Sony has officially announced the Xperia 10 VII, set to launch on October 9. Around the same time, Xiaomi introduced its Xiaomi 15T, creating a direct comparison in the mid‑range smartphone market. While both fall into the same category, their approach and value proposition are very different. Let’s break down the specs, performance, and pricing to see which one truly delivers more for your money.
Key Highlights
- Xperia 10 VII: Compact, lightweight, microSD support, long‑term updates.
- Xiaomi 15T: Bigger display, Leica‑tuned triple camera, faster charging, more powerful chip.
- Price gap: Xperia 10 VII at ¥74,800 vs Xiaomi 15T at ¥64,800.
- Performance gap: Xiaomi nearly doubles Sony in benchmark scores.
Specs at a Glance
- Size & Weight: Xperia 10 VII is smaller (153×72×8.3mm, 168g) compared to Xiaomi 15T (163.2×78×7.5mm, 194g).
- Display: Sony offers a 6.1‑inch OLED Full HD+ panel with 120Hz refresh, while Xiaomi packs a larger 6.83‑inch AMOLED with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
- Processor: Xperia runs on Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while Xiaomi uses the more advanced MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra (4nm).
- Memory & Storage: Sony provides 8GB/128GB with microSD expansion. Xiaomi offers 12GB RAM with 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.1 storage.
- Battery & Charging: Xperia has 5000mAh with standard fast charging. Xiaomi edges ahead with 5500mAh and 67W fast charging.
- Cameras: Xperia features a dual setup (50MP wide + 13MP ultra‑wide). Xiaomi boasts a Leica‑supervised triple system with wide, telephoto, and ultra‑wide lenses.
- Front Camera: 8MP on Xperia vs 32MP on Xiaomi.
- Durability: Xperia offers IPX5/8 and IP6X protection. Xiaomi provides full IP68 water and dust resistance.
- Biometrics: Xperia uses a side fingerprint sensor, Xiaomi combines in‑screen fingerprint with face unlock.
Performance Difference
Benchmark scores reveal the real gap:
- Xperia 10 VII: Single‑core 1022 / Multi‑core 2876
- Xiaomi 15T: Single‑core 1587 / Multi‑core 6277
This means Xiaomi is about 1.5x faster in single‑core tasks and more than double in multi‑core performance. In real use, this translates to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and stronger AI processing.
Price vs Value
- Xperia 10 VII: ¥74,800
- Xiaomi 15T: ¥64,800
Despite being ¥10,000 cheaper, the Xiaomi 15T delivers far superior performance, cameras, and charging speed. Sony, however, offers peace of mind with its compact design, lighter weight, microSD support, and long‑term software updates.
Expert Take
“As someone who closely follows the smartphone market, I see this as a battle of priorities. The Xperia 10 VII appeals to users who want a compact, reliable phone with guaranteed updates. But for those who value raw performance, camera versatility, and charging speed, the Xiaomi 15T clearly offers more value for less money.”
Conclusion
Both phones sit in the mid‑range category, but they target different users.
- Choose Xperia 10 VII if you want compact size, reliability, and long‑term support.
- Choose Xiaomi 15T if you want maximum performance, advanced cameras, and better value.
