Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10 Review (2019): A Decade of Innovation in One Flagship

Introduction: A Decade of the Galaxy Legacy

In 2019, Samsung marked 10 years of the Galaxy S series with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S10; a device that perfectly captured the company’s legacy of innovation and design excellence.

After a decade of setting benchmarks, Samsung didn’t just update the Galaxy S9; it reimagined the smartphone experience. The Galaxy S10 introduced the revolutionary Infinity-O display, the world’s first ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under glass, and a triple-camera system that redefined mobile photography.

The Galaxy S10 wasn’t just another phone; it was a symbol of how far smartphone technology had come since the first Galaxy S.

Design: Sleek, Modern, and Nearly Bezel-Free

Samsung pushed the boundaries of design once again. The Galaxy S10 ditched the traditional bezels and notch for a clean, futuristic look featuring the Infinity-O Display, a small punch-hole cutout in the corner for the front camera.

• Dimensions:9 × 70.4 × 7.8 mm
• Weight: 157 g
• Materials: Aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass 6 (front), Gorilla Glass 5 (back)
• Colors: Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Blue, Flamingo Pink, Ceramic White (limited edition)

The phone felt ultra-premium, slim, light, and solid in hand. Samsung’s precision in build quality made the S10 one of the best-crafted smartphones of its time. The curved edges, polished metal frame, and vibrant color finishes gave it a modern, elegant aesthetic. Even in 2019, few phones could match the Galaxy S10’s combination of design finesse and engineering perfection.

Display: Infinity-O Brilliance

Samsung’s display technology has always been industry-leading, and with the Galaxy S10, it reached a new peak.

• Size:1 inches
• Type: Dynamic AMOLED
• Resolution: 3040 × 1440 (Quad HD+)
• Aspect Ratio: 19:9
• HDR Support: HDR10+
• Protection: Gorilla Glass 6

The Dynamic AMOLED panel introduced HDR10+ support and Dynamic Tone Mapping, offering breathtaking contrast, lifelike color accuracy, and excellent brightness. Samsung’s Infinity-O Display provided a nearly bezel-less experience, with only a tiny hole in the top-right corner for the selfie camera.

For multimedia lovers, the Galaxy S10 display was a masterpiece, vivid, sharp, and immersive. It’s no surprise that DisplayMate rated it one of the best smartphone screens ever made in 2019.

The World’s First Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor

The Galaxy S10 introduced a new kind of biometric technology, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner built directly under the screen. Unlike optical scanners, this one uses ultrasonic pulses to detect the 3D ridges of your finger, making it faster and more secure. It worked reliably even with wet fingers, marking a major leap in convenience and innovation.

Performance: Engineered for Power

Samsung equipped the Galaxy S10 with the latest and most powerful hardware available in 2019.

The Exynos 9820 delivered smooth, efficient performance across every task. Whether you were gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the Galaxy S10 handled it effortlessly. Apps loaded quickly, animations felt fluid, and the phone maintained excellent thermal management.

Samsung also included a vapor cooling system to keep performance stable during long gaming sessions. With 8 GB of RAM, multitasking felt limitless, a huge plus for power users and professionals.

Camera System: Triple the Power

The Galaxy S10’s biggest leap came in its camera versatility. For the first time, Samsung included three rear cameras, giving users creative control like never before.

• Main Camera: 12 MP, Dual Aperture (f/1.5 – f/2.4), OIS
• Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.4, OIS, 2x Optical Zoom
• Ultra-Wide: 16 MP, f/2.2, 123° field of view
• Front Camera: 10 MP, f/1.9, Dual Pixel AF
• Video Recording: 4K @ 60fps, Super Slow Motion 960fps (720p)

Ultra-Wide Innovation

The new ultra-wide lens was a game-changer, letting users capture sweeping landscapes, architecture, or group photos without stepping back.

Dual Aperture Excellence

The main lens automatically switched between f/1.5 and f/2.4, adapting to lighting conditions just like the human eye.

