Andrew O'Hara
The popular iPhone 11 and the Galaxy S10e overlap similar markets and price points. AppleInsider breaks down the differences.
As the most affordable flagship in both Samsung's and Apple's lineup, the iPhone 11 and the Galaxy S10e are poised to be considerations for many consumers.
We've already compared the S10 and S10+ to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, so now let's see how the budget models perform.
Size and display
First, let's compare the size and display of the respective handsets. Apple's iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch display compared to the 5.8-inch of the Galaxy S10e.
Apple is employing an LCD in the iPhone 11, while Samsung used an AMOLED panel. Looking side by side, the Galaxy S10e display looks great with such deep black that the iPhone 11 isn't able to compete against.
The S10e also has a much higher pixel density of 465 pixels per inch versus Apple's 324 ppi. You can see the difference here as well, with us showing a preference for the higher resolution S10e display.
Still, the iPhone 11 is a bit larger which could be the biggest differentiating factor for users who want a larger screen at a cheaper price than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Cameras
Rear cameras
Each phone has two cameras around back. A wide-angle lens and an ultra-wide lens. The iPhone 11 is 12MP for both but the S10e does bump up the resolution of the ultra-wide.
As we mentioned in our previous comparisons, that doesn't matter all that much. You can't see a difference at 100-percent zoom and only do when zooming in. But if you are going to zoom in, might as well shoot with the standard wide-angle lens for a better shot all around.
We do have to largely give the iPhone 11 to edge in this category purely for its performance in low light. The Night mode shots on the iPhone 11 look outstanding while we were largely unimpressed with the Night mode offered by the Galaxy.
See more about that in our recent camera comparison.
Front-facing camera
Apple installed a new, higher-resolution 12MP camera on the iPhone 11, beating out the 10MP of the S10e. The S10e also doesn't have dual cameras here which means it is unable to take portrait mode selfie shots with true depth readings, unlike the iPhone 11.
Performance
One of the biggest differences between the two devices is the performance. Even though the iPhone 11 is Apple's cheapest of the new 2019 iPhones, it still packs the same powerful A13 Bionic processor as the Pro models.
The A13 Bionic is a 6-core chip with 4GB of RAM versus the Snapdragon 855 processor in our S10e which has eight cores and 6GB of RAM.
Still, the S10e was woefully outmatched. In Geekbench 5, the S10e earned 721 single and 2417 multi-core scores. Those compare to the 1335 single-core and 3490 multi-core score that the iPhone 11 earned.
On the Antutu benchmark, iPhone 11 managed a cumulative 430160 — almost 25 percent higher than the 355251 that the S10e scored, The iPhone had the biggest gains in GPU compared side by side.
Lastly, we took to the browsers for the Speedometer benchmark that tests how well web apps run. Considering so much of what we do now lives in various forms of web apps, this test is becoming more important. Our S10e scored 55.8 runs per minute while the iPhone eclipsed that, earning nearly 300-percent that score with 153 runs per minute.
Needless to say, the iPhone certainly felt faster. It was faster launching apps, it was faster in restarts, and it was much faster unlocking with Face ID.
Security
Of course, Apple is still utilizing its Face ID technology for phone authentication on the back of its Secure Enclave within its A13 Bionic processor.
Samsung is using its facial recognition though the results are a bit more mixed. It doesn't capture a 3D image map of your face and instead uses a basic picture. That is why there are countless videos and sources around of the S10 or S10e being fooled by something as simple as a video of the owner's face.
To go with its passable facial recognition, the S10e also has a built-in fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is more secure than Samsung's facial recognition, but it too is easily fooled and isn't up to the caliber that the ultrasonic fingerprint reader is on the S10 or S10+. That's not something everyone is going to have as a resource, so it should be good enough for most users.
Face ID has been fooled in the past as well, though it is far more difficult and the last reported attempt required a "3D-printed visage constructed of stone powder, with 2D-printed eyes" and isn't near as easy as a simple video.
Which to choose?
As always with these side-by-side comparisons, it is never an easy job deciding which is the better choice. Purely based on specs, we have to give the edge to the iPhone. It has far better performance, a larger display, and better security. The S10e does have a better screen and some may prefer the smaller size, but forced to choose, we'd say the iPhone's strengths are more important.
Beyond the specs, countless other small features differentiate the two as well as even more indescribable qualities that one may prefer over the other. Specs are a good start but by no means the whole story.
Where to buy
The Samsung Galaxy S10e is currently on sale at B&H Photo, with limited supply available at $230 off. Amazon and Samsung itself also stock the device.
Meanwhile, wireless carriers are also offering a variety of incentives on the new iPhone 11, from BOGO offers to monthly prices starting at $0. Highlights are below.
iPhone 11 deals
- Verizon Wireless: Get up to $500 off the iPhone 11 via bill credits with select trade-in and Unlimited plan. Plus switch to Unlimited and get $200 more.
- AT&T Wireless: Get up to $700 in bill credits with trade-in on a qualifying smartphone. Port-in and new line required ($300 in bill credits without port-in). Unlimited plan required.
- Sprint: iPhone 11 starts at $0 per month with Sprint Flex lease and select trade-in.
- T-Mobile: Save up to $700 on the iPhone 11 when you switch and trade in a qualifying iPhone.
- Visible: Get up to a $200 Prepaid Mastercard Virtual Account when you buy an iPhone 11 and bring your phone number to Visible. Plus get 0% financing, no money down, no upgrade fees, and free overnight shipping for well-qualified customers.
- Sam's Club: Get a $150 Sam's Club gift card when you buy and activate by Nov. 8.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
8 Comments
I disagree that the iPhone 11 is Apple's "budget" offering. That's why they kept the iPhone 8 as an option. How does it compare to the S10e? It probably still kicks butt.
Strange the security section doesn't mention iPhone runs authentic iOS while Sammy runs Android the most insecure mobile OS in history.
I hate that articles like this one purport (and do) list the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, and then cough up some wishy-washy "it's up to you/both tough choices" type blather even if the results are not even close (and they even say this in the article!!). Don't be a milquetoast (or, you know, a more vulgar synonym) -- the correct conclusion is that the iPhone 11 is in every regard a superior smartphone unless you are completely hung up on having an OLED phone (or a headphone jack). Period, full stop.
Even if you ignore the substantially superior spec sheet and camera(s) of the iPhone, the problems with Samsung's facial recognition, fingerprint unreliability, and overall low regard for user security is more than enough to win out in almost any rational mind over "the blacks on the screen are really black!"
Other models may make it more of a contest between the two, but on this one the better value for any new purchaser is made quite clear. I think the conclusion should more accurately reflect that this particular compare is a no-brainer, unequivocal win for the iPhone 11.