The opposition of Samsung with the Galaxy S line and Apple with the iPhone series is an excellent topic to once again raise the armies of fans of both companies to mortal combat in the comments under this material. Over time, the forces of fans of iOS and Android will also be drawn there. But this is not why we are gathered today.

Not so long ago, I was faced with the choice of a new flagship for personal use. The favorites for the vacant seat were the iPhone XR or Galaxy S10e. The latter, according to the list of specifications, looks generally a competitor to the XS, but Samsung has written it down as an opponent of the XR. And the price is to blame.

Now I will add fuel to the fire. Having weighed all the pros and cons, I settled on the XR, after a month of operation I switched to the S10e sample. Again for a month. Based on my experience, I want to help potential XR and S10e buyers make a choice in the direction of one or another device. And of course, I’ll tell you if I regretted choosing the XR.

Galaxy S10e Specifications:

• Dimensions: 142,2 x 69,9 x 7,9mm, 150g
• Display: 5,8 ″, 2280 × 1080 (~ 435 ppi), Super AMOLED
• Processor: 8-core Exynos 9820, Mali-G76 MP12
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM, microSD slot (up to 512 GB)
• Camera: 12 + 16 MP, f1,5 / f2,4 + f / 2,4 (main dual), 10 MP, f / 1,9 (front)
• Battery: 3100 mAh
• OS: Android 9 Pie (One UI)
• Communication: Wi-Fi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, LTE, 3,5 mm headphone jack, Type-C
• Case color: mother of pearl, onyx, aquamarine, citrus
• Cost: from 49 990 rubles

IPhone XR Specifications:

• Dimensions: 150,9 x 75,7 x 8,3mm, 194g
• Display: 6,1 ″, 1792 × 828 (~ 326 ppi), Liquid Retina HD, IPS
• Processor: Apple A12 Bionic
• Memory: 3 GB RAM, 64/128/256 GB ROM
• Camera: 12 MP, f / 1,8 (main), 7 MP, f / 2,2 (front)
• Battery: 2942 mAh
• OS: iOS 12
• Communication: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, LTE, Lightning
• Case color: yellow, coral, blue, red, black, white
• Cost: from 54 990 rubles

Assembly and body

I will just briefly mention that the iPhone XR is larger than the Galaxy S10e. Not to say that the Korean flagship looks short after XR in hand. To a greater extent, this moment is felt when you carry the device in a jeans or trousers pocket.

But where the differences are striking is in case materials and weight. The S10e is noticeably lighter than the XR: 150 g versus 194 g. When I first got acquainted with the S10e, I involuntarily caught myself thinking that there was plastic somewhere. Continuing to feel the device, I found it on the back panel.

Samsung says the four color variations of the S10e owe their gradient to the nano-laminated film, but does not specify if it sits above or below Gorilla Glass 5. Comparing the backs of the XR and S10e, I can’t help but feel like Samsung is using some kind of plastic coating.

Another important point about the assembly is the backlash of the power key, combined with the fingerprint scanner on the right side. Several of my colleagues found it in test samples. I also observed a similar problem on a display sample of the device in one of the official Samsung stores in Moscow.

The key not only “walks” under the finger, but also rattles if the device is shaken, like a rattle or maracas. It may sound ridiculous, but you definitely don’t expect this from a flagship. I’ll write off the defect for a test sample.

I really hope that commercial samples are free of this problem. If anything, article 18 of the LPOZP will help you. Remember, even complex technical devices without defects that prevent their work are returned to the store within 14 days from the date of purchase. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the assembly of the S10e.

In the case of XR, there is nothing to complain about in terms of assembly. It is not surprising, because the device was released in October last year, and therefore Apple had plenty of time to “quietly” correct the assembly flaws. In my hands, according to the serial number, a sample from a “fresh” batch, collected in May this year.

In the case of both devices, manufacturers claim water resistance: IP68 for the S10e and IP67 for the XR. On paper, the S10e will do better underwater adventures, but I don’t recommend diving with either of these smartphones without a dedicated case. Because no matter what certification they are subjected to, service centers will refuse to repair the “drowned man” at their own expense.

As for the appearance. The S10e is available in four colors: mother of pearl, onyx, aquamarine and citrus. In the case of XR, we have: black, white, blue, yellow, red and coral. The front panels of both devices are completely black, the metal frames are painted in the color of the case. The only difference is that the XR has a matte frame, while the S10e has a glossy frame.

For my taste, the colors of the S10e are more subdued and better suited to boring people like me. The iPhone XR, by contrast, offers a perky coral option, as well as vibrant yellows and blues.

I got my hands on the S10e in aquamarine color. This is a good example of how to create an unusual color to make it stand out and look expensive. There is only one drawback: in this design, the smartphone is very easily soiled.

Displays

On the side of the Galaxy S10e, we have a 5,8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2280 × 1080 pixels, 435 ppi. The iPhone XR offers a 6,1-inch IPS with 1792 x 828 pixels, 326 ppi. On paper, the difference between displays is colossal, but in reality, the differences are much more modest.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the story of the “worst” XR display. The main complaint about it is the resolution that does not reach Full HD with a large diagonal of 6,1 inches. Is the detail really bad? Not.

If you have already dealt with the iPhone 8, 7, 6S and so on up to the iPhone 4, then you should already have an idea of ​​the detail of the iPhone XR. It is absolutely the same there at the same 326 ppi. It is important to understand that ppi refers to pixel density per inch, not resolution. That is, the iPhone 4 and XR have different display resolutions, as well as diagonals.

When watching videos, browsing, freezing in instant messengers and games, the difference between 326 and 435 ppi is invisible. The S10e’s “detail margin” plays a role only in very small objects, like small icons or avatars on social networks. You can only notice the difference when you compare both devices directly.

Where the differences between the S10e and XR displays are really striking is in color reproduction. By default, the Korean flagship has more saturated colors. You can turn on the profile with realistic colors in the settings, but it is far from Apple’s “quiet” IPS calibration. The choice between IPS and AMOLED is a matter of taste. I’m not your friend here.

You can not ignore the side and the framework. Samsung has really tried to keep the bezel evenly around the display, but the chin is still thicker than the top and side bezels. However, this does not in any way spoil the amazing feeling of having literally one display in the hands.

After the thinner bezels of the X, XS, and XS Max, the iPhone XR doesn’t seem so innovative in terms of a bezel-less display. Its “uniform” bezel is noticeably thicker than that of the S10e. Be that as it may, the XR is the smallest 6,1-inch smartphone. True, there are not so many devices with such a diagonal. Only OnePlus 6 comes to my mind.

You can also mention the cutouts for the front cameras. The S10e has a small, round neckline, while the XR has a healthy brow, which is justified by a number of dedicated TrueDepth camera sensors. I don’t know if you like these solutions, but I got used to both options in the early days of getting to know the devices.

The following can be said about the difference in diagonals. When switching from XR to S10e, you notice more modest body dimensions and weight, rather than a reduced display diagonal. But when you return to XR, you catch yourself thinking that there is a little more information on the screen.

In general, 5,8 inches is enough for me. If such a diagonal seems small to you, it makes sense to look at XR or other smartphones with 6,1-6,4 inches, or even more.

And the last interesting point about displays is brightness. Samsung promises up to 803 nits in automatic mode, while the XR has a maximum brightness of just 625 nits. In fact, the maximum brightness for both devices is the same.

I cranked up the brightness manually, activated the automatic mode, and still the S10e’s brightness cannot overtake that of the iPhone. Visibility is the same on both displays in direct sunlight.

Fingerprint scanner vs Face ID

The Galaxy S10e is the only smartphone with which I had to get used to a fingerprint scanner for a long time. And this is due to its location in the upper part of the right side.

Usually with every new smartphone I have the following situation. During the first setup, I briefly create a fingerprint, and then, if the scanner does not work correctly, I recreate the fingerprint one more time at most.

In the case of the S10e, the process dragged on for several days of thoughtful analysis of all possible positions of my finger on the scanner, because every now and then the next unlocking of the device ended with a PIN code. In the end, I had to create two thumbprints. I have never experienced similar situations with any other device.

The very position of the scanner on the side face cannot be called unambiguously successful. It does not spoil the appearance of the rear panel, does not “eat up” the area under the display, it is easy to unlock the device with your index finger while it is lying on the table. These are the pros. And the big minus is the need to get used to his location through pain and suffering.

