Galaxy S10 Guides

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How to take screenshots on Galaxy S10 without using any apps?

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take screenshots on Galaxy S10 without using any appsYou can use at least 5 methods to take screenshots on Galaxy S10 without using any third-party apps.

Some screenshot-taking methods are unique to Galaxy S10 (and other Galaxy phones). Some are universal among all Android phones.

This Galaxy S10 how-to guide explains and shows the 5 different methods to take screenshots on Galaxy S10, S10e, S10+, and S10 5G.

What are the 5 ways to take screenshots on Galaxy S10?

On Galaxy S10 (all 4 Galaxy S10 variations), without using any third-party apps, you can use the following methods to take screenshots:

  1. Use hardware buttons (volume down + power button).
  2. Swipe your palm (palm swipe).
  3. Use the Assistant menu.
  4. Use Bixby Voice command.
  5. Use Google Assistant.

Please note, although these are different methods to take screenshots on Galaxy S10, the result is identical except Google Assistant (read on).

Method 1: Use hardware buttons (volume down + power button) to take screenshots

On all Android phones, you can take a screenshot by pressing the holding  Power button and Volume down button simultaneously.

This works on Galaxy S10 as well.

As illustrated below, you can simultaneously hold the power button and volume down button to take a screenshot on Galaxy S10. Please check Galaxy S10 layout for the location of physical buttons on S10 (S10e, S10+, and S10 5G).

Once the screenshot is taken, you will hear the click or shutter sound. If the smart capture feature is enabled in Galaxy S10 Settings — Advanced features, you will also see the toolbar on the bottom as well.

In old Samsung phones with a physical Home button, the physical home button was used with the power button to take screenshots. Because since Galaxy S8, Samsung has switched to on-screen (software) home button, you cannot use the Home button (with the Power button) to take screenshots on Galaxy S10.

The critical point of using physical buttons to take screenshots on the Galaxy S10 is to press the two buttons simultaneously.

As a human, we always press one button earlier than the other. It usually is OK to press the power button slightly earlier than pressing the volume down button. The power button accepts both single tap (press) and long tap gesture (for the power button options), and the long tap gesture will be triggered after you hold the button for about 2 seconds. So, as long as you hold the volume down button within 2 seconds (after holding the power button),  you should be able to get the screenshot.

If you press the volume down button first, you will get the volume settings immediately because the volume down button only accepts the single press gesture.

After pressing the two buttons,

  • If you get the power button option, it means you press the power button too early.
  • If you get volume settings, it means you press the volume button too early.
  • If the screen is turned off, it means, you release the power button too early.
… Read the rest

How to hide Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home Screen?

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hide Bixby home from Galaxy S10 Home ScreenIf you are not a fan of Bixby Home, or other Bixby features, you can hide the Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home screen easily.

On Galaxy S10, Samsung made it hard to disable Bixby Home and other Bixby features.  But you can hide the Bixby Home and remap the Bixby key so that the Bixby is less visible on Galaxy S10, S10e, S10+, and S10 5G.

This Galaxy S10 how-to guide explains what Bixby Home is, why some Galaxy S10 owners want to hide it, and how to hide Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home screen.

What is the Bixby Home?

Bixby Home is a component of Bixby, Samsung’s voice assistant.

By default, Bixby Home shows some relevant info (e.g., schedule, news,  and weather) for you. You can manage and customize the various cards in the Bixby Home.

On Galaxy S10 (S10, S10+, S10e, and S10 5G), a dedicated panel (the leftmost panel) in Galaxy S10 home screen is assigned for Bixby Home.

Although some owners may find the Bixby Home is useful, Google Now (Google Assistant) page usually is better (arguably) and gives more relevant info.

Besides, many owners do not like the idea of a dedicated Bixby Home or (Google page) on Galaxy S10.

Therefore, some Galaxy S10 owners want to hide Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home screen.

How to hide Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home Screen?

As shown in the screenshot below, the two lines on the leftmost of the home screen panel indicator tell you that the Bixby Home is currently shown on the Galaxy S10 Home screen.

After you hide Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home Screen, then the indicator should disappear.

On Galaxy S10 Home screen, you can use the pinch gesture as shown below to enter the edit mode of Galaxy S10 home screen.

You can also access the edit mode by tap and hold (long tap) any blank area on the Galaxy S10 home screen.

If you are using any apps, you can always return to the home screen by tapping the Home button (or swiping up from the middle line if you are using Galaxy S10 navigation gestures).

pinch to enter galaxy s10 home screen edit mode find the Bixby home icon from Galaxy S10 Home Screen

In the Galaxy S10 home screen edit mode, as shown above, you can tap the two-line indicator to navigate to the leftmost panel.

