Sony Xperia 10 III vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro: A Practical Comparison
Let’s break down these two smartphones to see how they stack up in real-world use. One is a mid-range Android device from 2021, while the other is Apple’s latest flagship—so the differences are substantial.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Category | Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Dimensions | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | 146.6 × 70.6 × 8.3 mm | Xperia is taller and narrower, iPhone is slightly wider. |
| Weight | 169g | 187g | Xperia is lighter, better for one-handed use. | |
| Build Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xperia has better screen protection. | |
| Display | Size | 6" OLED | 6.1" OLED | Nearly identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 (457 PPI) | 1179x2556 (461 PPI) | iPhone has slightly sharper detail. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | iPhone feels smoother in scrolling & gaming. | |
| Brightness | Not specified (likely ~700 nits) | 2000 nits (peak) | iPhone is vastly better in sunlight. | |
| Performance | Chipset | Snapdragon 690 (8nm) | A17 Pro (3nm) | iPhone is 5-6x faster (AnTuTu: 275K vs. 1.64M). |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | iPhone handles multitasking better. | |
| Camera | Main Sensor | 12MP (f/1.8) | 48MP (f/1.78) | iPhone captures much more detail, better in low light. |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | iPhone’s ultra-wide is sharper. | |
| Telephoto | 8MP (f/2.4) | 12MP (f/2.8) | Xperia has a dedicated telephoto; iPhone has a better one. | |
| Selfie | 8MP (f/2.0) | 12MP (f/1.9) | iPhone selfies are sharper with better low-light performance. | |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps HDR, Dolby Vision | iPhone records dramatically better video. | |
| Battery | Capacity | 4500mAh | 3650mAh | Xperia lasts longer on paper, but iPhone has better optimization. |
| Charging | 18W wired | 27W wired + 15W MagSafe | iPhone charges faster and supports wireless. | |
| Software | OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | iOS 17 (up to iOS 18) | iPhone gets 5+ years of updates, Xperia limited. |
| Extras | Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Face ID | Xperia has fingerprint, iPhone has Face ID. |
| Wireless Charging | No | Yes (MagSafe & Qi) | iPhone offers more convenience. | |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio | iPhone has better spatial sound. |
2. Key Insights: Strengths & Weaknesses
Sony Xperia 10 III Strengths
✔ Lighter & taller design – Easier one-handed use.
✔ Bigger battery (4500mAh) – Better endurance (if software optimization holds up).
✔ Dedicated telephoto lens – More versatile zoom than iPhones without one.
✔ Cheaper (likely now discounted) – Good value if you don’t need top-tier performance.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Strengths
✔ Blazing-fast A17 Pro chip – Future-proof, better for gaming & multitasking.
✔ Superior camera system – 48MP main sensor, ProRes video, better night shots.
✔ 120Hz ProMotion display – Much smoother scrolling & gaming.
✔ Better software support – iOS updates for 5+ years.
✔ MagSafe & wireless charging – More convenient power options.
Trade-offs & Limitations
- Xperia’s aging chipset struggles with modern apps/games.
- iPhone lacks expandable storage (but offers up to 1TB).
- Xperia’s lower brightness makes outdoor use harder.
3. Who Should Buy Which Phone?
Get the Sony Xperia 10 III if:
- You want a budget-friendly phone with decent battery life.
- You prefer Android and a headphone jack (if it has one).
- You don’t care about high-end performance or gaming.
Get the iPhone 15 Pro if:
- You want the fastest phone available.
- You care about camera quality, especially video.
- You value long-term software support.
- You’re in the Apple ecosystem (AirPods, Mac, iPad).
4. Decision Framework: 3 Key Questions
- Do you care about raw performance & long-term updates?
→ Yes? iPhone 15 Pro. No? Xperia 10 III. - Do you take a lot of photos/videos?
→ Yes? iPhone’s camera crushes the Xperia. - Is budget a major factor?
→ Yes? Xperia is cheaper. No? iPhone is future-proof.
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
I’d pick the iPhone 15 Pro without hesitation.
The A17 Pro chip, 120Hz display, far better cameras, and longer software support make it a much smarter investment. The Xperia 10 III is a fine budget option, but it’s outclassed in nearly every way except battery capacity (and even then, real-world endurance might not be better).
Unless you hate iOS or need a cheap secondary phone, the iPhone 15 Pro is the clear winner. 🚀
