What’s new about the Samsung Galaxy S10? What can we expect from the camera and specifications, and what are Samsung’s plans for the design? Check our overview with all Samsung Galaxy S10 rumors.
Overview: all Samsung Galaxy S10 rumors
Although the Samsung Galaxy S9 still has a great chance with the best smartphones of the moment, his successor is getting closer. New rumors about the Galaxy S10 appear almost daily. Although the revelation will not take place until the end of February, much is already known. From the colors to the expected list price, and from eye-catching features to expected hardware: we have put the most important rumors on a list for you.
This overview was last updated on 27 December. New: information about the selfie camera. See the cup about ‘camera’.
1. Three versions: Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10 Lite
For the first time in a long time we expect that Samsung will not release two, but three versions of its flagship. Sources claim that not only a Samsung Galaxy S10 or Galaxy S10 Plus appears, but also an S10 Lite. Samsung’s smartphones have become increasingly expensive in recent years, and with the Lite, the company hopes to offer an affordable option again. See it as Samsung’s answer to Apple ‘s iPhone XR.
Just like in previous years, the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus are almost identical. The Galaxy S10 would have a 6.1-inch screen, while the Galaxy S10 Plus measures 6.4 inches. The hardware, camera, and other features are the same on both devices.
The Galaxy S10 Lite, however, is not a budget model, nor is the long-awaited successor of the Galaxy S5 Mini. In fact, this Lite is far from small and is expected to have a 5.8-inch screen. The design is also identical and the hardware is similar. We know that the Galaxy S10 Lite probably has a dual camera on the back, a headphone connection, and a fingerprint scanner in the power button on the side.
2. Design: no notch, but a hole
Samsung has made two important, distinctive choices for the design of its smartphones. The company wants the screen to fill almost the entire front, but at the same time refuses to add a notch. Unlike Apple, OnePlus, Huawei and others, Samsung does not intend to opt for a notch.
Instead, the company has come up with a different solution: a camera hole. The Samsung Galaxy S10 probably gets a small hole left or right in the screen, just big enough for the selfie camera. At that little hole, the screen covers almost the whole front. The curved image continues into the side, and only a narrow edge is at the bottom.
The rest of the design will not differ very much from the past years. The material on the back is a combination of glass and metal, with the USB-c port, speaker and headphone jack at the bottom. The cameras are placed next to each other horizontally. The fingerprint scanner disappears from the back and is processed in the front screen. The Galaxy S10 is expected to be waterproof and supports wireless charging.
3. Three to five cameras
The rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S10 cameras go the wildest ways. One source claims that Samsung provides the device with three lenses on the back, while others talk about five or more cameras. In any case, it will be more than the Galaxy S9, which has to do with just one camera.
Looking at devices like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Huawei Mate 20 Pro, it is likely that Samsung uses the different cameras for different features. There is probably one primary camera, one with an optical zoom, and one with a wider viewing angle. An extra monochrome sensor is also possible. Such a sensor captures more light, making you better photos in dark situations.
More precise details of the camera are still unknown at this time. We do not know anything about the number of megapixels of all these lenses, and Samsung’s plans for the selfie camera are shrouded in mystery. Probably there is a double lens in front. There would be plans for a 3D depth camera, with which Samsung can add improved facial recognition. With this Samsung puts down its own version of Apple’s Face ID.
New: Samsung adds some smart features to the selfie camera, SamMobile claims. Because that camera is in a small hole in the screen, it is part of the image. Samsung uses this with new gestures. While the Galaxy S10 is locked, you only need to swipe right over the lens to open the selfie camera.
4. Specifications: powerful, smarter hardware
You can assume that the Galaxy S10 will be equipped with the most powerful hardware of that moment. Now raw power, of course, does not mean everything, but you are in any case assured of good performance and apps that start quickly. Chips also sometimes provide extra features. For example, the new Exynos 9820 chip, which is probably in the S10, can charge faster and handle your camera more intelligently.
Note: the specifications may vary slightly from model to model. For example, we expect the Mini version to be slightly less powerful, while the Plus model will get more working memory. It is also likely that Samsung releases variants with more memory. Nonetheless, we expect this to be the specifications of the standard Galaxy S10:
- 1 inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2960 by 1440 pixels
- Exynos 9820 chip with eight cores, Adreno 640-GPU
- 6 or 8GB RAM
- 128GB of expandable storage
- 2 or 3 cameras on the back, one camera in front (unknown number of megapixels)
- Runs on Android 9.0 (Pie) with One UI
5. Announcement: a little earlier than expected
Samsung has opted in recent years to present its smartphones on the eve of the Mobile World Congress. The competition there, however, is great, because Huawei, Sony, and others also show their new devices there. Rumor has it that Samsung is doing its revelation a little earlier this year.
However, it does not get much earlier: the telecom fair kicks off in Barcelona on 25 February, while Samsung presents the Galaxy S10 on February 20 according to sources. Enough to beat the competition, but not a radical change of plans. Within the next two months, we will know if all rumors are correct.
6. Galaxy S10 release date and price
Just after the announcement, the device is in the shops, Gizmodo claims. The pre-order starts immediately, and not much later you get the smartphone already sent home. The site expects the Galaxy S10 release on 8 March. The Galaxy S10 Plus and S10 Lite are probably for sale in the Netherlands from the beginning of March.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 price is probably similar to the previous model. That also means that you have to deposit almost a thousand euros for the Plus model of the Galaxy S10. The expected prices at a glance:
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite: 699 euros
- Samsung Galaxy S10: 849 euros
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus: 949 euros
A tip for anyone who finds this price too high: just have a little patience. The Samsung Galaxy S9 dropped after a few weeks in price. You paid less than 600 euros within six months. Presumably, the Galaxy S10 will drop just as fast…