Options are great, but when you’re looking to buy a great phone from yesteryear, you may need a little help narrowing things down. On Swappa, some of our best-selling phones are flagship devices that are a year or two old. There’s a good reason for this: they offer premium hardware and software, but cost a fraction of the price as the latest models.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 family is one such example. In the case of the Galaxy S10, Samsung manufactured 4 unique models for 2019. This could make it difficult for anyone who wasn’t keeping up with the latest tech to figure out which Galaxy S10 they should buy. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between all models and help you decide which Galaxy S10 you should buy in 2021.
Galaxy S10 spec comparison
| Galaxy S10e | Galaxy S10 | Galaxy S10+ | Galaxy S10 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.8-inch AMOLED FHD+ (1080 x 2280) | 6.1-inch AMOLED QHD+ (1440 x 3040) | 6.4-inch AMOLED QHD+ (1440 x 3040) | 6.7-inch AMOLED QHD+ (1440 x 3040) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 8GB | 8GB, 12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 512GB w/ micro SD card | 128GB, 512GB w/ micro SD card | 128GB, 512GB, 1TB w/ micro SD | 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear camera | 12MP Dual Aperture 16MP ultra-wide | 12MP Dual Aperture 16MP ultra-wide 12MP telephoto | 12MP Dual Aperture 16MP ultra-wide 12MP telephoto | 12MP Dual Aperture 16MP ultra-wide 12MP telephoto 3D sensor |
| Selfie camera | 10MP | 10MP | 10MP + depth sensor | 10MP + 3D sensor |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 3,100mAh | 3,400mAh | 4,100mAh | 4,500mAh |
| 3.5mm headphone jack | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE / 5G mmWave |
Want to see how the Samsung Galaxy S10 stacks up to more Galaxy phones? Head over to our Galaxy S10 Comparison Guide for more.
Best price: Samsung Galaxy S10e
The Galaxy S10e is Samsung’s smallest flagship, coming in 5.8-inches. Typically, smaller phones don’t have the highest specs, but Samsung changed things up with the release of the Galaxy S10e. The Galaxy S10e offers the same performance as its larger siblings, coming equipped with a Snapdragon 855 processor and up to 8GB of RAM. Corners were cut, however, so you won’t find the telephoto zoom lens or in-display fingerprint sensor, which was moved to the side-mounted power button.
With a size similar to that of the iPhone X, the Galaxy S10e is perfect for anyone wanting a high-end smartphone that will last them for years, but is still small enough to comfortably use with one hand. Unfortunately, this “e” line was discontinued the following year with the release of the Galaxy S20. That means if you’re looking for a small flagship with high-end specs, then you should definitely consider buying the Galaxy S10e.
Best value: Samsung Galaxy S10
Unlike the smaller Galaxy S10e, the standard Galaxy S10 comes equipped with the full set of Samsung’s hardware changes for 2019. That’s to say you’ll find a top-of-the-line 6.1-ich QHD+ curved display — slightly larger than the Galaxy S10e’s screen — along with in-display fingerprint sensor, punch hole camera, triple camera system, Snapdragon 855, 8GB of RAM, and a 3,400mAh battery.
The Galaxy S10 is a big upgrade from the previous generation Galaxy S9, and even by today’s standards, holds up against most 2019 smartphones. So if you want a good-sized phone, with nice hardware that won’t break the bank — then you should consider buying the Galaxy S10. Check out the widget below for average Galaxy S10 prices on Swappa.
Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S10+
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ takes everything you would love about the regular Galaxy S10, and kicks it up a few notches. Both models offer very similar hardware, but the Galaxy S10+ has a few extras.
First, it adds a larger 6.4-inch display, and the 10MP front facing camera now has a bonus depth sensor next to it. This gives the hole punch camera a more oblong shape, and allows for selfies with added special effects like portraits and color effects. Of course, the larger size means extra room for a larger battery, and the Galaxy S10+ has a nicely sized 4,100mAh battery.
The Galaxy S10+ is also the only model to offer a 1TB storage / 12GB RAM option, something you won’t even find on the even larger Galaxy S10 5G. With this configuration, the Galaxy S10+ can compete with even newer models like the Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S21+.
This makes the Samsung Galaxy S10+ our top pick, offering a fantastic value under $250. If you’re looking for a Samsung with a larger screen, longer battery life, and tripe camera array, the Galaxy S10+ is a great buy. Check out current pricing for used models on Swappa using the widget below.
Best battery life: Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
If you want the biggest and arguably the best from Samsung’s Galaxy S10 lineup, the Galaxy S10 5G could be that phone. It wasn’t really included with the Galaxy S10e, S10, and S10+ launch, releasing shortly later as a Verizon exclusive, then arriving for other carriers later in the year. So what makes it so special?
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G features an even larger 6.7-inch display — larger than the 6.4-inch screen on the S10+ — along with a beefier 4,500mAh battery. The higher battery capacity is mostly to help with the phone’s 5G capabilities, but seeing has how it’s 5G mmWave only, you won’t be able to connect to recently launched nationwide 5G networks. So while it’s a nice perk, 5G shouldn’t be your reason to buy this phone.
The S10 5G has other small additions as well, like a 256GB storage option, 25W fast charging, and bonus 3D depth sensors on the front and rear cameras to enable Video Live Focus and handy Quick Measure tool. So if you’re looking for the largest display and battery life from the S10 family, then you should definitely buy the Galaxy S10 5G. The best part is that it’s surprisingly cheap, with pricing is similar to that of the Galaxy S10+.
The only thing that could stop you from buying the Galaxy S10 5G is that it’s extremely rare and tough to find. Don’t worry. You can still find gently used Galaxy S10 5G models for sale in the Swappa marketplace, and our handy subscribe feature makes it easy to get notified whenever new models arrive. So don’t wait, use our widget below to find the best deals on the Galaxy S10 5G today.
Buy your Galaxy on Swappa and save big 💰
Finding a great deal on tech doesn’t have to be hard. Not only is Swappa the best marketplace to find a great deal on cheap phones, but we also take the uncertainty out of shopping for used tech with listings that are hand-verified by our very own staff. So not only can you save hundreds of dollars on a cheap Galaxy, but you can shop with confidence too.
Swappa makes it easy to find great deals on a Galaxy S10. Don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself by browsing entire selection of Galaxy phones using the button below, or check out the 10 best Samsung Galaxy phones you can buy in 2021. You might be surprised at how far your dollar will take you.
