Samsung Galaxy S10+
When I initially handle the all new Samsung Galaxy S10+ my immediate reaction was the device is very similar to the previous Galaxy S9+ then I started to prod and tap the device to unearth the inner secrets of Samsung’s latest baby.
My immediate reaction was that the device is significantly lighter and a superior build quality than previous models due in part because of its stainless steel frame.
It was also more comfortable in the hand than similar $1,800+ devices from the likes of Apple or cheaper premium smartphones from Huawei or Oppo, it’s also faster due to the introduction of a new 2.7GHz Octa-core processor and the use of the recently upgraded new Android 9.0 (Pie) OS.
More importantly everything in the UI works with a smoothness and responsiveness that I very much doubt has not been achieved before with an Android based phone before.
With the introduction of a new processor I suspect that this device is going to be a complete badass device when it comes to performance and in particular when playing games, the graphics are vivid and the actions smooth and fast.
The S10+ is optimized for gaming, and the combination of the new processor and the new Infinite display sets this device apart with the S10+ able to handle graphic intensive games such Fortnite and Last Shelter Survival seamlessly.
This could be the ultimate handheld gaming device.
I first noticed the increase in speed immediately when I downloaded over 100 apps from one Galaxy device to the new S10+ which had 12 GB of RAM in seconds.
And as for the new gorgeous 6.4” inch Infinity O display you can’t help but notice that t’s significantly superior to just about any device in the market today which is not surprising, as Samsung is a major supplier of OLED screens to the likes of Apple and other top end smartphone manufacturers, it’s also larger than the previous Galaxy S9+ which was 6.2” inches.
As for set up the standout feature is the fingerprint biometric system which is built into the screen.
After what appeared to be a longer fingerprint identification process, I was ready to test the devices security system and wella, within seconds the device gave me access to my apps, significantly faster than previous Samsung smartphones with a fingerprint reader.
Access was seriously fast and easy.
The Galaxy S10 range includes the S10e (front), the S10 and the S10+ which is the model that I reviewed.
As for the real standout feature it has to be the Samsung Galaxy S10+ camera which packs three cameras in the one device. On board is a 12MP (Wide), a 12MP (Telephoto) and a 16MP (Ultra-wide).
The two wide camera, do just that, enhance the field of view of the camera.
The telephoto camera is able to capture awesome images of distant subjects as we found out shooting buildings in North Sydney.
Not only was the wide shot of buildings clear the detail was excellent.
As for tight telephoto shots the detail over at least 200 metres was the best we have seen in any smartphone camera.
Although the camera varies across all four models of the Galaxy S10 range, three items remain constant.
Firstly, there is a 12-megapixel primary sensor with dual-pixel autofocus, OIS (optical image stabilisation) and an adjustable aperture that can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4, depending on the shooting conditions.
Secondly Samsung has developed a 16-megapixel f/2.2 aperture super-wide-angle, fixed-focus sensor.
The third is a 10-megapixel front-facing camera with a fixed f/1.9 aperture and, again, dual-pixel autofocus.
The S10+ that we tested has a 12-megapixel, 77-degree telephoto autofocus sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and OIS for superior lossless zoom and a secondary 8-megapixel f/2.2 autofocus camera on the front (bringing the total cameras to 5).
The S10+ also support 2D face unlock via their front cameras.
On the S10+ there is an oblong hole at the top of the display screen to accommodate the extra lens.
It’s okay when you have a dark screen but when you have a predominantly while screen this camera mount is going to take some getting used to.
Currently there are three cameras on Huawei Mate 20 Pro however I believe that Samsung has just taken the gloss off one of Huawei’s signature features especially when shooting low light photography as I did in a café with the S10+.
But even more telling are the shots I took at Balmoral beach as dawn was breaking. As you can see, they are sharp, focused and the colour 100% accurate.
Conclusion
So, is this smartphone worth $1,800+?
You can be the judge of this though I do suspect that this device will become a popular carrier package upgrade device.
As for its premium status it’s the best there is out there today.
It’s an engineering masterpiece by a Company that most other smartphones are desperately trying to emulate. The screen, the processor, the camera all of these components all been taken to a new level over not only the previous Samsung Galaxy
S 9 but top end Apple iPhones and a host of other brands who are desperate to emulate the success that Samsung engineers keep delivering with each and every new model Galaxy smartphone.
One standout feature is the camera and if you compare the all new Sony Cybershot compact camera it is going to set you back $999.
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ camera does just about everything that the Sony Cybershot range of compact camera does with the added advantage that you are not only getting a great camera, a 24bit music player, a $250 pair of stereo buds tuned by AKG plus all the benefits of a top end smartphone.
So, you do the maths because I am pretty sure that this device is the new swiss army knife of smartphones with an incredible premium pedigree for the simple reason is that it is made by Samsung the brand that other smartphone Companies tend to copy.