In short: All three members of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S10 family of Android flagships will have variants utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, according to a set of newly spotted product certificates issued in China. The handsets in question bear the model numbers SM-G9700, SM-G9730, and SM-G9750. The lattermost device is also expected to be commercialized in two versions, one of which will feature 5G connectivity, though that particular model will most likely be exclusive to Samsung’s home country of South Korea and hence only be commercialized as a phablet powered by the firm’s own Exynos-series chip.
Background: Samsung traditionally uses Qualcomm’s silicon for Android flagships sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China, whereas it delivers Exynos devices to all other markets. As it has been years since the company last deviated from that formula, it’s unlikely that the Galaxy S10 line will end up being an exception to the rule. What will change is the lack of a flat-screen option that’s been missing from Samsung’s flagship ranges since early 2016 and the Galaxy S7 series. Samsung is hence reported to be planning to offer two 5.8-inch Galaxy S10 models, one with a single camera and a flat screen, and another one featuring a dual-camera setup and a curved display. The direct successor to the Galaxy S9 Plus is instead said to be featuring a 6.44-inch curved screen.
Impact: Samsung’s Galaxy S10 series is likely to end up being the company’s most varied flagship lineup to date. Between three screen options, two SoC variants, and at least two memory configurations for every display alternative, not to mention a handful of colors, Samsung’s next high-end smartphone family is likely to offer something for everyone. The South Korean tech giant’s next Android flagships are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2019, most likely at the next iteration of Barcelona-based MWC scheduled to start in late February.