As 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, you can use Galaxy S10 virtual bezel to hide it.
The most talked new features: the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
Samsung has attempted (and failed) to use an in-display fingerprint scanner since Galaxy S8 when they ditched the hardware home button. And it resulted in the most awkward location for fingerprint scanners in Galaxy S8 (and S8+).
Samsung improved the location of the fingerprint scanner in Galaxy S9.
Now, in Galaxy S10, Samsung finally added the in-display fingerprint scanner. It uses ultrasonic 3D scanning and therefore you can use the fingerprint scanner regardless of the lighting conditions. Of course, this means many screen protectors will not be compatible with the ultrasonic scanner if air is trapped between the screen and the screen protector.
The in-display fingerprint scanner is available in Galaxy S10, S10Plus, and S10 5G. Galaxy S10e embeds the fingerprint scanner in the power button.
Please check this guide on how to use the new ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner on Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.
Wireless charging is not new. Galaxy S6 already supports wireless charging out of the box.
Wireless PowerShare in Galaxy S10 allows you to turn your phone into a wireless charger to charge other devices (e.g., Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, or another phone).
All 4 Galaxy S10 models (S10, S10e, S10+, and S1o 5G) support the wireless PowerShare.
Please check this guide on how to use Galaxy S10 wireless PowerShare to charge other devices.
Samsung tried hard to promote its Bixby. But the reception is far below expectations. Many owners want to hide the Bixby Home and some want to disable or remap the Bixby button.
Samsung did not give up its efforts in Bixby in Galaxy S10.
All 4 Galaxy S10 models still have a dedicated Bixby button. And it is even harder (almost impossible) to totally disable Bixby in Galaxy S10.
In addition to the existing Bixby Home, Bixby Voice, Bixby Vision, Bixby Routine is added to help you improve your productivity using machine learning.
Besides, Galaxy S10 allows you to remap the Bixby button for other apps. But here’s the catch: you can only remap single press OR double press (the other one must be for Bixby). If you are looking for ways to disable the Bixby button, you will be disappointed.
The most useful new feature of Galaxy S10: Ultrawide camera
All 4 Galaxy S10 models have a 16MP ultrawide camera with a field of view (FoV) of 123 degrees.
You can take ultrawide photos without noticeable distortion by applying shape correction in Galaxy S10 camera settings.
Dual aperture is still available for the 12MP wide-angle camera in all 4 models.
However, the newly added (in April 2019 firmware update) Galaxy S10 camera night mode cannot use this ultrawide camera as explained in this guide.
Update: in Galaxy S10 September (2019) update, the Galaxy S10 camera night mode now works with ALL cameras, even including the front-facing camera as explained on this page. Besides, a few Galaxy Note 10 camera features (e.g., AR Doodle, Live Focus Video, and new video editor) were added to Galaxy S10 in this update.
Android Pie and One UI
All Galaxy S10 phones will come with Android Pie (Android 9) with One UI.
Android Pie is the latest Android. Galaxy S10 will surely get an Android Q Android 10 update once it is released.
One UI replaces the Samsung Experiences (which replaced TouchWiz) on all Samsung Android Pie devices.
As Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 has been rolled out a long time ago, many Galaxy S9 users will see a similar UI.
However, if your phone has not been updated to Android Pie, you will need time to learn some new features like navigation gestures, night mode, rotation toggle, lockdown mode, floating keyboard, new Recents screen, and some other new Android Pie features.
Digital wellbeing: the first non-pixel phone got this feature
Digital wellbeing is an exciting and promising Android Pie feature.
But it was only available in Google Pixel phones. Other Android Pie phones (including some Android One phones) do not ship with Digital Wellbeing.
Now, Galaxy S10 (all 4 models) have Digital Wellbeing pre-installed.
Recording 4K UHD and HDR10+ video
All 4 Galaxy s10 phones can record 4K UHD videos with HDR 10+, not just play such videos.
The Super steady feature (for the 16MP rear camera) in all Galaxy S10 phones will help you to shoot high-quality videos.
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
Wireless charging was introduced in Galaxy S6, and fast wireless charging (1.0) was introduced in Galaxy S7.
After 3 years, Galaxy S10 brings fast wireless charging 2.0, which is about 20-40% (real-world performance) faster than fast wireless charging 1.0.
Of course, it is time to upgrade your wireless charging pad.
In Galaxy S10 box, the wireless charging pad is NOT included. You need to get this one to enjoy the fast wireless charging 2.0 when charging Galaxy S10 battery.
Galaxy S10 battery charging guide can be found here.
For a detailed explanation of fast wireless 2.0 and using wireless charging on Galaxy S10, you may check Galaxy S10 wireless charging guide.
What do you think about the new features of Galaxy S10?
You may share your thoughts and comments about new features of Galaxy S10, S10e, S10+, and S10 5G in the comment box below.
If you have questions on new features of Samsung Galaxy S10, please check Galaxy S10 new features guides page.
For using Galaxy S10, please check Galaxy S10 how-to guides page.
You can find the detailed guides of using Galaxy S1o camera in Galaxy S10 camera guides page.
To find and use accessories for Galaxy S10, please check Galaxy S10 accessories guides page.
To read and download the official Samsung Galaxy S10 user guides (in PDF format) in your local language, please check Galaxy S10 user guides page.
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