iPhone 11 Pro vs Samsung S10: Which Phone Reigns Supreme?
Choosing a new smartphone can feel like navigating a minefield. With countless options and features, it’s easy to get lost in the specifications. Today, we’re diving headfirst into a classic battle: the iPhone 11 Pro versus the Samsung Galaxy S10.
These two powerhouses from their respective tech giants, Apple and Samsung, dominated the smartphone landscape. Both devices promised cutting-edge technology and premium experiences. We’ll break down the key differences to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
From camera capabilities and display quality to performance and battery life, we’ll leave no stone unturned. Get ready for a detailed comparison that will leave you with a clear winner. Let the battle of the titans begin!
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | iPhone 11 Pro | Samsung S10 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 5.8 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Display Technology | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 64/256/512GB | 128/512GB |
| Main Camera | Triple 12MP | Triple 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 10MP |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 60fps | 4K up to 60fps |
| Battery Capacity | 3046 mAh | 3400 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating System | iOS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable |
| Charging | Fast Charging, Wireless Charging | Fast Charging, Wireless Charging |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- iPhone 11 Pro: 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels. Offers excellent color accuracy and brightness. The notch is a common complaint.
- Samsung S10: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 3040 x 1440 pixels. Known for vibrant colors and good outdoor visibility. The curved edges can lead to accidental touches.
- Winner: S10
Processor
- iPhone 11 Pro: A13 Bionic chip. Offers exceptional performance and efficiency. Known for smooth multitasking and long battery life.
- Samsung S10: Snapdragon 855 (US) or Exynos 9820 (International). Provides fast performance, but can vary slightly depending on the region.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro
Camera
- iPhone 11 Pro: Triple 12MP camera system with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. Excellent image quality in various lighting conditions. Night mode is a significant improvement.
- Samsung S10: Triple 12MP camera system with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. Good image quality, with a focus on vibrant colors. Night mode is not as strong as the iPhone 11 Pro.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro
Battery Life
- iPhone 11 Pro: Excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of heavy use.
- Samsung S10: Good battery life, but not as long-lasting as the iPhone 11 Pro. Can require mid-day charging with heavy usage.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro
Design
- iPhone 11 Pro: Stainless steel frame with a matte glass back. Premium feel and durable. The camera bump is quite large.
- Samsung S10: Aluminum frame with a glass back. Sleek design with curved edges. The curved edges can be divisive.
- Winner: Tie
Software
- iPhone 11 Pro: iOS, known for its user-friendliness and smooth performance. Limited customization options.
- Samsung S10: Android with Samsung’s One UI. Highly customizable with more options. Some users may find the software overwhelming.
- Winner: Tie
Price
- iPhone 11 Pro: Higher initial price.
- Samsung S10: Typically available at a lower price point now.
- Winner: S10
Water Resistance
- iPhone 11 Pro: IP68 water resistance. Can withstand submersion in up to 4 meters of water for 30 minutes.
- Samsung S10: IP68 water resistance. Similar water resistance rating to the iPhone 11 Pro.
- Winner: Tie
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Performance | iPhone 11 Pro (Slight Edge) |
| Display Quality | Samsung S10 (Slight Edge) |
| Camera | iPhone 11 Pro (Slight Edge) |
| Battery Life | Samsung S10 |
| Software | iPhone 11 Pro |
| Design | Tie |
What They Have in Common
- Water Resistance: Both phones are rated IP68, offering excellent protection against water and dust.
- Wireless Charging: Both the iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung S10 support wireless charging, providing convenient charging options.
- Fast Charging: Both devices support fast charging capabilities, allowing for quicker battery top-ups.
- High-Quality Displays: Both phones boast vibrant and sharp displays, perfect for media consumption.
- Powerful Processors: They both feature high-performance processors, ensuring smooth performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
Performance Buying Guide
Processing Power and Speed
The iPhone 11 Pro, powered by the A13 Bionic chip, boasts exceptional processing power and speed, handling demanding tasks and games with ease. Its optimized software integration further enhances performance, leading to smooth multitasking and quick app launches. The Samsung S10, with its Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 processor, offers impressive performance as well, though it may experience slight variations depending on the region and the specific chip. Both phones provide a lag-free experience for everyday use and gaming, but the iPhone 11 Pro generally has a slight edge in benchmark scores and real-world performance consistency.
Camera Capabilities
The iPhone 11 Pro features a triple-lens camera system, delivering outstanding photo and video quality. Its Night mode significantly improves low-light performance. The Samsung S10’s camera system is also impressive, with versatile shooting modes and excellent image quality. It often excels in dynamic range and vibrant colors. However, the iPhone 11 Pro’s computational photography and video stabilization are often considered superior. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference for color science and shooting style.
