Samsung launches Galaxy S10 series

Samsung's new Galaxy S10 range is seriously powerful, and available seriously soon.

As expected, Samsung used its "Galaxy Unpacked" launch this morning to announce the release of the new Samsung Galaxy S10 series. It comprises 3 phone model ranges available from 8 March 2019, starting with the low-cost Samsung Galaxy S10e, the middle of the pack Galaxy S10 and then the flagship Galaxy S10+ handset. If you've got a little more patience, the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will be available in the second quarter of 2019 – essentially speaking, it should be out before the end of June.

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is a 6.4 inch Android 9 phone running Samsung's One UI overlay, with either a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 8920 processor on board, as well as 8GB of RAM and either 128GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ 128GB from Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ packs a massive 6.4-inch screen with support for HDR10+ and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor concealed beneath the display. Grab yours now from Amazon Australia.

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As the flagship phone, it's blessed with the best camera optics, with a rear combination of 3 lenses. You get a 12MP wide angle, a 12MP telephoto and a 16MP ultra-wide lens to play with, while at the front an oval shaped "Infinity O" punch hole is where the two front facing 16MP and 8MP sensors sit. The ultra-wide lens is a new category for Samsung – traditionally LG has played more in that space – with a viewing angle of 123 degrees, giving it a lot of scope if landscape photography is your passion. As with its more recent Galaxy Note9 camera system, Samsung is also promising AI optimisation with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) with scene optimisation.

The Galaxy S10+ also features what Samsung is calling "Super Steady" recording for video. This uses digital stabilisation to allow for smooth video capture even in less-than-stable environments in up to UHD quality. If you're particularly fussy about your home movies, it'll even offer HDR10+ modes.

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ also features, as heavily leaked, an under-glass fingerprint sensor. It uses ultrasonic technology to more accurately and rapidly read fingerprints than the optical under-glass scanners used in phones such as the Oppo R17 Pro or Huawei Mate 20 Pro. The ultrasonic sensor on the Galaxy S10 reads a full 3D image of your fingerprint, and as such it's the first phone to receive the FIDO Alliance's Biometric Component Certification for security purposes.

Speaking of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Samsung has also borrowed a trick from that phone, because the Samsung Galaxy S10+ also supports reverse wireless charging, which Samsung calls "Wireless Powershare". Drop any Qi-compatible device onto the Galaxy S10+ and it will supply a charge to that other device from its 4,100mAh internal battery.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 offers much of the same feature set as the Galaxy S10+, but with a slightly smaller 6.1 inch display at the same 3040 x 1440 resolution, which means that it's actually got a higher pixels per inch count than its bigger sibling.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 128GB from Amazon

Samsung's Galaxy S10 features an in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and a pin-hole selfie camera, providing more room for its 6.1-inch screen to shine. Get yours now from Amazon Australia.

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It shares that same 12MP wide angle, a 12MP telephoto and a 16MP ultra-wide lens array at the back of the phone, but at the front a circular "Infinity O" punch hole houses a single 10MP sensor. The ultrasonic fingerprint scanner located at the base of the Galaxy S10 provides the same quick unlocking capabilities. Reverse wireless charging – Samsung calls it "Powershare" – is also supported from the Samsung Galaxy S10's 3,400mAh battery.

Then there's the Samsung Galaxy S10e, marking the first time that Samsung's opted to split the Galaxy S brand into 3 ranges. While some early rumours suggested that Samsung might opt for a lower-power processor to fully differentiate it, that's not the case in the final unit.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10e 128GB from Amazon

The most-affordable entry in Samsung's Galaxy S10 product line packs all the core features of its siblings at a less wallet-stinging price. Get one now from Amazon Australia.

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Still, the Samsung Galaxy S10e is a pretty clear play for the market that opted for the similarly low-for-a-premium-phone-priced Apple iPhone XR, with a 5.8 inch display, dual 12MP f/1.5 wide lens and 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens at the rear. You'll pay less for the Galaxy S10e, but you do miss out on features such as the ultrasonic scanner, with a fingerprint scanner located on the side instead.

Then there's the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, which, as the name suggests, is the 5G-ready member of the family. It'll share the same processor, but ship in only an 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant, with a single SIM slot and a 4,500mAh battery. That's no doubt to charge both its 5G connectivity and its immense 6.7 inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display. There's no word on precise pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G to date.

Garry McGregor, Vice President of IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia said that "The new Galaxy S10 line will offer four unique variants of the Galaxy S10, so Australians can find the exact device that's right for them. The Galaxy S10 range is designed and engineered for those who want a next-generation, premium Galaxy experience: A re-engineered dynamic display, camera technology that makes it easier to take amazing photos and performance that's optimised for the way we use our phones today".

The non-5G variants of the Samsung Galaxy S10 family will go on pre-order in Australia from 9am AEDT on 21 February 2019, with pricing as follows:

• Galaxy S10e (128GB), available in Prism Green, Prism Black, Prism White: RRP $1,199
• Galaxy S10 (128GB), available in Prism Green, Prism Black, Prism White: RRP $1,349
• Galaxy S10 (512GB), available in Prism Green, Prism Black, Prism White: RRP $1,699
• Galaxy S10+ (128GB), available in Prism Green, Prism Black, Prism White: RRP $1,499
• Galaxy S10+ (512GB), available in Ceramic Black, Ceramic White: RRP $1,849
• Galaxy S10+ (1TB), available in Ceramic Black, Ceramic White: RRP $2,399

Pre-orders received before midnight on 7 March 2019 will get a bonus pair of Samsung Galaxy Bud headphones, valued at $249.

We already know that both Telstra and Vodafone will be offering the new Samsung Galaxy phones on contract terms, but we're waiting to see contract pricing. As always, check back with Finder for full analysis of all contract plan pricing soon!