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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a fantastic camera system is a priority, the iPhone 12 provides slightly better photo and video quality, along with more advanced features like Dolby Vision recording. However, the Galaxy S10e is lighter and offers a headphone jack and expandable storage through an SD card, which the iPhone does not. The iPhone 12 has a newer processor and supports 5G, which might make it more future-proof, while the Galaxy S10e may save you money, in turn offering slightly less battery life. The iPhone has a slightly larger screen, but you'll be paying more for these newer features. Choose the iPhone 12 for a better camera and future-proof tech, or the Galaxy S10e for cost savings, expandable storage, and a headphone jack. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S10e
- The Samsung Galaxy S10e has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.3
The Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e has poor overall camera quality.
The iPhone 12 boasts better overall camera performance with higher ratings in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, along with a higher selfie score compared to the Galaxy S10e, which falls short, particularly in its low selfie quality and lower scores in the aforementioned categories. These distinctions indicate that for customers prioritizing photography, especially selfies, the iPhone 12 offers a superior camera experience despite its generally higher price point compared to the more affordable but less capable camera system of the Galaxy S10e.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.3
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos because it offers a superior selfie camera quality, more effective software for image processing, better dynamic range, and stronger low-light performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy S10e, which shows weaknesses in these areas, resulting in poorer photo quality. Additionally, the iPhone 12's camera system is more versatile, giving users a better overall photography experience than the less capable camera of the Galaxy S10e.
Video Quality
7.2
5.5
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor videos.
The iPhone 12 offers superior video capabilities with high framerates and Dolby Vision support, ensuring very good stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside better microphone quality. In contrast, the Galaxy S10e has poorer video stabilization and dynamic range, fair low light performance, and lower overall video and audio quality, resulting in a less impressive video capturing experience.
Battery
6.2 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 6.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S10e is 5.8 inches.
Cost
$600
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S10e costs $145.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S10e compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S10e |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | March 8, 2019 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 5.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2280 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 438 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD855 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 6.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 3100 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 5.6" x 2.75" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 5.29 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | N/A | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Blue, Prism Green, Flamingo Pink, Cardinal Red, Cannary Yellow | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Samsung Galaxy S10e
See more
Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Natt Garun | March 2019
"You’re getting nearly the full S10 experience without spending as much money and in a size that’s a lot more appealing across demographics. If you’re looking for a good, small Android, this is a phone that I think most people will enjoy without sacrificing much in quality."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S10e
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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