Galaxy S10e Vs iPhone 7

Galaxy S10e
Galaxy S10e
Starting at

Refurbished price:118.00

Versus €759.00 new

See options
iPhone 7
iPhone 7
Starting at

Refurbished price:79.00

Versus €199.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S10e, released in February 2019, and the Apple iPhone 7, launched in September 2016, represent distinct approaches to compact smartphone design from their respective manufacturers. While both devices offer a smaller footprint compared to their larger counterparts, they differ significantly in their operating systems, display technologies, and overall capabilities. The Galaxy S10e runs on Android, offering a more modern feature set, whereas the iPhone 7 operates within the iOS ecosystem, providing a familiar experience for Apple users.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release timeline and ongoing software support. These two devices, separated by over two years in their launch, reflect different stages of their update cycles.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S10e, being a 2019 device, launched with Android 9 and received major operating system updates up to Android 12. While major OS updates have concluded, it may still receive security patches for a period. The iPhone 7, released in 2016, originally shipped with iOS 10 and received updates up to iOS 15.8.7, released in March 2026, but no longer receives major iOS versions.
  • Expected Longevity: Due to its later release, the Galaxy S10e generally offers a longer potential for compatibility with newer applications and features that require more recent software versions. The iPhone 7, while still functional for basic tasks, will increasingly encounter limitations with apps requiring newer iOS versions.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature glass backs, which can be susceptible to damage from drops. The Galaxy S10e carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 7 has an IP67 rating, meaning it is resistant to dust and splashes, and can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

Year of Release

2019

2016

Compatible with latest Update

No

No

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer Galaxy S10e offering a more capable hardware foundation compared to the iPhone 7.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S10e is equipped with a more recent generation processor, allowing it to handle demanding applications, complex multitasking, and modern mobile games with greater fluidity. The iPhone 7, with its older processor, performs reliably for everyday tasks and less intensive applications but may exhibit slower loading times and occasional stutters with more resource-heavy software.
  • Multitasking Capability: The Galaxy S10e typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for keeping multiple applications open and switching between them smoothly. The iPhone 7, with 2GB of RAM, is more constrained in its multitasking abilities, often requiring apps to reload when switching.
  • Battery Performance: The Galaxy S10e features a 3100 mAh battery, which generally provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use. The iPhone 7 has a smaller 1960 mAh battery, which for many users, particularly those with heavy usage patterns, may necessitate more frequent charging throughout the day.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

2 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these two devices presents a notable contrast, primarily due to advancements in display technology over their respective release periods.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S10e features a 5.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. This display also supports HDR10+ for enhanced dynamic range in compatible content. The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels. While it provides good color accuracy for an LCD panel, it cannot match the contrast and black levels of an AMOLED screen.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S10e's display generally achieves higher peak brightness, improving visibility in bright outdoor conditions. Its edge-to-edge design with minimal bezels also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. The iPhone 7's display offers adequate brightness for most indoor and outdoor scenarios but features more prominent bezels around the screen.
  • Screen Size and Pixel Density: The S10e's larger 5.8-inch screen and higher resolution result in a pixel density of approximately 438 pixels per inch (ppi), providing sharp and detailed visuals. The iPhone 7's 4.7-inch screen has a pixel density of around 326 ppi, which is considered sharp for its size but less dense than the S10e.

Resolution

1080 x 2280

750 x 1334

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

The camera systems of the Galaxy S10e and iPhone 7 reflect the evolution of smartphone photography, with the newer device offering greater versatility.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S10e boasts a dual-camera setup on the rear, including a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a variable aperture and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. This provides users with more creative options, such as capturing expansive landscapes. The iPhone 7 features a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with optical image stabilization. While capable of producing good photos in well-lit conditions, it lacks the versatility of an ultra-wide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The S10e generally offers improved low-light performance and more advanced image processing capabilities, leading to more detailed and balanced photos across various lighting conditions. The iPhone 7 performs well in bright daylight, capturing natural colors and decent detail, but its performance in challenging low-light environments is more limited.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video. The Galaxy S10e features a 10-megapixel front-facing camera, which captures detailed selfies. The iPhone 7 has a 7-megapixel front camera, suitable for video calls and casual selfies.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S10e offers more modern connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, providing faster and more stable wireless connections. It also features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, along with a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The iPhone 7 uses Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, and Apple's proprietary Lightning port, notably lacking a headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The S10e incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, offering a convenient and quick unlock method. It also supports face recognition. The iPhone 7 relies on a front-mounted fingerprint sensor (Touch ID) embedded in its home button for secure authentication.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The iPhone 7 is slightly smaller and lighter, measuring 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm and weighing 138 grams, making it very easy to handle with one hand. The Galaxy S10e is still a compact device at 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm and 150 grams, offering a larger screen in a relatively small form factor.

Weight

150 g

138 g

Screen size (in)

5.8

4.7

Network

4G

4G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

Lightning

When considering the Galaxy S10e and the iPhone 7, user feedback often highlights distinct strengths and weaknesses for each device. The Galaxy S10e is frequently praised for its vibrant Dynamic AMOLED display, its versatile dual-camera system that includes an ultra-wide lens, and the continued presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Some users, however, have noted that its battery life, while adequate, might not always extend through a full day of heavy usage compared to larger phones.

The iPhone 7, on the other hand, receives commendation for its extremely compact size, the consistent and user-friendly iOS experience, and its reliable performance for everyday communication and basic applications. Common criticisms often revolve around its older design aesthetic, the absence of a traditional headphone jack, and a battery capacity that can be limiting for users who frequently engage with their device.

Users prioritizing a modern display, a more versatile camera setup, and the flexibility of the Android operating system, along with a headphone jack, may find the Galaxy S10e well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, who value a very small form factor and a straightforward user experience for essential smartphone functions, may lean toward the iPhone 7. Both devices, especially as quality-assured refurbished options, offer an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.