Sony’s budget mobile performs better than its price suggests
Sony’s current lineup of smartphones is centred around the creation and consumption of media first and foremost. The range includes 4K resolution, OLED displays with a 21:9 aspect ratio and HDR support, while keeping the 3.5mm headphone port alive. But what happens when you have to start cutting back on features to make devices such as these more accessible?
The Xperia 10 IV answers this question with pared back specification, a lower-quality screen and a plastic build that reduces the price significantly. However, despite this entry level Xperia cutting some corners, it still manages to provide the essence of what Sony is trying to achieve – providing a cinematic experience that fits into your pocket.
The Xperia 10 IV is priced at a very reasonable £429 and the good news here is that the Xperia 10 IV undercuts its bigger and pricier siblings, and quite significantly so. The Xperia 5 IV is the next step up in the lineup, and that retails for £949, which is quite the jump. Beyond even that is the stunning Xperia 1 IV, which will set you back £1299.
For the Xperia 10 IV’s price you get a specification that includes 128GB of internal storage, 6GB of RAM, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor and 5G support. It is worth noting that storage can be upgraded down the line via an SD card. In use, the Sony doesn’t exactly struggle with these specs, but there is a little bit of stutter at times.
The Xperia 10 IV features a plastic shell, which is a clear departure from the aluminium and glass construction of the Xperia 1 IV – this is of course a cost-saving measure from Sony. It doesn’t look or feel too cheap in the hand, though, and a matt rear plastic panel emulates the frosted glass rear of the 1 IV to some extent. This plastic build also keeps the 10 IV light, coming in at just 161g. Even with a 6in display, the Xperia also feels like a compact device.
It does feature a surprisingly small camera housing that neatly tucks the triple camera arrangement away, meaning that the Xperia sits almost flush to any surface it’s laid on and doesn’t wobble or rock around. Elsewhere on the device you will find a combination lock button and fingerprint sensor that performs reliably, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack – something Sony remains steadfast on including despite many other companies having ditched the port years ago.
It’s safe to say that the Xperia 10 IV doesn’t feature the most elaborate construction, but its slim and understated build certai
