Samsung Galaxy S10 rumor roundup: Design, specs, launch event, availability

1. Three Galaxy S10 models 

Samsung is expected to launch three Galaxy S10 models this month. 

ETNews reported in June 2018 that there would be three models with the code names: Beyond 0, Beyond 1 and Beyond 2. The Beyond 0 model is said to have a flat display while Beyond 1 and 2 are likely to have curved displays. The Beyond 2 model is positioned as the most premium of the three. 

Bloomberg corroborated the report with a similar claim in October 2018, although it mentioned that a 5G model is in the pipeline. The Wall Street Journal said in a report in November that there could be a soup-ed up "Beyond X" model that will support 5G networks. There is also speculation on a special edition model that has a ceramic back in black and white colors. 

2. Display sizes 

One of Samsung's new Infinity U, V and O displays with punch-hole selfie camera cutouts are expected to be featured on the Galaxy S10 lineup and the tiny bezels are likely to lead to a slight increase in display sizes. 

The Bell reported in April 2018 that the Galaxy S10 and S10+ will sport display sizes of 5.8 inches and 6.3 inches respectively. ETNews gave a different take; Beyond 0 and 1 will come with a 5.8-inch display while Beyond 2 will have a 6.2-inch display. The Beyond X model is rumored to have a 6.7-inch display. 

Reliable tipsters @OnLeaks and @91Mobiles claimed in December 2018 that the Galaxy S10+ will sport a 6.44-inch display. Leaked screen protectors for the Galaxy S10 and S10+ also suggest display sizes of 6.1-inches and 6.4-inches. 

As a recap, the Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note9 have display sizes of 5.8 inches, 6.2 inches and 6.4 inches respectively.

3. In-display fingerprint sensor

Samsung is said to be finally bringing in-display fingerprint sensing technology to its flagship phones. 

The Bell reported in April 2018 that Samsung was working with Qualcomm, Synaptics and Aegis Tech on the in-display fingerprint sensor. A month later, The Bell "confirmed" that the Galaxy S10 will be the first Samsung phone to use an in-display fingerprint sensor. Having said that, the iris scanner is said to be ditched in favor of the in-display fingerprint sensor. 

The Beyond 0, which is positioned as an entry-level model, is unlikely to have the in-display fingerprint sensor due to cost considerations. Therefore, the Beyond 0 handset is expected to have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor similar to Sony's flagship phones, and some Motorola and Vivo handsets. Bloomberg corroborated these reports in October 2018.

In November 2018, DigiTimes claimed that Qualcomm has won orders to supply Samsung with its next generation ultrasonic fingerprint sensors for 2019. Reliable tipster @evleaks also tweeted that the Galaxy S10 will come with an ultrasonic, in-display fingerprint sensor. This is also later confirmed by @91Mobiles and @OnLeaks. 

The next generation ultrasonic sensor from Qualcomm is likely to be the 3D Sonic Sensor that was revealed alongside the Snapdragon 855. The 3D Sonic Sensor is able to capture a full 3D image of your finger (including the ridges of the finger), which is a more foolproof authentication method over the optical based scanners used in other phones today. It can work with wet or oily fingers too.

The Galaxy S10+ was recently spotted in the wild and a purported Samsung employee wrote in Reddit that the handset had replaced the iris scanner with an in-display fingerprint sensor. However, facial recognition is said to be typically faster than the in-display fingerprint sensor as the latter can be hard to find.

4. 3D face scanning technology

3D face scanning technology became a trend after Apple introduced Face ID on the iPhone X two years ago. Samsung is believed to be working on a similar technology for the Galaxy S10. 

Sources told The Bell that 3D-sensing camera modules are going to be introduced in the Galaxy S10 lineup, and that Samsung could be working with Israeli 3D camera solution startup Mantis Vision and domestic camera module maker Woodgate. The entry-level Beyond 0 handset is unlikely to have the 3D face scanning technology due to cost considerations. 

