Following the hype around MWC; we couldn’t help but feel that there’s a device that has been massively overlooked, and that’s Sony’s latest mid-range beauty, the Xperia 10 Plus.
The Sony Xperia 10 Plus is currently available from Clove Technology with 64GB of internal memory and 4GB RAM for only £349 including VAT so go and check that out.
Design and Display
Of course, the most notable feature of the Sony Xperia 10 Plus is it’s wide 21:9 aspect ratio. Admittedly, it did take a while for us to become accustomed to, however this has been crafted with one very specific purpose; to match the aspect ratio of the cinema. Indeed, Sony have actually claimed that 70% of the films currently available on Netflix are made specifically for this ratio and so this really is a device for media lovers.
So the display itself is actually a 6.5-inch Full HD+ LCD panel with a 1080 x 2520-pixel resolution at 422 pixels per inch. Colours have on the whole been very bright and vivid and contrast is significantly better than we had expected of an LCD panel. Maximum brightness levels come in just ever so shy of 600 nits and use in direct sunlight has in the large part been okay.
That said, actual phone in hand, we haven’t experienced too much better. It’s one of those things you can’t really appreciate until you hold it yourself, but it really does fit the hand very well. Sony has actually claimed that the Xperia 10 Plus was specifically designed to be ergonomic and the thin frame has been very beneficial in this respect. Measuring in at 167 x 73 x 83.mm, the device is equally slimmer than most and lighter at 180g.
Despite this, the Sony Xperia 10 Plus has been crafted with an aluminium body that feels surprisingly sturdy and we haven’t spent all of our time worrying about scratches or bumps as we have with other devices. Gorilla Glass 5 also drapes over the front and back for added toughness and durability.
Now, we understand why that tall screen might be rather marmite, however Sony has included a host of features to help you manoeuvre around such a massive screen. Side sense is a favourite of ours and with only a double tap on the side of the device, you can have immediate access to all of your favourite apps. From here, you can also enable one-handed mode which is particularly helpful if you have small hands and find it difficult to reach the top of the screen.
The multi-tasking abilities of this device are also great since the proportions mean you can open an app in portrait in 16:9 and simultaneously play a video in landscape at 16:9. This really is a device that makes the most of every inch, providing full edge to edge entertainment.
- 21:9 aspect ratio
- 6.5-inch FullHD+ LCD panel
- 1080 x 2520-pixel resolution
- 422ppi
- 600 nits max. brightness
- 167 x 73 x 8.3mm
- 180g
- Gorilla Glass 5
- Media
On this note, Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement produces high resolution audio that really helps towards a fully immersive experience. Smart amplifier technology also gives richer, louder sound with enhanced bass which is great for playback, particularly in those action scenes.
Alongside this, Sony DSEE HX software works to inject more life into music by upscaling compressed files, whilst LDAC allows for Hi-Res audio over a Bluetooth connection and we’ve been really pleased with the results in the time that we’ve had the device.
If gaming is more your thing, then we currently know of four games designed for this 21:9 aspect ratio; Asphalt 9, Arena of Valor, Fortnite and Marvel Strike Force. With this ratio, gaming is really quite something as you have so much extra space for controls and so it feels much more immersive. A lot of popular games however don’t go above 19:9 and the black bar on one side is certainly noticeable without being intrusive.
Sony Digital Sound Enhancement
Smart amplifier technology
Sony DSEE HX software
LDAC
Camera
Now, moving onto the camera, the dual rear setup of the Sony Xperia 10 Plus is certainly impressive for a device at this price point.
The primary shooter is a 12MP sensor with a 76.3 wide-angle field of view and an f/1.7 aperture. This is coupled nicely by an 8MP telephoto lens with a 44.6 degree angle and f/2.4 aperture.
This dual setup works simultaneously to create an artistic looking bokeh effect. The main 12MP sensor captures all of the finer details in a subject, whilst the 8MP secondary lens creates that depth map to blur the background. Whilst not on the same level as flagships, the results we’ve had with the Xperia 10 Plus have been pretty decent for a device at this price point.
Alongside this, the Xperia 10 Plus comes with 2x optical zoom as well as 5x digital zoom which is naturally not as clear. HDR allows for bright and vivid colour and contrast, whilst hybrid autofocus has also been particularly quick.
When it comes to selfies, the Sony Xperia 10 Plus comes fitted with an 8MP front shooter, with an f/2.0 aperture, 84 degree wide-angle and HDR support.
You get all of those standard selfie effects; including soft skin, skin brightness, slender face and eye enlargement. But as you might imagine, if you apply too many of these then the result can be very unnatural.
If you enjoy shooting video, then the Xperia 10 Plus can record 4K resolution video at 30ps or 1080p at 60fps using that 21:9 aspect ratio, so is ready to view on that cinematic display immediately. SteadyShot image stabilisation has been great in my time with the device, giving largely shake-free videos even while in motion. So too, slow-motion video capture has also been pretty respectable and can capture image at 120fps.
Dual rear camera
- Main 12MP sensor, 76.3 degree field of view, f/1.7 aperture
- 8MP telephoto lens, 44.6 degree field of view, f/2.4 aperture
- Bokeh effect
- 2x optical zoom & 5x digital zoom
- HDR support
- 8MP front camera, f/2.0 aperture, 84 degree field of view
- 4K video @ 30fps / 1080p @ 60fps
- Slow motion video @ 120fps
Performance
So as a pure media device, you’re certainly going to make good use of the 3000mAh battery. This should get you through a standard day without any real issues and comes with a number of additional features. Smart stamina predicts how long your power will last and adapts energy usage accordingly, whilst adaptive charging monitors your phone as it’s charging, making sure the battery isn’t overworked. This will certainly all stack up to help your battery last in the long run.
The Xperia 10 Plus comes with Android 9 Pie and runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform that has in my experience, handled all apps, movies and games without any issues at all. The device also comes with 4GB RAM and supports a microSD card up to 512GB to store all of that media.
- 3000mAh battery
- Android 9 Pie
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
- 4GB RAM
- microSD support up to 512GB
So overall, we are considerably more taken with this device then we were ever expecting to be. It honestly feels incredible in hand and once you get used to the tall aspect ratio it all makes perfect sense. Watching videos has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience and for the price point, this is a phone you should seriously consider.
Now the Sony Xperia 10 Plus is currently available from Clove Technology in both Black and Silver for £349 including VAT so go and check that out.