Samsung today its first 5G smartphone - the Galaxy S10 5G - will be available from May 28. Telstra will be the first telco to range the Galaxy S10 5G on plans, but Samsung will also be selling the handset through its Samsung Experience Stores.
Neither party have announced pricing or availability yet, but we should know these details soon.
Telstra customers who purchased a Samsung Galaxy S10+ through Telstra during the eligibility period earlier this year can trade in their S10+ for an S10 5G at no extra cost, provided the S10+ is in good working order. The trade-in will have to be made within 21 days of May 28 (by June 18).
The Galaxy S10 5G is available first on Telstra, but it's not exclusive to Big T. It's currently unclear how long Optus and Vodafone customers will have to wait for a chance to buy Samsung's 5G flagship on a plan. Timing will presumably be related to progress on their 5G networks, however.
While the Galaxy S10 5G shares most of its DNA with the standard Galaxy S10 and the larger Galaxy S10+, there are a few differences. Well, other than 5G connectivity. The Galaxy S10 5G is the largest phone in the S10 family, with a massive 6.7-inch display. It has an extra camera lens on the back for 3D depth sensing (taking it to a total of four). It also has a larger 4,500mAh battery, and can charge at a faster rate. The Galaxy S10 5G will be available in a 256GB and 512GB model, with no expandable storage.
Key specifications for the Galaxy S10 5G include a 6.7-inch Quad HD+ display with a camera cutout, an Exynos 9820 processor, 256GB or 512GB storage, 8GB of RAM, and four cameras on the back, two cameras on the front, and a 4,500mAh battery. Rear-facing cameras include a 12MP standard lens, 12MP zoom lens, 16MP wide-angle lens, and a 3D depth-sensing lens. Front-facing cameras include a 10MP lens and a 3D depth-sensing lens.
You'll be able to get the Galaxy S10 5G in a choice of Crown Silver (256GB only) or Majestic Black (256GB and 512GB).
It is of course worth mentioning that Telstra's 5G network is still in early stages. Limited coverage is currently available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, on the Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Toowoomba, and only in select areas. You can check out Telstra's 5G network coverage maps here.
Please note that these maps show where Telstra anticipates it will have 5G coverage by June 30. It's current 5G footprint is smaller, but sits within those areas.
The news follows another Telstra 5G announcement, with the telco commencing orders for HTC 5G Hub portable hotspot this morning.
Alex Choros
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