Sony Xperia 10 VI Review - Best Compact Phone with Headphone Jack Under 50,000 BDT

Sony Xperia 10 VI Review - Best Compact Phone with Headphone Jack Under 50,000 BDT

The Sony Xperia 10 VI is a rare breed - a compact phone with a headphone jack, expandable storage, and a 21:9 cinema-wide display. In a world of increasingly large phones, Sony continues to cater to users who want a phone they can comfortably use with one hand. This review covers the unique 21:9 display, camera capabilities, battery life, and whether this niche phone is right for you.

Key Specifications

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Sony Xperia 10 VI comes in a simple white box. Inside, you get the phone, a USB-C cable, and some documentation. No charger is included (Sony has followed the trend). The first thing you notice is how narrow and tall the phone is. The 21:9 aspect ratio makes the phone comfortable to hold with one hand, and the compact 6.1-inch size is a relief compared to the 6.7-inch+ phones that dominate the market. The phone feels premium with its flat edges and Gorilla Glass Victus protection.

Design and Build Quality

The Xperia 10 VI is designed for one-handed use. It measures 155 x 68 x 8.3mm and weighs 159g, making it one of the lightest and most compact phones in its class. The flat aluminum frame provides excellent grip, and the glass back feels premium. The phone retains the 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot - two features that have disappeared from most modern phones.

The 21:9 aspect ratio makes the phone tall and narrow. This is perfect for watching movies (most are shot in 21:9), but it makes the phone look unusual compared to standard 20:9 phones.

The phone is available in three colors: Black, White, and Lavender.

Display

The 6.1-inch 60Hz OLED display is a mixed bag. The 21:9 aspect ratio is great for movies and multitasking (you can see more content vertically), but the 60Hz refresh rate is disappointing in 2025.

Display highlights:

• 21:9 cinema-wide aspect ratio (perfect for movies)
• OLED panel with deep blacks
• HDR support
• Gorilla Glass Victus protection
• No notch or punch-hole (Sony uses top and bottom bezels)

The 60Hz disappointment: At this price (45,000+ BDT), the lack of a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate is hard to justify. Scrolling feels less smooth than on competitors.

Performance

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor is a capable mid-range chip. It handles daily tasks smoothly, but gaming performance is average.

Performance test results:

• AnTuTu score: Approximately 500,000-550,000
• Geekbench 6 single-core: ~950
• Geekbench 6 multi-core: ~2,800

Gaming performance is decent for casual games but not for heavy gaming. BGMI runs at 40 FPS on smooth graphics.

Camera

The dual-camera system on the Xperia 10 VI is decent, with Sony's camera expertise evident in color science and processing.

48MP Main Camera

The 48MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture captures good photos with natural colors. Sony's image processing is more natural than Samsung or Xiaomi, producing photos that look like what you see with your eyes. Low-light performance is average.

8MP Telephoto Camera

The 8MP telephoto camera offers 2x optical zoom, which is rare at this price. It allows you to capture distant subjects without quality loss.

8MP Front Camera

The 8MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls but not outstanding.

Video Recording

The Xperia 10 VI can record 4K video at 30fps. Sony's video processing is good, with natural colors.

Battery Life

The 5000 mAh battery provides excellent battery life, especially given the smaller 6.1-inch display and efficient processor.

Battery test results:

• Video playback: 16+ hours
• Web browsing: 13+ hours
• Mixed usage: 1.5-2 days

The 30W charging is slow by modern standards, taking about 30 minutes to reach 50% and about 80 minutes for a full charge.

Software - Stock Android

The Xperia 10 VI runs near-stock Android 14 with minimal Sony additions. There's no bloatware, no ads, and the software is clean and fast. Sony promises 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches (less than Samsung's 4-7 years).

Connectivity

The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and has a USB-C 3.2 port. The 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot are major highlights.

Pros and Cons

Specification	Details
Display	6.1-inch 60Hz OLED, 21:9 aspect ratio
Processor	Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM	8GB
Storage	128GB (expandable via microSD)
Rear Camera	48MP + 8MP telephoto
Front Camera	8MP
Battery	5000 mAh, 30W
OS	Android 14
5G	Yes
Special Features	3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot, 21:9 display

Pros	Cons
Compact size (one-handed use)	60Hz display (outdated at this price)
3.5mm headphone jack	Slow 30W charging
microSD card slot (expandable storage)	Only 2 years of OS updates
21:9 display perfect for movies	No charger included
5000mAh battery (great for size)	Processor is mid-range
Near-stock Android, no bloatware	Cameras not class-leading

Comparison with Competitors

Sony Xperia 10 VI vs Google Pixel 8a

The Pixel 8a costs 64,999 BDT, about 15,000 BDT more. The Pixel offers a 120Hz display, better cameras, better processor, and 7 years of updates. The Sony offers a headphone jack, microSD expansion, 21:9 display, and a more compact size.

Verdict: The Pixel is objectively better for most users. The Sony is only for users who absolutely need a headphone jack or microSD slot.

Sony Xperia 10 VI vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The Samsung A36 costs 29,999 BDT, about 15,000 BDT less. The Samsung offers a 120Hz AMOLED display, OIS on camera, IP67 water resistance, and 4 years of OS updates. The Sony offers a headphone jack, microSD slot, 21:9 display, and a more compact size.

Verdict: The Samsung offers better value. The Sony is only for niche users who prioritize headphone jack and compact size.

Who Should Buy the Sony Xperia 10 VI

• Audiophiles: The 3.5mm headphone jack is a must for high-quality wired headphones
• Users who want a compact phone: One-handed use is comfortable
• Users who need expandable storage: microSD slot is rare
• Movie lovers: 21:9 display is perfect for cinema content
• Users who hate notches and punch-holes: Sony uses top/bottom bezels

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Users who want a high refresh rate display: 60Hz is disappointing
• Users who want fast charging: 30W is slow
• Users who want long-term updates: 2 years is less than competitors
• Budget-conscious users: Better value available from Samsung and Xiaomi

Final Verdict

The Sony Xperia 10 VI is a niche phone for a specific audience. If you absolutely need a headphone jack, expandable storage, and a compact size, this is one of the few options available in 2025. The 21:9 display is great for movies, and the near-stock Android experience is clean and fast. However, the 60Hz display, slow charging, and limited update policy are hard to justify at 45,000 BDT. For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Google Pixel 8a offer better value. But if you're an audiophile who loves wired headphones and hates large phones, the Xperia 10 VI is worth considering.

Rating: 8.2/10

Price: 44,990 BDT (8GB/128GB)

Buy Sony Xperia 10 VI ?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Does the Xperia 10 VI have a headphone jack?
Answer: Yes, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is increasingly rare.

Question 2: Does it have expandable storage?
Answer: Yes, it has a microSD card slot for up to 1TB of additional storage.

Question 3: What is the 21:9 aspect ratio?
Answer: It's a tall, narrow display that matches the aspect ratio of most movies. It's great for video but makes the phone look unusual.

Question 4: Does it have a high refresh rate display?
Answer: No, the Xperia 10 VI has a 60Hz display, which is disappointing at this price.

Question 5: How many updates will it get?
Answer: Sony promises 2 years of Android OS updates and 3 years of security patches.