Description
Options and first impressions
As often happens, a non-release sample came to our editorial office and without everything that is usually in the box, only a smartphone. The full package includes a charger with support for fast charging, a “clip”, a pair of adapters for different USB-connectors, branded AKG headphones and documentation. Depending on the region, a transparent silicone case may also get caught, and one of the adapters may not be. This smartphone will not be superfluous to buy a proprietary induction charging, which supports the Fast Charge function.
Interestingly, the standard set of desktop screensavers hides the front camera with a dark corner (at one time Apple was criticized for such a trick with a cutout). Well, you need to be prepared for the fact that so far not all software can work correctly with this cutout. There were no other surprises with the device.
Design and usability
In a global sense, no major changes have occurred, it is still a glass smartphone with an aluminum frame and panels bent to the corners. Of the notable changes, in addition to the cutout in the screen, the shape of the camera unit has changed, where another sensor was added. It is by these elements that you can find out a novelty. But in general terms, the device does not look like something new, especially if the user was previously familiar with previous models.
The case size has become quite a bit larger, but also thinner: 149.9 × 70.4 × 7.8 mm, weight – 157 grams. The blame for the enlarged screen. But this does not affect the usability much. For such a large display, this is a very small case. It is convenient to hold the smartphone in your hand and then throw it in your pocket, where it does not interfere much.
Of the color variations on the Ukrainian market, black (Onyx), pearl white and Aquamarine, which is just with us, will be presented. The color looks very nice, shimmering with a few greenish shades depending on the angle and lighting. In other markets there are not such colors, but in all cases the frame around the screen will be black.
The main controls remained in place. The company did hear users, and in top-end smartphones (even previous models), it will now be possible to reassign the Bixby call key using native means. Previously, you had to resort to third-party software, but the upcoming updates will fix this issue. But most of all, I like that the S10 remains one of the few flagships that do not get rid of the classic headphone jack. At the same time, the standard does not change the degree of protection against moisture and dust – IP68.
Despite the slight changes in design, there is no sense of novelty from the device. But the smartphone looks great. As far as one can judge from the test instance, it will be very difficult to find serious flaws in the assembly (unless you find fault with the asymmetric arrangement of the connectors on the bottom). But for those who were waiting for some significant design updates, it will be difficult to please this model.
Covers
Since the case of the smartphone is mostly glass, most owners will want to keep it in its original form for as long as possible, and the cover will help in this. Fortunately, the Galaxy S line is popular and finding an interesting case on it will not be a big problem.
At our fingertips were several branded options: leather, rubberized and glossy plastic with LED-backlit. Their appearance is good and they feel nice. Is that the gloss can wear out faster than others, but this will depend on the degree of caution of the owner.
Display
In S10, the screen is called Infinity O-Display. Now its diagonal is 6.1 inches (in the previous model it was also not the most modest – 5.8 ”). For lovers of thin frames, it’s just a sight for sore eyes from all sides. The bent sides did not disappear anywhere. They look beautiful, but only in some positions can you accidentally hurt something, and the system does not always recognize this by a random touch. You can get used to it, hands will adapt themselves in the future to avoid such pressures.
The resolution has grown a bit and now equals 3040 × 1440 pixels, which in turn is 550 PPI (20 less than the previous model). The aspect ratio of 19: 9, as usual, will force you to choose when viewing a standard video between black frames on the sides or a slightly cropped picture above and below. In the second case, you still need to put up with a camera cutout in the corner. It’s rare that important data is placed in this place of the picture, but if it’s gameplay video, then some HUD’s element may still be there. But more and more often comes across a suitable “wide” content. But the adaptation of some applications to the cutout will have to wait (for example, I came across a mismatch in Android Auto).
The Display, as always with Samsung, is excellent. The matrix from Super AMOLED evolved into Dynamic AMOLED and received support for HDR10 +. The screen has two main modes: Vivid and Natural. The first, as usual, is oversaturated, bright and colorful, but it allows you to slightly adjust the color temperature to personal preferences. Natural just falls under the DCI-P3 color profile, but when switched it looks dull, against the background of the standard one. Regardless of the selected profile, the screen looks gorgeous and there is absolutely nothing to complain about. Unless, traditionally for such matrices, you can get a greenish picture filter at an angle, but in real life hardly anyone looks at the screen at that angle.
With backlighting, everything is in order. Our measurements showed a maximum of 430 cd / m² in the room, but in direct sunlight this figure is much higher (the display itself adjusts the brightness limit depending on the situation). Indeed, on a sunny day, you practically do not need to cover the display with your hand. Otherwise, everything works as usual with the screen – the sensor works perfectly, there is an Always-On-Display function, a blue filter for the evening, and so on.
Fingerprint and face scan
The smartphone can recognize the owner through a face scan. For this, a front camera is used. The method is not new, and is actively used even in budget models. Its disadvantage is reliability, because using a banal video with the owner’s face, you can “open” the protection (the manufacturer warns about this when setting up). In general, it works, but I tried to pay more attention to the new fingerprint scanner.
A notable distinguishing feature of the S10 is the fingerprint sensor, which is built into the screen. It is ultrasonic and, in contrast to the optical, is able to work better in difficult conditions, when the fingers are wet or there is a lot of light around. The sensor is located at the bottom of the screen, in the area of the first row of desktop icons.
