Samsung confirms UK launch-date for Galaxy S10 5G

Although it is easy to get lost in the 5G hype, this is an important announcement to take note of; Samsung’s 5G device will be available in the UK from June 7.

According to the latest statistics from Strategy Analytics, Apple is leading the smartphone market share rankings, while Samsung sits in second place. The duo has created a clear gap between everyone else, collecting just over 60% of all smartphone shipments over the final quarter of 2018.

Samsung and Apple are the two most trusted and popular brands in the UK. There might be other 5G smartphone buzz floating through the news, but Samsung has the weight of credibility in the eyes of the UK consumer; people might start paying much more attention to 5G now.

“The Galaxy S10 5G unlocks an entirely new mobile experience to prepare consumers for a world of possibilities: a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic amoled display; a new 3D Depth Camera with Live focus video; and the biggest battery available in the Galaxy S range, the Galaxy S10 5G is a visionary, ultra-premium device for those looking to stay ahead of the curve,” said Kate Beaumont, Director of Innovation, Technology and Services at Samsung.

Featuring enhanced display, upgraded camera features and an improved 4,500mAh³ battery, the traditional play on hardware is present to justify the price, though tribute has been paid towards the usecases of tomorrow. A 3D depth sensor has been introduced for the benefit of augmented reality.

Pricing for the handset has not been released just yet, though customers will be able to pre-order through Samsung experience stores from May 22. The devices will also be made available through EE and Vodafone, the later of which has confirmed the launch of its 5G network on July 3. EE is yet to announce a date to launch its own 5G network, though we suspect the Vodafone news will spur some activity before too long.

Although much of the 5G news will appear as somewhat of a blur for consumers in many markets, this Samsung announcement could cut through the noise. Apple and Samsung hold very trusted positions in the UK and also have the marketing budgets to make an impact. With Apple not launching its own 5G device until 2020, and other available devices having little credibility in the eyes of the consumer, Samsung could make the 5G euphoria real.

What is worth noting is that initial experiences are unlikely to meet the lofty expectations. The device might not be up to scratch, nothing is perfect first time around, while the coverage offered by EE and Vodafone will be incredibly limited. During the first phase of the launch, nine cities will be covered by both of the operators, though this will not be city-wide coverage. The likely scenario is going to be small pockets of busy traffic and transport hubs.

We’ve been waiting for quite a while and now it seems 5G is finally becoming real.