If you prioritize a lower-cost option with a solid overall performance, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is a suitable choice; it offers a good camera system, a comfortable screen size, and a decent battery life. However, if you value cutting-edge photography and are willing to pay more, the Sony Xperia 1 III brings superior camera quality, a higher resolution and larger screen, as well as a more recent processor for potentially better performance. Both have Android operating systems, offer high-quality OLED displays with always-on features, but the Xperia 1 III has a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals. The S10e's battery life slightly outperforms the Xperia 1 III and also offers wireless powershare, while the Xperia 1 III includes features like 5G connectivity 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 Samsung Galaxy S10e
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has no clear advantages over the Sony Xperia 1 III.
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
Best in class display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3/10
6.0/10
The Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e falls short in camera performance with poor overall results in crucial areas like resolution, software, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, which includes aspects like variety of lenses and focal lengths, compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III that achieves fair outcomes and offers a stronger selfie camera experience. Additionally, while both struggle in some video aspects, the Xperia 1 III leads with better stabilization and software experience, which contributes to an overall improved photography and videography experience.
Photo Quality
5.3/10
5.9/10
The Sony Xperia 1 III and Samsung Galaxy S10e both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 1 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e delivers less satisfactory photos due in part to a lower selfie quality, underperforming photos software experience, and weaker dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III, which offers a fair selfie quality, better photos software experience, and features that contribute to a more versatile camera setup despite its own fair performance in dynamic range and low light situations.
Battery
6.9 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has a screen size of 5.8 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$145
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has a price of $145 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 1 III to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e records video with very good resolution and framerate, but it falls behind in software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, affecting the overall video quality. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III records fair video regarding resolution and framerate, yet its better stabilization, dynamic range, and specifically superior software experience contribute to a higher video quality. Both devices have good microphone quality, not influencing this comparison.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S10e and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
"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."
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S10e or the Sony Xperia 1 III
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.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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
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8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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.