He had a socket problem. I proposed this idea to allow charging for backup before surgical operation.
But it is no more of actuality, he backed up correctly.
But you are right, if no other solution for charging apply, I’d more likely use a wireless charger which doesn’t need to be permanently glued to the phone.
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For me, I flashed my phone once and have not used needed the USB socket since. USB sockets break, USB-C is particularly bad in my experience, and in fact it was a broken USB-C socket on my previous phone that brought me to SFOS, but I know of many other cases where the same thing has happened (as with the OP), I use a gel case on my phones anyway so it is no inconvenience for me. I agree it would be better if it was built-in, but it isn’t.
But your useage may differ. 
I use the USB connection reasonably often to connect to my computer for various reasons.
Touch wood, so far I haven’t had any issues with USB C connections on any of my devices. In fact of the 10 or so smart phones and tablet’s I’ve had, I’ve only had one USB port issue. Perhaps I’m lucky.
A wireless charging option would be nice but I couldn’t be bothered with one that compromised the use of the phone on other ways.
As you say YMMV.
Xperia10 does not support wireless charging it seems.
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How likely is it that replacing the USB board will fix this issue? Trying to decide whether to buy a new phone or try to fix this one…
Hmm … I can’t find anywhere that says the XA2 supports wireless charging, on the contrary the official sony website says that it doesn’t (though later 10 models do). I’ve got an XA2 and have this morning tried it on various charging pads, none of which work. I’d really love to get it charging wirelessly, its so much more convenient, even if not officially supported - so how have you made it work? Is the pad you listed from ebay a different approach or something?
Yes, there is no built-in wireless charging (unlike say some iPhones or Samsungs) so in that sense “wireless charging is not supported”. So you need the external pad I pointed out on eBay. I suspect it will work with a 10 too but I havenot tried it.
But it uses the USB socket and needs a suitable case to hold the pad with the phone, so if you use the socket for anything else often, it will be a hassle. For me the USB plug stops dirt getting in it while in my pocket and I use the right sort of gel case anyway, as I find a naked phone too slippery and I end up dropping it.
As you say very convenient, but only if it fits in with the way you use your phone.
It seems to me quite likely that it would fix it but there is only one way of finding out for sure…
This is the sort of gel case I use: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401696768626 (eBay UK agaain).
If really the USB socket is damaged, the replacement of the USB board will surely fix it. And please consider that the Sailfish OS licence is tied to the mainboard of the phone because IMEI is stored there. So I would rather suggest to repair the phone with a new USB board.
Ok, I got inside the phone, using a hairdryer and a plastic spudger - and plenty of patience. Nothing was damaged, but when I got to the USB board and unplugged the antenna connectors (some micro U.FL style connectors) one of them broke and the outer ring (~1.5mm dia) came off the PCB. I was able to extract this piece from the connector on the cable, so the cable should still work if I get a new USB board. Best of all: with the USB board removed I have confirmed that the short circuit is still present; the board will rapidly heat up if plugged into a USB host. That greatly increases the likelihood that the problem will be fixed by replacing the board.
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Good work and good news! I hate trying to take modern glued-together phones apart.
I wonder if the overheating you experienced has contributed to the aerial connector being fragile (right near the USB connector I notice).
Thanks for posting good pics too for future reference, though I hope I will never need them! And if your phone is broken, how did you take photos…?!
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There are old fashioned things still existing, like cameras… 
@cwo Congrats! and from me also thanks for the interesting pics!
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Luckily/hopefully, those will be a thing of the past in 2023 when the new EU ban on non-replacable batteries goes into effect.
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I had exactly the same thought! It certainly broke very easily.
Indeed. You can take my Ricoh Caplio GX200 out of my cold dead hands…
Edit: I have now ordered not one but two replacement USB boards. There is no other phone on the market that ticks my boxes, so I guess I’ll be stuck with the XA2 for some time.
Yes, I wish the XA2 could take photos like that! 
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I finally got the replacement USB board today, and although it’s clearly a cheapo compared to the original board I am happy to report it works!
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Thank you for this detailed report.
Hardware things gives us some recreation and instruction.
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Great news, and thank you for more great pics!
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