Samsung Galaxy s10e Review: specs, price and thoughts

Samsung Galaxy S10e: Its specifications

This overview is dedicated to another member of the Samsung Galaxy S10 family. We're talking about the Samsung Galaxy S10e! Officially presented on February 20, 2019 and released on March 8, 2019, this device stands out for its performance and value for money. We had the opportunity to admire this model from all angles. Here are the main advantages and a few disadvantages that we found in our Samsung Galaxy S10e review.

Modern design

The Samsung Galaxy S10e is characterised by its very modern design. Aesthetically, this smartphone has the same features as its siblings, the Galaxy S10 and S10+ versions, namely: an all-aluminium body, very clean lines and a wide range of colours (pink, yellow, white, blue, black, green). Too bad it doesn't have a curved edge screen. That would have enhanced the design even more. However, the 5.8-inch edge-to-edge screen has a similar effect.

The main difference to the other models lies in the dimensions and weight. We noticed in our Samsung Galaxy S10e review that it's sort of a smaller, lighter version of the other two. The compactness is thus one of its greatest strengths.

In addition, its small size gives it perfect ergonomic dimensions, optimised for use with just one hand. You can see that the Korean smartphone giant invests a lot of resources in its latest smartphone models, both in terms of design and functionality.

The inner workings: Small but fine

The Samsung Galaxy S10e is powered by a Samsung Exynos 9820 octa-core - 2.7 Ghz SoC processor supported by 6 GB of RAM. You don't have to be an expert to judge the performance of such a configuration for a smartphone. To put that into perspective, the Exynos 9820 far outperforms the Snapdragon 855 that powers most of the latest generation Android-based smartphones, including the famous Xiaomi Mi 9. Also, this processor almost matches the performance of the Apple Bionic A12. The biggest difference here lies in the different screen qualities.

Improved functionality

In terms of practicality, this smartphone scored well compared to other devices in the same series. The Android 9.0 Pie operating system paired with the One UI surface ensures a very pleasant feeling of use. The navigation is very fluid and the program integrates with many useful applications efficiently.The Bixby function in particular offers a revolutionary user experience. Most notably, we were pleasantly surprised by the "Bixby Routines" feature. With this tool you can configure or time the start of certain tasks after a defined event. For example, completing a defined action or task after a certain time or based on a specific geographic location. And what's even more surprising, the software gives you suggestions for tasks based on your usage habits. Samsung certainly hasn't stopped surprising us with its innovations!

We also praised the very simplified design of the menu. True, some fans of the brand expected a much more complex presentation of functions and applications to get the most out of this high-tech screen. However, it is a revolutionary smartphone that is very easy to use that makes this smartphone overall a pleasurable experience.

However, Samsung didn't make the best choice when placing the side buttons (volume control and Bixby) on the left edge. If the engineers wanted to create the first high-end smartphone especially for left-handers, they certainly succeeded!

A feast for the eyes

How is the Galaxy S10 screen? The Galaxy S10e is a little slower given its screen draws a lot of power. It's a 5.8-inch Infinity-O display with Full HD+ resolution paired with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the calibration for a perfect viewing comfort. We were amazed by the perfectly adjusted brightness and the outstanding contrast of this modern display. The legibility and viewing comfort are just ideal, even in the brightest midday sun.

How about the photo and video capabilities of the Galaxy S10e?

The smartphones of the Galaxy S family have always been known for their photo quality. The S10 family is no exception to Samsung's reputation. The Galaxy S10e has a dual-sensor main camera, including a 12 MP wide-angle and a 16 MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a dual LED flash. The technology delivers pretty decent daylight photos. However, if you've had the chance to shoot with an S10 or S10+, you'll notice a difference in the sharpness of the overall image. This discrepancy between the Galaxy S10 vs Galaxy S10e is due to the lack of the third module (telephoto lens with 12MP x2 optical zoom), which takes a few brownie points off this phone in our Galaxy S10e review.

The front camera with a single sensor of 10 MPx allows you to take good quality selfies also. The S10+ version obviously performs much better with a dual sensor for the selfie camera and a flash (white screen).

However, we were disappointed with the positioning of the front camera , which can obstruct the view in some applications . The photo module is located in the upper left corner. This element causes blurring in the field of view in full screen mode. This detail is particularly annoying for gamers (especially PUBG fans who don't have a full view of their fellow players), but also for film and video fans. With Netflix, however, the module is out of range on the screen. Even in full-screen mode, making the platform's video format a much more enjoyable experience..

In terms of video, we did not notice any weaknesses in the Galaxy S10e review. The recording is in 4k and the optical stabiliser did a very good job.

Optimal sound quality

The Samsung Galaxy S10e not only offers an optimal experience visually, the sound quality is just as sensational. Because the device is equipped with high-quality speakers, it is also worth mentioning the 3.5mm port allows you to still use wired headphones, thus you can listen to music or enjoy movies even if the Bluetooth audio system is completely drained.

On this point, Samsung is superior to Apple, which may have wanted to play the innovation card when they removed the headphone jack on its latest iPhone models: iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13.

In addition to the strengths already mentioned, we would like to mention the integration of the fingerprint sensor, which is positioned on the right side of the device and is therefore easily reachable with the thumb.

How much does the Samsung Galaxy S10e cost?

It may be difficult to find a new Samsung S10e nowadays, but you can get a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S10e easily from Back Market, currently starting from only *£95. Just know, when you buy a refurbished smartphone, you get the same features and quality as a brand new version but for 30%-50% less (sometimes more!).

Reading tip: What is the best Samsung smartphone?

The Galaxy S10e review: our verdict

The Galaxy S10e has everything that makes an ideal smartphone:

• a modern design,

• optimal multimedia quality,

• high performance,

• ideal functionality,

• easy to use.

The only weaknesses  we could find were:

• the short battery life,

• the position of the front camera module.

We can summarise the result of the Samsung Galaxy S10e test in one word: essential. Just like its name promises.

*Prices updated at date of latest publication.