IPhone X Or Galaxy S10 Which Phone Still Holds Up In 2024

Five years ago, the iPhone X and Galaxy S10 represented the pinnacle of smartphone innovation—bezel-less displays, facial recognition, and high-end cameras redefined what users expected from mobile devices. Today, in 2024, both phones are long past their prime support cycles, yet many people still rely on them daily. The question isn't just nostalgic; it's practical. If you're holding onto one of these models or considering buying a used unit, which device actually holds up under modern usage?

This comparison dives deep into real-world performance, software longevity, camera quality, and ecosystem support to determine which aging flagship remains usable—and which has finally reached its expiration date.

Design and Build: A Tale of Two Eras

The iPhone X introduced Apple’s first OLED display and Face ID, ditching the home button after a decade. Its stainless steel frame and glass back gave it a premium feel, though it was prone to scratches and had a reputation for being slippery. At the time, its notch design polarized users, but it set the template for future iPhones.

The Galaxy S10, released a year later in 2019, refined Samsung’s Infinity-O display with a small hole-punch cutout for the front camera. It featured an aluminum frame and optional ceramic backing (on the S10+), offering a sleek, balanced design. Unlike the iPhone X, it retained a headphone jack and expandable storage via microSD—features that remain appealing in 2024.

Tip: Use a protective case with grip to avoid drops—both phones have fragile glass backs.

Display Quality and Usability Today

The iPhone X’s 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED panel was groundbreaking in 2017, but by today’s standards, its 1125x2436 resolution and 458 PPI are modest. More importantly, it lacks adaptive refresh rates, making scrolling feel less fluid compared to modern 120Hz screens.

The Galaxy S10’s 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with HDR10+ support and a higher peak brightness, still impresses in 2024. Its 3040x1440 resolution ensures text remains sharp, and the punch-hole design offers more screen real estate than the iPhone X’s notch. While not 120Hz, the 60Hz refresh rate is consistent and color-accurate.

“Even in 2024, the S10’s display holds up remarkably well for media consumption and outdoor visibility.” — David Lin, Mobile Display Analyst at TechPulse

Performance and Software Support: The Real Differentiator

Hardware specs age, but software support determines how long a phone remains functional. This is where the paths of the iPhone X and Galaxy S10 diverge significantly.

The iPhone X launched with iOS 11 and received updates all the way to iOS 16—the last version it officially supports. Apple stopped security updates for the device in late 2023. That means no iOS 17, no new features, and increasing compatibility issues with modern apps that require newer OS versions.

In contrast, the Galaxy S10 launched with Android 9 and received four major OS updates, reaching Android 13. Samsung also provided five years of security patches, with the final update rolling out in early 2024. While neither phone gets new updates now, the S10 enjoyed longer software support and ended its lifecycle more recently.

Benchmarks in 2024: Can They Handle Modern Apps?

Under the hood, the iPhone X uses Apple’s A11 Bionic chip—a 10nm processor that was blazing fast in 2017. The Galaxy S10 runs on either the Exynos 9820 or Snapdragon 855, depending on region. Both were top-tier chips in their time.

In real-world use today, the A11 still performs admirably for basic tasks: messaging, web browsing, and light social media. However, multitasking between heavy apps like Chrome, Instagram, and Google Maps causes noticeable lag. The S10, powered by the Snapdragon 855, handles app switching better thanks to 8GB of RAM (vs. iPhone X’s 3GB). Modern web pages with complex JavaScript can stutter on both, but the S10 recovers faster.

Feature	iPhone X	Galaxy S10
Launch Year	2017	2019
Final OS Version	iOS 16	Android 13
Last Security Update	November 2023	February 2024
Ram	3GB	8GB
Chipset	A11 Bionic	Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820
Storage Expansion	No	Yes (up to 512GB)

Camera Performance in 2024: Nostalgia vs. Reality

Both phones were camera leaders in their day, but computational photography has advanced rapidly. How do they stack up now?

The iPhone X features a dual 12MP rear system (wide + telephoto) and a 7MP front camera. Its strength lies in color accuracy, dynamic range, and video stabilization. In good lighting, photos still look natural and well-balanced. However, low-light performance is poor by today’s standards—images are noisy, details are lost, and Night Mode is absent.

The Galaxy S10 introduced a triple rear setup: 12MP wide, 12MP telephoto, and a 16MP ultra-wide lens—giving it more versatility. Its front camera is 10MP with autofocus. Samsung’s scene optimizer and HDR enhancements helped it capture vibrant, detailed shots. Even in 2024, the ultra-wide lens adds value for landscape and group shots, something the iPhone X can’t match.

