Hi all! I’d like to replace my old S10e, which was my ideal phone format, with a middle range (inexpensive) phone, in that size if possible. Extra points for a decent fingerprint reader (I’d like to avoid in-screen ones if possible), and perhaps unlockable bootloader.
I’m currently on a Pixel fold 9, for the GrapheneOS part, and I’ve been keeping the s10e as my trusty work phone, keeping the work profile. Sadly the lack of android updates is now being noticed by the security team and they suggested i should move on soon. Since I already have a massive personal phone, I’d like to keep it small for the work one.
Maybe LineageOS on your S10e might work? There aren’t many small phones with better spec these days, maybe an iPhone 12/13 mini but that lacks freedom. I chose to get an XZ1c and its about as old as your S10e.
The xperia 10 vii has a 6.1” screen I think, and has a side fingerprint scanner too. Sony also has decent software support with their newer phones, and you get both a microSD card slot and a headphone jack.
There really aren’t a ton of truly “small” phones these days… a Samsung S-series base model is about as compact as these phones are at this point unless you’re in more Eastern markets, in which case there might be a few more options. You likely won’t get the same level of Android software updates though, that being another reason I’d been looking at Samsung again.
Heard Samsung phones shipping with their OneUI 8 and onwards will not have an option to unlock the bootloader. Not a dealbreaker for many if you dont dvelve into rooting or installing other operating systems on your phone tho.
A sad thing to be sure, though installing custom operating systems is reducing in popularity. I’m all for options, but as newer versions of Android get programs and functions that were previously only available via rooting and custom ROMs, hopefully it won’t be too bad…? I am sad about the potential loss of sideloading though, especially as even iOS now supports it to an extent in certain regions.
Probably the most direct equivalent would be one of the base Galaxy S phones, they are usually around 4 - 5 mm longer than the S10e. The older S24 still has 5 years of security updates left and you could probably pick a secondhand one up for quite a good price now. If you can wait until the end of the year/early next year, there is a proper small phone being released, the iKKO Mind One, although that may be too small for you.
i like sonys xperia phones, they tick all the boxes. just a bit shaky with hardware issues (my fingerprint sensor stopped working a couple months back, along with green line issues i havent had yet). worth considering, im on an xperia 5 iii
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Maybe LineageOS on your S10e might work? There aren’t many small phones with better spec these days, maybe an iPhone 12/13 mini but that lacks freedom. I chose to get an XZ1c and its about as old as your S10e.
The xperia 10 vii has a 6.1” screen I think, and has a side fingerprint scanner too. Sony also has decent software support with their newer phones, and you get both a microSD card slot and a headphone jack.
if you are looking for longevity, beware, samsung is blocking the bootloader with the oneui 8 update in october.
Found this the other day.
https://www.ikkoaudio.com/en-eu/products/mind-one-phone
Basically half a smart phone, pretty cool…
I’d probably aim for a Samsung S25, it isn’'t terribly much larger than S10e
https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=9537&idPhone2=13987&idPhone3=13610
There really aren’t a ton of truly “small” phones these days… a Samsung S-series base model is about as compact as these phones are at this point unless you’re in more Eastern markets, in which case there might be a few more options. You likely won’t get the same level of Android software updates though, that being another reason I’d been looking at Samsung again.
Heard Samsung phones shipping with their OneUI 8 and onwards will not have an option to unlock the bootloader. Not a dealbreaker for many if you dont dvelve into rooting or installing other operating systems on your phone tho.
A sad thing to be sure, though installing custom operating systems is reducing in popularity. I’m all for options, but as newer versions of Android get programs and functions that were previously only available via rooting and custom ROMs, hopefully it won’t be too bad…? I am sad about the potential loss of sideloading though, especially as even iOS now supports it to an extent in certain regions.
Probably the most direct equivalent would be one of the base Galaxy S phones, they are usually around 4 - 5 mm longer than the S10e. The older S24 still has 5 years of security updates left and you could probably pick a secondhand one up for quite a good price now. If you can wait until the end of the year/early next year, there is a proper small phone being released, the iKKO Mind One, although that may be too small for you.
Am on a pixel 9. Missing my s7 edge.
i like sonys xperia phones, they tick all the boxes. just a bit shaky with hardware issues (my fingerprint sensor stopped working a couple months back, along with green line issues i havent had yet). worth considering, im on an xperia 5 iii