment, appealing to consumers who seek an all-rounded device without reaching flagship pricing.

Performance Benchmarks

In performance testing, the Xperia 10 Plus scored 120573 on AnTuTu version 7 and 147163 on AnTuTu version 8. In GeekBench version 4.4, it registered a score of 4780, while version 5.1 saw a score of 1238. GFXBench records the device at 5fps on the ES 3.1 onscreen test, indicative of its mid-range gaming performance capabilities. The endurance rating is 78 hours, which should be sufficient for most users through a typical day.

Conclusion

Overall, the Sony Xperia 10 Plus is a well-rounded smartphone offering an appealing combination of design, display quality, and versatile camera options. With solid build quality and support for a wide range of connectivity technologies, it caters comfortably to both casual and demanding users. Its performance is adequate for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, and while the battery might not be among the largest, the efficient power management and fast-charging capabilities compensate for it. For those seeking a mid-range phone with a taste of premium features, the Xperia 10 Plus is a commendable choice.