The Samsung Galaxy S7 is one of Samsung’s decommissioned devices and hasn’t actually received any updates for quite a while. But the Galaxy S7 is still one of the most popular smartphones and is actively used. For S7 owners, Samsung is now surprisingly rolling out an update.
The Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge were launched in 2016 and turned out to be a big seller for the South Korean manufacturer. The curved display of the Edge version impressed the technology world. These glorious times are long gone for the former Samsung flagships. And yet, four years after its launch, Samsung is now rolling out an important update for the Galaxy S7.
Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge receive security update
While we’ve been waiting a long time for Samsung to stop quarterly patches for the outdated Galaxy models, an update for the S7 is coming in October. Of course, the two smartphones will not receive a version update – Android 8 was the last update for the Galaxy phones. It is on this version of Google’s operating system that the models still run today.
According to Sammobile.com, Samsung has begun rolling out the September security patch, which is currently being distributed in Canada and the UK and is expected to find its way onto the Galaxy S7 range in these countries as well. The download size of the updates is 70 MB and comes as firmware versions G930W8VLS8CTI1 or G935W8VLS8CTI1, depending on whether you are using an S7 or S7 edge.
Firmware versions for the British versions of the smartphones are G930FXXU8ETI2 and G935FXXU8ETI2. The new software updates also improve device stability, fix some bugs, and improve performance.
We do not know when the update will be available here in this country. You can manually check on your Galaxy smartphone if the new firmware version has already been pushed in. To do so, navigate to “Settings” and “Software Update”.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are officially no longer eligible for software updates, and when a security patch was rolled out in March, many thought it was their final one. Luckily for the owner of these two phones, a new update is now being deployed, reports SamMobile.
Galaxy S7 series is receiving the September 2020 security patch
The phones came out back in 2016 with Android 6.0, which makes them nearly five years old. In 2018, they were upgraded to Android 8, which was their last OS upgrade.
Currently, Galaxy S7 and S7 edge users in the UK and Canada are receiving the September 2020 security update. The patch weighs nearly 70MB and will likely make it to other markets soon.
Samsung recently committed to three years of Android updates, but this only applies to recent flagships, some Galaxy A series phones, and foldable handsets.
The company sometimes addresses critical vulnerabilities on unsupported older phones, and this could be the case with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge too. Nonetheless, it’s still commendable to see Samsung support phones which do not even qualify for quarterly security updates any longer.
Per today’s report, the software update improves performance and device stability, and also irons out some bugs.
If you haven’t received the security update yet, you can check for it manually. Simply go to Settings, then navigate to Software update, and then tap Download and install.
Samsung’s SmartThings Find service, which was showcased by the company at its Unpacked event in August, has finally been officially launched. The new service, which will be available within the SmartThings app, will help users find their connected Galaxy devices.
The service uses Bluetooth Low Energy and ultra-wideband (UWB) to help you locate your misplaced Galaxy phone, tablet, smartwatch, or wireless earbuds. You will be able to use the SmartThings Find even when your Galaxy device isn’t connected to the internet. This is possible as SmartThings users can now choose to use their Galaxy phone or tablet to help other Galaxy device owners locate their devices. Samsung says devices that have been offline for 30 minutes will produce a Bluetooth Low Energy signal that can be received by other Galaxy devices nearby.
Once you report your device as lost in the SmartThings app, nearby Galaxy phone or tablet owners will be able to alert Samsung’s server about the device’s location, which will then notify you. Samsung says all SmartThings Find user data is encrypted to ensure the device location isn’t accessible by anyone except its owner.
To help you find your device easily, SmartThings Find can provide you map directions to the exact location. Once you are close to the device, you can choose to “ring” it or use the AR-based Search Nearby function.
Samsung is rolling out the new service to Galaxy phones and tablets running Android 8 or later as part of a new software update for the SmartThings app. Once you install the update, you will be able to access SmartThings Find by tapping on the banner at the bottom of the home screen in the SmartThings app.
Samsung is now rolling out its new SmartThings Find service globally.
The service helps locate lost Galaxy devices using Bluetooth Low Energy and UWB tech.
It will be available to all Galaxy users through an update to the SmartThings app.
