Samsung Galaxy S10e vs Apple iPhone XR

Samsung recently released the Galaxy S10e alongside the other Galaxy S10 lineup, as a direct competitor to the Apple iPhone XR. Just like Apple did with the iPhone XR, Samsung has given its "cheaper" variant some of the best features of its higher-end flagships, while reserving some premium features for its high price point devices. Both handsets are event priced equally. So which one is better? 

SPECS

	Apple iPhone XR	Samsung Galaxy S10E
Price	$749	$749
Display size	6.1-inches	5.8-inches
resolution	1792x828 pixels	2280x1080 pixels
Pixel density	326 ppi	438 ppi
Dimensions	5.9x3.0x0.33 inches	5.59x2.75x0.27 inches
	150.9x75.7x8.3 mm	142x69.9x7.9 mm
Weight	6.8 oz	5.29 oz
	194 grams	150 grams
Camera	12-megapixel	16-megapixel, 12-megapixel
	7-megapixel	10-megapixel (front camera)
Biometrics	Face ID unlock	Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock
Video Capture	4K	4K
Processor	Apple A12 Bionic	octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
RAM	3GB (not disclosed by Apple)	6GB, 8GB
Storage	64GB, 128GB, 256GB	128GB, 256GB
Expandable storage	None	up to 512GB
Ports	Lightning Port	USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery	2945mAh	3100mAh
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes, with 4.5W reverse wireless charging
Protection	IP67, Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating	IP68 with Gorilla Glass 6
Software	iOS 12	Android 9.0 with Samsung One UI

SIZE

The larger 6.1-inch display on the iPhone XR makes it slightly bigger than the Galaxy S10e with its 5.8-inch display. Samsung's budget flagship is also thinner and lighter. While some may prefer the larger display size, others may lean toward the smaller dimensions of the Galaxy S10e for easier one handed use.

NOTCH vs INFINITY-O

The Apple notch has been a source of debate over the years with many hating it while others embrace it. Samsung has been one of the few manufacturers who has stayed clear of adding a notch to their smartphones. With the Galaxy S10 series, the South Korean manufacturer has introduced a screen cutout they are calling "Infinity-O" which is essentially a hole punched into the display for the front camera.

This has allowed both Apple and Samsung to offer larger screen real-estate for their customers with slim bezels. However its hard to decide which design is less obstructive. Ideally, we hope that both the notch and the punch are interim steps on the path to actual full display phones.

SCREEN RESOLUTION

The iPhone XR was widely criticized for its low-resolution LCD display. While it looked really abysmal on paper for a modern smartphone, it's barely distinguishable by the naked eye as some tests showed. Using an LCD panel has proven to be a great battery saver for the iPhone XR.

Pure quality, on the other hand, goes to Samsung, who has outfitted the Galaxy S10e with an AMOLED panel with full HD+ and support or HDR10+ for superior picture quality.

PERFORMANCE

The iPhone XR packs Apple's A12 Bionic, which is one of the fastest chipsets in the mobile landscape. Samsung has used Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 855 which is said to come close to matching Apple's chipset performance. The Galaxy S10e also packs 6GB of RAM compared to the 3GB on the iPhone XR.

When it comes to real-world use, both handsets should perform nearly identically, with Apple's OS optimizations helping it perform well with its lower RAM. When it comes to raw power though, Apple's A12 may still have a slight edge over the Snapdragon 855 according to some tests performed by Tom's Guide.

CAMERAS

The iPhone XR has a 12-megapixel camera on the rear, while Samsung has opted for a dual (16MP+12MP) camera setup for its Galaxy S10e. The second ultrawide lens on the Galaxy S10e allows Samsung's smartphone to capture wider shots, but when it comes to quality, we'd have to wait for real-world testing on Samsung's newest smartphone.

On the front, the iPhone XR has a 7MP sensor, while the Galaxy S10e opts for a 10MP camera.

PORTS

Apple has continued the trend of a minimalistic approach with their iPhones, but controversially removing the 3.5mm headphone jack a couple of years ago. The iPhone XR like all modern iPhones only offers a Lightning port for all forms of wired connectivity.

While other Android manufacturers have followed in Apple's footsteps, Samsung has chosen to continue to offer the 3.5mm headphone jack on its Galaxy S10e.

STORAGE

At a starting price of $749 we expect premium storage options from both smartphones. Apple's base iPhone XR offers 64GB of internal storage, with 128GB and 256GB available at higher prices. Samsung, on the other hand, gives customers 128GB of storage on their base Galaxy S10e, with a 256GB model available at a higher price. The Galaxy S10e also includes microSD storage expansion which Apple's iPhones do not.

COLOR OPTIONS

Both the iPhone XR and the Galaxy S10e come in a variety of colors, but Apple offers a few more options over Samsung's lineup.

The Galaxy S10e can be purchased in white, black, blue and pink in the U.S., while the iPhone XR currently comes in yellow, white, coral, black, blue and red in all available markets.