In July 2018, it was reported that Samsung received approval for a 3D face scanning technology patent, which is supposedly more advanced than Apple's Face ID. The patent describes a biometric camera system which offers iris recognition and 3D face recognition through the use of a near infrared (NIR) light source, a front-facing camera and an extended depth of field imaging lens and a bandpass filter.

5. Cameras - the number game 

We saw handset makers played the number game with cameras throughout 2018. Samsung was a little late to the party, but it eventually launched its first phone with a triple-lens camera in September with the A7. A month later, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy A9, which is the world's first phone with four rear cameras. So what does Samsung have in mind for the Galaxy S10? 

The Bell claimed in July 2018 that the Galaxy S10+ will come with five cameras (three on the rear and two on the front). The front-facing cameras could be similar in setup to the Galaxy A8 that offers better selfies with bokeh effects, or one of the modules could be used for 3D face scanning. 

AllAboutSamsung said it has exclusive information on the triple-camera setup on the Galaxy S10+. The setup reportedly consists of a primary 12MP dual-aperture lens, a 123-degree 16MP f/1.9 ultra-wide angle lens, and a 13MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. 

In comparison, the A7 and A9's ultra-wide angle sensors cover only 120 degrees. The LG V40, which the company touted as the ultimate five camera smartphone, also has five cameras, which include a 16MP f/1.9 sensors with an FOV of 107 degrees. If true, the Galaxy S10+ could offer the widest FOV for a smartphone. 

ETNews reiterated the same specs in a report in August 2018, but said that two of the three Galaxy S10 models will have the triple-lens camera system. Reliable tipster @evleaks also corroborated the specs of the triple-lens system.

Leaked renders of the Galaxy S10+ show four rear cameras in a horizontal setup while another leak suggests the Beyond 0 will have two rear cameras. However, a recent leak by @evleaks shows triple-camera setups on the Galaxy S10 and S10+ and the Galaxy S10e having two rear cameras. The Beyond X model is rumored to come with 6 cameras (four on the rear and two on the front).

On the software front, Samsung might be introducing its own version of Google's Night Sight feature on the Galaxy S10. The stock Samsung Camera APK from the Galaxy Note9's OneUI/Android Pie build has several strings of code that describe a similar feature to the Night Sight on the Pixel phones.

6. Processor 

Samsung has been using a mix of Qualcomm Snapdragon and Exynos chipsets to power its flagship smartphones for several years. This trend is likely to continue with the Galaxy S10 lineup.

The Exynos 9820 is the most likely chipset to be found in the Galaxy S10 models for the local market. It was unveiled in November 2018 and boasts a 4th generation custom CPU, 2Gbps LTE Advanced Pro modem and an enhanced neural processing unit (NPU). 

In a nutshell, the Exynos 9820 is stated to be 20% more powerful and is 40% more power-efficient than its predecessor. The new NPU will come in handy to support Samsung's AR/VR and advanced camera features. 

For other markets such as the U.S., Samsung is widely expected to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 that was announced in December 2018. It is the world's first commercial 5G-capable platform in a mobile device. Samsung's SVP of Mobile Product Strategy and Marketing Justin Denison shared that the company is working with Qualcomm to bring the first 5G smartphone in early 2019. Could this be the "Beyond X" model?

Tipsters @OnLeaks and @91Mobiles also believe that the Galaxy S10 lineup will be powered by either of the processors depending on the markets.

7. OneUI - the new software interface

Samsung's new OneUI will debut on the Galaxy S10 later this month. 

The company announced the new software interface in November 2018 and stated that it will be powering its 2019 smartphones. Below is a quick overview of what you can expect from OneUI: 

• More rounded corners  
• Better use of color 
• Redesigned icons
• Customize the color of the UI to match the color of the phone 
• More intuitive interface navigation for big displays 
• Dark mode

Tipster @evleaks also tweeted that the OneUI will be running over Android 9.0 Pie.