Samsung today announced the launch of SmartThings Find. It’s a new service that uses ultra-wideband (UWB) tech and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to quickly locate your misplaced Galaxy phones, smartwatches, earbuds, or tablets.
SmartThings Find was under beta testing until now. Samsung says nearly six million people have tried it out in the US, UK, and Korea. Samsung says it’s now ready for a global launch.
Starting today, Samsung will roll out a new software update for the SmartThings app with the SmartThings Find service. Once you get the feature, you’ll be able to access it by tapping the banner at the bottom of the home screen in the SmartThings app.
Users will have to complete a brief registration process, after which they’ll be able to locate their Galaxy devices, down to each individual earbud.
“Whether you dropped your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra behind the sofa, can’t remember where you stashed your Galaxy Buds Live, or left your Galaxy Watch 3 somewhere,” Samsung says SmartThings Find will guide you to your lost device with integrated map directions and the ability to ping it.
The service also features an AR-based Search Nearby function that displays color graphics that increase in intensity as you get closer to your lost device. It can even locate offline devices. Once a device has been offline for 30 minutes, it will produce a BLE signal that can be received by other Galaxy devices. If you report your device as lost via SmartThings Find, any nearby Galaxy phone or tablet that has opted to help find misplaced devices will be able to alert the Samsung server about its location.
You can see how SmartThings Find works in the video embedded above.
Availability
The service will be available on Galaxy phones and tablets running Android 8 or later and Galaxy Watch devices running Tizen 5.5 or later. It will also work with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus and Buds Live, but not the original Galaxy Buds. The UWB-assisted tracking feature will be available only on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 2. Other Samsung devices will use Bluetooth-based tracking as they don’t feature UWB tech.
Samsung’s Find My Mobile app is designed to help you remotely locate your device, back up data to Samsung Cloud, delete local data, and block access to Samsung Pay in case of loss or theft. However, the app requires a working network connection to perform all of the aforementioned functions. This means that if your device loses network coverage, there’s no way for you to locate it using the app. Thankfully, Samsung is now rolling out an update for the Find My Mobile app which addresses this issue.
The latest update for the Find My Mobile app (version 7.2.05.44) adds a new ‘Offline finding’ feature that will let you find your phone using someone else’s Galaxy device, even when your device isn’t connected to a network. The feature will also let other users use your phone to scan for lost Galaxy devices that may be nearby. Additionally, the feature will let you find Galaxy Watches and earbuds if they were connected to your device.
The feature was recently spotted by Max Weinbach from our team, who shared the above screenshots. As you can see in the screenshots, your phone will display a notification for the new feature as soon as you receive the latest Find My Mobile update on your Samsung Galaxy device. Tapping on the notification will instantly open up the respective settings page, where you’ll be able to enable the feature by tapping on the toggle in the top right corner. You’ll also be able to encrypt your offline location from the same settings page. Once the feature is turned on, you’ll be able to find your phone even if it’s not connected to a network.
While we can’t confirm how this feature works just yet, it appears that it’s only available in the U.S. and South Korea, according to one user who dug through the SmartThings app.
You can download version 7.2.05.44 of the Find My Mobile app from the Samsung Galaxy Store or from APKMirror. Once we confirm how this feature works, we’ll update this article with those details.
Splashing your cash on a high-end, premium smartphone such as Samsung’s Galaxy S10+ is probably not an everyday occurrence, indeed, like most of us you’ll probably be aiming to get a couple of years usage out of the phone before upgrading again. With its all-glass design, large Infinity-O display with its punch-hole (that you can customize) that houses the two selfie cameras, the Galaxy S10+ isn’t going to be cheap to repair, so you’ll probably want to slap a case on it to keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible unless you have money to burn.
Samsung LED View Cover Case
Kicking the list off is Samsung with its LED View case that features built-in LED lights that show the clock and notifications as well as the ability to store a bank card in the internal slot. The dot matrix design allows for customizable notification designs while the case itself offers front and back protection for your Galaxy S10+. Available in Black, Green, or White, the LED View case can be ordered from Amazon for $59.92.
X-Doria’s Defense Shield case combines hard polycarbonate, flexible TPU, and anodized aluminum to provide military-grade drop protection (exceeding MIL-STD-810G) while the transparent rear panel ensures your choice color is displayed to all and sundry. The phone’s display is protected on flat surfaces by the raised lip and there is an integrated sound channel that amplifies the bottom speaker, redirecting sound to the front of the case. You can grab X-Doria’s Defense Shield Case from Amazon in Red or Irridescent for $29.95.
