Galaxy S10 5G review

A Big, Beautiful Screen That’s Great for Video and Games — Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G greets you with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that makes most other phones look small. Watching videos or playing games on this screen is genuinely impressive, with vivid colors and deep blacks that draw you in. The resolution is sharp, and the bezels are slim, giving you an expansive view that feels immersive. However, that size comes with a trade-off: at 198 grams and 7.94mm thick, it's a handset that demands two hands for comfortable use, and one-handed operation can be a stretch.

The phone is still sleek for its size, but it's undeniably large. If you prioritize media consumption and want a screen that feels like a mini cinema, this display delivers. For everyday pocketability and single-handed typing, you might find it a bit unwieldy. For more devices that excel in display quality, check out our full collection of phone reviews.

Six Cameras for Photos and Depth Sensing — Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

The camera setup on the S10 5G is one of its most distinguishing features. It includes the same 12MP main, 16MP ultrawide, and 12MP 2x telephoto lenses found on the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus, but adds a time-of-flight sensor on both the front and back. This ToF sensor enables better depth mapping, which improves portrait mode shots and allows for more convincing background blur. In practice, the stills and video quality are excellent, with sharp details and reliable performance in daylight.

The front camera also benefits from the depth sensor, making selfies look more natural with controlled bokeh. While the core camera performance is similar to other S10 models, the addition of the depth sensor gives the 5G version an edge for anyone who frequently shoots portraits. If you want to compare all available handsets, you can browse the phone directory.

5G Speed That’s Blazing Fast – When You Can Get It — Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

The main selling point of the Galaxy S10 5G is its 5G connectivity, and when you are on a compatible network, download speeds can be breathtaking. In testing, it averaged around 700 Mbps and peaked near 1.1 Gbps on Verizon's 5G network, making large downloads and streaming feel instant. The phone runs on either a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 chip depending on the region, paired with 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance for demanding tasks.

However, 5G coverage at launch was extremely limited to parts of just a handful of US cities, meaning most users would be on 4G LTE most of the time. The battery life also varies by chipset: the Exynos version, with a 4,500mAh cell, was noted to be underwhelming. With charging at 25W wired and wireless, it's adequate, but not class-leading.

For the $1,299 price, you are paying a premium for a future that is still arriving, making this a phone for early adopters in 5G cities rather than a mainstream recommendation.

Battery Life That Depends on Which Chip You Get — Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G packs a 4,500mAh battery, which is larger than the one found in the standard Galaxy S10 models. However, battery performance varies significantly depending on the processor. While the Snapdragon 855 version handles a full day of moderate use without issue, the Exynos 9820 variant can struggle to keep up, as noted by some reviewers. This discrepancy is important to keep in mind depending on your region, as the chipset changes based on where you buy the phone.

Charging is handled by 25W wired speeds or Qi wireless charging, which are adequate but not the fastest for a premium device in 2019. If you're an early adopter looking for a phone finder that offers 5G connectivity and a large battery, just be aware that real-world endurance may not be consistent across all versions.

Premium Build, Water Resistance, and a High Price — Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

The design of the Galaxy S10 5G is unmistakably premium. It features a glass and metal construction with IP68 water and dust resistance, giving you peace of mind against splashes and drops. The phone is noticeably large thanks to its 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, which is immersive for videos and games. The panel runs at a standard 60Hz, which was typical for 2019, but the screen's quality remains excellent. Weighing 198g and measuring less than 8mm thick, it feels solid but not overly heavy.

That said, its price tag of $1,299 is steep, especially considering 5G networks were only available in select cities at launch, making the premium feel less justifiable for most buyers. The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus offers a related experience in a more compact body. If you want to see how these two stack up, check out our side-by-side comparison of the Galaxy S10 5G and the Galaxy S10 Plus.

Is the Galaxy S10 5G right for you? — Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is undeniably an impressive piece of hardware. It delivers astonishing 5G download speeds when connected, and its camera system—including a main 12MP sensor, an ultrawide lens, a 2x telephoto, and a depth sensor—produces excellent stills and video. The 6.7-inch OLED screen is great for media consumption, and the phone is ready for early 5G networks in the US, UK, and Australia. However, the main reason to buy it—5G speed—was only truly usable in a handful of cities at launch.

For $1,299, you're paying a premium for a feature you may not be able to use for a while. Additionally, battery life on the Exynos model was a letdown for some reviewers. Therefore, this phone is best left for early adopters who live in a 5G-covered city and want the absolute fastest speeds available. For everyone else, a standard Galaxy S10 or waiting for 5G to become more widespread is a smarter choice. In short, it's a great phone for a niche audience, but a hard sell for most.

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