Sony Xperia 10 III vs. Huawei Mate 50 Pro: A Practical Showdown
Let’s cut through the specs and explore how these two phones actually perform in real-world use. One is a compact mid-ranger with Sony’s signature minimalist design, while the other is a powerhouse from Huawei with cutting-edge hardware. Here’s how they stack up—and who should buy which.
Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | Xperia is far more compact—easier for one-handed use. Mate 50 Pro feels larger and heavier (205g vs. 169g)—better for media but less pocket-friendly. |
| Weight | 169g | 205g | 36g difference is noticeable—Xperia wins for portability. |
| Water/Dust Res. | IP65/IP68 (dust/water resistant) | No official rating | Sony is more durable for outdoor/rainy conditions. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted (fast, ergonomic) | Under-display (slower, less tactile) | Sony’s placement is more intuitive for unlocking. |
🔹 Verdict: If you prioritize a lightweight, compact phone, the Xperia 10 III wins. If you like big screens and don’t mind heft, the Mate 50 Pro is solid.
Display
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.0" OLED | 6.74" OLED | Mate 50 Pro is better for movies/gaming, Xperia is easier to use one-handed. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huge difference—Huawei feels smoother in scrolling and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 (457 PPI) | 1212x2616 (428 PPI) | Sony has slightly sharper text, but Huawei’s bigger screen balances it out. |
| Brightness | Not specified | Not specified | OLED on both, but Huawei likely brighter due to newer tech. |
🔹 Verdict: The Mate 50 Pro wins for media consumption with its bigger, smoother screen. The Xperia is better for readability in a smaller form factor.
Performance
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 690 (8nm, mid-range) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm, flagship) | Huawei is 3x faster—better for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | More RAM = better app retention and smoother performance on Huawei. |
| Benchmark (AnTuTu) | 275,000 | 1,022,043 | Huawei demolishes Sony in raw power—no contest for heavy users. |
| Storage | 128GB (non-expandable) | 256GB/512GB (non-expandable) | Huawei offers more space for media and apps. |
🔹 Verdict: If you need performance, the Mate 50 Pro is the clear winner. The Xperia 10 III is fine for basics but struggles with heavy tasks.
Camera
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.4, OIS, Sony IMX766) | Huawei is vastly superior—sharper, better low-light, and OIS. |
| Ultrawide | 8MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Huawei’s ultrawide captures more detail. |
| Telephoto | 8MP (f/2.4) | 64MP (f/3.5, periscope) | Huawei’s zoom is way better (up to 3.5x optical). |
| Selfie Cam | 8MP (f/2.0) | 13MP (f/2.4) | Huawei’s front cam is higher-res but with narrower aperture. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (no stabilization) | 4K@60fps (OIS + EIS) | Huawei’s stabilization makes videos smoother. |
| DXOMark Score | Not tested | 149 (Photo: 152, Video: 141) | Huawei’s camera is proven to be elite. |
🔹 Verdict: If photography matters, the Mate 50 Pro is the clear winner. The Xperia’s cameras are decent but outdated.
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4700mAh | Huawei lasts slightly longer, but both are good. |
| Fast Charging | 18W (slow) | 66W (very fast) | Huawei charges in half the time. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 50W wireless + reverse charging | Huawei has premium charging perks. |
🔹 Verdict: Huawei is better—faster wired/wireless charging and slightly bigger battery.
Key Insights
Sony Xperia 10 III Strengths
✔ Compact & lightweight—best for small hands and portability.
✔ Better fingerprint sensor placement (side-mounted is faster).
✔ Decent battery life (though slow charging).
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths
✔ Flagship performance (3x faster than Xperia).
✔ Superior camera system (especially in low light and zoom).
✔ Big, smooth 120Hz display—ideal for gamers/media lovers.
✔ Much faster charging (66W vs. 18W).
Trade-Offs
- Huawei lacks Google Apps (no Play Store, relies on Huawei AppGallery).
- Sony is underpowered for heavy tasks/gaming.
- Huawei is larger and heavier—not ideal for one-handed use.
User Profiles & Recommendations
Get the Sony Xperia 10 III if:
✅ You prefer compact phones that fit easily in pockets.
✅ You don’t game heavily and just need a reliable daily driver.
✅ You want Google services (Play Store, Gmail, YouTube).
Get the Huawei Mate 50 Pro if:
✅ You demand flagship performance (gaming, multitasking).
✅ You care about photography (best camera in this comparison).
✅ You can live without Google Apps (or sideload them).
Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself:
- Do I need a big screen or a compact phone?
- Big → Mate 50 Pro | Small → Xperia 10 III
- Do I care about camera quality more than size?
- Yes → Mate 50 Pro | No → Xperia 10 III
- Do I rely on Google apps?
- Yes → Xperia 10 III | No → Mate 50 Pro
Final Choice: Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Why? The performance, camera, and display make it a far more future-proof device, even with the Google app limitations. Unless you absolutely need a small phone or Google services, the Mate 50 Pro is the clear winner.
But if you prioritize pocketability and Google integration, the Xperia 10 III is still a solid choice.
Your move! 🚀
