After unveiling a grand total of four Galaxy S10 variants back in February, Samsung released only three a couple of weeks later, waiting until April to also start selling a completely uncompromising, pull-out-all-the-stops, 5G-enabled model with a 6.7-inch screen and six cameras in tow.
While numerous reports detailed the early success of the "main" S10 lineup, including the regular, plus-sized, and budget-friendly "e" versions, we didn't hear much about the mainstream popularity of the 5G-capable powerhouse from either Samsung directly or market research companies. As it turns out, that doesn't mean the phone is a flop, having sold more than 1 million units in 80 days of commercial availability in South Korea alone.
A bigger hit than the LG V50 ThinQ 5G
Although LG was the first of these two arch-rivals to boast about the numbers of its rookie 5G-supporting effort, it looks like Samsung will be getting the last laugh... as always. According to the Yonhap News Agency, the LG V50 ThinQ barely achieved 280,000 unit sales since its domestic May 10 debut, despite apparently getting off to a flying start.
The company claims early adopters picked up 100,000 units in just the first week, translating to a sales pace of more than 14,000 devices a day. But if that's true and LG only managed to sell an additional 180,000 units in the next month or so, said tempo may have quickly dropped to a modest 6,000 orders per day. In comparison, Samsung reportedly sustained an average of 15,000 Galaxy S10 5G sales, which feels like a very impressive figure for such a costly handset.
Of course, big local carrier subsidies probably played their own crucial part in the super-high-ender's success, which also suggests Samsung's US sales numbers might be substantially lower. After all, the Galaxy S10 5G is anything but affordable on Verizon and Sprint, even after trade-in discounts or monthly installment deals.
5G will (ultimately) turn the mobile industry around
It's no big secret that Samsung is working on several different Galaxy Note 10 variants, including one or two widely expected to support 5G connectivity. Interestingly, today's Korean media report suggests the company could release only the 5G-enabled Note 10 and Note 10 Pro in its homeland, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the blazing fast deployment and expansion of the new cellular standard around those parts.
Obviously, that's not going to happen in the US, where 5G coverage is still extremely scarce, but at some point in the next few years, 4G-only phones will be in the minority. The transition to a 5G-first industry might take the better part of a decade, according to certain reports, but the market will get a small boost from this super-advanced technology pretty soon.
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A million sales may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but in addition to the Galaxy S10 and Note 10, Samsung is tipped to roll out other devices with 5G support by the end of the year. That includes a mid-ranger that may or may not be called Galaxy A90, which would obviously cost significantly less than the Galaxy S10 5G, thus broadening the appeal of the cellular breakthrough all of a sudden.
Overall, we have every reason to expect a small increase in global smartphone shipments in 2019 compared to 2018, followed by incremental hikes in the next few years as 5G networks will slowly become easier to access around the world on lower and lower budgets.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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