When Samsung released the Galaxy S10e in 2019, it quickly became one of the most beloved compact flagships ever made. It offered top-tier performance, a beautiful AMOLED display, and a pocket-friendly size that appealed to users who preferred smaller phones. At launch, it was praised for delivering nearly the same experience as the larger Galaxy S10 models — but at a more affordable price.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Galaxy S10e has officially reached the end of its life cycle. While you can now find Certified Used and Refurbished units starting at $110+, the lack of ongoing software updates and outdated hardware make it difficult to recommend for modern users. Despite its nostalgic charm and solid design, it struggles to keep up with current apps, performance demands, and security standards.
For those considering a budget-friendly Samsung phone in 2025, newer models like the Galaxy S22 (starting at $170+) offer vastly better value, longevity, and software support — making the S10e a poor investment today.
According to UpTrade’s Price Tracker, Certified Used and Refurbished Galaxy S10e units now start around $110+. It’s one of the cheapest ways to get a compact Samsung flagship — but with major compromises. At just $60 more, the Galaxy S22 offers much faster performance, a better display, modern camera features, and years of additional software support.
If you’re on a tight budget, the S10e’s low price might look tempting, but its outdated software and aging hardware make it a short-term option at best.
The Galaxy S10e stopped receiving Android version updates after Android 12 (One UI 4) and reached the end of its security support in 2023. That means it no longer receives any critical updates or security patches — leaving it vulnerable to potential software and privacy risks.
In contrast, the Galaxy S22 runs One UI 8 (Android 16) and continues to get monthly updates through 2026, with quarterly patches extending to 2027. For users who value safety, stability, and access to the latest Samsung features, the S10e simply can’t compete.
Powered by the Snapdragon 855, the Galaxy S10e was a performance powerhouse in 2019. However, in 2025, it’s clearly showing its age. While it can still handle light browsing, calls, and messaging, modern apps — especially games and social media — tend to stutter or crash.
RAM management is another weak point, as the base 6GB memory struggles with multitasking by today’s standards. Even basic tasks like switching between apps or running newer versions of Chrome and Instagram can feel sluggish compared to newer phones like the Galaxy S22 or S21 FE.
The Galaxy S10e’s dual-camera system (12MP wide and 16MP ultrawide) was impressive at launch, delivering punchy, colorful images. However, in 2025, it falls far behind newer models in both detail and dynamic range. Low-light performance is particularly weak, with noticeable noise and limited exposure control.
The lack of telephoto zoom and modern computational photography features means it’s no longer a reliable option for photography enthusiasts. While it can still take decent daylight shots, even budget 2025 phones outperform it in image processing and stabilization.
The 5.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display remains one of the few bright spots of the Galaxy S10e. Despite its age, it still delivers rich colors, deep blacks, and HDR10+ support. However, it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels dated next to the 120Hz displays found on even mid-range phones today.
The compact form factor remains comfortable and easy to use one-handed — a rarity in 2025 — but the bezels and smaller battery capacity come as trade-offs.
The 3100mAh battery was small even by 2019 standards, and by 2025, most S10e units show noticeable degradation. Expect around 3–4 hours of screen-on time with typical use, which won’t last a full day without recharging.
While it supports 15W wired and wireless charging, the small battery size and aging cells make it unreliable for heavy users. Replacement batteries can restore some life, but it’s not an ideal long-term solution.
When deciding between the Galaxy S10e and the Galaxy S22, the difference in real-world experience is massive — even though both belong to Samsung’s compact flagship lineup. The S10e might appeal to nostalgic users who miss smaller phones, but the S22 outperforms it in every major category, from software longevity to speed, camera, and battery life.
| Feature | Galaxy S10e | Galaxy S22 |
| Launch Year | 2019 | 2022 |
| Software Support | Android 12 (One UI 4) — support ended in 2023 | Android 16 (One UI 8), monthly updates through 2026 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 855 (7nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) |
| Display | 5.8” FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED, 60Hz | 6.1” FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Main Camera | 12MP wide + 16MP ultrawide | 50MP wide + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x telephoto |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 10MP |
| Battery | 3100mAh, 15W charging | 3700mAh, 25W charging |
| Build Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Network | 4G LTE only | 5G + Wi-Fi 6 |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Starting Price (2025) | $110+ (Certified Used / Refurbished) | $170+ (Certified Used / Refurbished) |
Software and Longevity: The S22 supports four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches — while the S10e has already reached the end of its support life. That means the S22 will stay secure and compatible with modern apps through at least 2027, whereas the S10e is already outdated and potentially vulnerable.
Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the S22 outperforms the older Snapdragon 855 by a wide margin — with roughly 2.5x faster CPU and GPU performance. This makes a noticeable difference in multitasking, gaming, and everyday responsiveness.
Display Quality: The S22’s 120Hz AMOLED panel feels dramatically smoother and brighter than the S10e’s 60Hz display. With HDR10+ and 1750 nits peak brightness, it remains easily viewable outdoors and much better for streaming and gaming.
Camera Performance: While the S10e was once praised for its simplicity, the S22’s triple-camera system is leagues ahead. You get a 50MP primary sensor, telephoto zoom, and far better low-light and video stabilization — making it a serious upgrade for photography and content creation.
Battery and Charging: The S10e’s smaller 3100mAh battery struggles to last half a day, while the S22’s 3700mAh cell comfortably powers a full day. The newer model also supports faster 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
While the Galaxy S10e is still a nostalgic gem for compact phone lovers, it’s no longer a practical choice in 2025. The Galaxy S22, available for around $170+, offers modern performance, longer support, and far better value. For just $60 more, you’re getting a much faster phone that’s secure, capable, and future-proof.
No — the Galaxy S10e is no longer worth buying in 2025. While it was a fantastic phone in its time, it has officially reached the end of its software and security support. That means no new Android updates, no monthly patches, and increasing app compatibility issues.
At around $110+ (Certified Used / Refurbished), it may seem like a bargain — but the lack of updates and aging hardware make it a risky purchase. For just about $60 more, the Galaxy S22 (starting around $170+) offers a far better long-term experience: faster performance, a 120Hz display, 5G support, and several more years of security updates.
If you’re buying a Samsung phone in 2025, the Galaxy S22 is the clear winner. The S10e, while nostalgic, is best viewed as a collector’s item rather than a reliable daily driver.
Certified Used and Refurbished Galaxy S10e models start around $110+, depending on condition and storage size.
No. The S10e received its final major update (Android 12 / One UI 4) in 2022 and stopped getting security updates in 2023.
Not really. While it can handle basic tasks like calls and messages, it struggles with modern apps, has a weak battery, and poses security risks due to outdated software.
The Galaxy S10e was released in March 2019, making it six years old in 2025.
Yes, but not smoothly. Apps like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok still run but may lag or crash on newer versions due to limited hardware and lack of updates.
No. It only supports 4G LTE, which means slower network speeds compared to modern 5G devices.
The Galaxy S22 has a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 120Hz AMOLED display, better cameras, and ongoing software support. For long-term use, it’s significantly better and only slightly more expensive.
Most used units have noticeable battery degradation, offering around 3–4 hours of screen-on time — much less than newer models like the Galaxy S22.
Yes, it’s IP68-rated, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, water damage isn’t covered under warranty.
No. While it’s cheap, the Galaxy S22 (starting at $170+) is a much better investment — offering faster performance, 5G support, and years of ongoing updates. The S10e is outdated and should only be used as a backup phone.
Sale
Sale© 2025 UpTrade Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved
