Galaxy S10e leak reveals Samsung's answer to the iPhone XR

The flagship Android smartphone has been dubbed an 'iPhone killer'

Samsung is planning an entry-level version of its forthcoming Galaxy S10 smartphone that will rival the iPhone XR, according to the latest leaks.

The Samsung Galaxy S10e, originally thought to be called the Galaxy S10 Lite, was revealed in a series of images that appear to show the unreleased device booting up.

The pictures confirm several expected features of the smartphone, including a hole-punch design for the front-facing camera and the presence of a button for Samsung's virtual assistant Bixby.

It is widely expected the device will launch alongside a standard Galaxy S10 and a premium Galaxy S10+, with all three set to be unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event on 20 February.

A release date is yet to be officially announced, though history suggests they will go on sale in early March following MWC 2019 in Barcelona.

The latest leaked images come courtesy of SlashLeaks, though it is not clear who the original source is.

Previous rumours have suggested the price of the Galaxy S10e will start at around €779 (£685), with the top-of-the-line Galaxy S10+ stretching to €1,599.

This puts the Samsung Galaxy S10e in line with the iPhone XR – Apple's latest budget iPhone.

Unlike the iPhone XR, the Galaxy S10 e is expected to feature a dual-lens rear camera, a fingerprint scanner and a microSD slot that supports up to double the storage of the Apple device.

The improved specs of the Galaxy S10e has led to some tech critics to label it an "iPhone XR killer".

The latest leak for the Samsung Galaxy S10e appears to reveal the name for the entry-level smartphone (SlashLeaks)

Some of Samsung's most advanced smartphone technology will not feature in the lower-end version of the phone, however, with the more premium versions expected to include triple-lens rear cameras and in-screen fingerprint readers.

All three Samsung smartphones are expected to come in black, green and white colour schemes, though the Galaxy S10e will also come in yellow.

A bluse version similar to previous Galaxy S-series phones is expected to follow later this year.