Samsung Galaxy S10: All the rumors in one place (Updated November 19)

Update, November 21, 2018 (4:18 PM EST): There are new rumors about the supposed highest-end variant of the Galaxy S10, including that it might have a ceramic back, six cameras, and both front and rear 3D sensors. In 2019, Samsung will launch its follow up to the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, the Samsung Galaxy S10. Even this far ahead of its release, there are already lots of rumors about what the S10 will be like — including how many models will be launched — and what kinds of new hardware and software features will be included. The manufacturer has yet to comment officially about the specs, price, and release date for the Samsung Galaxy S10, but there are enough credible rumors to give us an idea of what to expect. Release date: CES 2019 announcement and February release The nitty-gritty Release date rumors have not been confirmed by Samsung. One report claims the Galaxy S10 could be announced in January at CES 2019. This could mean the phones could go on sale as early as February 2019. In the past, Samsung used the Mobile World Congress trade show, held in Barcelona in late February, to introduce the newest members of the Galaxy S series. However, The Korea Herald recently reported Samsung could reveal the Galaxy S10 models well ahead of that usual timeframe, and in a new location. The report claims Samsung may use the Consumer Electronics Show, held in early January 2019 in Las Vegas, to announce the Galaxy S10 models. If that’s the case, the phones could go on sale in February, well ahead of the series’ traditional March launch. The story claims Samsung is moving up the release of the Galaxy S10 because it plans to use MWC 2019 as the place where it will officially reveal its long-rumored, highly anticipated foldable smartphone. There are also rumors suggesting Samsung could launch three models of the Galaxy S10 at CES and then announce a fourth, ultra premium model at MWC. Samsung slightly moved up the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to compensate for weaker-than-expected sales of the Galaxy S9, so that might also be a factor with the rumored change in release strategy for the Galaxy S10 as well. Specs: Three (possibly four) different Galaxy S10 models in the works The nitty-gritty Leaked model numbers seemingly confirm that Samsung will release three different Galaxy S10 models at once. The Plus model could have three rear cameras. Other rumors claim the higher-end phones could have an in-display fingerprint sensor and a 3D sensor. We are still several months away from the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S10, which is rumored to have the internal codename “Beyond.” Some rumors concerning the phones’ hardware specs have already hit the internet. One of them claims Samsung will launch three different S10 models at once. The three devices have apparently been given the codenames Beyond 0, Beyond 1, and Beyond 2. Of the three devices, Beyond 1 will reportedly be the successor to the Galaxy S9, Beyond 2 will be the successor to the Galaxy S9 Plus, and Beyond 0 will be a new entry-level device. In September 2018, three model numbers leaked online which seemingly confirm that there will be three different variants of the Galaxy S10. The model numbers are SM-G970, SM-G975, and SM-G973. The first two model numbers match up with previous ones for phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9, but the third model number is brand new and could be a reference to the “Beyond 0” entry level device. According to this rumor, two of the devices will have 5.8-inch displays, while the third would have a 6.2-inch screen. SamMobile later suggested the Galaxy S10 would have a 5.8-inch display, the Galaxy S10 Plus would have a 6.2-inch display, and the entry-level variant would have a 5.8-inch display, so this seems to line up. Bloomberg corroborated the previous reports and said Samsung will launch three S10 models. Even though the normal S10 and S10 Plus might have curved OLED displays with in-display fingerprint sensors, the third S10 model might not have a curved display or in-display fingerprint sensor. SamMobile also suggested the entry-level model would not have an in-display fingerprint sensor. Bloomberg also reported that Samsung is testing S10 prototypes without headphone jacks, though this does not mean a final decision was made. However, Samsung’s quirky W2019 smartphone does not have a headphone jack, which could support the idea that the company will leave the headphone jack out of the S10. Possible ultra high-end 5G model in the works? The quad-camera Samsung Galaxy A9 2018. We did hear a rumor that the Galaxy S10 line will NOT be 5G-capable. According to rumors, there will be a 5G phone from Samsung that releases next year, but it will be its own standalone model and not an S10 or Note 10 device. However, the “Beyond” codenames mentioned earlier did include a Beyond 2 5G model. This could mean that there will be a Samsung Galaxy S10 “Ultra” model that will also have 5G connection capabilities. Rumors suggest this 5G variant will launch sometime after the launch of the initial three devices. It’s possible the 5G S10 could launch along with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy F — the company’s long-awaited foldable phone. According to Bloomberg, Samsung is in talks with Verizon to introduce a 5G version of the Galaxy S10. The big question is whether Verizon’s 5G network for smartphones will be ready by the time this rumored Galaxy S10 model launches. If this 5G model of the S10 does launch, it will be an absolute beast. This highest-end model reportedly will have six cameras (two on the front, four on the rear), an enormous 6.7-inch display, and support 5G connections. It could also have a ceramic back and support reverse wireless charging. There are also reports suggesting this highest-end model could have 3D sensors on both the front and the back, making it an augmented reality powerhouse. Read the next section for more on these alleged 3D sensors. Keep in mind, however, that this rumored variant could be something entirely different from the Galaxy S10 line. 3D mapping camera sensor like you’ve never seen before The same story also claims one of the 5.8-inch Galaxy S10 models would have a single rear camera, while the second would have two rear camera sensors. The 6.2-inch Galaxy S10 Plus could have as many as three rear cameras, according to some rumors — similar to the Huawei P20 Pro. A recent report (in Korean) has added more information about the cameras that will potentially be found on the upcoming devices. It says that the Galaxy S10 Plus will get a dual-lens camera setup on the front of the device, and a triple-lens camera on the rear. The rear setup will be the same as the Galaxy S9 Plus but with the addition of a 16MP, 120-degree ultra-wide angle lens, according to the rumors. The same report says that the Galaxy S10 will sport a single camera on the front and a triple camera on the rear. Meanwhile, the entry-level device will get a single camera on the front and a dual camera on the rear. However, another report (in German) suggests otherwise. It says that only the Galaxy S10 Plus will get the rear triple camera and that the Galaxy S10 and the entry-level device will both only get dual-lens rear cameras. It also claims that the Galaxy S10 Plus will get a 12MP main lens with f/1.5 to f/2.4 variable aperture, a 16MP 123-degree super-wide-angle lens with f/1.9 aperture, as well as a 13MP zoom lens with f/2.4 aperture. The same report suggests that the rear camera found on the other two devices will be the same as the Galaxy S10 Plus but without the 13MP zoom lens. Another rumor claims the Galaxy S10 could be the first Samsung phone to have a 3D sensor. This could allow the phone to map the outside world in 3D and assist its augmented reality features, like improved versions of the S9’s AR Emoji. Twitter A leaked spec table from Twitter user bang_gogo_ supposedly backed up the camera specs we have learned up until now. According to the leaked spec table, the 12MP primary camera features an f/1.5 to f/2.4 variable aperture. A 16MP sensor acts as the wide-angle lens with a 123-degree view and f/1.9 aperture, while the third 13MP sensor acts as the telephoto lens and features an f/2.4 aperture with a 45-degree field of view. Based on the table, only the 16MP sensor lacks OIS and auto-focus Another Samsung first for the Galaxy S10 could be the addition of an in-display fingerprint scanner. Futuristic in-display fingerprint scanner Another Samsung first for the S10 could be the addition of an in-display fingerprint scanner. A new report suggests that Samsung will eschew using the current in-display fingerprint sensor tech used by Vivo and Oppo to instead use its own ultrasonic tech. Theoretically, ultrasonic fingerprint scans could be faster and more efficient than the current optical sensors that companies put underneath displays. While one would expect something like in-display fingerprint sensors to only land on the higher-end versions of the Galaxy S10 line, a report from Korean site The Investor suggests that all three variants will have the in-display scanner tech. However, the lower-end model will feature the more-common optical sensor and the two higher-end models will get the ultrasonic versions. Also, the Samsung Galaxy S10 might not have an iris scanner like what’s included in the Galaxy S9 models. Apparently, the rumors claim the in-display fingerprint sensor will take the place of the iris scanner for opening and locking the smartphone. Sound-emitting screen Some rumors claim the Galaxy S10 could use its screen as a replacement for its built-in speaker. Apparently, Samsung Display has created a sound-emitting screen that could be used on the Galaxy S10. It’s similar technology to the Vivo Nex phone. Out-of-this-world processor If history is a guide, we can expect the Galaxy S10 to be the first smartphone to have Qualcomm’s next-generation version of its highest-end Snapdragon mobile phone processor, beyond the current Snapdragon 845, for the U.S. market. It will likely release in the rest of the world sporting the next generation version of Samsung’s in-house Exynos chip, ahead of the current Exynos 9810 model. Framework files that XDA Developers unearthed from the unreleased Android 9 Pie firmware for the Galaxy S9 referenced the unreleased Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150 chipset. The Snapdragon 8150 might be the first Qualcomm chipset to feature a neural processing unit (NPU). It might also be featured in the 5G version of the Galaxy S10 Plus, though details are still slim. Samsung tipster Ice Universe has also reported that the Korean company is working on an NPU. The information was obtained via a former employee’s LinkedIn account. The tipster believes this AI silicon is meant for the Exynos 9820, or whatever the next flagship Exynos chip is called. Dedicated AI hardware would allow Samsung to accelerate a variety of tasks, such as image processing, machine vision, natural language processing, and biometric authentication. This could lead to better photos, faster Google Lens and Bixby Vision performance, and more virtual assistant commands without an internet connection. Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 camera review It’s possible Samsung could launch the lowest end Galaxy S10 with just 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage, like the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9. If the rumors of two more models are accurate, they could have 6GB or even 8GB of RAM, and as much as 512GB of storage space. It’s also likely the Samsung Galaxy S10 will launch running Android 9.0 Pie with the new One UI skin and an updated version of its Bixby digital assistant. Other hardware specs for the phone, such as the size of its battery and its water and dust resistance rating are unknown at this time. Samsung Galaxy S10 rumored specifications Display5.8-inch, 6.2-inch displays ProcessorNext-gen Snapdragon or Exynos chip RAM4/6/8GB Storageup to 512GB MicroSDUnknown CameraSingle, dual and triple rear camera setup BatteryUnknown Water resistantUnknown Headphone jackUnknown SoftwareAndroid P with Samsung Experience Other featuresIn-display fingerprint sensor and speaker, 3D sensor Design: New specs can dictate the Samsung Galaxy S10 overall design The nitty-gritty The Galaxy S10 could look much different than previous phones in the series. Some rumors suggest that it could come close to a truly bezel-free design. The Samsung Galaxy S10 could have very different look compared to the Infinity Display design of Galaxy S8 or S9 phones. Indeed, if the rumors about the in-display fingerprint scanner and audio features are correct, the phones could be the closest Samsung has come to being truly bezel-less. A recent Twitter post from an internet gadget leaker showed off a photo of what the leaker suggested was an S10 prototype, and it had almost no bezels. However, that image is almost certainly a fake. However, even if the device has no bezels, it likely won’t be without controversy: noted leaker Evan Blass suggests the Galaxy S10 will feature the “punched” display known as the Infinity O. This would mean the front-facing camera sensor wouldn’t live in a notch, but rather right in the glass, maybe in the upper corner. Click here to read our rumor roundup on this tidbit. There are also rumors suggesting the Galaxy S10 will have four color variants: black, white, yellow, and green. Those colors could even be gradients, as Samsung has just started experimenting with this type of design. Price & availability The nitty-gritty The Galaxy S10 price will certainly vary depending on the phone’s model and hardware specs. The low-end model could be priced around $650, while the highest end model could cost over $1,000. Obviously, Samsung has not indicated how it will price the Galaxy S10 models. If the company actually releases three different versions of the S10, each with its own RAM and storage capacity, pricing could vary widely, from as low as around $650 for the entry-level 5.8-inch model with the lowest RAM and storage, to over $1,000 for the 6.2-inch model with more RAM and storage. Samsung Galaxy S10: Conclusion These are all the rumors and credible speculation we’ve come across so far about the Samsung Galaxy S10. As we always do with this kind of post, we will be updating this page on a regular basis as more rumors, and any official statements and specs from Samsung, are released In the meantime, share your thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S10. Do you think the Samsung Galaxy S10 will be a worthy successor to the S9? Let us know in the comments! Previous coverage: November 21, 2018: Samsung Galaxy S10 (5G) tipped for superior AR with front and rear 3D sensors November 20, 2018: Highest-end Galaxy S10 could have 5G support, 6 cameras, 6.7-inch display November 19, 2018: New rumors: Galaxy S10 colors, 5G variant launch, and cheaper model details November 13, 2018: Samsung Galaxy S10 may house Infinity-O display and three rear cameras November 13, 2018: Samsung may launch cheaper Galaxy S10 model, specs and price leaked November 2, 2018: Bad news if you love Samsung iris scanners: the Galaxy S10 might lose it November 1, 2018: Samsung W2019 ‘leak’ shows no headphone jack: Is this a test-run for Galaxy S10? October 10, 2018: Brace yourself: Samsung could drop the headphone jack from next year October 8, 2018: Samsung tipped to be working on NPU: Could Galaxy S10, Note 10 offer AI silicon? September 21, 2018: Model numbers seemingly confirm there will be three Galaxy S10 variants September 19, 2018: Samsung working on four Galaxy S10 models, including 5G Galaxy S10 Plus?