One of the arguments you hear against using a case is that it hides the design of the phone, but Speck’s GemShell Clear case you can show off your Galaxy S10+ to one and all while ensuring it’s protected against life’s knocks. The hard polycarbonate outer layer protects against scratches while the soft TPU inner absorbs the shock creat from drops and bumps. The GemShell case meets Mil-STD-810G drop-test standards and the raised bezel protects the display when the phone is laid face-down on flat surfaces. The Speck GemShell Clear case costs $27.60 from Amazon.
If you want your phone case to store your cash and bank cards, Ringke’s Wallet Case could be the case your Galaxy S10+ needs. It’s exterior is made from Premium PU Leather while the inner mount is constructed from flexible TPU material. You can store 2 cards in each of the three card slots and an internal side pocket where you can store bank notes, receipts, or even more cards. The case also has a built-in kickstand so you can enjoy hands-free viewing of your favorite content, and there is all-around protection for your phone. Available from Amazon for $12.99, you can get the Ringke Wallet Case in Navy Blue & Brown or Black & Red.
Adding some glitz to the Galaxy S10+ is OtterBox’s Symmetry Clear series of cases that features a pocket-friendly design with wraparound colors and more importantly, polycarbonate and TPU outer and inner layers of protection against bumps and scratches. The raised lip protects the display when it’s laid on a flat surface, and OtterBox offers a limited lifetime warranty on the case. The OtterBox Symmetry Clear case can be ordered from Amazon for $33.81 in the following designs – Aspen Gleam, Black, Clear, Gradient Energy, Ivy Meadow, Love Triangle, Stardust, and Tonic Violet.
The Design Armor case from SQMCase features a 360-degree rotating ring that brings extra grip and the option to be used as a built-in kickstand. The transparent rear panel is scratch-resistant while the bumper is made of TPU and guards against bumps and knocks. It should be noted that the case is not compatible with wireless charging, but the metal ring on the rear can attach to magnetic car mounts when using the phone for navigation. Amazon is selling the Design Armor case for $10.89 in Black, Blue, and Red.
Poetic’s Revolution case adds some heavy-duty protection into the mix as well as a colorful design and a built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing. The outer shell is made of scratch-resistant polycarbonate while the shock-absorbent bumper is made from a flexible TPU. There are raised lips and corners to keep your display safe when the phone is laid face down on a flat surface. Despite the heavy-duty protection, the case is still compatible with wireless charging. Available in Pink, Blue, and Black, Poetic’s Revolution case can be ordered from Amazon for $16.95.
Despite being the cheapest case in the list, Tudia’s Slim-Fit case offers dual-layer protection, a snap-on design, and maintains the slim profile of your Galaxy S10+. The TPU inner layer absorbs shock from bumps and knocks while the polycarbonate outer shell protects against scratches, and the case is compatible with wireless charging. When laid face-down on a flat surface, the raise lips prevent the display from being harmed. The Slim-Fit case from Tudia is available in Matte Black, Metallic Slate, Mint, and Rose Gold for $7.50 from Amazon.
Featuring a feather-light design, the Plyo case from UAG has an impact-resistant inner core along with air-soft corners and military-grade drop protection. The phone’s buttons are protected by tactile covers that deliver a clean click-feel and the case itself maintains compatibility with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Available in Glacier or Ice colors, the Plyo case from UAG can be purchased from Amazon for $39.95.
If you are after a slim case with a built-in kickstand, then perhaps the ESR Metal is the case you need. The case has a polycarbonate rear panel and a shock-absorbent TPU bump that provides military-grade drop protection while its built-in two-way kickstand allows the phone to be stood vertically or horizontally. Its raised lips guard the phone’s display when it’s laid on a flat surface and the rear camera is similarly protected. Available only in Black, the ESR Metal case costs $21.99 from Amazon.
So you’ve got one of the new Galaxy S10 series of phones… congratulations!
But how do you turn on the battery percentage so you can clearly see exactly how much juice you have left?
