Our Thoughts on Samsung’s Latest Galaxy S10 Smartphones After a Week of Testing

Stefan Vazharov

March 6, 2019 at 1:00 AM·7 min read

Key Specs

?6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity display with 3,040 by 1,440 pixels (Galaxy S10+); 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity display with 3,040 by 1,440 pixels; 5.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity display with 2,280 by 1,080 pixels (S10e)
? Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset
? 6/8 GB of RAM; 128/256/512 GB of expandable storage (via microSD card); 1 TB of expandable storage (Galaxy S10+)
? Dual camera with 12 MP main sensor and 16 MP ultra-wide unit (Galaxy S10e); upgraded to triple camera with 12 MP main sensor (Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+)
? Stereo speakers; built-in standard audio jack
? IP68 rating for water resistance
? Fast wired and wireless charging; reverse wireless charging

Samsung just launched its range-topping Galaxy S10 smartphone. Anticipation — and expectations — were high.

The 10th installment of the iconic product family includes four distinct iterations: the Galaxy S10 with a 6.1-inch display; the more compact Galaxy S10e with a 5.8-inch screen; the big-screen Galaxy S10+ with a 6.4-inch panel; and a yet-to-be-released version with 5G network capabilities and an even bigger 6.7-inch display (due out in the next few months).

I spent a full week testing the Samsung Galaxy S10+ to get to know all of its ins and outs.

With the Samsung Galaxy S9+ being our favorite Android smartphone of 2018, it's safe to say that I had high expectations for its successor. But during my time with it as a daily driver, the Galaxy S10+ more than lived up to the hype.

The high-end smartphone impressed me with a blend of captivating design, impeccable craftsmanship, excellent camera experience, reliable performance regardless of the task on hand, and handy new features like reverse wireless charging.

Android smartphone users looking for an upgrade need to have the Galaxy S10 in all its iterations on their short list — and here's why:

1. It's Beautifully Designed and Crafted

First things first: The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a winner in the looks department.

The metal is nice, and the front of the smartphone is entirely dominated by its ultra vibrant display, making it appear decidedly futuristic. Even the selfie camera is integrated into the display, so no need to worry about bezels at all.

Because Samsung integrated the fingerprint sensor underneath the display in the Galaxy S10 and S10+ (and into the side-mounted power button of the Galaxy S10e), the back of all three phones is completely distraction-free. I like this setup — it makes the latest phones more elegant than ever.

Looks aside, the build quality of Samsung’s latest top-shelf smartphones is impeccable and worthy of their price tag. Each Galaxy S10 variant has a sturdy metal frame and a Corning Gorilla Glass-covered front and back. The range-topping Galaxy S10+ impresses even further with a ceramic back with incredible tactility.

Tuned by AKG, the built-in stereo speakers of the smartphone sound great. I found them to be a perfect match for the device’s class-leading display.

Of course, every Samsung Galaxy S10 version has a fully waterproof body — a mandatory feature for high-end phones for years now. It also comes with a superb selection of protective cases and covers. I recommend you take a look at them, as the phone feels a tad slippery when you handle it without a case.

2. It Has an Industry-Leading Display

The Dynamic AMOLED Infinity display of every Samsung Galaxy S10 variant is the best in the business. It's sharp, vibrant, and compatible with HDR 10+ content. Thanks to excellent brightness capabilities, the display is also legible even under direct sunlight.

Samsung deserves a hat tip for including blue light reducing tech into the display of every Galaxy S10. This means that the phone won’t strain your even after hours of screen-on time.

While testing the phone, I noticed that the above-mentioned new feature makes the display look considerably warmer than the screen of past Galaxy S iterations, without affecting its amazing image quality. It made me worry less about the time I spend with the screen on.

Overall, the screen alone is a solid reason why you should be considering the Galaxy S10. It’s nothing short of superb.

3. It Has a Fantastic Camera Setup

The S10 family's photo capabilities are another standout of the smartphones.

The triple camera of the Samsung Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+ is capable of seamlessly capturing photos and 4K video with fantastic quality. It’s also brimming with tools and features that will appeal to smartphone camera newbies, as well as seasoned pro photographers.

The above include a default auto mode, which allows you to take great photos with a single tap. There's also a pro shooting mode, which gives you full command of the camera's controls. The Galaxy S10e has a dual camera, which lacks a telephoto zoom lens.

Thanks to a trio of lenses — a regular, a telephoto zoom one, and a wide-angle one — it's an incredibly versatile mobile photography tool. No wonder it's a top-rated pick by the industry experts at DxOMark.

If you're a selfie aficionado, consider the Galaxy S10+ ahead of the other variants. With a duo of front-facing sensors, it's currently the best smartphone for capturing self-portraits, according to DxOMark.

4. It Packs Plenty of Power

Regardless of the task at hand, the smartphone will always perform effortlessly.

That's because each Galaxy S10 product family member packs the range-topping Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, which is powerful and energy-efficient in equal measure.

The battery life of the Galaxy S10 is excellent regardless of the variant you choose. It is no surprise that all Galaxy S10 iterations support fast wired and wireless charging.

If you're someone who uses their smartphone nonstop all day, you should opt for the Galaxy S10+ over its smaller relatives. Thanks to its massive 4,100 mAh unit, it easily lasted for a full day of heavy use between charges. It’s handily among the best new smartphones for Android power users.

5. It's Filled With Useful Features

One thing that immediately impressed me: the reversed wireless charging capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S10. Dubbed Wireless PowerShare, it allows you to charge your Samsung Galaxy Watch, the brand-new Galaxy Buds, and compatible smartphones if necessary.

I used Wireless PowerShare to charge a Samsung Galaxy Watch, as well as another smartphone on several occasions. It not only works like a charm, but it's also a great conversation starter.

Samsung also deserves credit for keeping the audio jack in all Galaxy S10 iterations in a time when many top-tier manufacturers have quit utilizing it. The bundled wired earbuds by AKG are excellent as always.

Wrap-Up

The pricing of the Samsung Galaxy S10 kicks off at $750 for a Galaxy S10e variant with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of expandable storage. All other Galaxy S10 versions have 8 GB of RAM. It’s commendable that the tech giant chose to offer this much space as an entry-level option in all variants.

The Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ start at $900 and $1,000 respectively. A top-spec Galaxy S10+ with a ceramic finish, 1 TB of expandable storage, and 12 GB of RAM will cost you a cool $1,600 — a considerable number, but well worth the splurge if it fits in your budget. Samsung, for its credit, has a generous trade-in program, which will give you up to $550 for your old phone.

The Galaxy S10+ is the best option for power users, thanks to its large battery and improved cooling tech. The latter makes the smartphone a great mobile gaming rig, too.

All in all, if you're willing to spend $1,000-plus for a new phone, the new S10 family should be high up on (if not at the top of) your list of options.

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