Samsung Galaxy S10
- 4K front camera and a triple main camera to the rear
- Wireless PowerShare to recharge your friend's gadgets
- No 5G connectivity available
Please Note: Samsung's 2020 flagships have hit the shelves -- the Galaxy S20, the S20 5G, the S20 Plus 5G and the S20 Ultra 5G. You may also want to pick up a pair of Samsung's new Buds Plus wireless earphones.
An Updated Smartphone from an Iconic Brand
The Samsung Galaxy S10 release marks the 10th anniversary for what has become the world's most iconic Android phone. Following competitor Apple's example, the Samsung Galaxy S10 will hit the shelves alongside a larger Plus model and, for the first time, a cheaper Galaxy S10 – the S10e. The standard sized S10 offers several upgrades over 2018's Galaxy S9. These include a larger display, a larger battery and wireless PowerShare. For those wondering: yes, the Samsung Galaxy S10 has a headphone jack.
Galaxy S10: Waterproof with Wireless PowerShare
Measuring 149.9 mm x 70.4mm x 7.8 mm and weighing 157 g, the Samsung Galaxy S10 is waterproof and dustproof. The phone's IP 68 rating indicates that it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 m of water for 30 minutes.
Thanks to a new design, the phone now features a 6.1 inch Super AMOLED display with HDR10+ support, the same technology found in the brand's QLED TVs. Blue light has also been reduced to make the screen easier on the eyes. The Infinity-O display has a "punch hole" – a small circle in the upper corner – allowing the screen to stretch around the edges of the casing. Unlocking now takes places via in-display fingerprint sensor. It supports fast charging, wireless charging, and wireless PowerShare. This technology enables your Galaxy battery to charge your wireless buds or even a friend's compatible smartphone.
Triple Rear Camera
Photography is handled by a triple rear camera consisting of:
- 12 MP main sensor with shifting f/1.5 -2.4 aperture and optical image stabilsation
- 16 MP ultra wide angle with f/2.2 aperture
- 12 MP telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture with optical image stabilisation
It includes all the features from the previous phone, including AR emoji and improvements to AI-assisted shooting. However, it lacks the dedicated night mode offered by other top camera phones, such as the Huawei P20 Pro and the Google Pixel 3 XL. The 10 MP front selfie camera with f/1.9 aperture features dual autofocus. Both cameras support 4K video capture.
Samsung Galaxy S10: Cheapest Price UK
The Samsung Galaxy S10 is available in the colours Prism Black, Prism Green and Prism White with a choice of 128 GB internal memory or 512 GB internal memory.
All versions of the phone support storage expansion of up to 512 GB via microSD card.
The Galaxy S10 128GB will launch at £799, while the Galaxy S10 512GB will set you back £999. This represents about £100 savings over the Galaxy S10 Plus. The advantages of the Plus phone include a larger 6.4 inch display, a bigger battery (4100 mAh), and a dual selfie camera as well as the options of extra RAM and up to 1 TB internal memory.
If you're looking for a cheap Galaxy S10, then Samsung is offering the Galaxy S10e with toned down specs for about £100 less than the standard phone. This "budget Galaxy" features a flat lower resolution display and a dual rear (rather than triple rear) camera.
Samsung Galaxy S10: Verdict & Competition
The Samsung Galaxy S10 will certainly be one of 2019's top Android phones, especially in terms of raw performance and display quality. The two biggest complaints thus far have been lack of a photography Night Mode and high pricing. For these reasons, the Huawei P20 Pro, the Google Pixel 3 XL, and last year's Galaxy S9 may dim some of Samsung's limelight.