By default, Samsung‘s One UI only shows an icon with the battery so you only get a rough idea about the battery levels, but not an exact number. Luckily, it’s easy to fix that and add an exact percentage marker to that. Follow the few steps right below to get it done in a matter of seconds.
All three models of the Galaxy S10 come with an ultra-wide camera at the back, allowing users to take photos that can capture more of a scene without having to move back. The ultra-wide camera has a field of view of 123 degrees, which is considerably higher than the 77-degree field of view of the primary camera. However, the outer corners of ultra-wide photos can have some distortion that’s widely (no pun intended) known as the fish-eye effect.
The fish-eye effect can be highly noticeable in some scenes or be minor enough to not be a concern in others. Examples of the former include photos that have buildings in the corner of the frame, which can look quite distracting. Don’t worry, though: The Galaxy S10 comes with a built-in shape correction feature to fix that distortion.
How does it work? Well, once enabled, the shape correction feature crops out a part of the photo at the edges. Basically, the distorted edges are simply cut out of the frame, leaving you without the fish-eye effect. Check above to see how the corrected image looks vs. the non-corrected image (slide right for non-corrected image and left for the corrected version).
Shape correction for the ultra-wide camera is disabled by default, so let’s look at where you can find it on your Galaxy S10.
How to fix distortion in Galaxy S10 ultra-wide photos
Step 1: Open the Camera app on your S10e, S10, or S10+.
Step 2: Tap the gear icon on the top left of the camera UI to go into camera settings.
Step 3: Under the Pictures section of the settings, tap Save options.
Step 4: Here, enable the Ultra-wide shape correction option.
That’s it. Every ultra-wide shot you take will have the distortion on the edges automatically removed after you have taken a photo. And it’s best to have the option enabled at all times, as cutting out the distorted edges rarely has an adverse effect on an ultra-wide photo’s usefulness.
Smartphones have grown steadily bigger over the years as screens have increased in size and manufacturers have tried to balance things by shrinking down bezels so that our devices are still manageable. This is a trend that can only be pushed so far, and there’s a new design on the horizon that could bring us phones that are easy to handle one-handed and slip into a pocket, but that also fold out to give us more screen space. If folding phones are to herald a new age of creativity for smartphone design, the success of the first two big releases in this category will be paramount.
After teasing for months we finally got a better look at the Samsung Galaxy Fold recently, though it remains behind glass and off limits for hands-on testing. Meanwhile, the Huawei Mate X popped up as an alternative that we were allowed to touch. We don’t know everything about these two folding phones, but we have some details, so let’s take a look at how they measure up.
SPECS
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Huawei Mate X
Size
Unfolded: ? × ? × ?mm, Folded: ? × ? × 17 mm
Unfolded: 161.3 × 146.2 × 5.4 mm, Folded: 161.3 × 78.3 × 11 mm
Weight
TBC
295 grams (10.41 ounces)
Screen size
7.3-inch AMOLED and 4.6-inch AMOLED
8-inch AMOLED folds down to 6.6 and 6.3 inches
Screen resolution
2,152 x 1,536 pixels and 1,960 x 840 pixels
2,480 x 2,200 pixels and 2,480 x 1,148 pixels, 2,480 x 892 pixels
Operating system
Android 9.0 Pie
Android 9.0 Pie
Storage space
512GB
512GB
MicroSD card slot
No
Yes
Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Google Pay
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (TBC)
Kirin 980
RAM
12GB
8GB
Camera
Triple-lens ultra wide-angle 16-megapixel, standard 12MP with OIS and variable aperture, and telephoto 12MP with OIS rear, 10MP front closed, 10MP and 8MP front open
Quad-lens ultra-wide-angle 16-megapixel, standard 40MP with OIS, 8MP telephoto, and TOF camera rear
Video
2160p at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 960 fps
2160p at 30 frames per second, 1080p at 30 fps
Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0
Ports
USB-C
USB-C
Fingerprint sensor
Yes (side)
Yes (side)
Water resistance
TBC
TBC
Battery
4,380mAhQuick Charge 2.0 (18W)
Qi wireless charging
4,500mAhHuawei SuperCharge (55W)
App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Network support
AT&T, T-Mobile
TBC
Colors
Cosmos Black, Space Silver, Martian Green, or Astro Blue
When Samsung showed off the Galaxy Fold, it didn’t specify the chip inside, merely calling it a 7nm processor, but given that it’s using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 in the S10 range, and doesn’t seem to have developed a 7nm chip itself yet, we’re going to assume it’s the Snapdragon 855 here. It goes up against Huawei’s Kirin 980 in the Mate X. These processors offer similar performance, but benchmark tests suggest the Qualcomm chip has a very slight edge and may be a touch better for mobile gaming.