You can also just swipe right to navigate to the same panel.

Please note, the 2-line indicator will always be shown in the edit mode even after you hide the Bixby Home from Galaxy S10 Home screen.

This is not a bug. It allows you to unhide the Bixby Home in the future if you change your mind.

Once in the leftmost panel, you can find the switch for Bixby Home as shown below.

You can tap the switch to turn it off (if it is currently on) or turn it on (if it is currently off).

show Bixby home from Galaxy S10 Home Screen hide Bixby home from Galaxy S10 Home Screen

For example, as shown above, the Bixby Home is now hidden on … Read the rest

Galaxy S10 layout (layout of Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e)

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Galaxy S10 layout (layout of Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e)You need to understand the Galaxy S10 layout to properly use your Galaxy S10, S10+, or S10e.

The 4 models of Galaxy S10: S10, S10+ (S10 Plus), S10e, and S10 5G, share similar, but not identical design. The layout of these 4 Galaxy S10 phones is slightly different.

Because S10 5G has not been released yet, this Galaxy S10 guide will explain the layout of Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.

Why do you need to know about Galaxy S10 layout?

Galaxy S10 is not a revolutionary product. So, you can find some similarity between the Galaxy S10 layout and Galaxy S9 layout.

But the difference is also obvious.

Exploring the Galaxy S10 layout allows you to:

  • Locate the buttons: Power button, Bixby button, and volume buttons.
  • Locate the ports including multifunction (USB Type C) port and headphone jack.
  • Locate the SIM card tray.
  • Locate the antennas.
  • Locate the cameras and sensors.
  • Locate the wireless charging coil.
  • Locate the speaker and microphones.
  • Locate the fingerprint sensor.

Anyway, you should spend a few mins on understanding the Galaxy S10 layout. It will pay off immediately when you avoid some mistakes (e.g., piercing the microphone on the top with the SIM card ejection pin) or learn to use some special features or tricks.

The major differences among Galaxy S10 layout, Galaxy S10+ layout, and Galaxy S10e layout

The differences in specifications of Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e are reflected in the device layout.

Here is the list of major differences among Galaxy S10 layout, Galaxy S10+ layout, and Galaxy S10e layout:

  • Size.  Galaxy S10+ is the largest and Galaxy S10e is the smallest. Galaxy S10 lies in between.
  • The front camera and the hole.   Galaxy S10+ has two front-facing cameras. The hole in the infinity O display is elongated and larger than that in the other two siblings.  Galaxy S10 and S10e only have one front-facing camera. If you want, you can use Galaxy S10 virtual bezel to hide the front camera cutout as explained in this guide.
  • Rear cameras. Both Galaxy s10 and S10+ have 3 rear cameras. Galaxy S10e only gets one.
  • Fingerprint scanner. Both Galaxy S10 and S10+ have an in-display fingerprint ultrasonic scanner. The fingerprint scanner in Galaxy S10e is mounted on the power button.

The relative locations of the buttons, sensors, antennas, ports, speaker and microphones, SIM card tray are almost identical.

The layout of Galaxy s10+ (Galaxy S10+ layout)

The front view of Samsung Galaxy S10+ layout is shown below.

In the front, you can find:

  • Touch screen in Galaxy S10+ layout

The touch screen occupies about 90% of the front side of Galaxy S10+.

You can use various Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures to interact with the phone.

By default, in the bottom part of the screen, Galaxy S10 navigation bar with 3 navigation buttons can be found. Of course, you can also use navigation gestures, instead of navigation buttons.

On the top of the screen, you … Read the rest

Top 10 disappointing or missing features of Galaxy S10

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Top 10 disappointing or missing features of Galaxy S10Galaxy S10, S10e, S10+, and S10 5G set the standard for the flagship smartphones in 2019. There are many new features and improvements in both hardware and software. But we also noticed some missing features of Galaxy S10.

Galaxy S10 (all 4 models) are far from perfect. There are some missing features in all 4 Galaxy S10 phones. Some features may also be very disappointing.

This post summarizes the top 10 disappointing and missing features of Galaxy S10.

#1. Iris scanner is gone: the most disappointing and missing feature of Galaxy S10

Iris scanner was first introduced in the explosive Galaxy Note 7. Most owners did not get the chance to try it before the phone was recalled, and re-recalled.

In Galaxy S8 (and S8+), the iris scanner works reasonably well. Many Galaxy S8 owners actually used the iris scanner because of the awkward location of the fingerprint scanner.

