Galaxy S10+ • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2016) • Unlocked

These two smartphones, separated by three years in their initial release, present different expectations for practical lifespan and ongoing software support.

• Release Timeline and Age: The iPhone SE 2016, being the older device, was released in March 2016. The Galaxy S10 Plus followed in March 2019. This age difference means the iPhone SE 2016 has already reached the end of its major operating system update cycle, with its last update being iOS 15.8.7 in March 2026. The Galaxy S10 Plus, having launched later, received major Android updates up to Android 12, indicating its major OS update cycle has also concluded.
• Software Longevity Expectations: While both devices are no longer receiving the newest OS versions, they may still receive security updates for a period. Users of the iPhone SE 2016 should anticipate that app compatibility may become a limiting factor sooner due to its older hardware and software platform. The Galaxy S10 Plus, with its more recent hardware, may maintain broader app compatibility for a slightly longer duration.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2016 generally offers a more straightforward repair experience, with an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, partly due to some interchangeable parts with older iPhone models. The Galaxy S10 Plus, with its more complex construction, typically presents a lower repairability score, making repairs more challenging.

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy S10 Plus and the iPhone SE 2016 reflect the technological advancements over their respective release periods, impacting how they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S10 Plus, equipped with a more advanced processor from 2019, handles demanding applications and multitasking with greater efficiency and speed. This translates to quicker app loading times and smoother transitions between various tasks. The iPhone SE 2016, featuring a processor from 2015, provides a responsive experience for general use and lighter applications, but may show limitations with newer, graphically intensive games or complex productivity tools.
• RAM Implications for Multitasking: The Galaxy S10 Plus typically comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, allowing it to keep many applications open in the background without needing to reload them frequently. The iPhone SE 2016, with 2GB of RAM, is designed for more focused usage, and users might experience applications refreshing more often when switching between them.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S10 Plus offered larger internal storage options, up to 1TB, and also included a microSD card slot for expandable storage, providing significant flexibility for media and large files. The iPhone SE 2016 was available with up to 128GB of internal storage and does not support expandable storage.

The visual experience on these two devices is a significant differentiator, stemming from their distinct display technologies and physical dimensions.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a large 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. This larger screen size provides an immersive viewing experience for videos and browsing. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2016 has a compact 4.0-inch IPS LCD Retina display. While its smaller size makes it highly suitable for one-handed use, the LCD technology provides good color accuracy but does not achieve the same level of contrast as an AMOLED panel.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S10 Plus boasts a high resolution of 3040 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a very sharp image with a pixel density of 522 ppi. The iPhone SE 2016 offers a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels at 326 ppi. While the iPhone SE's display is clear for its size, the Galaxy S10 Plus provides noticeably finer detail, especially when viewing high-resolution content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S10 Plus can reach a peak brightness of 800 nits, making it highly visible in bright outdoor conditions. Both devices typically feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth experience for everyday interactions, though the Galaxy S10 Plus's overall visual impact is enhanced by its superior panel technology.

The camera systems of the Galaxy S10 Plus and the iPhone SE 2016 reflect different design philosophies and capabilities, particularly in terms of versatility and advanced features.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12 MP wide-angle lens with variable aperture, a 12 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 16 MP ultrawide lens. This array allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups. The iPhone SE 2016 has a single 12 MP rear camera, which delivers clear and detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S10 Plus excels in offering flexibility with its multiple lenses and includes features like Scene Optimizer and improved low-light performance, producing vibrant and detailed images across various scenarios. The iPhone SE 2016's single camera is reliable for everyday photography, capturing natural-looking images, but lacks the advanced computational photography and versatility of the S10 Plus, especially in challenging lighting.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video, with the Galaxy S10 Plus supporting 4K at 60 frames per second and offering super slow-motion options. The iPhone SE 2016 records 4K video at 30 frames per second. For selfies, the Galaxy S10 Plus has a dual front camera system (10 MP wide and 8 MP depth sensor), providing better detail and depth effects for portraits. The iPhone SE 2016 features a more basic 1.2 MP front camera, suitable for video calls and casual selfies.

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience and daily interaction with the Galaxy S10 Plus and the iPhone SE 2016.

• Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S10 Plus supports newer connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for faster wireless internet and Bluetooth 5.0. It features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and notably retains a 3.5mm headphone jack. The iPhone SE 2016 uses Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2, and charges via a Lightning port, also including a 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Biometric Security and Durability: The Galaxy S10 Plus incorporates an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded within its display, offering a modern and convenient unlocking method. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against immersion. The iPhone SE 2016 features a physical Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into its home button and does not have an official water resistance rating.
• Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy S10 Plus is a larger and heavier device, with dimensions of 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm and a weight of 175g (or 198g for ceramic models). Its design emphasizes a large screen experience. The iPhone SE 2016 is significantly more compact and lighter, measuring 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and weighing 113g, making it ideal for users who prefer a small, easily pocketable device for one-handed operation.