About left-handers. A friend of mine, a “test sample”, said that it is quite possible to unlock the device with the index finger of his left hand, but only by intercepting the device. In addition, you can forget about the gestures tied to the fingerprint scanner. True, the gesture is only one and inconvenient – lowering the curtain with a swipe across the sensor. I had a lot of accidental triggers with this gesture, so I had to disable it.

Let’s finish the reasoning about the location of the sensor and talk about its work. Finger recognition is very fast. It is definitely faster than the fingerprint sensor under the display. Especially if you activate the wake-up option by simply touching the sensor.

On the XR side is an updated TrueDepth camera with Face ID facial recognition technology. I must say that before meeting XR, I greatly underestimated her. And here the point is not only that the smartphone seems to be left without a password all the time, but also in the integration of Face ID into various parts of the system.

For example, the content of new notifications on the lock screen will be hidden until you are the one who is looking at your smartphone. In the same way, you can hide the control menu and widgets.

With the introduction of the first-generation TrueDepth camera in the iPhone X, there has been a lot of negative reviews about Face ID’s slow performance. In XR, the technology works with lightning speed both when unlocking the device itself, and when calling Apple Pay or identifying in other applications.

I don’t know how things are with the original sensor, but the updated TrueDepth has a wide enough viewing angle to recognize me when the smartphone is lying on the table on my right hand (next to the laptop). So you don’t have to hover over the XR to unlock it. And thanks to the infrared emitter, the face is recognized in the dark. Of course, the device can be unlocked without any problems in either hand, unlike the S10e.

Separately about face recognition in S10e

The Galaxy S10e features facial recognition technology that relies only on the front-facing camera. Samsung itself, when activating this option, warns that the device can be unlocked by a person with a similar appearance or using a picture of your face. And I highly recommend heeding these warnings.

On the current software version, even with deactivated accelerated recognition, the S10e is unlocked using my photo on the screen of another smartphone. And during the unlocking process, I never get into the field of view of the front camera of the S10e.

The technology itself is very fast. Disabling accelerated recognition, according to my feelings, does not affect the speed of its work at all. But this is only in good lighting conditions. In the dark, the smartphone increases the brightness of the display to illuminate the face, but still often it is not recognized. This option, if desired, can be disabled in the settings.

In order not to dazzle yourself in the morning and not worry about security, I still recommend using a fingerprint scanner or an ordinary PIN code.

Speakers

Both smartphones use multimedia and spoken speakers to create a stereo effect. I do not hear the difference in their maximum volume, both devices on it wheeze heart-rendingly. However, when playing audio at acceptable volume levels, I prefer the S10e speakers because of the more detailed elaboration of the high frequencies, which makes the sound more “clear”.

Камеры

Before evaluating the quality of the resulting photos, let’s go over the specifications. The S10e has a dual main camera: a 12MP sensor with a variable aperture f1,5 / f2,4 and a 16MP wide-angle module (f / 2,2). As for the front module: 10 megapixels, f / 1,9. On the XR side, there is a single 12MP f / 1,8 main module and a 7MP front camera (f / 2,2).

The main camera of the Galaxy S10e has one advantage over its XR counterpart: an additional wide-angle module. It is suitable for capturing large objects and large areas. It makes no sense to photograph people and other smaller objects on it, as the proportions are distorted.

Photos taken with iPhone XR

Photos captured with Galaxy S10e:

Examples of shots on the Galaxy S10e wide-angle module:

In daytime shots, from the point of view of detail, I do not see a fundamental difference between the devices, but in the color rendition it is significant. The S10e automatically captures too much light, which starts killing colors. Pictures come out faded. This moment is especially noticeable on red shades. Colors in iPhone XR images are richer and more lifelike.

At first glance, the Galaxy S10e’s “flashing” appears to be beneficial for low-light photography. More light comes out in the pictures compared to the XR, but if you pay attention to the details, there is a “mess”, while the iPhone pleases with clear and sharp outlines of objects. In addition, in the presence of unnatural lighting, the S10e is confused with white balance, going green.

Smart HDR in iPhone XR:

HDR performance in Galaxy S10e:

With HDR and Smart HDR working, everything is ambiguous. Either the S10e has a good shot, or the XR. In the case of the first photo of the bridge, I do not like the abundance of light in the S10e, but from the shots with the monument to Peter I of Zurab Tsereteli, it seems that the iPhone XR completely forgot to turn on Smart HDR.

