As the latest flagship phones from the two most popular brands go head-to-head at three different size and price points, how does Samsung’s cheapest match against Apple’s biggest? With only a 5.8″ display, the Galaxy S10e plays David to the Goliath of the massive 6.5″
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Galaxy S10e vs iPhone XS Max Comparison Chart
Model | Galaxy S10e 128GB | |
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Price | Check Price | |
Rating | ||
Display | 5.8″ AMOLED | 6.5″ OLED |
Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels | 1242 x 2688 pixels |
Pixel Density | 438 ppi | 458 ppi |
Screen-to-Body Ratio | 83.3% | 84.4% |
Height | 142.2 mm | 157.5 mm |
Width | 69.9 mm | 77.4 mm |
Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.7 mm |
Weight | 150 g | 208 g |
System Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Apple A12 Bionic |
Processor | Octa-core, 2.7 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 1.9 GHz | Hexa-core, 2.49 GHz, 1.52 GHz |
RAM | 6GB, 8GB | 4GB |
Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Expandable Memory | MicroSD (Up to 512GB) | None |
Front Camera | 10MP, ƒ/1.9 | 7MP, ƒ/2.2, TrueDepth 3D |
Rear Camera | Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5 or ƒ/2.4, Ultra-wide 16MP, ƒ/2.2 | Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.8, Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.4 |
Biometrics | Fingerprint sensor, Facial recognition | Facial recognition |
Build | Aluminum and glass | Stainless steel and glass |
Colors | Prism Black, Prism Blue, Prism White, Flamingo Pink | Gold, Space Gray, Silver |
Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Battery Capacity | 3100 mAh | 3174 mAh |
Battery Life | Up to 12 hours | Up to 13 hours |
Fast Charging | Yes | Yes (with separate accessory) |
Ports | USB-C, 3.55 mm audio | Lightning |
Released | March 2019 | September 2018 |
Design
The

Let’s start with the most obvious discrepancy — the
Note that we used “hands” though, as the huge size does mean you’ll need two hands to comfortably use the
In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is simply compact by current standards. It’s about 25% lighter than the
Both have comparably large screen-to-body ratios. Samsung’s take on solving the display space taken up by the front camera is a tiny circle at the top-right corner. This seems less intrusive than the black notch at the top of the
Display
The

At 6.5 inches, the Super Retina display of the
The Galaxy S10e’s smaller 5.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display offers less resolution and pixel density, a 1080 x 2280 pixels and 438 ppi, but it’s no less impressive for it. Everything looks sharp and well-contrasted, with colors staying the same despite its automatic reduction of harmful blue light. It’s also just as bright as the
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S10e is nearly as fast as the

As part of each company’s flagship line, both the S10e and Xs Max pack the best chipsets and processors Samsung and Apple offers. Benchmark testing show that Apple’s six-core A12 Bionic is only slightly ahead of the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. On AnTuTu, the
Despite getting lower benchmark scores, this actually goes in favor of the Galaxy S10e when you consider the price difference between the two. You can essentially expect the same level of performance that the
Cameras
The

Both devices sport two rear cameras and one front-facing camera with all the bells and whistles each company can muster. It’s another plus for the Samsung Galaxy S10e, since it features all but one of the main cameras of the more expensive S10. However, actual image quality is better on the
Though it still takes great photos overall, the Galaxy S10e can produce some inconsistent pictures, such as casting warm tones on indoor shots and giving a cooler hue to outdoor scenes. This does add a bit of drama to the photos, which could reduce the amount of editing you need to do if you like adding filters and effects. With three cameras and a bevy of shooting modes, you get plenty of options in crafting your stills. Live Focus mode lets you adjust field-of-depth and background blur, and among the new Scene Optimizer modes is Bright Night, which drastically improves visibility in low-light conditions such as night skies.
One feature that sets their front cameras apart is that the
Storage, Battery, and Other Features
The

Like all previous iPhone generations, the Xs Max has no expandable memory, so you’ll have to be careful with the storage tier you select. You can get up to 512GB of internal storage though, which is perhaps more than you’ll realistically need anyway. On the other hand, the Galaxy S10e is more flexible, since you can get the minimum storage of 128GB and socket a MicroSD later on, which should end up being more cost-effective too.
Battery capacities and runtimes are very similar, which marks another point for the S10e considering its smaller frame. Moreover, the included charger already enables fast charging — you’ll have to buy a separate cable to recharge the
Unlike the ultrasonic fingerprint reader that’s built into the Galaxy S10’s screen, the S10e has a capacitive sensor located along its top-right side. It’s at a natural spot for right-handed people but it’s a bit too high, so you’ll often have to adjust your grip to reach it. Although there’s no fingerprint sensor on the
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S10e easily offers better value, as the
At its spot at the very top of Apple’s new iPhones, there’s no question that the Xs Max is the very best iPhone you can get. It features some of the most advanced cameras and processors that you can get in a phone, and it comes in a spectacular build only overshadowed by how amazing its huge Super Retina display looks. But with such a huge price tag — the 512GB tier costs as much as a MacBook Pro — it won’t be for everyone. If you want a humongous display and topnotch cameras, and you don’t care how much it costs, get the
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S10e presents an incredible value for its price. It has the same processor and main cameras as its pricier brothers, packaged in a compact body that still oozing with premium appeal. It’s just as fast and powerful, especially for gaming, and it offers expandable storage as well as fast charging right out of the box. It’s a great choice for those who want a top-end Android device that’s still within a reasonable price range.
Last update on 2020-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API