Samsung has also thrown in a whopping 12GB of RAM, which seems excessive until you consider that the Samsung Galaxy Fold has two screens to transition between and enough screen space for you to use three apps simultaneously, as it showed in the demo. Huawei has gone with 8GB of RAM in the Mate X, which will likely be plenty. Both have 512GB of storage, but only the Huawei Mate X has a MicroSD card slot for expansion.
There is only 120mAh difference in the battery sizes, but the bigger Huawei Mate X battery can also be charged up faster thanks to Huawei’s 55W SuperCharge, which can take the battery from zero to 85 percent in just 30 minutes. By contrast, Samsung has stuck with Qualcomm’s older Quick Charge 2.0 standard, which goes up to 18W. When you plug in the Galaxy Fold, it is going to take a lot longer to charge than the Mate X. The Samsung Galaxy Fold does also support Qi wireless charging, though, which is lacking in the Huawei Mate X.
DESIGN AND DURABILITY
The designs of these two folding phones are very different. While Samsung has opted to go for a separate cover display which you will use when the main display is folded up, Huawei has gone with a single folding screen. Both fold down to phone size like a book, but Huawei’s screen is the cover, whereas Samsung’s Infinity Flex display is tucked away inside. This design allows the Huawei Mate X to go from an 8-inch screen with a camera module on the back to a 6.6-inch screen with the camera on the back or a 6.3-inch screen with the camera facing you (the device switches on whatever one you’re looking at automatically). The Huawei Mate X is 11 mm when folded.
Samsung’s design necessitates a notch on the main 7.3-inch display for a dual-lens front-facing camera, then there is a triple-lens camera on the back, and another single-lens camera on the front with the 4.6-inch cover display. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is 17 mm when folded.
These are both expensive, fragile-looking devices, and case manufacturers really have their work cut out, but there’s no obvious difference between them in terms of durability. Neither has any stated IP rating for water resistance.
Not only does Huawei’s design mean more screen real estate, it also seems like a more elegant solution to us.
DISPLAY
You have a 4.6-inch display with a 7.3-inch display inside in the Galaxy Fold or an 8-inch display that folds down to a 6.6-inch display on one side and a 6.3-inch display on the other in the Mate X. Both the Huawei Mate X and the Samsung Galaxy Fold have AMOLED screens with very similar resolutions and the differences in size translate to almost identical pixel densities, so they are both plenty sharp enough. Samsung has an edge in display quality in the smartphone market generally, but it’s not yet clear if this translates to the folding category. Given that the real raison d’être here is a larger display, we think the Huawei Mate X has an obvious edge.
CAMERA
On paper, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has a whopping six lenses, with a triple-lens main camera on the back, a dual-lens front-facing camera in a notch at the top of the main screen, and a single-lens front-facing camera above the cover screen. The main camera looks to be the same as the triple-lens setup in the S10 range which combines a 12-megapixel standard lens with a variable aperture (f/1.5 to f/2.4), an ultra wide-angle 16-megapixel lens with a 123 degree field of view and an f/2.2 aperture, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture that allows for 2x optical zoom.
The Huawei Mate X has one quad-lens camera module that combines a 40-megapixel standard lens, an ultra-wide-angle 16-megapixel lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, and a Time of Flight (TOF) camera that can map depth by measuring the distance between the sensor and objects. We haven’t had a chance to try out the camera suites on either device, so we can’t call a winner here, but both seem to be very well-equipped.
SOFTWARE AND UPDATES
You can expect to find Android 9.0 Pie on both devices, but the Samsung Galaxy Fold will have the One UI on top while the Huawei Mate X features EMUI 9.1.1. Both offer a range of handy extras and some clutter, but we prefer One UI on normal phones. Much depends on how the software handles screen switching and multitasking, which we simply can’t say much about until we get some proper time with these folding phones. The way Android is designed, most apps and games should adapt to the different sizes automatically.