Video recording is another area where the iPhone X shows its age. While it shoots 4K at 60fps, stabilization and audio processing fall short compared to the S10’s improved microphone filtering and smoother digital stabilization.

Tip: Clean your camera lenses regularly—dust and oil smudges drastically reduce photo quality on older sensors.

Battery Life and Charging: The Daily Struggle

Battery degradation is inevitable after 5–7 years. The iPhone X came with a 2,716mAh battery, while the S10 offered a larger 3,400mAh cell. In their prime, both lasted a full day with moderate use.

Today, even with optimized settings, most users report needing to charge by mid-afternoon. Fast charging helps: the S10 supports 15W wired and 12W wireless, while the iPhone X supports 18W (with a compatible charger, sold separately). Neither supports modern fast-charging speeds, but the S10 has the edge with reverse wireless charging—handy for topping up earbuds or another phone in a pinch.

Mini Case Study: Daily Use in 2024

Consider Maria, a freelance writer who’s used her Galaxy S10 since 2019. She replaced the battery in 2022 and now uses it primarily for emails, note-taking, and audiobooks. She keeps auto-brightness on, disables background app refresh, and uses dark mode. Her phone lasts about 10 hours with light use. When she borrowed a friend’s iPhone X for a week, she noticed slower app launches and more frequent crashes in Google Docs. “The S10 feels sluggish sometimes,” she says, “but it still gets the job done. The iPhone X felt like it was constantly fighting to keep up.”

Practical Checklist: Is Your Old Phone Still Viable?

If you're using either device in 2024, here’s a checklist to maximize performance and security:

• ✅ Replace the battery if capacity is below 80%
• ✅ Disable animations and visual effects (iOS: Reduce Motion; Android: Developer Options)
• ✅ Limit background app refresh and notifications
• ✅ Use lightweight apps (e.g., Firefox Lite, DuckDuckGo, Signal instead of WhatsApp)
• ✅ Avoid downloading apps requiring OS versions beyond what your phone supports
• ✅ Enable two-factor authentication—your device may not get updates, but your accounts should stay secure
• ✅ Back up data regularly—older hardware is more prone to failure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use the iPhone X or Galaxy S10 as a daily driver in 2024?

Yes, but with limitations. Both phones can handle calls, messaging, email, and light browsing. However, expect slowdowns with social media apps, streaming, or multitasking. The Galaxy S10 generally performs better due to more RAM and a slightly newer chipset.

Which phone holds better resale value?

Historically, iPhones retain value longer, but the iPhone X has depreciated significantly due to lack of iOS 17 support. The Galaxy S10, especially models with higher storage or in good condition, may fetch slightly more in refurbished markets due to broader feature set and more recent end-of-support timeline.

Is it safe to use these phones without security updates?

It carries risk. Without patches, known vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. Avoid storing sensitive financial data, refrain from using public Wi-Fi for logins, and consider using a privacy-focused browser and antivirus app. For secondary devices or kids’ phones, the risk may be acceptable.

Final Verdict: Which Phone Holds Up Better?

The Galaxy S10 emerges as the more capable device in 2024—not because it was inherently superior, but because it aged more gracefully. With a longer software support window, expandable storage, a more versatile camera system, and better multitasking, it adapts better to current demands.

The iPhone X, while iconic, shows its age in nearly every category. Its smaller RAM, discontinued iOS updates, and lack of modern app compatibility make it increasingly impractical. It may still function, but it no longer feels like a smartphone built for today.

“The lifespan of a smartphone isn’t just about hardware—it’s about ongoing support. The S10 got that extra year of updates, and it makes all the difference.” — Lena Park, Senior Editor at Mobile Horizon

Conclusion

The iPhone X changed the course of smartphone design, and the Galaxy S10 refined it with thoughtful features and balanced performance. But in 2024, only one truly holds up. If you’re clinging to an iPhone X, consider upgrading. The Galaxy S10, while also outdated, remains a more functional choice—for now.

Technology moves fast, but smart maintenance and informed decisions can extend a device’s usefulness. Whether you're holding onto nostalgia or stretching a budget, knowing the limits of aging tech empowers better choices.

🚀 Still using an iPhone X or Galaxy S10? Share your experience—what works, what doesn’t, and how long you think it’ll last. Your insights could help others decide their next move.