The iPhone SE 2 and the Galaxy S10E are Apple and Samsung mobile phones that combine compact design with state-of-the-art technology. Both are the smallest of those currently sold by the companies and bring advanced chips. The idea is to offer performance similar to the best smartphones of the brands, but with savings on issues such as memory and number of cameras.
The prices are also similar. The Korean smartphone is on sale for $399 in black, white, blue, and yellow, while the iPhone SE successor can be purchased for $489 in black, white, and red. Here’s an overview of the phone’s specifications.
iPhone SE 2 and Galaxy S10E Datasheet
| iPhone SE 2 | Galaxy S10E | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | April 2020 | February 2019 |
| Current price | from $399 | $489 |
| Screen | 4.7 inches | 5.8 inches |
| Screen resolution | HD (1334 x 750 pixels) | Full HD + (2280 x 1080 pixels) |
| Screen panel | IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Processor | A13 Bionic | Exynos 9820 |
| RAM | 3 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory card | No | Yes |
| Main camera | 12 megapixel (f / 1.8) | Dual camera: 12 and 16 megapixels (f / 1.5-2.4 and f / 2.2) |
| Front Camera | 7 megapixel (f / 2.2) | 10 megapixel (f / 1.9) |
| Operating system | iOS 13 | Android 10 |
| Battery | 1,821 mAh | 3,100 mAh (with fast, wireless recharge + Wireless PowerShare) |
| Dimensions and weight | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm; 148 grams | 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm; 150 g |
| Colors | black, white, and red | black, white, blue, and yellow |
Design and Screen
The mobile phones have an aluminum structure and a glass finish at the front and back. The similarity suggests some similarity in design sophistication, but the Galaxy S10E has a more modern look.
While its 5.8-inch screen features the front camera in one hole and takes up almost the entire front, the iPhone SE 2 features a 4.7-inch panel with prominent edges at the top and bottom. As a result, Apple’s phone is only a few millimeters more compact, even with a reasonably smaller screen.
There is also an important difference in image quality. The iPhone SE 2 features the same 750 x 1334 pixel resolution LCD IPS as the iPhone 8, far lower than 2280 x 1080 pixels offered by the Galaxy S10E Dynamic AMOLED. The disparity tends to become more noticeable, especially when reading texts.
When it comes to additional technologies, there’s at least one advantage for each side. In Galaxy S10E there is Always On Display, which shows notifications with the screen off using minimal power, while the iPhone brings True Tone, which calibrates the colors according to the environment.
For protection against water and dust, Samsung’s option is IP68 certified. The seal ensures resistance for 30 minutes under 1.3 meters of water, against 1 meter of IP67 obtained by iPhone SE 2.
Cameras
The two mobile phones feature a 12 MP camera with optical image stabilization, an advanced autofocus system, and a promise of high quality. Although they don’t offer performance equal to the best Apple and Samsung smartphones, they tend to please a good part of the users. Both can also shoot at 4K at 60 frames per second, but Galaxy alone achieves 960 full HD slow-motion frames.
During the night, the S10E can do better by having up to an f/1.5 aperture lens versus f/1.8 on the iPhone SE 2. Also, the Korean smartphone comes with a second 16 MP (f/1.9) camera with an ultra-wide lens for shooting with a wider field of view.
Although it has a 7 MP front camera versus 10 MP in Galaxy, iPhone takes advantage of the video codec to deliver more quality content to Instagram.
Performance and Storage
iPhone SE 2 features the A13 Bionic processor, Apple’s most powerful at the moment. Even with lower RAM than the iPhone 11 Pro, the lower resolution screen should require little effort for the chip to deliver high speed for extended usage time.
With 6 GB of RAM and an Exynos 9820 processor, the Galaxy S10E should not disappoint either. In general, both should be able to run any application for their respective operating systems without major work, including graphically demanding games. However, it should be pointed out that Apple’s component leads the way in benchmark comparisons.
The Galaxy S10E is sold with 128 GB of storage and microSD card expansion support. The rival has three internal space options: 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB and has no memory card input.
Battery
The Galaxy S10E features a 3,100 mAh battery that, according to the manufacturer, can last up to 13 hours of use on 4G or 14 hours on Wi-Fi. The capacity is much lower on iPhone SE 2, but the autonomy may be similar. Apple does not disclose component capacity, but specialized websites report a 1,821 mAh battery capacity.
So you can expect about a day of moderate use in either case. On the other hand, only the Galaxy features a fast charger and is compatible with the wireless reverse charge function.
System
Both phones already run the latest versions of iOS and Android. iPhone SE 2 runs iOS 13, Apple’s latest operating system. The Galaxy S10E left the factory with Android 9 (Pie) and has already received Android 10.
It is not known, however, if Samsung will keep releasing new software updates. It’s a problem that the iPhone doesn’t get through. Apple offers updates for about four to five years after launch, which ensures that iPhone SE 2 will be guaranteed updates for a long period.
Additional Features
iPhone SE 2 does not have face recognition via Face ID and has again offered Touch ID for unlocking. The S10E also has a more traditional digital sensor but is positioned on the side. The two also bring virtual assistants. On the iPhone, it’s Siri, while the Galaxy S10E has two: Bixby and Google Assistant.
Wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC are present in both smartphones. The traditional 3.5 mm analog headphone input exists only on the Galaxy S10E.
Price
The iPhone SE 2 is available in black, white, and red colors at a price starting from $399.
The Galaxy S10E, available in black, white, blue, and yellow, has a relevant difference between the official price and online retail. The device is starting from $489.
- Buy iPhone SE 2
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.