Sadly, both Huawei and Samsung have a poor track record with Android updates and both tend to take quite a few months to update their devices when a new version comes out.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The folding screens are obviously the real standout features, but both manufacturers like to offer a lot of extra value. Samsung showed off the Multi-Active Window with three apps open at once and talked about App Continuity enabling you to switch screens seamlessly. You’ll also get support for the Dex desktop mode, Bixby, Samsung Pay, Knox, Health, and a few other bits and pieces.
Huawei seems to be sticking with Android’s usual split-screen mode, but the Mate X does support Mirror Shooting when folded, enabling subject and photographer to preview shots in real time. There’s also the impressive 55W SuperCharge, which will enable that incredible zero to 85 percent wired charging in just half an hour.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Samsung Galaxy Fold will come in 4G LTE or 5G versions starting from $1,980. The 5G version will presumably be more expensive. We know that AT&T and T-Mobile will carry it, but other carriers may pick it up. It will be available from April 26 in the U.S. and May 3 in Europe.
The Huawei Mate X will only come in a 5G version costing 2,300 euros (around $2,600). It will be released around the world when carriers and 5G networks are ready, which is likely to be early summer this year. There’s no word on a U.S. release, which is unsurprising given Huawei’s difficulties in the States.
The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here. Samsung has made its tenth-anniversary Galaxy S flagship official in San Francisco today. The Galaxy S10, as the rumors and leaks had told us, comes in three different variants. There’s the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and the Galaxy S10+, with the Galaxy S10e slotting in as the entry-level model that misses out on a number of highlight features found on the S10 and S10+.
Infinity-O displays with up to 93.1% screen-to-body ratio
The Infinity-O displays are the biggest change here compared to previous Galaxy S flagships. The Galaxy S10e and Galaxy S10 feature 5.8-inch and 6.1-inch Infinity-O displays with a cutout for the front camera on the right side. The Galaxy S10+ gets a wider cutout on its 6.4-inch screen for its dual front camera. The S10e has a flat display and Full HD+ resolution while the S10 and S10+ have curved QHD+ AMOLEDs, only this time the bezels are considerably smaller to allow for a 93.1% screen-to-body ratio (91.6% on the S10e).
The S10 and S10+ also have ultrasonic fingerprint sensors embedded under the display. The Galaxy S10e has its fingerprint sensor mounted on the right side, built into the power button. Samsung is also throwing around some certifications to tout the quality of its ‘Dynamic AMOLED display’. For example, the Galaxy S10s come with ‘TÜV Rheinland-certified Eye Comfort display’ for lower strain from blue light, while DisplayMate has tested the display’s peak brightness to be as high as 1200 nits. Oh, and all three models get Gorilla Glass 6 protection.
Ultra-wide rear cameras, Dual Pixel front camera, HDR10+ recording
The cameras are also getting a major boost with the Galaxy S10. The Galaxy S10 and S10+ come with a triple-camera setup at the back. Two of those are the same as the Galaxy S9’s: a 12MP F1.5-F2.4 (Dual Aperture) primary sensor with OIS and a 12MP F2.4 telephoto lens, also with OIS. The third is a 16MP F2.2 ultra-wide lens with a 123-degree field of view. The Galaxy S10e gets the primary 12MP sensor and the ultra-wide sensor. Yes, there’s no telephoto lens on this year’s 5.8-inch Galaxy S flagship, either, which is a shame since being able to zoom in on a scene is a very useful feature to have.
The front camera has received a considerable upgrade. The S10e, S10, and S10+ all have a 10MP front camera with Dual Pixel autofocus and 4K video recording, while the S10+ also gets a second front camera, an 8MP depth sensor that will make Live Focus shots possible. Samsung has enabled the cameras to use the dedicated NPU on the Exynos/Snapdragon chips inside the phone for improved AI-enhanced photography. The Galaxy S10 is also the first phone on the market with the ability to shoot HDR10+ videos, and Samsung is touting improve digital image stabilization for video recording as well.
Up to 12GB of RAM and 1TB storage on the Galaxy S10+!