Display Quality and Features
The iPhone 11 Pro sports a Super Retina XDR display, which offers excellent brightness, color accuracy, and contrast. It provides a premium viewing experience for videos, photos, and general use. The Samsung S10’s Dynamic AMOLED display is equally impressive, with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. Both displays are among the best in the market. Each offers features like HDR support. The Samsung S10 might have a slight edge in resolution, but the iPhone 11 Pro’s display is known for its calibration.
Battery Life and Charging
The iPhone 11 Pro typically offers excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy use. Its optimized software and efficient hardware contribute to its longevity. The Samsung S10’s battery life is generally good, but it may vary depending on usage patterns and the specific processor. It supports fast charging and wireless charging, which adds to its convenience. However, the iPhone 11 Pro has a better battery management, leading to better overall longevity, even without a huge battery capacity.
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 11 Pro features a premium design with a stainless steel frame and a matte glass back, providing a sleek and durable feel. The Samsung S10 has a glass back and an aluminum frame, also providing a premium feel, and has a more curved design. Both phones are well-built and feel high-quality. The iPhone 11 Pro is known for its water resistance. The choice often comes down to personal preference in terms of design aesthetics and in-hand feel. Both phones are premium products
Software and User Experience
The iPhone 11 Pro runs on iOS, known for its user-friendly interface, seamless integration, and strong privacy features. Its app ecosystem is vast and well-optimized. The Samsung S10 runs on Android with Samsung’s One UI, which offers a customizable experience and a wide range of features. Android offers more flexibility in terms of customization and choice. iOS excels in ease of use and long-term software support. Choosing the right OS is a matter of personal preference.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy iPhone 11 Pro If…
- You prefer the iOS ecosystem and its user-friendly interface.
- You prioritize a seamless and optimized software experience.
- You value the iPhone’s strong video recording capabilities.
- You are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Buy Samsung S10 If…
- You prefer the Android operating system and its customization options.
- You want a larger display with a higher screen-to-body ratio.
- You prefer expandable storage via microSD card.
- You like a wider range of hardware options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better camera?
The iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung S10 both have excellent cameras. However, the iPhone 11 Pro often excels in video quality and Night mode performance, while the Samsung S10 shines in dynamic range and vibrant colors. It depends on personal preference. Both are among the best smartphone cameras available, and the best choice is determined by the style of photography.
Which phone offers better performance?
The iPhone 11 Pro, with its A13 Bionic chip, generally edges out the Samsung S10 in terms of raw processing power and overall performance. The A13 Bionic chip is known for its speed and efficiency in handling demanding tasks. While the Samsung S10 is still very fast, the iPhone 11 Pro tends to be more consistent.
What are the display differences?
Both phones have excellent displays. The iPhone 11 Pro has a Super Retina XDR display known for its color accuracy and brightness. The Samsung S10 has a Dynamic AMOLED display, with vibrant colors and great contrast. Each offers a premium viewing experience, and the differences are subtle, with the Samsung S10 likely having slightly higher resolution.
How does battery life compare?
The iPhone 11 Pro generally offers better battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy use. The Samsung S10 has good battery life. It supports fast charging and wireless charging. The iPhone 11 Pro’s battery management is very efficient. Both phones provide enough battery for the average user.
Which phone is more durable?
Both phones are well-built and durable, but the iPhone 11 Pro’s stainless steel frame and water resistance rating give it a slight edge in terms of overall build quality. The Samsung S10 has a glass back and aluminum frame. Both phones are made with high-quality materials and are resistant to damage.
What are the key software differences?
The iPhone 11 Pro runs iOS, known for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration. The Samsung S10 runs Android with Samsung’s One UI, which offers more customization options. iOS is known for its security and privacy. Android offers greater flexibility. The choice depends on personal preferences.
Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones are excellent for gaming. The iPhone 11 Pro’s A13 Bionic chip often provides a slight advantage in terms of graphics performance and overall smoothness. However, the Samsung S10’s Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 processor is also very powerful and can handle most games without issues. The difference is usually minimal.
Final Verdict
Both the iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung S10 are outstanding smartphones, each with its own strengths. The iPhone 11 Pro excels in overall performance, camera quality, and software integration, while the Samsung S10 offers a vibrant display and Android’s customization options. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities and preferences. Both phones offer premium experiences. The iPhone 11 Pro provides a slightly more polished experience and is a better choice for most users.
Winner: iPhone 11 Pro