On a locked display, the system highlights its location with the corresponding icon. Getting used to the position is not at all difficult. Another thing, if you don’t get on it right away, you will have to make another attempt, and the sensor is not tactile at all. But in the case of a “direct hit”, it works quickly and most often accurately.
Sound
For those who periodically listen to music from a smartphone, there is good news in this section. So, in the Galaxy S10 there is one main speaker, which spoken plays up to the accompaniment. Together, for my taste, if not the best, then one of them. The sound is loud, detailed and expressive, with good bass for a smartphone. Video, games, music – everything is given to the speakers with excellent playback quality.
Performance and Software
Due to the still unresolved disputes between Samsung and Qualcomm, the flagship Galaxy S line is available in two hardware configurations, namely with the Exynos proprietary processor or with Snapdragon. The first one is delivered to Ukraine, which means that in the sample from official retail the user will receive an eight-core Exynos 9820 with a Mali-G76 video accelerator.
The American market version is with Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 with Adreno 640. The rest of the specifications are the same for all regions: 8 GB of RAM, 128 or 512 GB of storage with a slot for memory cards (installed in place of the second SIM card), Bluetooth 5.0, support for the new standard Wi- Fi ah, NFC, working with Samsung Dex … In general, a smartphone can do almost everything except working with a stylus, which remains a privilege of the Note line.
Galaxy S10 is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and it proved to be excellent in everyday work. I spent more than a week with him and during this time no troubles happened. Tests showed high results, which logically surpassed last year’s model. Interface, normal applications and games – all this works perfectly. The only thing that attracted attention, games can significantly heat the body. But not only this smartphone has such a sin.
Naturally, the Galaxy S10 has Android 9.0 installed with the proprietary One UI shell. About all the updates in the design of the user interface, we recently prepared a separate material. It remains to add from myself, the changes really have a good effect on the sensations of working with the device, both in ease of use and aesthetically.
Autonomy
The battery capacity for S10 increased to 3400 mAh. Our sample lasted 7.5 hours in the PCMark autonomy test. This is a good result. In my case, autonomy for the day was always enough, but games, frequent use of the camera or navigation can greatly reduce the operating time, so I had to look at the remaining battery charge. On average, I got, as usual, about 5 hours of screen operation per day, and about 20% of the charge remained.
Of course, the new flagship is able to quickly charge by wire, or at proprietary induction stations. Surprising it is already difficult. Another interesting feature is the ability to turn the smartphone into a wireless charger and share a bit of charge with headphones, a watch or another smartphone.
Camera
The main module now consists of three cameras: telephoto with a resolution of 12 MP, aperture ƒ / 2.4 and a 45-degree view; standard with the same resolution, aperture ƒ / 1.5 or ƒ / 2.4 (depending on mode) and a viewing angle of 77 °; as well as an “Ultra-wide-format camera” with a sweep of 123 °, aperture ƒ / 2.2 and a resolution of 16 MP. Now, in order, and start with the main one.
The standard module did not disappoint. This is still one of the best cameras that will allow you to take stunning pictures in almost any environment. And you do not have to try hard, with a high degree of probability the picture will come out good from the first “take”. Everything here is in the best traditions of Samsung: fairly accurate white balance, excellent color reproduction, quick focus with high detail in the picture, and so on. You can praise the camera for a very long time.
Televik will allow you to get optical zoom. Even if such functionality is not so often demanded in a smartphone, sooner or later, the use of this camera will once again be found, and its presence will no longer seem superfluous. But in low light, the main camera with a digital crop will still be involved (just like the iPhone does). The pictures did not disappoint at all.
And what was so lacking in smartphones is a cool wide-angle camera. With a wide angle of capture, you can take stunning fish-eye effects. And now for this you do not need an external lens or other accessories, just a smartphone. Yes, in some places objects are greatly distorted, but otherwise it will not work. The quality of photos is obtained by eye the same as that of the main module. In any case, I do not see a strong difference in the picture between different cameras. What you should remember is about the fingers, which can fall into the corner of the frame, which is very simple with such a review.
Live Focus is still not perfect and in some places it may cover up excess, or leave something in focus abroad. But it is worth remembering that we have a test sample that still needs updates. Well, for sure, the capabilities of the camera will be improved in future software updates. This mode has several new effects, but nothing more it can please so far.
The front camera of the S10 is one, but it also tries to “soap” the background. Its resolution was 10 MP, the viewing angle was 80 °, and the aperture was ƒ / 1.9. The quality of the pictures is good. There are two modes, one of which involves several people in the frame, and the second is more designed for one. The pictures are good even in difficult conditions of artificial lighting.
PROS: Design, materials of the case, protection against water and dust, usability; excellent display; sound; headphone jack; performance; autonomy, fast charging and the ability to charge other devices; great cameras and a new module
CONS: Not the safest way to unlock in the face, price
CONCLUSION: When buying a flagship, I want to get the maximum capabilities of smartphones from it, and not think that competitors can do something better. There are very few gadgets that can do almost everything on the market, and the Samsung Galaxy S10 is just one of them. It has an excellent design, a chic screen, it sounds cool, very productive, it will last a day without an outlet and will be able to take great pictures and videos. In general, everything you can expect from a flagship smartphone. You can only complain about the unsafe unlocking by face and the price, which has grown again.