As far as the underlying hardware is concerned, the three Galaxy S10 models get an 8nm Exynos 9820 chip in most markets and the 7nm Snapdragon 855 in others. The Galaxy S10e comes in 6GB and 8GB RAM flavors, the Galaxy S10 only has 8GB of RAM, and the S10+ has 8GB and 12GB RAM variants. The 12GB RAM is accompanied by 1TB storage, and it’s also the one with the ceramic back. Yes, there is no version of the 12GB S10+ with a regular glass back. The S10e and S10 have 128GB of base storage and go up to 256GB and 512GB respectively. The S10+ also comes in an 8GB+512GB flavor.
Battery sizes for the S10e, S10, and S10+ are 3,100 mAh, 3,400 mAh, and 4,100 mAh respectively. However, these are typical capacities, so the actual capacity would be similar to the S9, Note 8, and Note 9, so 3,000 mAh, 3,300 mAh, and 4,000 mAh. The Galaxy S10s come with Wireless PowerShare, which enables the phones to charge other devices wirelessly. Samsung is hoping you’ll be using the feature to charge your Gear/Galaxy wearable and the new Galaxy Buds, but sadly, the company is sticking to its existing wired fast charging speeds. Fast wireless charging should be faster, though.
Android Pie with One UI, Digital Wellbeing
The Galaxy S10 trio run Android Pie with One UI version 1.1. It’s mostly the same as what we see on the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy Note 9, but the S10s get features like Google’s Digital Wellbeing for helping you reduce the time spent on your smartphone screen. The Galaxy S10 also gets something called Bixby Routines, which will attempt to automate things based on your usage habits. Some existing features, like IP68 water resistance and stereo speakers tuned by AKG and with Dolby Atmos, have come along for the ride. Samsunghas also added support for Wi-Fi 6 (Wi-Fi 802.11ax) networks.
On sale from March 8
The Galaxy S10e, S10, and S10+ will go on sale on March 8 in select markets in Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow and Flamingo Pink color options (the Canary Yellow will be exclusive to the S10e). The S10+’ ceramic model will come in black and white. Pricing details can be found at this link, and you can check out our hands-on post to see our initial impressions on the Galaxy S10. For a comparison of the specs of all three models, check out the table below.
Samsung’s Galaxy S10e SM-G970F specifications and features: this is a 5.8” (146.5mm) device with a FHD + 2280x 1080 screen resolution. The phone is powered by the Exynos 9820 Octa soc with a Dual Core 2.8 GHz & Dual Core 2.4 GHz & Quad Core 1.7GHz configuration. Memory is 8GB, 6GB, with the device offering 128GB, 256GB internal storage and up to 512GB of external memory. The Galaxy S10e features Accelerometer, barometer, Capacitive Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor and Geomagnatic Sensor. Notable features include Samsung Pay (MST), Bixby, Samsung Pay (NFC) Stereo Speakers tuned by AKG. The device measures 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9mm and weighs 150g.
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 SM-G973F specifications and features: this is a 6.1″(157.5mm) device with a QHD + 1440 x 2960 screen resolution. The phone is powered by the Exynos 9820 Octa soc with a Dual Core 2.8 GHz & Dual Core 2.4 GHz & Quad Core 1.7GHz configuration. Memory is 8GB, 6GB, with the device offering 128GB, 512GB internal storage and up to 512GB of external memory. The Galaxy S10 features Accelerometer, Barometer, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor and Geomagnatic Sensor. Notable features include Samsung Pay (MST), Bixby, Samsung Pay (NFC) Stereo Speakers tuned by AKG. The device measures 70.4 x 149.9 x 7.8mm and weighs 157g.
GALAXY S10 SM-G973F
GENERAL INFORMATION
Model name
Galaxy S10
Model Number
SM-G973F
Model type
Phone
Color
Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism White
Announced
2019,February
Released
2019,March
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions
70.4 x 149.9 x 7.8mm
Weight
157g
IP Rating
IP 68 : Totally protected against dust, Protected against the effect of immersion to 1.5m for up to 30 minutes.
