If you have been toying with the idea of upgrading your smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S10 is a remarkable device that just may push you to finally take the plunge. While the Galaxy Fold may be getting more attention, the S10 is still worthy of its own time in the spotlight.
For their tenth anniversary of the S series, Galaxy focused on the camera, display, and software to improve upon the Galaxy S9. However, with a price tag of nearly $900 and up, it begs the question: is the Samsung Galaxy S10 worth it? Could it be the ultimate phone? Or are there better options out there?
Samsung Galaxy S10 Display
The major selling point for the Samsung Galaxy S10 is the 6.1-inch Infinity Display. As the name suggests, the display spills over the side edges like the soft waves of an infinity pool. The display covers the entire front face of the gadget, interrupted only by the small camera lens in the top, right corner.
While the infinity display is neat from a visual standpoint, some users have complained about accidental touches because of the spillover effect. A somewhat standard grip can cause the user to accidentally press unwanted keys, which can be quite frustrating.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Fingerprint Sensor
Instead of having its own designated space, the fingerprint sensor has been integrated into the front screen. The in-display fingerprint sensor is ultrasonic instead of optical, which means it uses sound waves instead of a camera to register your fingerprint.
The S10’s in-display sensor is a controversial change from the S9, with many users frustrated by the time and effort required to find the “zone” in which the sensor will read your print. If it’s the only issue you have with the phone, the S10 also has a face unlock feature, but a fingerprint is still required to download apps and verify purchases.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Camera
The S10’s rear-facing, triple-lens camera can now be used to take extra-wide pictures, but that seems to be the only significant change since the Galaxy S8. The camera itself functions well and produces the same quality photos as its previous versions. You will be impressed by the photo quality, but you will be hard-pressed to find an improvement from photos taken on an S9.
Samsung Galaxy S10 vs. Competitors
The Galaxy S10’s new super-wide camera feature was highlighted above, but it’s worth mentioning that LG phones have already included this feature for several years. It may be new to Samsung customers, but in the smartphone industry, it’s old news. However, the camera in the Samsung Galaxy S10 has consistently performed better with less than optimal lighting.
For users who are loyally anti-iPhone, the Galaxy S10 just may be the ultimate phone. But if you are deciding between the Galaxy S10 and the iPhone XS Max, based on performance alone, the iPhone XS Max reigns supreme.
However, a more in-depth comparison shows the Galaxy can indeed hold its own. The starting price is over $100 lower than that of the iPhone XS. Additionally, the Galaxy has an impressive battery life of 34 hours, while the iPhone XS will last a maximum of 20.
Conclusion
If you are still using the Galaxy S8 or an older version of the S-series, getting the S10 is probably the way to go. You will be pleased with the better overall experience and even with the high price tag, there is a good chance you will find the phone is worth every penny.
If you are carrying around the Galaxy S9, upgrading to the S10 still means enjoying a few improvements that are worthy of a splurge. If you are considering switching from the iPhone, you won’t be disappointed.
It’s also worth mentioning that as of March 8, 2019, when the Galaxy S10 was officially released, Samsung added six months of Spotify Premium for free as a promotion. However, if you have already subscribed to Spotify Premium, you are not eligible for the promotion.