Examples of shots taken with the front camera iPhone XR:

Examples of shots on the front camera Galaxy S10e:

On the front cameras, the alignment is simple: in conditions with very good lighting, the photos are equally beautiful on both devices, but as the light level decreases, the S10e breaks out ahead with more detail and less noise. Samsung’s flagship also has an additional mode for the front camera with a wider viewing angle.

I take selfies very rarely, almost never, and therefore I prefer the iPhone XR camera because of the more realistic and saturated colors. If a wide-angle module or increased detail of a selfie is vital to you, feel free to take the S10e. He also shoots great, but with faded colors in the pictures you have to do something.

Performance and software

The Galaxy S10e is powered by an Exynos 9820 processor, supplemented by 6GB of RAM. The OS is Android Pie with the One UI proprietary shell, which I dwelt on in detail in a separate review. The iPhone XR has an Apple A12 Bionic, 3GB of RAM and iOS 12.

When choosing between the S10e and XR, you need to understand the specifics of the operating systems they run on. Samsung’s flagship runs on a very fast, sometimes sharp One UI, while iOS 12 on the iPhone XR is always smooth and unhurried.

Android based One UI allows you to install pirated software, use your smartphone as an external storage device and conveniently work with its file system. At the same time, Samsung’s proprietary shell offers to customize almost anything and everything, not to mention many other Android launchers with their own chips.

There are also disadvantages: incorrect hyphenation in the names of applications, annoying game mode, duplicate applications and partner programs that can be frozen, but not deleted. The latter is simply infuriating. This shouldn’t be the case in a flagship device!

iOS 12 strictly predetermines user experience and does not tolerate third-party tweaks. But on iOS, in the case of the frameless X, XS, XS Max and XR, there is a divine gesture system that you get used to in half an hour and involuntarily try to use it on other devices where there are no such gestures.

Add to this proprietary services like iMessage or AirDrop, whose charm can only be known within the Apple ecosystem. In addition, iOS offers long-term support for devices up to the latest operating system versions. For example, iOS 12 is compatible with the iPhone 5S released in 2013.

IOS also has its drawbacks: a closed file system, restrictions on downloading applications from the App Store via LTE (by changing the date), “special” operation of the quick control menu, from which you cannot completely disable wireless modules, you need to “go” to the settings. A couple of these points will be corrected in iOS 13, but it will still have to wait.

As for optimization and stability. No matter how much money you pay for the device, unfortunately, everything breaks and lags. Not a single device is immune from problems after the next update, manufacturing defects and crooked hands of third-party software developers. Therefore, purchase devices with a guarantee and back up. On iOS, by the way, it works much better than “draining half of the phone” to Google Drive on Android.

Let’s take a separate look at gaming performance. Both devices deliver crazy results in synthetic benchmarks and do great in heavy games. There are projects like Asphalt 9 that play well at 60 fps only on iOS (you need to install tweaks on Android), there are titles like Shadowgun Legends that work better with Exynos than even with Snapdragon.

This suggests that now you will not find a strong difference in gaming performance between the S10e and XR. However, it will show itself in the future. For example, now we can look at two peers from 2016 in the face of the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S7. The Seven launches Asphalt 9 at maximum settings at a stable 30 fps and produces 40+ fps in PUBG, again at maximum settings.

Galaxy S7 slightly “sags” in Asphalt 9 at “maximum speed”, and the maximum settings in PUBG are simply not available to it. There are high ones, but at them fps drops below 30, and therefore, for a smooth picture, you have to reduce the settings to medium-high.

If we consider the S10e and XR as portable gaming stations, then the App Store moderation plays in favor of the iPhone, which does not allow AAA projects to the shelves, where a spider-man in a batman mask with a green lantern ring saves the world in 3D. There are also useful collections of programs and games in the App Store, and the Apple Arcade service is on its way.

The absence of piracy encourages developers to port projects to iOS from PCs and handheld consoles like The Gardens Between and Serial Cleaner. There are also mobile exclusives. New – Very Little Nightmares. Of course, you will have to pay for such games.

Autonomy

To be honest, the stories about the fact that the flagships of the Galaxy S9 on Exynos barely survive until lunchtime on a single charge scared me when I looked towards the S10e. If the S9 + with a 3500 mAh battery, according to the owners, somehow lasted until the evening, then what will happen to the small S10e with a 3100 mAh battery? It turned out that things would not be so bad.

