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End of security update for Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e

In April 2023, Samsung finally pulled the plug to stop issuing the security update for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.

With 3 major Android (and One UI ) updates for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e, Samsung did keep its word on both major OS updates and security updates.

From now on, you will not expect any official new updates (unless it is very, very critical) from Samsung for your Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e. Very likely, Samsung will also end the security update for Galaxy S10 5G this summer.

This Galaxy S10 guide explains Samsung’s promise on the software update for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e, the update history for these 3 phones and the key features in each update, and what you should do next.

Samsung keep its word on both OS and security update for Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e

When Galaxy S10 was released in 2019, Samsung promised 3 major software updates and 4-year security update. Obviously, Samsung kept its word.

Galaxy S10 was released with Android 9 (One UI 1.1) and was updated to Android 10 (One UI 2), Android 11 (One UI 3), and Android 12 (One UI 4) subsequently.

As promised, Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e stopped at Android 12 and was not received the Android 13 update (One UI 5) last December.

Now, after 4 years of its initial release, Galaxy S10 marches to the end of life: no more official security updates for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.

Please note the commitment of 4 major OS updates and 5-year security updates applies to Galaxy S21 and later Galaxy devices.

Overall, Compared to other Android vendors, Samsung did an excellent job providing Android and security updates for Galaxy S10 and later devices.

The three major updates for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e

As mentioned, Galaxy S10 was released with Android 9 (Android Pie) and One UI 1.1. Here is the list of the top 10 new software features of the original Android 9 (One UI 1.1) and three major updates for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e: Android 10 (One UI 2), Android 11 (One UI 3), and Android 12 (One UI 4).

Android Version	One UI version	Top 10 new features
Android 9 (Pie, original)	1.1	1. Night mode 2. New navigation gestures 3. Scene optimizer for the camera 4. New camera modes (Super Slow-mo, AR Emoji, and Live Focus) 5. Improved Face Unlock and fingerprint recognition 6. Digital Wellbeing 7. Bixby Routines 8. Edge lighting 9. Adaptive battery 10. One-handed mode
Android 10 (update 1)	2.0/2.1	1. Dark mode 2. New navigation gestures 3. Improved Face Unlock and fingerprint recognition 4. Live Caption 5. Improved Digital Wellbeing 6. New Focus mode 7. Link to Windows integration 8. New camera modes (Single Take and Night Hyperlapse) 9. Improved system animations 10. Dynamic Lock screen
Android 11 (update 2)	3.0/3.1	1. Chat bubbles 2. Built-in screen recorder 3. Improved media controls 4. Smart device controls

… Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures on Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e?

simon · 3 Comments

Using Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures is not an option; it is a requirement if you want to use Galaxy S10, S10+, or S10e.

The good news is that Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures are similar to those on other smartphones.

This Galaxy S10 how-to guide uses animation to demonstrate how to use seven Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures. The examples (scenarios) of using these Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures are also provided.

The touchscreen gestures are identical on Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, and S10 5G. So, in this guide, Galaxy S10 refers to all four models of Galaxy S10 phones.

What are the seven Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures?

Unless you attach a keyboard/mouse to Galaxy S10 or use voice commands (e.g., Google Assistant or Bixby Voice), you have to use Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures to control the screen and interact with the phone in apps.

Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures refer to how your finger(s) moves on the screen.

The screen (see Galaxy S10 layout) in Galaxy S10 is a touchscreen. When your finger or a capacitive pen touches the screen, it can identify the motion.

The motion pattern can be designed and programmed as a gesture. The system and apps can then perform certain operations as a response to the gesture.

In Galaxy S10, as like in other Android phones, seven touchscreen gestures, tap, double tap, long tap (tap and hold), swipe, drag, pinch, and spread, are fully supported.

Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures are used by:

The system. Galaxy S10 may use slightly different touchscreen gestures compared to other phones. For example, the navigation gesture is different from that in stock Android.
Individual apps. App developers can assign any functions to any gestures inside the app.

Please note S Pen is for Galaxy Note devices. Galaxy S10 screen will NOT respond to S Pen.

Very often, three of the Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures were also programmed for some hardware buttons (keys). In this case, we usually refer the gestures as press (instead of tap), double press and long press.

Please do not confuse the touchscreen gestures with Galaxy S10 navigation gestures.

Some Samsung cases/covers may also support some gestures. For example, both Galaxy S10 LED View cover (LED wallet) and the Galaxy S10 Clear view (S view) cover support swipe gesture to accept or reject a call.

List of Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures their usages

We will use animations to illustrate what are the 7 Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures. The examples of using each gesture are followed.

Smartphone touchscreen gestures usually mimic the behaviours of a mouse on a PC. When you use Samsung Dex with Galaxy S10, the mouse can replace these Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures.

1. Tap gesture (press)

Tap (single tap) is one of the essential Galaxy S10 touchscreen gestures. You cannot survive without it.

The tap gesture, as shown in the animation below, means you touch somewhere (e..g., a button in an app, an app icon in Galaxy S10 home screen) on the screen … Read the rest

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

simon · 6 Comments

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

simon · Leave a Comment

Galaxy 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