Samsung's New Galaxy S10+ vs. Apple's iPhone XS Max

[WitneySi]

Late last year I made the decision to jump ship and leave years of Apple loyalty and purchased the S9.

I lasted 2 days before sending it back to Samsung and instead upgraded my iPhone 6S to the XS.

When friends asked what happened I told them this - the problem with Samsung is it’s software. I told them that it’s as if I’ve bought the latest Porsche, which to everyone looks great on the outside, but once I get into that car and I’m on my own, I look at the interior and I want to cry. It’s clunky, bloated and ugly.

The S9 (and now S10) are similar. Gorgeous on the outside but inside, boy oh boy (shudder)

 

[dspdoc]

Android? Nope. No thanks. I like software that works. Android is still a mess and a security risk. Less than no interest.

Clearly coming from an Apple fan that has most likely never used a good Android device longer than 2 minutes at a store.

 

[Suttree]

Nope It's not a faceid equivalent. Just the standard face unlock Android has offered for a long time. Unsecure and can be fooled by a picture. Go watch The Verge's review of the S10. Yes, the S10 is a fantastic device but just needed to clear up this point.

Here's the thing. No one wants to steal an iPhone X, compared to a Samsung phone. Second, Apple went overboard by making FaceID TOO secure. Samsung got the balance right. No one needs that much security to justify that ugly camera housing. Just look at how Samsung was able to minimize the chin. THAT is engineering chops Apple doesn't have. Fact.

 

[Delgibbons]

Here's the thing. No one wants to steal an iPhone X, compared to a Samsung phone. Second, Apple went overboard by making FaceID TOO secure. Samsung got the balance right. No one needs that much security to justify that ugly camera housing. Just look at how Samsung was able to minimize the chin. THAT is engineering chops Apple doesn't have. Fact.

In all fairness to apple, the chin on the XS is very marginally thinner. Of course there is the bezel and notch all the way around on the XS.

 

[radus]

I think you are confused there lol I think you mean the human eye can't see over a certain ppi, i cant recall the exact number off the top of my head.

But at the end the 550 ppi/inch screen of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro (like the S10's) is much more convenient for my eyes then the iPhone X's screen.

 

[now i see it]

Thanks for posting this review. Now I'm going to buy a Galaxy S10

 

[Suttree]

In all fairness to apple, the chin on the XS is very marginally thinner. Of course there is the bezel and notch all the way around on the XS.

View attachment 824081

Wow. Each of those Android phones should be exhibited at MoMA. They transcend being mere smartphones—they are works of art. Look at how ugly the rounded corners are on the iPhone, so inelegant. And I am laughing so damn hard at the Home indicator on the XS. Samsung has it right with virtual buttons. My lord, the morons at Apple...

 

[neuropsychguy]

It was quite strange when he said that FaceID is faster. From what I've seen it's definitely not faster or more accurate.

Search more. Under the display fingerprint sensors are good but not great. They work well most of the time but are probably a year or two from being great.

Here’s an initial review with some sampling: https://www.pcmag.com/news/366746/how-well-does-the-galaxy-s10-fingerprint-sensor-work

Another one: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/technology/personaltech/samsung-galaxy-s10-review.html

Neither is thrilled with the performance but it’s generally good.

 

[Intellectua1]

No Notchhbeena blessing tweak and I'm sure something similar will happen for this phone.

It's built into the settings, it gives the phone a huge forehead, something I don't like.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The Samsung UI can't compete with the current IOS offering, in my opinion. It isn't as refined. The curved glass is a waste of space and an added expense if repairing.

With the lack of updates, high price and other reasons, there is no draw for me to leave the Apple ecosystem. My Max serves me well.

 

[mib1800]

The Samsung UI can't compete with the current IOS offering, in my opinion. It isn't as refined. The curved glass is a waste of space and an added expense if repairing.

With the lack of updates, high price and other reasons, there is no draw for me to leave the Apple ecosystem. My Max serves me well.

