Samsung Galaxy S10 5G could arrive in the US on Verizon by May 16
The year 2019 will be big, really big! Samsung has introduced the Galaxy S10 5G, a true XXL smartphone that incorporates the latest technology the Korean manufacturer has to offer. We got our hands on the Galaxy S10 5G and can already take a first look at its different features.
The first 5G smartphone is coming
The Galaxy S10 5G will launch a bit later than the Galaxy S10, S10e and S10 Plus. It will go on sale in Korea April 5 and was supposed to come out in the US this month but was delayed. Now, the latest hint from industry tipster Evan Blass indicates a US debut on May 16.
S10.5G.VZW.05.16
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April 3, 2019
Verizon just switched on its 5G network in Chicago and Minneapolis a week early but right now only users with the 5G Moto Mod have a chance to actually use it. If you want a fully featured 5G compatible flagship right out of the box then the Galaxy S10 5G is your best bet.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will be exclusive to Verizon initially. Any customers who place a pre-order between April 5th and April 16th will get a free pair of Galaxy Buds, a wireless charger and a 50% discount on one screen replacement within the first year.
In terms of price, we only know the official figure for Korea. It converts to roughly $1,332, so expect the US price to be something in the same ballpark.
The Galaxy S10 5G stands out - everywhere
One thing straight away: we were allowed to take the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G into our hands and switch it on, but we couldn't try it any further. The software is not yet final, which is why Samsung has decided to lock the smartphones. So we know exactly one thing about the software: the lock screen. Nothing else.
The Galaxy S10 5G is above all one thing: big. Really big. Compared to the Galaxy S10 Plus, it is another half centimeter longer and three millimeters wider. The defining element is the huge 6.7-inch diagonal display - no Samsung smartphone display has ever been this big. The glass back is available in black or a shimmering blue called Samsung Prism Blue. The powerful phone weighs almost 200 grams and is quite a noticeable bulk in the hand or in the pocket. The Galaxy S10 5G is guaranteed to attract attention, and not only because of the large 5G logo on the back.
5G antennas need space
A closer look reveals that the frame is different from the other S10 models. The Galaxy S10 5G has a slimmer design, but the glass on the back is more curved. It's unusual, because the smartphone is quite big and therefore has to be stable. The 5G antennas serve as an explanation, of which probably four are in the Galaxy S10 5G - top, bottom, right and left, all at the back. Samsung has made the frame slimmer so that they can connect unhindered. Thus the Galaxy S10 5G looks thicker than the S10, but the difference is only 0.14 millimeters.
The fingerprint sensor is in the display and works with ultrasound. This works well on the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus, and there's no doubt that it will also work for the 5G smartphone. Face recognition is done in 2D via the front camera, and the iris scanner has been removed by Samsung. But the headphone jack remains alive and sits at the bottom next to the USB-C port. The Bixby button and volume rocker can be found on the left, the power button on the right.
Even more display
The huge display of the Galaxy S10 5G is a feast for the eyes at 6.7 inches. No AMOLED display in a Samsung smartphone has ever been this big. The resolution is identical to that of the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus, which results in a slightly lower pixel density on paper. But the human eye will hardly notice that. The display of the new Galaxy smartphone is slightly curved at the edges, but it doesn't hurt the picture. Samsung also does without a notch here, the Infinity-O display accommodates the front camera in a hole that is cut into the panel by a laser. It's a little more subtle than a notch, but it also takes some getting used to.
Snapdragon or Exynos?
We could not test the performance of the Galaxy S10 5G yet. In view of the fact that here too the Exynos 9820 or the Snapdragon 855 set the clock and 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage are available, there will hardly be anything to complain about on this point. Full power!
Six cameras on board
Here, too, the following still applies: We only know what is inside, but not yet what it can do. The Galaxy S10 5G has a main camera with four different optics - this one:
- 16 Megapixel Ultra Wide Angle, f/2.2
- 12 Megapixel normal focal length, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, f/1.5-2.4
- 12 Megapixel Tele, f/2.4
- hQVGA camera for 3D depth detection
So it's the camera of the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus, but with the 3D camera as an addition - and that's important. This is the only way to create an exact image of the scenery in front of the lenses. This depth information is invaluable especially for AR applications, as it makes the placement of virtual objects in space more precise and natural. Artificial bokeh and other filter types also benefit from this.
For the Selfie camera, Samsung has also opted for such a 3D camera, which supports the normal 10MP selfie camera with dual-pixel AF and f/1.9. This should enable great AR effects with the front camera as well as real-time filters for artificial depth blur and more.
No Galaxy smartphone has more battery life
Only consistent: The biggest Galaxy smartphone also has the most powerful battery. 4.500 mAh, such a capacity cannot even the Galaxy Note9 offers. However, the giant display should also draw a lot of power. If you ever radio with 5G, the battery can't be big enough - the many antennas need a lot of power. Like the other S10 models, the Galaxy S10 has 5G Wireless Charging and Wireless Power Share, which lets you charge other devices wirelessly when they're on your Galaxy smartphone. With 25 watts, the Galaxy S10 5G's power supply is stronger than the other new models, which have to get by with 18 watts.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G technical specifications
A status symbol par excellence
Do you need a 5G smartphone in 2019? No, of course not. But should you still buy the Galaxy S10 5G? Well... maybe. If you like it big, you can't miss the giant Galaxy as a Samsung fan. This 6.7-inch display is a feast for the eyes, and the camera promises a lot of fun.
Of course, the new Galaxy smartphone will be really expensive, and the actual main feature, namely 5G, will not be widely available for a while. Nonetheless, during the Unpacked event, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg did take the stage to confirm once more the collaboration between Verizon and Samsung on 5G.
But the Galaxy S10 5G is also fascinating for its other talents, which are not lacking in any area. If you're looking for an extraordinary smartphone with real top features, you're sure to desire this new super-sized flagship with everything.
Before investing the big bucks I would rather wait until 5g is offered by all the carriers. Sure the 6.7 display & 4500mamp battery is very nice but so is the price. I'd rather wait, the prices will drop when everyone is using it!