Essential PH-1 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e: A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S10e ultimately wins due to its superior camera, longer software support, faster charging, and more modern features. While the Essential PH-1 offered a unique design and clean Android experience, the S10e's overall package is more compelling, especially considering their age.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Essential PH-1 | Samsung Galaxy S10e |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USA |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, May | 2019, February 20. Released 2019, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2017, August | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), ceramic back, titanium frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 141.5 x 71.1 x 7.8 mm (5.57 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) | 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm (5.60 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1312 x 2560 pixels (~504 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~438 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 85.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 82.8 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.31 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/China |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Exynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Mali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAM Adreno 640 - USA/China |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", PDAF, Laser AF 13 MP B/W, f/1.9, 1/3.1" | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (USA & Canada only) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Snap-on accessories (optional) | ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 27W wired, PD2.0 | 15W wired, PD2.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 3040 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Stellar Gray, Ocean Depths, Black Moon, Pure White | Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink |
| Models | PH-1 | SM-G970F, SM-G970U, SM-G970W, SM-G9700, SM-G970U1, SM-G970N, SM-G970X |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 83h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: infinite |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 71dB / Noise 76dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | GeekBench: 6490 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 325192 (v7), 389694 (v8) GeekBench: 10081 (v4.4), 2141 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Essential PH-1
- Unique, minimalist design
- Clean Android experience
- Decent performance for its time
- 27W fast charging
- Single camera lens
- Outdated software support
- LCD display
- Less versatile camera
Samsung Galaxy S10e
- Excellent AMOLED display
- Powerful chipset (Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820)
- Versatile camera system
- Wireless charging
- Reverse wireless charging
- Longer software support
- 15W charging is slower than PH-1's
- Design can be considered less unique
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S10e boasts a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent color accuracy and contrast, offering a more immersive viewing experience. While the Essential PH-1's LCD display is decent, it lacks the punch and vibrancy of the S10e's AMOLED panel. Both claim 'infinite' contrast ratio, but the implementation differs significantly.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S10e's camera system is significantly more versatile and capable than the Essential PH-1's single lens. The S10e offers better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. It also includes features like scene optimization and various shooting modes that the PH-1 lacks.
Performance
The Galaxy S10e, particularly the Snapdragon 855 variant, generally offers better performance thanks to its more advanced chipset and manufacturing process (7nm vs 10nm). The Essential PH-1's Snapdragon 835 is still capable, but it shows its age compared to the S10e's processor. The S10e's CPU architecture is also more efficient.
Battery Life
Both phones have an endurance rating of 83h, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. However, the Galaxy S10e's faster 15W wired charging and 15W wireless charging provide a significant advantage over the Essential PH-1's 27W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Essential PH-1 is for Android purists who value a clean, stock-like experience and a unique design. It's a good choice if you can find one in good condition and don't need the latest features. The Samsung Galaxy S10e is ideal for users who want a reliable, feature-packed flagship with a great camera, excellent display, and longer software support.