Professional-Grade Video

The Galaxy S10 introduced HDR10+ video recording, ensuring true-to-life color and contrast. Combined with optical stabilization, footage looked smooth and cinematic. The camera app was intuitive, with easy access to modes like Pro, Panorama, and Super Slow-Mo. Samsung made professional photography accessible to everyone.

Battery and Charging: Intelligent Power Management

The Galaxy S10 came with a 3400 mAh battery, optimized with AI-powered Adaptive Battery technology that learned user habits and adjusted power usage accordingly.

Charging options included:

• Fast Charging (15W)
• Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (12W)
• Wireless PowerShare: reverse wireless charging for accessories or other phones

Wireless PowerShare was one of the most talked-about features in 2019, allowing you to charge devices like Galaxy Buds or another phone by simply placing them on the S10’s back. Battery life was dependable, with a full day of use achievable even under heavy workloads.

Audio: Stereo Brilliance

Samsung continued its tradition of premium audio quality with stereo speakers tuned by AKG and enhanced by Dolby Atmos. The result: deep bass, crisp highs, and a truly immersive soundstage. Unlike many 2019 flagships, the Galaxy S10 retained the 3.5 mm headphone jack, a decision audiophiles and long-time users deeply appreciated.

Software: Samsung One UI Revolution

The Galaxy S10 launched with Android 9.0 Pie layered with Samsung’s brand-new One UI; a major redesign that prioritized usability, simplicity, and comfort.

Key Features

• One-Handed Use: Controls positioned at the bottom for easy reach
• Night Mode: System-wide dark theme for reduced eye strain
• Bixby Routines: Smart automation based on user habits
• Digital Wellbeing: Helps users manage screen time and focus
• Samsung Pay, Knox Security, and Secure Folder for privacy

One UI marked a new era for Samsung software, modern, fluid, and intuitive.

Connectivity and Extras

Samsung loaded the Galaxy S10 with every modern connectivity option available in 2019.

• Wi-Fi 6 support (one of the first smartphones to offer it)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• USB Type-C
• NFC and MST for Samsung Pay
• microSD card slot (up to 1 TB)
• IP68 water and dust resistance
• Dual SIM capability (region dependent)

The S10 was also the first Galaxy model to prepare users for the 5G future, with the S10 5G variant launching shortly after.

Performance in Real Life

In day-to-day use, the Galaxy S10 was a dream. It handled gaming, video streaming, and photography with ease, all while maintaining a smooth, lag-free interface. Apps opened instantly, and multitasking between them felt effortless. The Exynos 9820 chip balanced power and efficiency, delivering top-tier speed without overheating.

Samsung’s optimizations ensured that even after months of use, performance stayed consistent, a testament to excellent software engineering.

Galaxy S10 vs Galaxy S9

The Galaxy S10 clearly pushed the Galaxy series into the future, more power, more cameras, more intelligence.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Stunning Dynamic AMOLED display
• Excellent triple-camera system
• Sleek, modern design with Infinity-O cutout
• Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner
• Wireless PowerShare
• microSD and headphone jack support
• One UI software is intuitive and smooth

Cons:

• Battery life could be better under heavy use
• Fingerprint scanner speed slightly slower than capacitive sensors
• High price at launch

Conclusion: A Perfect Celebration of 10 Years of Galaxy

The Samsung Galaxy S10 wasn’t just a smartphone, it was the culmination of a decade of engineering excellence. From its edge-to-edge display to its triple-camera setup and innovative in-display fingerprint sensor, it set a new benchmark for Android smartphones in 2019.

The S10 embodied Samsung’s philosophy: innovation without compromise. It refined the best elements of its predecessors and introduced cutting-edge technology that would influence smartphone design for years. For users seeking a premium Android experience that blends style, intelligence, and performance, the Galaxy S10 stood at the top of the list.

Specs