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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is the way to go. However, you'll compromise with a slightly lower refresh rate and less RAM, meaning it may not be as smooth or quick as the Sony Xperia 5 III, which has a higher refresh rate for more fluid visuals and more memory for better multitasking. The Xperia 5 III also offers more recent hardware which could lead to better performance and longevity. Additionally, if photography is a priority, the Xperia 5 III provides a triple camera setup with better overall camera quality, while for selfies, both phones offer decent front-facing cameras. If you prefer longer battery life, the Xperia also edges out slightly in that department. In terms of size, the Xperia has a slightly larger screen, which can make for a more immersive experience when watching videos or playing games. Both phones have expandable storage options and are robust in terms of design, with glass backs and modern build quality. 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 5 III.
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
6.0
The Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e offers poor selfie quality and has limitations in camera versatility, dynamic range, and low light performance. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 III provides fair selfie quality with better performance in video resolution/framerate, stabilization, and camera versatility.
Photo Quality
5.3
5.9
The Sony Xperia 5 III and Samsung Galaxy S10e both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 5 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e produces poor-quality selfies and has weaker overall camera capabilities, including software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, compared to the Sony Xperia 5 III, which manages fair selfies and offers a more versatile camera experience, albeit still with its own limitations in dynamic range and low light.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has a screen size of 5.8 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$145
$450
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has a price of $145 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 5 III to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e produces poor video largely because its video stabilization and low light performance are weak, while the Sony Xperia 5 III, with better stabilization and microphones, manages fair video quality despite having similar challenges with dynamic range in videos. Both phones have suitable video resolution and framerate, but the Xperia 5 III's superior software experience and stabilization give it an edge over the Galaxy S10e.
Battery
6.9 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S10e and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S10e | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 8, 2019 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.8" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2280 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 438 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD855 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3100 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.6" x 2.75" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.29 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | N/A | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Blue, Prism Green, Flamingo Pink, Cardinal Red, Cannary Yellow | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
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."
Sony Xperia 5 III
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S10e or the Sony Xperia 5 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.
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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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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.
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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.
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