The latest Xperia model stands out due to its first significant redesign of the rear in over five years. Departing from the traditional design, Sony has introduced a horizontal camera bar, a trend seen in recent Google Pixels and Apple’s latest iPhones. Since the release of the Xperia 5 in 2019, previous models featured vertically stacked camera bars located in one corner, with few exceptions like the Xperia Pro-I. The Xperia 10 VII breaks this pattern by presenting a pill-shaped elevated strip that spans the back and accommodates two cameras.
When viewed from the front, the design feels more comfortable, although Sony has retained some chunky bezels above and below the screen, making the phone appear bulkier than its 6.1-inch 120Hz display might suggest. Nonetheless, it remains lighter and slimmer than its competitors. Additionally, the company has shifted from its signature 21:9 aspect ratio to the more widely used 19.5:9 dimensions typical of modern smartphones. Fans of Sony Xperia will be pleased to find that several beloved features persist, including the 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support for storage expansion. A side shutter button has returned, though it lacks the distinctiveness of earlier models. Despite its appealing design, the device remains a mid-range smartphone.
It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, which is not built for demanding tasks. The dual rear camera system includes a 50MP main lens and a 13MP ultrawide lens, offering decent performance, though not exceptional for its price point. The 5,000mAh battery is claimed to last up to two days, but users will need to rely on wired charging.
