Nokia X30 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S10
The Verdict
Nokia X30 5G costs half the price of the Galaxy S10 while delivering notably better value for practical everyday use. The Nokia features a larger 6.43-inch AMOLED display running at 90Hz with 700 nits brightness, compared to Samsung's smaller 6.1-inch screen locked at 60Hz despite higher resolution. Nokia's 50MP main camera with ZEISS optics and OIS outclasses the Galaxy S10's 12MP sensor, though Samsung's dual aperture and telephoto lens provide versatility. Battery capacity favors Nokia at 4200 mAh versus 3400 mAh, with superior 33W fast charging. The Snapdragon 695 processor is mid-range but adequate for most tasks, whereas the Galaxy S10's Snapdragon 855 remains powerful for gaming and demanding apps. Samsung wins on display resolution (3040 x 1440), brightness (1200 nits), and storage options up to 512GB. Both offer IP67/IP68 water resistance and wireless charging. The Galaxy S10 launched as a premium flagship in 2019 but now faces harsh value disadvantages at double the price. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing display quality, camera performance, and battery life, Nokia X30 5G is the clear winner. Only choose the Galaxy S10 if you specifically need the superior brightness, telephoto capabilities, or Wi-Fi 6.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nokia X30 5G if…
- →Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
- →100% recycled materials in the frame and back for sustainability
- →ZEISS optics produce natural, sharp photos
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 if…
- →Triple camera system with ultrawide
- →Headphone jack and microSD slot
- →Beautiful Dynamic AMOLED display
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nokia X30 5G
Pros
- Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
- 100% recycled materials in the frame and back for sustainability
- ZEISS optics produce natural, sharp photos
- IP67 water resistance and wireless charging at this tier
- Clean, near-stock Android experience
Cons
- Snapdragon 695 is underpowered compared to alternatives at $449
- 90Hz refresh rate instead of 120Hz competitors
- 4200 mAh battery is modest for 5G usage
- Limited availability in some markets
- Camera processing can be slow to capture and process shots
Samsung Galaxy S10
Pros
- Triple camera system with ultrawide
- Headphone jack and microSD slot
- Beautiful Dynamic AMOLED display
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Compact and lightweight at 157 g
Cons
- 60Hz display
- Slow 15W wired charging
- No 5G support
- Ultrasonic fingerprint unreliable with screen protectors
- Moderate 3400 mAh battery
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nokia X30 5G | Samsung Galaxy S10 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 | Android 9, One UI 1.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 185 g | 157 g |
| Material | 100% recycled aluminum frame, recycled plastic back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 6 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.9 x 7.99 mm | 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS, ZEISS optics | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, dual aperture, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 10 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4200 mAh | 3400 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired | 15W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.43 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3040 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 700 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.7 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 640 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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