Sony Xperia 10 VI: A Capable Mid-Ranger Gets an Upgrade

Sony has unveiled the latest iteration of its mid-range smartphone, the Xperia 10 VI. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Xperia 10 V, the 10 VI offers a familiar design with some notable upgrades under the hood.

Display and Design

The Xperia 10 VI retains the same 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. While the display technology itself isn't groundbreaking, OLED ensures excellent contrast levels and deep blacks. The phone maintains its signature 21:9 aspect ratio, offering a tall and narrow design that's comfortable to hold in one hand. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides protection against scratches and drops.

Performance and Software

The biggest upgrade comes in the form of the processor. The Xperia 10 VI ditches the Snapdragon 695 of its predecessor for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. This should provide a noticeable bump in performance for everyday tasks and even some light gaming. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is plenty for most users. Sony is known for its commitment to software updates, and the Xperia 10 VI is no exception. It ships with Android 14 and is guaranteed to receive two years of OS updates and four years of security updates.

Camera

The camera system on the Xperia 10 VI remains fairly basic. It features a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and an 8MP front-facing camera. While it may not compete with high-end flagships, it should be sufficient for capturing everyday moments.

Battery and Other Features

One of the strong points of the Xperia 10 series has always been battery life, and the Xperia 10 VI is no different. It packs a large 5000mAh battery that should easily last a full day on a single charge. The phone also supports 30W fast charging, which is a welcome improvement over the previous generation.

The Xperia 10 VI retains a number of features that are often missing from mid-range phones these days, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, IP68 water and dust resistance, and support for LDAC high-fidelity audio codecs for both wired and wireless listening.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony Xperia 10 VI is priced at €399/£349 (approximately $432/USD), making it a competitive option in the mid-range market. The phone is available in three colors: Black, White, and Blue. While there is no official word on US availability yet, it is currently available for pre-order in Europe and the UK, with sales starting June 10th.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia 10 VI is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a good balance of performance, battery life, and features for the price. If you're looking for a phone with a great display, long battery life, and a familiar design, the Xperia 10 VI is a smartphone worth considering.