Sony Xperia 10 III vs. Asus ROG Phone 8: A Battle of Minimalism vs. Maximalism
The Sony Xperia 10 III and Asus ROG Phone 8 cater to entirely different audiences. One is a sleek, compact mid-ranger with understated Sony elegance, while the other is a gaming powerhouse with cutting-edge performance and aggressive specs. Let’s break down how they compare—and who should pick which.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Xperia 10 III is far more compact and pocket-friendly, while the ROG Phone 8 is bulkier and designed for grip during gaming. |
| Weight | 169g | 225g | Sony is 56g lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use. ROG Phone 8 feels substantial but demands two hands. |
| Build Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 has superior drop resistance, though both are prone to scratches without a case. |
Display
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.0" OLED | 6.78" AMOLED | ROG Phone 8 is better for gaming/media; Xperia’s smaller screen is ideal for one-handed use. |
| Resolution & PPI | 1080x2520 (457 PPI) | 1080x2400 (388 PPI) | Sony is sharper, but the difference is minor in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8’s 165Hz is buttery smooth for gaming, while Sony’s 60Hz feels dated. |
| Brightness | Unknown (likely ~700 nits) | 2500 nits (peak) | ROG Phone 8 obliterates Sony in sunlight visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 690 (8nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | ROG Phone 8 is 6x+ faster (2M vs. 275K AnTuTu). Sony struggles with heavy apps. |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB/16GB | ROG Phone 8 demolishes Sony in multitasking and future-proofing. |
| Storage | 128GB (non-expandable) | 256GB (non-expandable) | ROG Phone 8 has double the storage, but neither has a microSD slot. |
Camera
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, Sony Exmor) | 50MP (f/1.9, Sony IMX890) | ROG Phone 8 captures more detail, but Sony’s wider aperture helps in low light. |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP (f/2.2) | None | Sony has an ultra-wide lens for landscapes; ROG Phone 8 lacks this. |
| Telephoto | 8MP (f/2.4) | None | Sony’s telephoto is better for portraits, but ROG Phone 8 compensates with software. |
| Selfie Cam | 8MP (f/2.0) | 32MP | ROG Phone 8’s selfie cam is vastly superior, great for streamers. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps (HDR) | ROG Phone 8 is a video beast, with pro-level stabilization and slow-motion. |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 lasts longer despite the power-hungry chip. |
| Charging Speed | 18W (slow) | 65W (ultra-fast) | ROG Phone 8 charges 3x faster (~30 mins vs. ~2 hrs for Sony). |
Extras
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, 2 mics | Stereo speakers, 3 mics | ROG Phone 8 has louder speakers, better for gaming/media. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Under-display (basic) | Sony’s is faster and more reliable. |
| Gaming Features | None | Air triggers, RGB lighting | ROG Phone 8 is built for gaming, with physical trigger buttons. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 10 III Strengths
✅ Compact & Lightweight – Perfect for one-handed use.
✅ Better Pixel Density – Sharper text for reading.
✅ Telephoto & Ultra-Wide Cameras – More versatile zoom options.
✅ Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor – Faster unlocks.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Strengths
🎮 Unmatched Performance – Blazing-fast CPU/GPU for gaming.
📱 Superior Display – 165Hz refresh rate & 2500 nits brightness.
🔋 Huge Battery & Fast Charging – No more daily charging anxiety.
📸 Better Main & Selfie Cameras – Improved low-light and detail.
Trade-Offs
⚠ Sony’s Weaknesses: Slow charging, dated chipset, no high refresh rate.
⚠ ROG Phone 8’s Weaknesses: No telephoto/ultra-wide, bulky, expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Who Should Buy the Sony Xperia 10 III?
- Minimalists who prefer smaller, lightweight phones.
- Casual users who don’t game or need extreme performance.
- Photography lovers who value optical zoom & ultra-wide shots.
Who Should Buy the Asus ROG Phone 8?
- Mobile Gamers who want desktop-level performance.
- Power Users who need speed, battery, and multitasking.
- Content Creators who want 8K video & high-end selfie cams.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask Yourself These 3 Questions:
- Do I prioritize gaming & raw power over everything else? → ROG Phone 8.
- Do I want a compact phone with a great camera setup? → Xperia 10 III.
- Am I willing to sacrifice portability for a bigger battery & display? → ROG Phone 8.
Scenario-Based Picks:
- Best for Travel & Photos? → Sony Xperia 10 III (better zoom/wide-angle).
- Best for Gaming & Streaming? → Asus ROG Phone 8 (165Hz, 8K video, triggers).
- Best for Budget-Conscious Buyers? → Neither (both are niche; consider alternatives like Pixel 7a or RedMagic 9 Pro).
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
I’d go with the Asus ROG Phone 8—but only if I were a hardcore gamer or power user. The raw performance, 165Hz display, and battery life make it a dream for gaming and productivity.
However, if I wanted a daily driver that’s easy to carry with solid cameras, I’d pick the Sony Xperia 10 III. It’s more portable and better for photography, though the slow charging and weak chipset are major drawbacks.
For most people? The ROG Phone 8 is overkill unless you game heavily. Meanwhile, the Xperia 10 III is too outdated for its price. A better balanced pick might be a mid-range device like the Pixel 7a or Galaxy S23 FE. But if forced to choose between these two, I’d lean ROG Phone 8 for performance, Sony for portability. 🚀
