Keen to be one of the first to market with a 5G-enabled device, Samsung has today announced the Galaxy S10 5G smartphone.
Although part of the wider Samsung Galaxy S10 series, the Galaxy S10 5G is the only model so far announced that comes with dedicated support for 5G.
In addition to the same network support afforded to the rest of the Galaxy S10 family, the Galaxy S10 5G also supports mmWave in the 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands. This combination approach means the Galaxy S10 5G is, as to be expected, not a true (standalone) 5G phone, but one which adopts a non-standalone (NSA) approach with the 5G support bolstered by 4G support, including through the use of sub-6 GHz spectrum bands
This is exactly what is expected to be the case with all of the 5G smartphones that arrive as part of the first wave and therefore in terms of current expectations and standards, this is a 5G-enabled smartphone.
Although 5G is the clear selling point with the new Galaxy S10 5G, it is not the only one as Samsung has also made this the most high-spec model in the family thanks to a number of improvements in certain areas.
For example, the Galaxy S10 5G comes equipped with a 6.7-inch Infinity-O Display which according to Samsung makes it “the largest-ever Galaxy S series display” to date. This is in addition to a 3D Depth Camera for 3D-image capturing, a quadruple camera rear setup, and a 4,500 mAh capacity battery.
Samsung has not simply included these aspects as a means to distance the Galaxy S10 5G as a more premium device, but due to them being elements that can directly benefit from 5G connections and support.
In other words, Samsung has approached the development of the Galaxy S10 5G from the perspective of the phone as a whole and not simply just by adding the necessary 5G network support. Those who opt for the phone will therefore benefit from a display designed to facilitate an improved viewing/gaming experience, as well as better video calling, AR and VR support.
In addition to a 3D camera to cater to newer and more demanding camera-related features, and of course, a greater capacity battery (with support for super fast 25-watt charging) to offset any increased drain that might be in effect due to the newer network standard.
The rest of the main specs do fall mostly in line with the new Galaxy S10+ model although there are some nuanced differences. For example, while both the S10+ and 5G variants feature 8GB RAM and the same market-dependent SoC, the 5G variant only comes in a 256GB storage flavor and without microSD support – unlike the S10+ which not only goes up to 512GB storage, but also offers the option to expand the storage via a microSD card.
Another point to note is the extra tech inside the Galaxy S10 5G does result in a heavier device overall, with the 5G model weighing in at 198 grams. A clear 23 grams heavier than the next heaviest Galaxy S10 family member – the S10+.
Of course, all of these bumped up elements, as well as the 5G support are likely to come at a higher cost compared to other Galaxy S10 family members. Although, how much the difference will be currently remains unknown. As while Samsung has now confirmed pricing for the rest of the Galaxy S10 series, the company has yet to do so for the Galaxy S10 5G.
Samsung did provide some availability details by stating the Galaxy S10 5G will begin to arrive to market in the first half of this year. During the initial release stage, the Galaxy S10 5G will only be available to buy via Verizon Wireless who clearly now has a timed-exclusivity period with this particular Galaxy S10 version.
Later in the year — starting in the summer — the Galaxy S10 5G is due to become additionally available through other carriers, including AT&T, Spectrum Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile and Xfinity Mobile.