If you're looking for a more compact phone with high-quality camera performance and you use iOS, then the Apple iPhone 12 mini is a solid choice; note, though, it does come with a premium price tag compared to the Samsung Galaxy S10e. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S10e offers a larger screen, potentially better battery life, and additional features like a reverse wireless charging capability and an SD card slot, at a lower price point, but with a slightly lower camera performance. It runs on Android, which might be preferable if you're accustomed to that ecosystem or want more customization options. 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 mini
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 mini.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3/10
5.3/10
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers a superior photography experience with better photo software, dynamic range, low light performance, and selfie quality, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize camera performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S10e falls short in these areas, reflecting its poorer camera capabilities, particularly in software experience and photo versatility, which may disappoint users looking for high-quality photo and video captures.
Photo Quality
7.1/10
5.3/10
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes better selfies due to its good selfie quality, in contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poorer selfies. Both the iPhone 12 mini and the Galaxy S10e have differences in their camera software experiences, with the iPhone offering the best software experience, which enhances photo quality, whereas the S10e provides a fair experience.
Video Quality
7.2/10
5.5/10
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini produces higher-quality videos due to very good video resolution and frame rate capabilities, and it offers an excellent video software experience with superior stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring smooth and well-exposed footage even in challenging lighting conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S10e falls short with merely fair video resolution and frame rate, a poor video software experience, lacking video stabilization, and a less capable dynamic range, leading to potentially shaky and poorly exposed videos especially in low light.
Battery
5.1 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 6.9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$300
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy S10e costs $145.
"If you’re going to opt for an iPhone and you want a smaller device without buying up the latest iPhone 13 mini, this is the perfect option for you – and it’s one of the smallest 5G phones on the market too. The camera is versatile, the screen is fantastic, it comes with reams of power and the added benefits of 5G and MagSafe mean this is a phone that will last you for years to come."
"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 mini 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.
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
121,500
Recommendations made
68,850
Consumer hours saved
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.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
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.
Efthimis Kotanidis
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.