X

Galaxy S10E is the dynamite, maverick Galaxy S10

It's different in some small, but important ways.

jessica-dolcourt-6462
jessica-dolcourt-6462
Jessica Dolcourt
galaxy-s10e-25
1 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

The Galaxy S10E is the smallest of the four new Galaxy S10 phones, but so far it's mighty.

galaxy-s10e-24
2 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

It shares most of its core specs with the larger and more power Galaxy S10 phones in the lineup, which gives is a solid foundation.

galaxy-s10e-26
3 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

One main difference is that the S10E's fingerprint reader is integrated into the power button. The other S10 phones have an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

galaxy-s10e-s10-plus
4 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

The Galaxy S10 Plus, top, may have a higher pixel density, but it's hard to tell the difference from the Galaxy S10E, bottom.

galaxy-s10e-27
5 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

This capacitive reader is fast and accurate, but pressing the power button and taking screenshots feels a little weird.

galaxy-s10e-29
6 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

In contrast, the volume rocker and Bixby button on the left spine stick out, so they're easier to press.

galaxy-s10e-galaxy-s10-plus-45
7 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Cameras are another key difference. The S10E, right, has two rear cameras, while the S10 and S10 Plus, left, have three. The S10 5G will have four cameras on the back.

galaxy-s10e-4
8 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

You get the same 12-megapixel main camera and 16-megapixel ultra-wide lens as you do on all the S10 phones, and even the foldable Galaxy Fold.

galaxy-s10e-6
9 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

On the front, the single 10-megapixel selfie camera does the heavy lifting.

galaxy-s10e-7
10 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Photos share the same core quality as on the Galaxy S10 Plus.

galaxy-s10e-21
11 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

You still get portrait mode and other effects.

galaxy-s10e-22
12 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

One benefit is that photos are easier to take one-handed.

galaxy-s10e-44
13 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Like the pricier S10 phones, you can use the Wireless PowerShare feature to top up another phone that works with Qi wireless charging.

galaxy-s10-galaxy-s10e-galaxy-s10-plus-2
14 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Little to big: Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 Plus line up for their family shot.

galaxy-s10-galaxy-s10e-galaxy-s10-plus-1
15 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

And here they are on the back. Believe it or not, those light blue-looking phones are Prism White.

galaxy-s10e-iphone-comparison-2
16 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

With its compact body and 5.8-inch screen, the Galaxy S10E (center) is about the same size as the iPhone XS (left). It's a lot smaller than the 6.1-inch iPhone XR (right).

galaxy-s10e-apple-comparison-3
17 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Here they are as seen from the back.

galaxy-s10e-15
18 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Another benefit of the S10E's smaller size: It fits more easily into pockets.

galaxy-s10e-16
19 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Nice to know you'll reduce your chances of it leaping onto the street.

galaxy-s10e-galaxy-s10-plus-46
20 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Compared to the 6.4-inch S10 Plus, the 5.8-inch S10E is significantly more petite.

galaxy-s10e-10
21 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

It's overall easier to use if you have smaller hands.

galaxy-s10e-38
22 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

This phone keeps the signature headphone jack and typical USB-C charger port.

galaxy-s10e-30
23 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Samsung's logo is on the back of every phone.

galaxy-s10e-8
24 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Here's how Samsung stylizes the S10E name.

galaxy-s10e-43
25 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Android 9 Pie underpins Samsung's OneUI interface.

galaxy-s10e-48
26 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Here's the Galaxy S10E in blue and black.

galaxy-s10e-20
27 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Samsung is banking on the $750 price tag to lure in on-the-fence buyers.

galaxy-s10e-5
28 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

The S10E has a polished backing that's also very reflective. 

galaxy-s10e-23
29 of 29 Angela Lang/CNET

Read all about its pros and cons in our fully-rated Galaxy S10E review.

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
Take a Look at Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Take a Look at Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More

19 Photos
I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips
Rahul Manepalli, right, Intel's module engineering leader, shows a glass substrate panel before it's sliced into the small rectangles that will be bonded to the undersides of hundreds of test processors. The technology, shown here at Intel's CH8 facility in Chandler, Arizona, stands to improve performance and power consumption of advanced processors arriving later this decade. Glass substrates should permit physically larger processors comprised of several small "chiplets" for AI and data center work, but Intel expects they'll trickle down to PCs, too.

I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips

20 Photos
Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe
andromeda

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe

16 Photos
Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action
A photo of a silhouette of buildings on the water taken on the iPhone 15

Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action

12 Photos
Take a Closer Look at the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now
A smart man holding an iPhone 14 Pro Max

Take a Closer Look at the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now

10 Photos
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship: Bookings Now Open for $9K+ Maiden Voyage
disney-treasure-tomorrow-tower-suite-3

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship: Bookings Now Open for $9K+ Maiden Voyage

16 Photos