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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a high priority for you, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a better main camera and more sophisticated video recording capabilities. However, if headphone jack access and a lighter device are more important, the Samsung Galaxy S10e meets those needs and is significantly cheaper. The S10e has a smaller screen, which could be preferable if you're looking for a more compact phone. On the other hand, the S21 has a larger screen and a higher refresh rate, making for smoother visuals. Battery life is quite similar, and both devices offer wireless charging. Lastly, consider the S21 if you need 5G connectivity, as the S10e does not support it. 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 Samsung Galaxy S21.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.3
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e's camera system is considered to have a poor selfie quality, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 has a much better selfie quality. Additionally, while both phones offer a variety of camera features, the S21 pulls ahead with a very good overall photos software experience compared to the S10e's good rating, which can significantly affect the final image quality.
Photo Quality
5.3
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes better selfies and has a stronger photos software experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy S10e, which reflects in its enhanced photo quality across various conditions. If selfies are very important to you and you appreciate a camera that provides a more user-friendly and feature-rich software experience, the Galaxy S21 would be the better choice, despite the Galaxy S10e having a more modest price point.
Video Quality
5.5
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10e takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 produces better video quality than the Galaxy S10e due to superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as having higher microphone quality. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 benefits from a more advanced video software experience, further contributing to its ability to capture good videos compared to the Galaxy S10e's poor video capabilities.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has a screen size of 5.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$145
$145
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S10e and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S10e | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 8, 2019 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.8" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2280 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 438 | 421 | |
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 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3100 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.6" x 2.75" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.29 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
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 | N/A | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Blue, Prism Green, Flamingo Pink, Cardinal Red, Cannary Yellow | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S10e
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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."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S10e or the Samsung Galaxy S21
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
88,200
Recommendations made
49,980
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.
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