Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Review (2019): The Ultimate Android Flagship of the Decade
Samsung’s Masterpiece Turns Ten
In 2019, Samsung marked the
10th anniversary of the Galaxy S series with something truly spectacular the
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.
Building on a decade of innovation, the S10+ represented the best of Samsung’s design and engineering capabilities. It brought together cutting-edge performance, a revolutionary camera system, and an immersive Infinity-O display, all wrapped in an elegant glass and metal body.
While the
Galaxy S10 impressed as a balanced flagship, the
Galaxy S10+ took things to the next level. It was
bigger, faster, and more powerful, making it the smartphone to beat in 2019.
Design and Build: Refined Perfection
Samsung perfected the formula for premium smartphone design with the Galaxy S10+.
- Dimensions:6 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm
- Weight: 175 g (198 g for Ceramic models)
- Materials: Gorilla Glass 6 (front), Gorilla Glass 5 (back), aluminum frame
- Colors: Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Blue, Ceramic White, Ceramic Black
The
Galaxy S10+ carried a bold yet refined aesthetic, featuring smooth curves, razor-thin bezels, and the new
Infinity-O display with a pill-shaped cutout for dual front cameras.
The result was a near edge-to-edge screen experience that felt futuristic and premium. Even in 2019, few smartphones came close to the craftsmanship of the
S10+. The
Ceramic Edition added an extra touch of luxury, offering superior scratch resistance and a unique glossy texture that stood out from standard glass models.
Display: Immersive Beyond Imagination
Samsung has always led the display game, and the
Galaxy S10+ continued that tradition with breathtaking results.
- Size: 4 inches
- Type: Dynamic AMOLED
- Resolution: 3040 × 1440 (Quad HD+)
- Aspect Ratio: 19:9
- HDR Support: HDR10+
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6
The
Dynamic AMOLED display introduced vibrant color reproduction, deep blacks, and unprecedented brightness levels. HDR10+ support made movies and games come alive with enhanced contrast and tone mapping.
Thanks to the
Infinity-O cutout, the display stretched almost edge to edge, maximizing screen real estate without a notch. Whether you were watching videos, editing photos, or gaming, the
Galaxy S10+ display delivered an unmatched visual experience, arguably the best of 2019.
Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor: Secure and Seamless
The
Galaxy S10+ was one of the first smartphones in the world to feature an
ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display.
Using sound waves to map the ridges of your finger, this sensor provided more accurate and secure recognition compared to optical systems. It worked well even with wet or slightly dirty fingers, a big step forward in convenience and reliability.
Performance: Flagship Power, Redefined
At its core, the
Galaxy S10+ packed industry-leading performance for 2019.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Processor |
Exynos 9820 Octa (Global) / Snapdragon 855 (US) |
| RAM |
8 GB / 12 GB (Ceramic Edition) |
| Storage |
128 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (expandable via microSD) |
| GPU |
Mali-G76 MP12 / Adreno 640 |
| OS |
Android 9.0 Pie with One UI |
The
Exynos 9820 offered a perfect blend of power and efficiency, capable of handling multitasking, 4K video, and high-end gaming with ease. Samsung’s
vapor chamber cooling system kept temperatures low, even during intense gaming sessions.
The 12 GB RAM option in the
Ceramic Edition was particularly impressive, more than most laptops at the time. In benchmarks, the
Galaxy S10+ ranked among the fastest Android phones ever made, rivalling Apple’s flagship iPhones in raw speed and performance.
Camera System: Triple Lens, Dual Selfies
Samsung equipped the Galaxy S10+ with one of the most versatile camera systems of 2019.
- Main Camera: 12 MP, Dual Aperture (f/1.5–f/2.4), OIS
- Telephoto Camera: 12 MP, f/2.4, OIS, 2x Optical Zoom
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 16 MP, f/2.2, 123° field of view
- Front Cameras: 10 MP (f/1.9, Dual Pixel AF) + 8 MP (f/2.2 depth sensor)
- Video: 4K @ 60fps, HDR10+, Super Slow Motion (960fps)
Triple Rear Cameras
The
Galaxy S10+ offered incredible flexibility. The ultra-wide lens captured expansive shots, the telephoto lens delivered crisp zoom, and the main camera adapted to lighting conditions with a
dual aperture system.
