Sony Xperia 10 III vs. Realme 11: A Practical Comparison
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Realme 11 | Real-World Implications |
| Dimensions | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | 165.7 × 76 × 8.1 mm | Xperia is more compact, better for one-handed use, while Realme 11 has a larger screen at the cost of bulk. |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | Sony is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long use. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Xperia has slightly better drop resistance. |
| Build | Standard (IP65/68 rumored) | Standard | Xperia may have better water/dust resistance (though not officially confirmed). |
Display
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Realme 11 | Real-World Implications |
| Size | 6.0" | 6.72" | Realme offers a much bigger screen, better for media. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1080x2400 | Xperia has slightly more pixels, but Realme compensates with a smoother refresh rate. |
| PPI | 457 | 392 | Xperia is slightly sharper, but Realme’s larger screen makes the difference less noticeable. |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD | OLED on Xperia means deeper blacks and better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme feels much smoother in scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness (nits) | (Not specified, likely ~700 nits) | 1000 nits | Realme is far better in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Realme 11 | Real-World Implications |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 690 (8nm) | Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) | Realme has a newer, more efficient chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 275K | 389K | Realme is ~42% faster—better for gaming and multitasking. |
| RAM Options | 6GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme offers more RAM, better for heavy users. |
| Storage | 128GB (no expansion) | 128GB/256GB (no expansion) | Realme has higher storage options. |
Camera
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Realme 11 | Real-World Implications |
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, Sony sensor) | 64MP (f/1.79, Omnivision) | Realme has higher resolution, but Sony’s sensor may offer better processing. |
| Ultrawide | 8MP (f/2.2) | None | Xperia has an ultrawide, useful for landscapes. |
| Telephoto | 8MP (f/2.4) | None | Xperia has a dedicated telephoto lens (rare at this price). |
| Depth Sensor | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme has a depth sensor for better portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Similar performance. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Xperia supports higher resolution. |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Realme 11 | Real-World Implications |
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme lasts longer (11% more capacity). |
| Charging Speed | 18W | 33W | Realme charges much faster (nearly twice as quick). |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 10 III Strengths
- Better display quality (OLED vs. IPS LCD, higher PPI).
- More versatile camera setup (telephoto & ultrawide lenses).
- More compact and lighter (easier to handle).
- 4K video recording (better for content creators).
- Hi-Res audio support (better for wired headphones).
Realme 11 Strengths
- Faster performance (42% higher AnTuTu score).
- 120Hz refresh rate (smoother UI and gaming).
- Bigger battery + faster charging (5000mAh, 33W vs. 4500mAh, 18W).
- Better sunlight visibility (1000 nits peak brightness).
- Higher storage/RAM options (up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage).
Trade-Offs
- Xperia 10 III has an older chipset, slower charging, and a smaller battery.
- Realme 11 lacks a telephoto lens and has an IPS LCD screen (instead of OLED).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Who Should Buy the Sony Xperia 10 III?
- Photography enthusiasts (telephoto + ultrawide).
- Compact phone lovers (better one-handed use).
- Audiophiles (Hi-Res audio support).
- 4K video shooters (higher resolution recording).
Who Should Buy the Realme 11?
- Performance-focused users (faster chip, 120Hz screen).
- Media consumers (bigger screen, brighter display).
- Battery life chasers (5000mAh + 33W charging).
- Budget-conscious buyers (likely better price-to-performance ratio).
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Decide:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or raw performance?
- Xperia for cameras, Realme for speed.
- Do you prefer a compact phone or a large screen?
- Xperia for compactness, Realme for media.
- Does battery life or charging speed matter more?
Scenario-Based Picks:
- Best for gaming/media: Realme 11 (120Hz, bigger battery).
- Best for photography/travel: Xperia 10 III (telephoto + ultrawide).
- Best for one-handed use: Xperia 10 III (smaller, lighter).
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
I’d pick the Realme 11.
While the Xperia 10 III has a nicer display and better cameras, the Realme 11’s performance, battery life, and 120Hz screen make it a more well-rounded daily driver. Unless you really need a telephoto lens or OLED screen, the Realme is the better value for most users.
For me, speed, battery, and smoothness matter more than the extra camera flexibility—so the Realme wins. But if I were a photography-first user, I’d consider the Xperia despite its older internals.
Which one suits your needs better? Let me know! 🚀