The budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A10e looks good, but it falls behind other affordable Android phones on a number of other fronts.
The Samsung Galaxy A10e ($179.99) looks like a winner. It’s a small, handsome phone that feels good in the hand. But a phone can’t succeed on looks alone. And from lackluster performance to underwhelming media capabilities, the A10e leave a lot to be desired. For the same price, the Motorola Moto G7 Power offers superior hardware for a better experience all around. Design, Display, and Durability
The Samsung Galaxy A10e is simple but attractive. At just 5.8 by 2.7 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and 5.0 ounces, it’s small, light, and comfortable to handle. There’s a teardrop notch for the camera on the front and a chunky bottom bezel, but the proportions work well so it doesn’t look cheap.
The front of the phone is dominated by a 5.8-inch LCD. Resolution comes in at 1,560 by 720, for a respectable density of 296 pixels per inch. The screen is bright and colors are vivid, making it good for videos and other casual use.
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The back is constructed of a glossy blue polycarbonate. There’s a single camera lens in the upper left corner, along with carrier and Samsung branding. The top edge is bare, while the bottom is home to a headphone jack, a USB-C port, and a speaker. On the left you’ll find a hybrid sim/microSD slot, while the volume rocker and power buttons sit on the right. Both are easy to reach with even small hands and offer a satisfying click when pressed. There’s no fingerprint sensor, which is an odd and frustrating omission.
While the phone’s plastic back will most likely withstand minor drops, it’s unlikely the display will fare as well. There’s also no waterproofing or splash resistance, so you’ll want to invest in a protective case. Audio, Call, and Network Quality
The Galaxy A10e is available unlocked and through all the major carriers. The unlocked version supports LTE bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/20/25/26/28/29/30/66/71.
Network speeds on Cricket (which uses AT&T’s network) were poor in testing. Over the course of a dozen tests, the phone consistently averaged speeds of just 4.84Mbps down and 1.61Mbps up.
Call quality is decent. Earpiece volume peaks at 84dB, which is loud enough to hear on busy streets. Test calls were okay, albeit with some static and clipped words.
