LG Q70 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The LG Q70 and Samsung Galaxy S10e represent different approaches to the smartphone market. The Q70 aimed to deliver a solid experience at a more accessible price point, while the S10e was Samsung’s compact flagship, offering premium features in a smaller form factor. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, and overall value, especially considering the S10e's current price drop.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a more refined experience, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is the clear winner. Its Exynos 9820 (or Snapdragon 855 in some regions) significantly outperforms the Q70’s Snapdragon 675. However, the Q70 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who don't need top-tier processing power.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Q70 Samsung Galaxy S10e
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USA
4G bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 66 - Verizon1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / 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
Announced2019, September 28. Released 2019, October2019, February 20. Released 2019, March 08
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.1 x 76.8 x 8.3 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 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· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)150 g (5.29 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~438 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)5.8 inches, 82.8 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)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
ChipsetQualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)Exynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China
GPUAdreno 612Mali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAM Adreno 640 - USA/China
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, LG UX 9Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-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
Dual or Triple32 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens or 32 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm10 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (USA & Canada only)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging15W wired, QC315W wired, PD2.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMirror BlackPrism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink
ModelsLM-Q730N, LMQ620WA, LM-Q620WA, LM-Q620VAB, LMQ620VAB, LM-Q730SM-G970F, SM-G970U, SM-G970W, SM-G9700, SM-G970U1, SM-G970N, SM-G970X
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 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- AnTuTu: 325192 (v7), 389694 (v8) GeekBench: 10081 (v4.4), 2141 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG Q70

  • More affordable price point
  • Larger display size
  • Decent battery life

  • Significantly weaker performance
  • Less refined camera system
  • Limited charging options

Samsung Galaxy S10e

  • Flagship-level performance
  • Superior camera quality
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price (though decreasing)
  • Smaller display size
  • Potentially more expensive repairs

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the S10e, being a flagship, likely benefits from superior color accuracy and potentially higher peak brightness, though specific nit values are unavailable. The Q70’s display, while adequate, is expected to be less vibrant and refined. The S10e’s smaller size (5.8 inches vs. the Q70’s 6.4 inches) also contributes to a higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper image.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the S10e likely has a more sophisticated camera system. Details on sensor sizes are missing, but Samsung’s flagship typically features larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. The S10e’s camera benefits from the processing power of the Exynos 9820/Snapdragon 855, enabling features like scene optimization and improved low-light performance. The Q70’s camera is likely competent for everyday snapshots, but it won’t match the S10e’s image quality or versatility. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Q70 is unlikely to significantly enhance the photography experience.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy S10e, equipped with either the Exynos 9820 (8nm) or Snapdragon 855 (7nm), boasts a significantly more powerful CPU and GPU compared to the LG Q70’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The S10e’s octa-core processor, with its Mongoose M4 cores (in the Exynos variant) or Kryo 485 cores (in the Snapdragon variant), delivers faster processing speeds and improved multitasking capabilities. The 7nm/8nm process node used in the S10e’s chipsets also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Q70’s Snapdragon 675 is a capable mid-range chip, but it simply cannot compete with the flagship-level performance of the S10e.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the S10e’s more powerful processor. This is likely due to optimizations in Samsung’s software and power management. However, the S10e offers significantly faster and more versatile charging options: 15W wired charging with PD2.0, 15W wireless charging (Qi), and even 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The Q70 is limited to 15W wired charging with QC3. The S10e’s wireless charging capabilities provide added convenience, while reverse wireless charging can be used to top up accessories like earbuds.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Q70 if you need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and your budget is a primary concern. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10e if you prioritize a smoother, faster experience for demanding apps, gaming, and photography, and you appreciate features like wireless charging and a more premium build quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9820 in the Galaxy S10e suffer from overheating issues?
While early reports suggested potential thermal throttling with the Exynos 9820, software updates and optimized usage patterns have largely mitigated these concerns. The 8nm process node and Samsung’s thermal management system are generally effective at keeping temperatures under control during typical use. However, prolonged gaming sessions at maximum settings may still result in some throttling.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the LG Q70 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones offer limited benefits. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While it can capture close-up shots, the quality is unlikely to be significantly better than using the main camera in standard mode and digitally zooming in.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy S10e handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
Yes, the Galaxy S10e, powered by either the Exynos 9820 or Snapdragon 855, can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings. The powerful GPU and ample RAM ensure a smooth and responsive gaming experience. However, prolonged gaming may lead to some thermal throttling, potentially reducing frame rates slightly.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the S10e compared to the Q70 in real-world use?
While both support 15W charging, the S10e's PD2.0 standard allows for more efficient power delivery. This translates to a slightly faster 0-100% charge time, and the addition of wireless charging provides a convenient alternative. The Q70 is limited to wired QC3 charging, which is slower and less versatile.