You mean grid of icons that fill from top left and covers the wallpaper is better? Lol

 

[341328]

No secure face unlock is pathetic. And the reason they went with under screen finger print reader.

The pill is marginally better than notch but it doesn’t contain extra tech.

About 15 months behind the launch of iPhone X.

 

[Khedron]

The pill is marginally better than notch but it doesn’t contain extra tech.

It contains a depth sensor, same as the iPhone notch.

 

[DNichter]

Great phone for people who prefer Android. I don’t see why we continue to argue back and forth about a preference. Most people aren’t switching and like what they like, so why bother arguing over it? Any differences in hardware are minimal either way, so just use what you like.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You mean grid of icons that fill from top left and covers the wallpaper is better? Lol

It depends on the wallpaper.

I don't need or want to spend time constantly tweaking my phone settings. I also don't want to spend a lot of money on a phone, and hope that it gets updates one day. I don't want a fractured ecosystem. And for me, that is what Android is. Others might have a better experience.

 

[0388631]

Great phone for people who prefer Android. I don’t see why we continue to argue back and forth about a preference. Most people aren’t switching and like what they like, so why bother arguing over it? Any differences in hardware are minimal either way, so just use what you like.

Bloody hell. Do my eyes deceive me? Dnichter saying this and not as sarcasm?

 

[mlody]

Give me a real wide angle camera in next iPhone and i will be happy.

 

[Khedron]

This guy is rare... An Apple fan giving the s10 a fair crack of the whip.

That A12 and FaceID seems to be.... Er... Slower.

Ouch.

Faster. Cheaper. Nicer. Pick three.

 

[0388631]

You mean grid of icons that fill from top left and covers the wallpaper is better? Lol

Or that with Android you can install apps that can increase padding between apps, increase or decrease icon size, change icons, etc. The list is endless.

No secure face unlock is pathetic. And the reason they went with under screen finger print reader.

The pill is marginally better than notch but it doesn’t contain extra tech.

About 15 months behind the launch of iPhone X.

Samsung has had face unlock for years.

 

[Khedron]

Android requires more ram because it's more inefficient than IOS.

Your argument just got demolished by this video:

This guy is rare... An Apple fan giving the s10 a fair crack of the whip.

That A12 and FaceID seems to be.... Er... Slower.

 

[DNichter]

Bloody hell. Do my eyes deceive me? Dnichter saying this and not as sarcasm?

I like the look of these phones, very modern, screens look good, no doubt fast, might even like the cut out a bit more than the notch, but still nothing really compels me to actually make the switch. I still like the iPhone design, prefer iOS, like Face ID better, and the overall ecosystem works perfectly for me, so I am happy as is. I can see the appeal though and definitely respect the hardware. I’ve gotten into many pointless back and forths over the years and it makes no sense. You can appreciate the other end of the spectrum while still having a preference, ya know?

 

[0388631]

The curved glass is a waste of space and an added expense if repairing.

$220 for curved glass on the S9. $280 for the XS. $100 for the back panel and glass on the S9. $550 for the XS's back. Curved glass isn't new for Samsung.

 

[Apple_Robert]

$220 for curved glass on the S9. $280 for the XS. $100 for the back panel and glass on the S9. $550 for the XS's back. Curved glass isn't new for Samsung.

It isn't new and I didn't say it was. I find it useless. It is a gimmick selling point for some potential buyers.

You cant compare glass replacement between the two, because they are made differently.

 

[Dave.UK]

It isn't new and I didn't say it was. I find it useless. It is a gimmick selling point for some potential buyers.

You cant compare glass replacement between the two, because they are made differently.

But you said it was an added expense when repairing and was proved wrong.

 

[torana355]

Great phone for people who prefer Android. I don’t see why we continue to argue back and forth about a preference. Most people aren’t switching and like what they like, so why bother arguing over it? Any differences in hardware are minimal either way, so just use what you like.

I can appreciate this post, if bias is put aside they really are both very good pieces of hardware and really the preference on OS is the bigger factor when choosing between the two.