Galaxy S10+ Vs iPhone XS

Galaxy S10+
Galaxy S10+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£115.32

Versus £330.00 new

See options
iPhone XS
iPhone XS
Starting at

Refurbished price:£102.00

Versus £399.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, released in March 2019, and the Apple iPhone Xs, launched in September 2018, represent flagship smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both devices offer premium experiences, they differ significantly in their operating systems, display characteristics, and camera capabilities. The Galaxy S10 Plus runs on Android, providing a customizable user experience, whereas the iPhone Xs operates on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem. Key differentiators include the S10 Plus's larger display with a punch-hole camera design and its versatile triple-lens rear camera system, contrasting with the iPhone Xs's notch design and dual-lens camera setup.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The iPhone Xs was released in September 2018, making it slightly older than the Galaxy S10 Plus, which launched in March 2019. This age difference can influence the remaining period of official software support.
  • OS Support Duration: Apple generally provides a long period of major iOS updates for its devices. The iPhone Xs originally shipped with iOS 12 and received updates up to iOS 18, marking a seven-year update streak. While major OS updates ended in September 2025, security updates are expected to continue through at least late 2026. Android devices, including the Galaxy S10 Plus, typically receive fewer major OS updates compared to iPhones. The Galaxy S10 Plus launched with Android 9.0 (Pie) and received updates up to Android 12.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Both devices feature robust builds with glass fronts and backs, and are IP68 rated for dust and water resistance. The iPhone Xs has a stainless steel frame, while the Galaxy S10 Plus uses an aluminum frame. The practical lifespan for both can extend beyond official software support, especially for users who prioritize hardware functionality over the latest software features.

Year of Release

2019

2018

Compatible with latest Update

No

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S10 Plus and the iPhone Xs were designed to deliver high-end performance for their respective generations, handling demanding applications and multitasking with efficiency.

  • Processor Capabilities: The iPhone Xs is equipped with a powerful processor that provides responsive and smooth operation across the iOS ecosystem. It handles graphically intensive games and complex applications effectively, with users often noting its fluidity. The Galaxy S10 Plus features a capable processor that ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming on the Android platform. While both offer strong performance, the iPhone Xs's processor often demonstrated a slight edge in raw processing benchmarks at the time of their release.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S10 Plus includes a larger battery capacity (4100 mAh) compared to the iPhone Xs (2658 mAh). In real-world usage, the Galaxy S10 Plus generally offers longer battery life, particularly for heavy users, and supports faster wired charging. The iPhone Xs, while having a smaller battery, benefits from iOS's power management, providing reliable endurance for moderate use.
  • Storage and RAM: The Galaxy S10 Plus offers more flexible storage options, including expandable storage via a microSD card (on dual SIM models), and comes with higher RAM configurations (8GB or 12GB). The iPhone Xs provides fixed internal storage options (64GB, 256GB, 512GB) and 4GB of RAM, which is optimized for iOS's memory management.

Memory

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interaction point for smartphones, and both the Galaxy S10 Plus and iPhone Xs offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone Xs has a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display, also known for its excellent color reproduction and contrast. The S10 Plus provides a larger screen area, which can enhance media consumption and productivity.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S10 Plus boasts a higher resolution of 3040 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with approximately 522 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone Xs offers a resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels at 458 ppi. Both displays deliver clear and detailed visuals, though the S10 Plus has a slight edge in pixel density.
  • Brightness and Features: Both phones offer good brightness levels for outdoor visibility. The Galaxy S10 Plus supports HDR10+, providing enhanced dynamic range for compatible content. The iPhone Xs supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Neither device features a high refresh rate display, with both operating at 60Hz.

Resolution

1440 x 3040

1125 x 2436

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED

Super Retina OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach mobile photography with different hardware configurations and software processing.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a versatile triple-lens rear camera setup, including a 12MP wide-angle, a 12MP telephoto, and a 16MP ultrawide lens. This ultrawide lens allows for capturing broader scenes, a feature not present on the iPhone Xs. The iPhone Xs has a dual-lens rear camera system with two 12MP sensors: a wide-angle and a telephoto lens.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone Xs is often praised for its consistent image quality, natural color reproduction, and strong dynamic range, particularly in well-lit conditions. The Galaxy S10 Plus excels in low-light conditions due to its variable aperture and can capture more detail in darker areas. User preferences vary, with some finding the iPhone's colors more true-to-life and others appreciating the S10 Plus's vividness.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The Galaxy S10 Plus offers 4K recording on its front camera and features a dual front camera setup (10MP main, 8MP depth sensor), allowing for enhanced portrait selfies. The iPhone Xs has a single 7MP front-facing camera.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two devices.

  • Connectivity Options: Both phones support 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. The Galaxy S10 Plus supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections compared to the iPhone Xs's Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Neither device supports 5G connectivity.
  • Ports and Biometrics: A notable difference is the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy S10 Plus, which is absent on the iPhone Xs. The S10 Plus uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, while the iPhone Xs uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port. For security, the Galaxy S10 Plus features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, alongside face recognition. The iPhone Xs relies solely on Face ID for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S10 Plus measures 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm and weighs 175g (or 198g for ceramic models). The iPhone Xs is more compact at 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs 177g. The S10 Plus features a punch-hole cutout for its front cameras, leading to a more expansive screen-to-body ratio, while the iPhone Xs has a prominent notch.

Weight

175 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

5.8

Network

4G

4G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus and iPhone Xs, while both premium devices from their respective eras, cater to slightly different user preferences. The Galaxy S10 Plus is often praised for its expansive and vibrant display, versatile triple camera system with an ultrawide lens, and longer battery life, making it a strong contender for users who prioritize media consumption, photography flexibility, and extended usage without frequent charging. Its inclusion of a headphone jack and expandable storage are also frequent points of appreciation among users. Some criticisms for the S10 Plus occasionally point to the software update longevity compared to its Apple counterpart.

The iPhone Xs, on the other hand, is lauded for its consistent and reliable performance, the intuitive iOS ecosystem, and its compact form factor. Users often highlight the quality of its OLED display, the consistent output of its dual camera system, and the long-term software support Apple provides, which ensures security updates for an extended period. Common user concerns sometimes revolve around its smaller battery capacity compared to some Android flagships and the absence of a headphone jack.

Users prioritizing a larger, more customizable display, a versatile camera with an ultrawide option, and a longer-lasting battery may find the Galaxy S10 Plus more aligned with their needs. Conversely, those who value a compact device, a highly integrated and user-friendly operating system, and consistent camera performance with extended software support might lean towards the iPhone Xs. Both devices remain capable smartphones, and choosing a quality-assured refurbished option for either can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons