Iphone Xr Vs Galaxy S10 Plus Still Worth Comparing In Current Year

In 2024, smartphones evolve at lightning speed. Flagships from just five years ago are often considered obsolete. Yet, two devices—the iPhone XR (released in 2018) and the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus (2019)—still surface in conversations among budget-conscious buyers and secondhand market shoppers. Despite their age, both phones had strong launches and loyal followings. But is it still practical to compare them today? The answer depends on your priorities: raw specs, longevity, ecosystem loyalty, or value for money.

This isn’t about declaring a winner in a head-to-head benchmark battle. It’s about understanding whether either device holds up as a daily driver in 2024—and under what conditions one might still outshine the other.

Performance and Hardware Longevity

The iPhone XR was powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chip—an industry leader at launch. Even today, iOS optimization allows this chip to handle basic tasks smoothly. Apps like Safari, Messages, and even moderate multitasking remain responsive. However, newer apps with heavy graphics or AI features may lag, especially when compared to modern mid-range processors.

In contrast, the Galaxy S10 Plus launched with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820, depending on region. While powerful in its time, the Android ecosystem demands more resources over time. By 2024, users report noticeable slowdowns in app launches, background task management, and system animations—especially after multiple OS updates.

Tip: If you're using an older flagship, disable animations and limit background processes to improve responsiveness.

iOS generally provides longer software support than Android. The iPhone XR received updates up to iOS 16, released in 2022. While it missed out on iOS 17, core security patches were delivered longer than expected. The S10 Plus, meanwhile, reached Android 12 with One UI 4.1 and did not receive Android 13—a clear sign of Samsung’s shorter update cycle for older flagships.

Display and Design: Two Different Philosophies

The iPhone XR uses a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display with a resolution of 1792×828 pixels. While bright and color-accurate thanks to True Tone, it lacks the pixel density and deep blacks of OLED. For everyday use, it's acceptable, but side-by-side with modern screens, it appears grainier, especially on text.

The S10 Plus, however, features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with Quad HD+ resolution (3040×1440). Even in 2024, that screen remains impressive—vibrant, sharp, and capable of HDR10+ playback. Its curved edges and minimal bezels give it a premium feel that the flat-edged XR can't match visually.

Design-wise, the XR offers IP67 water resistance and a single glass-backed design with aluminum frame. The S10 Plus improves on this with IP68 rating, slightly better dust protection, and optional expandable storage via microSD—something Apple still doesn’t offer.

“The S10 Plus was one of the last Samsung flagships to include a headphone jack and microSD slot—features many users still miss.” — James Lin, Mobile Tech Analyst at GSMArena

Camera Comparison: Real-World Usability Over Specs

The iPhone XR has a single 12MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and Portrait Mode powered by software and depth mapping. In good lighting, it captures natural colors and excellent dynamic range. Low-light performance is limited without Night Mode (introduced later on iPhone 11), so indoor or evening shots often appear noisy.

The S10 Plus counters with a triple-camera setup: 12MP main, 12MP telephoto, and 16MP ultra-wide. This gives it flexibility the XR lacks—zooming without digital loss, wider landscapes, and better portrait depth estimation. Samsung’s scene optimizer and Night Mode also deliver stronger low-light results.

Front cameras tell a similar story. The XR’s 7MP TrueDepth camera supports Face ID and decent selfies. The S10 Plus has dual front shooters (10MP standard + 8MP RGB depth), enabling better group selfies and more accurate bokeh effects.

But here’s the catch: while the S10 Plus technically wins on paper, Apple’s image processing consistency means photos require less editing. Samsung tends to oversaturate, which some find appealing initially but less true to life.

Software Support and Ecosystem Lock-In

By 2024, neither phone receives major OS updates. The iPhone XR tops out at iOS 16; the S10 Plus at Android 12. Security patches have largely ended for both, making them increasingly vulnerable to new exploits. App developers are also beginning to phase out support for older APIs and hardware architectures.

However, ecosystem loyalty plays a big role. An iPhone XR user already invested in iCloud, AirPods, Apple Watch, or MacBooks will find seamless integration continues to work well—even on outdated hardware. Handoff, iMessage, and Continuity features still function reliably.

Samsung’s ecosystem—Galaxy Buds, SmartThings, DeX mode—is less tightly integrated and often requires newer devices for full functionality. DeX, for example, no longer receives updates for the S10 series, limiting productivity use cases.

Feature	iPhone XR	Galaxy S10 Plus
Final OS Version	iOS 16	Android 12 / One UI 4.1
Last Security Update	Mid-2023	Early 2023
App Compatibility (2024)	Fair (some newer apps drop support)	Poor (many apps fail or run slowly)
Ecosystem Integration	Excellent (AirDrop, iMessage, iCloud)	Moderate (limited DeX, SmartThings)
Battery Health Management	Yes (iOS battery health tools)	No native feature

Real-World Example: Can These Phones Still Be Daily Drivers?

Consider Maria, a college student who bought a used iPhone XR in 2022 for $180. She uses it primarily for messaging, social media, note-taking, and music streaming. Her usage is light, she charges it nightly, and she avoids gaming or video editing. As of 2024, her phone still performs adequately—though she notices Instagram reels sometimes stutter and battery life has degraded to about 5 hours of screen-on time.

On the other hand, David bought a refurbished S10 Plus in 2021 for $250. He liked the dual front cameras for vlogging and appreciated the microSD slot for storing music offline. By late 2023, he began experiencing app crashes, slow boot times, and overheating during calls. After failing to upgrade to Android 13, he switched to a budget Android phone in early 2024.

The lesson? Light users may squeeze another year out of the XR. Power users will likely hit limitations faster on the S10 Plus due to heavier software demands and weaker long-term support.

Checklist: Is Your Old Flagship Still Viable in 2024?

• ✅ Does it receive critical security patches?
• ✅ Can all essential apps (banking, messaging, email) run smoothly?
• ✅ Is battery life sufficient for a full day?
• ✅ Do you rely on ecosystem-specific features (e.g., AirDrop, Find My)?
• ✅ Are replacement parts or repair services still available?
• ❌ Are you frequently restarting the device or clearing cache?
• ❌ Have you noticed increased app crashes or login issues?

If most answers are “yes” to the first five and “no” to the last two, your device might still serve you. Otherwise, consider upgrading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy apps on the App Store with an iPhone XR?

Yes, the iPhone XR supports the current version of the App Store. However, some newer apps may not be compatible if they require iOS 17 or later. Most mainstream apps like WhatsApp, Spotify, and Google services continue to support iOS 15–16.

Is the Galaxy S10 Plus waterproof in 2024?

It retains its original IP68 rating, but seals degrade over time, especially after repairs or drops. Water resistance is not guaranteed after years of use. Avoid submerging it intentionally.

Which phone holds battery better over time?

The iPhone XR generally manages battery degradation better due to iOS power management tools and optimized charging. However, actual lifespan depends heavily on charging habits. Both phones likely need battery replacements by now for reliable all-day use.

Conclusion: A Niche but Practical Comparison

Comparing the iPhone XR and Galaxy S10 Plus in 2024 isn’t about finding the best smartphone—it’s about assessing value in the secondhand market. For someone needing a temporary phone, giving to a child, or using as a dedicated media or GPS device, both can still function. But expectations must be realistic: no cutting-edge features, slower performance, and growing security risks.

The iPhone XR edges ahead for longevity due to superior software optimization and ecosystem cohesion. The S10 Plus impresses with its display and camera versatility but falters under aging Android bloat and discontinued updates.

🚀 Ready to upgrade—or make the most of your current device? Share your experience with older flagships in the comments below. Your insights could help others decide whether to hold on or move on.