8. Reverse wireless charging 

Samsung might be following in the footsteps of Huawei to implement reverse wireless charging for the Galaxy S10. This would allow the Galaxy S10 to wirelessly charge other compatible devices such as earbuds. The feature is said to be branded "Powershare". 

Huawei introduced this feature with its Mate 20 Pro, which we found to be nothing more than a great party trick in our review. However, we cannot deny the convenience of not bringing a separate power bank to charge your other Qi-enabled device, and that there could be ideal situations when the feature comes in handy.

9. Galaxy Fold?

Samsung previewed its first foldable phone at its annual developer conference in November 2018.

At the event, senior vice president of mobile marketing Justin Dennison shared that mass production of the device would begin "in the coming months", while mobile chief DJ Koh confirmed it would be released in the first half of 2019. Samsung will be making at least 1 million units of the foldable phone with more to be produced if the market response is positive. 

Although industry sources told Yonhap News Agency that Samsung would officially launch the foldable phone in March, it doesn't make sense for Samsung to hold two separate launch events unless the company is afraid that the handsets will overshadow each other. ETNews claimed that the foldable phone could be launched around the same time as the Galaxy S10 and use the same triple-lens setup. 

A trademark application made in end November suggests that the foldable phone could be called the Galaxy Fold. It should be running on a new version of Android which is jointly developed by Samsung and Google for foldable phones.

10. Galaxy Sport Watch?

Samsung could be launching a new smartwatch geared towards fitness enthusiasts. TigerMobiles obtained purported renders of the upcoming Galaxy Sport Watch that show a modernized UI with no rotating bezel. Will Samsung unveil this smartwatch alongside the Galaxy S10?

11. Launch event 

Samsung has sent out media invites for its first Galaxy Unpacked event for 2019. The event will take place in San Francisco on 20 February (SG time would be 21 February, 3AM). 

Samsung will also be holding a local launch event on the same day from 6PM to 9PM at Resorts World Theatre, Resorts World Sentosa. The company has invited K-pop sensation iKON for the event!

12. Retail availability

Pre-orders for the Galaxy S10 are expected to start on 22 February based on an Indonesian promotional poster. 

Similar to the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note9, consumers should be able to pre-order with the telcos, major consumer electronics and IT stores. Samsung typically has great pre-order offers for customers in Singapore.

For the pre-order of the Galaxy S9/S9+, customers were entitled to a complimentary Samsung Concierge Care Pack (worth S$128) and could enjoy trade-in values of up to S$610 via the Samsung Trade Up SG app. The company also gave all Galaxy S9+ (256GB) customers a free wireless charging stand (worth S$108).

For the pre-order of the Galaxy Note9, Samsung offered a free upgrade to the 512GB model for customers when they purchased the 128GB Note9. There was also an additional S$100 trade-in value if customers trade-in an eligible old model (e.g. Note8) for the Note9. The Samsung Concierge Care Pack was available for a promotional price of S$48 for Note9 customers. 

Since it is the 10th anniversary of the Galaxy S lineup, cross your fingers for amazing pre-order promotions from Samsung and/or its retail partners later this month.

As for color options, tipster @OnLeaks tweeted that the final color range will include black, grey, blue, red, green and yellow. Of the six color options, green and yellow would be interesting additions to the lineup since the last Samsung green handset was the Emerald Green Galaxy S6 edge. 

Will the Galaxy S10 come in gradient color options similar to the Galaxy S9/S9+ and the A9? Purported renders of the Galaxy S10+ appear to suggest that gradient color options would be offered.

13. Price

Flagship smartphone pricing has been on the upward trend since Apple raised the bar with the iPhone X in 2017. Samsung followed suit with the Galaxy S9 and Note9 although the price jump wasn't as drastic and painful. Would Samsung raise the retail prices for the Galaxy S10? 

A source reportedly told Gizmodo UK that this could be the case; the Galaxy S10e (base model) is said to cost £669 (~S$1,211) while the Galaxy S10 will be priced from £799 (~S$1,384). The Galaxy S10+ will cost even more with prices starting from £899 (~S$1,557).

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