Dual Front Cameras
Selfie lovers were treated to a dual setup for
Live Focus (portrait selfies) and improved depth perception. It was one of the best front camera systems on any 2019 smartphone.
Pro-Level Video
The S10+ also shined in videography, with
HDR10+ recording,
super steady mode, and impressive stabilization. Image quality was sharp, dynamic, and natural, whether in bright daylight or low light.
Battery Life: Built for the Long Haul
The
Galaxy S10+ featured a generous
4100 mAh battery, offering outstanding endurance. Combined with Samsung’s
Adaptive Battery AI optimization, it easily lasted through a full day of heavy use, and often into the next morning.
Charging capabilities included:
- Fast Charging (15W)
- Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (12W)
- Wireless PowerShare (reverse wireless charging)
Wireless PowerShare allowed users to charge compatible accessories like Galaxy Buds or even another smartphone by placing it on the back of the S10+. It wasn’t just a gimmick, it was practical, futuristic, and one of Samsung’s smartest additions that year.
Audio and Multimedia: Tuned for Perfection
Samsung once again partnered with
AKG to fine-tune the stereo speakers on the
Galaxy S10+.
- Dual stereo speakers (earpiece + bottom speaker)
- Dolby Atmos 3D audio support
- 5 mm headphone jack included
Sound quality was full, loud, and immersive. With Dolby Atmos, you could experience directional sound that felt like it surrounded you, whether you were watching Netflix or gaming. The inclusion of a
headphone jack was another highlight, especially as many competitors had started to remove it.
Software: One UI and Intelligent Features
The
Galaxy S10+ launched with
Android 9.0 Pie and Samsung’s new
One UI, a massive improvement over previous interfaces.
Key Features
- Simplified Navigation: Large icons, easy access to key functions
- Night Mode: A beautiful, battery-saving dark theme
- Bixby Routines: Automate settings and actions based on your daily habits
- Digital Wellbeing: Helps users monitor and manage screen time
- Samsung Pay & Knox Security: Enterprise-grade protection and mobile payment support
One UI made the Galaxy S10+ cleaner, smoother, and far more intuitive than any Samsung software before it.
Connectivity and Features
The
Galaxy S10+ packed every modern connectivity feature imaginable.
- Wi-Fi 6 support (first on any smartphone)
- Bluetooth 5.0
- NFC and MST for Samsung Pay
- USB Type-C
- microSD slot (up to 1 TB)
- Dual SIM (region dependent)
- IP68 water and dust resistance
Samsung left no stone unturned; the S10+ was future-proof and feature-packed in every sense.
Galaxy S10+ vs Galaxy S10
| Feature |
Galaxy S10 |
Galaxy S10+ |
| Display |
6.1″ |
6.4″ |
| Battery |
3400 mAh |
4100 mAh |
| Front Camera |
Single 10 MP |
Dual 10 MP + 8 MP |
| RAM |
8 GB |
8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage |
Up to 512 GB |
Up to 1 TB |
The
Galaxy S10+ clearly stood out as the premium flagship, a device for users who wanted nothing but the best Samsung had to offer.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Immersive 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display
- Superb triple-camera performance
- Dual selfie cameras with depth sensing
- Exceptional battery life
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
- Stereo speakers and headphone jack
- Elegant design and ceramic option
Cons:
- Expensive at launch
- Ultrasonic sensor slightly slower at times
- Punch-hole cutout may not appeal to everyone
Conclusion: The Ultimate Galaxy Experience
The
Samsung Galaxy S10+ was the culmination of ten years of innovation, refinement, and ambition.
It combined breathtaking design, professional-grade photography, and all-day battery life with a user experience that was both powerful and polished.
In 2019, there was no question, the
Galaxy S10+ was
the ultimate Android flagship, a smartphone that truly defined what premium should feel like.
Even years later, it remains one of the most complete Galaxy phones ever made, a testament to Samsung’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
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