PHONE REVIEW: SONY XPERIA 10IV
In Android-land there are myriad phones to choose from, all with their unique kinks and quirks.
There’s also a wider range of pricing than Apple manages with its iphone line-up… but the world of super-cheap Android devices is not an easy place to navigate.
In the mid-range, though, there are some crackers. Like Sony’s Xperia 10iv.
In terms of software and features there’s little to choose between this phone and many others.
But it does have unique qualities, and one of those is likely at the top of the list for anyone looking a new device: Battery life.
Sony has managed to squeeze a high-capacity 5,000mah battery into the small form-factor of the 10iv, so it can go all day and then some. The size of the phone is also different – it sports a 6in screen with an aspect ratio of 21:9, so it’s taller and thinner than most phones.
Another unusual feature is the camera – it’s rare to see three lenses (a wide, an ultra-wide and a telephoto) on a phone in this price range. They are good, too – as you would expect from Sony.
The phone’s design has been updated from the 10iii – there’s now a plastic back instead of glass, which brings better durability. And the front is now Gorilla Glass Invictus, so also less likely to suffer if dropped.
The edges of the phone have lost their curves too, bringing a look more in-keeping with the one Sony adopts on its flagship Xperia 1.
So far, so good. But at a pricepoint of £429, there must be something missing? Of course for the 10iv doesn’t do 4K video, and its screen has a refresh rate of 60hz – unimpressive compared to the competition.
Of course there are compromises, but they might be the ones you’re happy to make.
So, if that big battery and the unique screen look good to you, you will find yourself with a solid, well-built device that will serve you well.