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Plus SM-G975F specifications and features: this is a 6.4″(162.5mm) device with a QHD + 2960×1440 screen resolution. The phone is powered by the Exynos 9820 Octa soc with a Dual Core 2.8 GHz & Dual Core 2.4 GHz & Quad Core 1.7GHz configuration. Memory is 8GB, 12GB, with the device offering 128GB, 512GB, 1TB internal storage and up to 512GB of external memory. The Galaxy S10 Plus features Accelerometer, Barometer, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor and Geomagnatic Sensor. Notable features include Samsung Pay (MST), Bixby, Samsung Pay (NFC) Stereo Speakers tuned by AKG, Wireless PowerShare. The device measures 74.1 x 157.6 x 7.8mm and weighs 175g.
This is the next version of its Android powered flip phone, which is expected to feature a pair of 4.2-inch AMOLED displays (one internal, and one external), a dual camera setup in back (one camera could sport a variable f/1.5-2.4 aperture, and the second might carry a telephoto lens with 2X zoom capabilities), and the Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform under the hood. Of course, there is no QWERTY keyboard as T9 is used instead, and a 3000mAh battery keeps the lights on.
When TENAA certified Sammy’s W2019, the agency’s website shared the usual four photos it takes of every phone that it gives a thumbs up to. Now, Slashleaks has posted a short video of the phone along with some still images of the device (some of which came from the video itself). You can check out the photos by clicking on the slideshow below. The video can be found at the top of this article.
The W2019 is expected to be released only in China. This series has always been rather expensive, and the W2019 is no exception. There is speculation that the phone will cost the equivalent of $2,500 when it is launched later this year.
Samsung has been pushing out a very expensive, high-end Android flip phone every year. Last year’s model, the W2018, was the first smartphone to feature a camera with an aperture as wide as f/1.5. The newest phone in this line, the W2019, has now been certified in China by regulatory agencies MIIT and TENAA. As much as you feel inside that you must own this phone, we do need to point out that this line has only been available in China. And those entering text will have to use the old T9 system to type.
The TENAA certification doesn’t mention any specs, but does show images of the phone from all angles. Considering that last year’s W2018 was powered by the Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform and carried 6GB of RAM, it wouldn’t be a stretch to expect the Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform under the hood of the W2019, along with 8GB of RAM. Bluetooth 4.2 is said to be onboard the new model. The pictures from TENAA appear to show a dual-camera setup on back of the handset. The buzz around the water cooler suggests that Android 8.1 Oreo will be pre-installed.
The W2019, like its predecessors, will have both an internal and external screen. Last year’s model had a pair of 4.2-inch displays, each with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 (FHD).
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) has now announced its mobile device awards for 2017-2018. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Samsung took home top honors, with the company’s Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ devices collectively winning the “Best Smartphone” award. According to EISA’s judges, who described the Samsung’s flagship devices as “formidable, do-it-all devices” that’s down to a great camera and camera features, the comfortable bezel-free Infinity display, and several other innovations. It’s worth noting that the award was provided to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ that are powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 8895 S0C, as opposed to the Snapdragon variant of the devices
As to the other awards, Huawei snagged no fewer than three awards, starting with the Smartphone Camera award being granted to the company’s P10 and its Leica-branded dual sensor setup – which features a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor and a 12-megapixel color sensor, which enable enhanced portrait shots. EISA also cites the front camera as playing a role in the decision since the P10’s 8-megapixel selfie camera features Leica technology which automatically widens the angle to fit more people. Beyond the Huawei P10, the company also won in the best Wearable Device category with its Huawei Watch 2, thanks to its appealing aesthetics, battery life, and water-resistance. Meanwhile, the award for Best Consumer Smartphone also went to Huawei for its Honor 8 Pro. EISA judges referred to the device as a “seriously capable smartphone,” thanks to its 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of storage, backed by a Kirin 960 SoC and powered by a 4,000 mAh battery. They were equally impressed by Huawei’s generously proportioned 5.7-inch QHD screen.
Finally, and rounding out awards given to the best of the best among mobile devices, the comparatively unknown NOA Element H10Le won the award for Best Buy Smartphone because of its exceptional “price-to-performance ratio” thanks to its ten-core MediaTek Helio X27 SoC, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The EISA also points to the device’s 7.1mm thick “sleek metal unibody finish,” 5.5-inch AMOLED display, and cameras as justification for the award. Awards were also handed to manufacturers for other categories, including Best Mobile Audio Player, Wireless In-Ear Headphones, Mobile Speaker, Mobile Headphones, and Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier.