Obviously, the iris scanner was improved dramatically in Galaxy S9. It is faster than all other unlocking methods including the fingerprint scanner because of the less-ideal location and smaller size of the fingerprint scanner. If you are using a case or cover for Galaxy S9 or S9, it is not easy to reach the fingerprint scanner.

When more and more owners realized and started to enjoy this unlock feature, Samsung removed it from Galaxy S10. You have to use your face (face recognition) or fingerprint reader to unlock Galaxy S10 if you do not want to type the PIN/password.

None of the 4 Galaxy S10 models has the iris scanner.

The reason given by Samsung is the lack of bezel space for the iris scanner.

But if they can punch a hole for the front-facing camera(s), why cannot punch another hole for the iris scanner? Here is the Galaxy S1o layout.

Also, if you do not like the cutout (hole) for the front camera, you can use Galaxy S10 virtual bezel to hide the cutout.

#2. Freely remapping Bixby button (key): The most demanded but missing feature of Galaxy S10:

Bixby is quite good if you compare it to Siri.  But if you compare it to Google Assistant, which is shipped with all Android Pie phones, Bixby is far behind.

But Samsung pushed Bixby so hard that a dedicated hardware Bixby key was introduced in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and all subsequent Galaxy phones get the button below the volume keys.

The most annoying part is that you cannot remap the button for other more useful features. e..g. Launching the Galaxy S10 camera app or using it as a camera shutter button, if you have no intention to use Bixby, or have no intention to use the Bixby button.

In Galaxy S8 and S9, you can disable the Bixby key by letting it do nothing when pressed. If you turn off Bixby Voice in Bixby settings, the long press gesture of the Bixby key will also be deactivated and do nothing.

But … Read the rest

Top 10 new features of Galaxy S10

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top 10 new features of Galaxy S10As Samsung’s flagship smartphones in 2019, Galaxy S10 (include Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10 5G) packs the latest technology Samsung has or can access. So, you can expect some exciting new features of the Galaxy S10.

It is impractical to discuss all new features of Galaxy S10 in one post because of the long list of the new features of Galaxy S10. For the hardware specifications, you may check this post. For Galaxy S10 layout, you may check this guide.

In this post, we will explain the top 10 most exciting new features of Galaxy S10 most owners will enjoy: Dynamic AMOLED with HDR 10+, Infinity O display, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, Bixby Routine, ultrawide camera, wireless PowerShare, Android Pie and One UI, Digital wellbeing, recording 4K UHD video with HDR 10+, and fast wireless charging 2.0.

Of course, Galaxy S10 is far from perfect. There are also some disappointing and missing features of Galaxy S10 as discussed here.

The most exciting new feature of Galaxy S10: Dynamic AMOLED with HDR10+

Samsung flagship phones traditionally have the best display.  No other smartphone makers can match Samsung when the display is discussed.

In Galaxy S10, Samsung updates its Super AMOLED to Dynamic AMOLED.

So, All four Galaxy S10 devices (Galaxy s10e, Galaxy S10, Galaxy s10+, and Galaxy S1o 5G) all have a Dynamic AMOLED screen.

This AMOLED is somewhat different (and better) from the screen in Galaxy S9 and other Galaxy phones.

In a nutshell, the Dynamic AMOLED on Galaxy S10 supports:

  • Higher brightness (up to 1200 nits peak luminance). You can use the screen even directly under the sunlight.
  • Larger dynamic range.  From black to white, you can see more “colors”.
  • HDR10+.  In addition to static dynamic metadata, HDR10+ also supports dynamic metadata. Therefore the brightness boundaries can be set and changed on a frame-by-frame basis. Galaxy S10 (all models) is the only smartphone certified with HDR10+ up to now (February 2019).
  • Lower blue light emission.  You will feel more comfortable to use the screen in all lighting conditions. Galaxy S10 screen (all models) was certified by TÜV Rheinland.

Dynamic AMOLED is probably the most exciting new features of Galaxy S10. It is available in all four models: Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10 5G.

The most innovative workaround of Galaxy S10: Infinity O display

All smartphone manufacturers are working hard to reducing the bezels.

But there is a limit because of the front-facing cameras.

So far, to solve this problem, other smartphone manufacturers follow iPhone X: using a notch, which can be quite ugly (subjective).

Samsung finds an innovative workaround for this issue: punch a hole for the front-facing cameras.  It looks far better than the notches.

And in Galaxy S10, Samsung calls it infinity O display. All 4 Galaxy s10 models use infinity O display. Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy S10 5G get a bigger (and elongated) “hole”.

If you are not a fan of the punched hole, … Read the rest