Samsung Galaxy S10 Galaxy S10e Review

The Galaxy S10e is the 'anti-phablet'—a compact, capable throwback. Buy it for the size, accept its dated specs, and skip it if you need 5G or cutting-edge speed.

The Samsung Galaxy S10e is a weird little time capsule, and honestly, that's its main appeal. It's a compact, unlocked flagship from 2019 that still punches above its weight in a few key areas, but you're buying it for the size and the price, not for bleeding-edge tech. The one thing to know is this: it's a fantastic 'just a phone' phone for someone who hates big screens and wants solid core features without the modern flagship price tag.

The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a 2019 flagship chipset—it's fine. The Snapdragon 855 and 6GB of RAM land it in the 60th percentile in our database, which means it's perfectly smooth for daily tasks and most apps, but you'll feel its age if you try to push it with heavy gaming or demanding multitasking. It's not slow, but it's definitely not fast by today's standards.

At around $370, the value is solid if your priorities are specific. You're getting flagship-level core components from a few years ago at a mid-range price. It's not a steal, but it's a fair deal for the unique package.

This is where things get interesting. Against a modern mid-ranger like the Google Pixel 10 or OnePlus 15, the S10e loses hard on performance, camera software, and 5G. But, if you absolutely must have a small phone, those competitors don't even play in that league—they're all bigger. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a more direct modern alternative with better specs across the board, but it's also larger and more expensive. You're trading modern performance for a compact body.

If you're looking for a future-proof phone with 5G, great battery life, and top-tier cameras, this isn't it. Go get a Google Pixel 10 or a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE instead. This phone is for minimalists who prioritize form factor over raw power.

We can recommend the Galaxy S10e, but only to a very specific person. If you're a 5G user, a mobile gamer, or a photography enthusiast, look elsewhere immediately. But if you're someone who genuinely prefers a smaller phone, doesn't care about 5G, and just wants a reliable daily driver with a few bonus features, this is one of the few decent options left. It's a niche pick, but a good one for that niche.