In mixed mode of use, the S10e produces 5,5-6 hours of screen per day, and 4-4,5 hours in two days. With my mode of use, this is more than enough to make it even on the most “stressful” days for a smartphone until the evening without recharging.

With its 2942 mAh battery, the iPhone XR delivers more than seven hours of screen per day and about six hours of screen per two days, since it hardly eats anything in sleep mode, unlike the S10e. Thus, the XR lasts until the night with a day of active use and until the evening of the next day in moderate mode.

Sometimes one cannot help but recall the greed of Apple, which, unlike Samsung, did not put fast charging in the bundle with its flagship. To recharge your iPhone XR to 50 percent in 30 minutes, you need a USB-C to Lightning cable and a minimum 18W USB Power Delivery adapter. Everything is purchased separately.

Another difference between the S10e and XR: reversible charging. This is when you can put another device with wireless charging technology on your smartphone and charge it that way. A useful feature for charging small devices like Galaxy Buds or AirPods 2.

It’s so useless to charge smartphones, so don’t try. Regular wireless charging is present in both devices.

Warranty and prices

With an official price of 56 rubles for the base version of the S990e 10/6 GB, Samsung has entered the flagship market extremely aggressively, because competitors are asking for more money for a similar set of specifications and capabilities. But at the start of sales for the same price, the Galaxy Buds wireless headphones came with the device.

However, there is a “gray” market, where the cost of the Galaxy S10e has already dropped to 38 thousand rubles. Just a gift for that kind of money. Just keep in mind that “gray” Samsung smartphones are not covered by the warranty on the territory of the Russian Federation.

“Gray” iPhone XR can be found for 48-50 thousand rubles for the basic version of 3/64 GB. Often these are devices with a one-year international warranty, which will be serviced at authorized service centers in the territory of the Russian Federation.

PCT models of the iPhone XR in the official Apple online store are estimated at 66 092 rubles, but official resellers will sell you PCT XR for 60 thousand. And this happens with all iPhone models: you can find them at official resellers for 6-10 thousand rubles cheaper than in a branded online store. Apple magic.

What does the PCT model give? It extends the warranty period to two years. Otherwise, it will be absolutely the same device as the device purchased on the “gray” market.

Eventually

Before highlighting the specific features of both devices, I will express a simple idea. If you have an unexplained craving for any of these devices, feel free to take it. The XR and S10e are two absolute flagships that are fully working out their value.

Just before buying, I recommend that you still walk to the nearest electronics store and get acquainted with the devices live to find out how comfortable your finger is on the S10e scanner, and whether the iPhone XR is too big for your palm. And, of course, make sure of the excellent quality of its display.

As for the specific features of these smartphones. The Galaxy S10e is the only current compact flagship on Android. In addition to its modest dimensions, it has a bezel-less display that causes a “wow-effect”, a dual main camera and a very “tasty” price tag, especially if you look at the device on the “gray” market.

The S10e also stands out for its user-friendly features such as a 3,5mm audio output, microSD card support and quick charging included.

The features of the iPhone XR are less obvious because they are not spelled out in the specifications. This is great battery life, superbly functioning Face ID technology, true color reproduction of the main camera when compared to the S10e, and long-term support.

You can also mention Apple branded services, but their avid users most likely will not look towards something else on Android, and for those who remain outside the Apple ecosystem, they do not play any role.

As for me

Why did I choose the latter when choosing between the S10e and XR? Because in the flagship from Samsung, I was confused by the backlash of the fingerprint scanner and its location, as well as the reputation of not being the most autonomous flagship that has surrounded the Galaxy S line from the eighth generation. An additional argument in favor of XR was the banal interest in iOS, which I have not used since the seventh version.

It should be noted that the stories about the Galaxy S10e’s battery life are slightly exaggerated. For me, they don’t exist at all, nor are the XR display problems. Having used both devices, I came to the conclusion that they are extremely similar in terms of operating experience. Both are good, albeit in different ways, take pictures, work quickly and “pull” all modern games.

But that when choosing a new flagship, that after a month of communication with each of them, I prefer the iPhone XR, because it has intuitive Face ID identification and solid autonomy, with which you do not need to worry about battery power at all.