Samsung / 2019

Galaxy S10 review

The Samsung Galaxy S10 is an excellent phone that delivers a top-tier experience in a smaller package. Its beautiful screen, capable cameras, and solid performance make it a joy to use. The main reason not to buy it is its price, which is only $100 less than the superior Galaxy S10 Plus. If you value a compact size and don't need the extra battery or camera features of the Plus model, the S10 is a fantastic choice.

Review
Editorially verifiedSpecifications and review findings checked

Best forA compact three-camera flagship with microSD

Main rival

Main rival for Galaxy S10: iPhone 11

The iPhone 11 is a direct alternative to consider beside the Galaxy S10. Compare the software, screen, cameras, support, and current selling price—not only the launch-price figures shown here.

iPhone 11 official product image
Apple · 2019

iPhone 11

Launch price
$699
Display
6.1-inch LCD, 60Hz
Platform
iOS
Jump toWhat do you want to know?
TL;DR

Galaxy S10 review summary

  • The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a well-rounded flagship phone from 2019. It has a beautiful screen, a versatile triple camera, and strong performance. Its main drawback is its price, which is very close to the larger Galaxy S10 Plus. If you want a smaller phone with top features, the S10 is a great choice.
  • The Galaxy S10 features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a hole-punch camera, a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 3,400mAh battery. It has three rear cameras: a 12MP main, a 16MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto. The phone is IP68 water-resistant and supports 15W wired and Qi wireless charging.
  • The Galaxy S10 is a compact flagship that offers a premium experience without the size of the S10 Plus. It excels in display quality, camera versatility, and overall performance. However, its $900 price tag puts it in an awkward spot between the cheaper S10e and the more feature-rich S10 Plus.
What works
  • Stunning 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with HDR10+
  • Versatile triple-camera system takes great photos
  • Compact size with all flagship features, including IP68 water resistance
Watch for
  • When you turn the phone sideways to watch a movie or play a game, some apps do not wrap around the camera hole.
  • The ultrawide lens is especially fun for capturing more of a scene without stepping back.
  • Heavy users who play graphics-intensive games or shoot lots of video may find themselves reaching for a charger by early evening.
  • The phone supports 15W wired charging, which is adequate but not class-leading, and Qi wireless charging is also built in for convenience.

Editorial verification: MobileBurn editors verified the device specifications, ownership details, and material review findings before publication.

A Screen That Pops and a Design That Shines — Samsung Galaxy S10

The Samsung Galaxy S10 packs a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that is a joy to look at. This screen supports HDR10+, which means colors look rich and videos appear more lifelike when you watch supported content on services like Netflix or YouTube. The bezels are very thin, giving you an almost edge-to-edge experience. Samsung uses a hole-punch cutout for the front camera instead of a notch. In most apps, this small circle is not distracting.

However, when you turn the phone sideways to watch a movie or play a game, some apps do not wrap around the camera hole. Instead, they add a black bar on that side, which can make the screen look uneven. The phone itself feels compact and light at 157 grams. It is smaller than many other flagships, making it easy to hold and use with one hand. The design is sleek, and the phone is also IP68 water-resistant, so it can survive a splash or a quick dip.

For a full list of devices, check out our phone reviews.

Three Cameras for Every Shot — Samsung Galaxy S10

What this means for Samsung Galaxy S10

The Galaxy S10 has a triple-camera setup on the back. It includes a 12MP main camera, a 16MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. This combination lets you take a wide variety of photos, from sweeping scenes to close-up portraits. The camera is versatile and reliably takes excellent pictures in daylight. Colors look natural, and details are sharp. The ultrawide lens is especially fun for capturing more of a scene without stepping back.

While the camera system is very capable, it does not excel in any one area compared to some rivals. Instead, it offers a solid all-around performance that will satisfy most users. The phone also has a hole-punch selfie camera on the front. If you want to compare this phone with other models, visit our phone directory.

Performance That Keeps Up — Samsung Galaxy S10

The rear camera hardware is 12MP main + 16MP ultrawide + 12MP 2x telephoto. That list explains the available lenses, but reliable results still depend on light, subject movement, processing, and the condition of an older unit.

Battery Life and Charging: Capable enough — Samsung Galaxy S10

The Samsung Galaxy S10 packs a 3,400mAh battery, which is standard for a flagship of its era. In daily use, this cell provides a full day of moderate activity—browsing, messaging, and some video streaming. Heavy users who play graphics-intensive games or shoot lots of video may find themselves reaching for a charger by early evening. The phone supports 15W wired charging, which is adequate but not class-leading, and Qi wireless charging is also built in for convenience.

While the battery life won't blow you away, it's reliable enough for most people. Just remember that official updates are now a thing of the past, so check current Samsung support status before buying used or refurbished units.

The Middle Child Problem: Price and Choices — Samsung Galaxy S10

The Galaxy S10 sits awkwardly between the smaller, cheaper Galaxy S10e and the larger, more feature-rich Galaxy S10 Plus. At $900, it's only $100 less than the S10 Plus, which offers a bigger battery, a better selfie camera, and a slightly larger screen. The S10e, at $750, gives you many of the same core features in a more compact body. So why pick the S10? Two reasons: you want the 6.1-inch screen size and the triple rear camera.

For many, that extra $100 doesn't feel like a great value when the Plus is so close. You can use our phone finder to compare all three models, or run a side-by-side comparison to see the differences for yourself.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S10 delivers a refined flagship experience in a manageable size. Its 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen is vibrant and sharp, offering excellent colours and brightness for watching HDR content. The triple rear camera—12MP main, 16MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto—captures versatile, reliable photos in a range of scenes. Performance from the Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 chip is snappy, and the 8GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking. IP68 water resistance and microSD expansion round out a solid package.

While the battery is only average and the price is high given competitors, the S10 remains a top choice if you value a compact phone that doesn't cut corners on features. It's not the best value, but it is a very strong phone.

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Specifications

Galaxy S10 specifications

12 key details

The details that most directly affect compatibility, daily use, and ownership. Regional models can differ, so confirm bands, storage, colors, and charging support before purchase.

Released
2019
Operating system
Android
Display
6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED, 60Hz
Processor
Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 in plain EnglishSnapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 means this phone was sold with different system-on-a-chip (SoC) options by region. Snapdragon is designed by Qualcomm and Exynos by Samsung. The chip runs the CPU, graphics, camera processing, AI tasks, and connectivity, so performance and battery life can vary. Confirm the exact regional model before buying.
Memory
8GB
Storage
128GB–512GB
Rear cameras
12MP main + 16MP ultrawide + 12MP 2x telephoto
Battery
3,400mAh
Charging
15W wired, Qi wireless
Software support
Check current Samsung support status
Water resistance
IP68IP68 in plain EnglishDust-tight and tested for immersion beyond 1 meter under manufacturer-set lab conditions. Check the maker's stated depth and time limit. Water resistance is not the same as waterproofing and can weaken with wear or damage. Liquid damage may not be covered by the warranty.
Colors

Quick answers

Galaxy S10 frequently asked questions

Who is the Galaxy S10 best for?

The Galaxy S10 is best suited to buyers seeking a compact three-camera flagship with microSD. Because it launched in 2019, compare its remaining software support, battery health, used condition, repair cost, and current price before choosing it over a newer phone.

What software support does the Galaxy S10 have?

The remaining software support for the Galaxy S10 depends on Samsung's current support list and the exact regional or carrier model. Check the installed Android version and security-patch date before buying it used.

What are the key camera and battery specifications?

The catalog lists the Galaxy S10's rear cameras as 12MP main + 16MP ultrawide + 12MP 2x telephoto. Its battery listing is 3,400mAh, and its charging support is 15W wired, Qi wireless. Those specifications describe the hardware, but they do not by themselves guarantee photo quality, charging time, or real battery life. The phone glossary explains why those figures need context.

What is the main alternative to the Galaxy S10?

The iPhone 11 is its main cross-brand rival in this catalog. Compare their displays, cameras, software, support, size, and current prices in the side-by-side comparison before deciding.

Alternatives

Galaxy S10 alternatives at a similar price

Compare price, size, camera hardware, battery, charging, and software support. Completed reviews are labeled clearly; remaining models stay as specification profiles.

iPhone 11 official product image

2019 iPhone

iPhone 11

6.1-inch LCD, 60Hz · Apple A13 Bionic

Reviewpublished$699
iPhone 14 Plus official product image

2022 iPhone

iPhone 14 Plus

6.7-inch OLED, 60Hz · Apple A15 Bionic

Reviewpublished$899
iPhone 15 Plus official product image

2023 iPhone

iPhone 15 Plus

6.7-inch OLED, 60Hz · Apple A16 Bionic

Reviewpublished$899
iPhone 16 Plus official product image

Big-screen iPhone

iPhone 16 Plus

6.7-inch OLED, 60Hz · Apple A18

Reviewpublished$899