Samsung Galaxy 10s: Features, Performance and Is It Still Worth Buying?
Samsung Galaxy S10: A Look Back at Samsung’s 2019 Flagship
The Samsung Galaxy S10 remains a memorable phone in the Galaxy S series. Released in 2019, it brought a striking edge-to-edge display, versatile cameras and premium features to a compact design. The name “Samsung Galaxy 10s” is sometimes used when searching for the Galaxy S10, but Samsung’s official name for the phone is the Galaxy S10.
Display and design
The Galaxy S10 has a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a sharp QHD+ resolution. Its curved edges and small cut-out for the front camera give the screen a spacious appearance, while HDR10+ support helps compatible video look more vibrant.
Despite its large display, the S10 is relatively easy to handle compared with many newer phones. It has a glass-and-metal body, an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and a 3.5mm headphone socket — a feature that has disappeared from many premium handsets.
Performance and everyday use
In the UK, the Galaxy S10 launched with Samsung’s Exynos 9820 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. It was available with different internal storage capacities, and a microSD card slot provides the option to add more space for photos, videos and other files.
The phone also introduced an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor beneath the display. Other useful features include wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare, which lets the S10 wirelessly charge compatible accessories or another phone.
Camera features
The rear camera system combines three lenses: a 12-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera. This gives users flexibility to take everyday shots, zoom in on subjects or fit more into a landscape photograph.
At the front, a 10-megapixel camera handles selfies and video calls. The camera app includes features such as scene optimisation and different shooting modes, making the S10 a capable all-rounder for photography.
Battery life and software
The Galaxy S10 has a 3,400mAh battery. Battery life varies according to the phone’s condition, settings and usage, and a handset that has been in use for several years may need a battery replacement.
The S10 launched with Android 9 and received major software updates, including Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI. It is now an older model and no longer receives regular security updates, so buyers should bear this in mind when considering it for everyday use.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S10 still worth buying?
The Galaxy S10 can still appeal to people who want a premium-feeling phone with a high-quality screen, a versatile camera system, expandable storage and a headphone socket. However, its age means performance, battery health and software support may not match those of a newer device.
If you are considering a used or refurbished Galaxy S10, check the battery condition, screen, charging port and seller’s warranty. For a phone used for banking or other sensitive activities, a newer model with ongoing security updates is generally the safer choice.
Top 6 Essential Tips for Optimising Your Samsung Galaxy S10 Experience
- Use Adaptive Battery to extend battery life.
- Enable Night mode for easier viewing in the dark.
- Set up fingerprint unlock for quick access.
- Use Wireless PowerShare to charge compatible devices.
- Keep your software updated for security fixes.
- Back up photos and files regularly.
Use Adaptive Battery to extend battery life.
To help extend battery life on your Samsung Galaxy S10, turn on Adaptive Battery in the battery settings. This feature learns which apps you use most and limits background activity for those you use less often, helping reduce unnecessary power use. Find it under Settings > Device care > Battery (menu names may vary slightly by software version).
Enable Night mode for easier viewing in the dark.
Enable Night mode on your Samsung Galaxy S10 to make the screen more comfortable to view in dim surroundings. It changes bright, light-coloured menus to a darker theme, which can feel gentler on your eyes when using the phone at night. To switch it on, open Settings, tap Display, then select Dark mode. You can turn it on manually or set a schedule to activate it automatically.
Set up fingerprint unlock for quick access.
Set up fingerprint unlock on your Samsung Galaxy S10 for a quick and convenient way to access your phone. Open Settings, select Biometrics and security, then Fingerprints, and follow the on-screen instructions to register your fingerprint using the sensor beneath the display. For more reliable recognition, scan the same finger from slightly different angles and make sure the screen is clean and dry.
Use Wireless PowerShare to charge compatible devices.
The Samsung Galaxy S10’s Wireless PowerShare feature lets you use the phone’s battery to charge compatible Qi-enabled devices, such as wireless earbuds or another smartphone. Switch on Wireless PowerShare in the quick settings, then place the device you want to charge on the back of the S10, aligning it with the centre of the phone. It’s handy when you’re away from a plug socket, but remember that sharing power will drain the S10’s battery.
Keep your software updated for security fixes.
Keep your Samsung Galaxy S10’s software updated to help protect it from security vulnerabilities. Updates may include important fixes that guard your personal information and improve device stability. Check for available updates in Settings under Software update, and install them over a secure Wi-Fi connection. As the Galaxy S10 is an older model and may no longer receive regular security updates, check Samsung’s support information and consider upgrading if continued protection is important.
Back up photos and files regularly.
Back up your photos and files regularly to protect them if your Samsung Galaxy S10 is lost, damaged or needs to be reset. You can sync photos and other data with a cloud service, such as Google Photos or OneDrive, or copy files to a computer or external drive. Check that the backup has completed before deleting anything from your phone, and make sure you can access your account details if you need to restore your files.