I've asked this question to myself quite a few times already. Should I upgrade from the Galaxy Note 9 to the Galaxy S10? Based on what we know so far about the Galaxy S10 series – and we know quite a bit – it might make sense to take the plunge.
Like many of you, I am also very excited to see the Galaxy S10 in the flesh. It will be Samsung's 10th anniversary flagship and there are a lot of expectations from this device. Whether or not it meets them is another matter.
With Samsung offering as many as four different models of the Galaxy S10, we'll be spoiled for choice. So let's use the process of elimination for a bit. The absolute beast of the Galaxy S10 model with a 6.7-inch display and 5G will be of no use to me. There won't be any 5G networks coming online where I live at least, for the foreseeable future. So it would make little sense to opt for this model when I can't utilize its unique selling point.
To opt for the entry-level Galaxy S10 would make even less sense in my case. Even if I were to get enticed by the latest Exynos processor or the Infinity-O display, it wouldn't make much sense going down from a device with a 4,000mAh battery to one that has a rated capacity of 3,000mAh. None of the other specs would make a strong case for shifting over, either.
The Galaxy S10+ is the most attractive proposition
This leaves me with the 6.1-inch Galaxy S10 and the 6.4-inch Galaxy S10+. One of the reasons why I moved from the Galaxy S8+ to the Galaxy Note 9 was the larger display, battery and the overall improvements. This effectively rules out the Galaxy S10. So the 6.4-inch Galaxy S10+ appears as a viable option for Galaxy Note 9 owners like me.
Let us zero in on the specs. The Galaxy S10+ will feature a 6.4-inch Infinity-O display, possibly with a dual front camera. It will have an Exynos 9820 processor under the hood (or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 in select markets). The base version should have at least 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It may also include a triple camera system at the back. A primary 12-megapixel Dual Aperture lens, a 123-degree 16 MP (f/1.9) wide angle and a 13 MP f/2.4 lens telephoto lens will make up the system.
It's clear that the Galaxy S10+ edges out the Galaxy Note 9 in some specs, at least on paper. Throw in additional features such as reverse wireless charging and an in-display fingerprint sensor and you've got yourself a rather compelling package. So this is where the price consideration comes in. At nearly $1,000 for the base model, the Galaxy Note 9 wasn't a cheap smartphone. Reports suggest that the base model of the Galaxy S10 could start from $1,100.
This leads to an immediate difference of a few hundred dollars for customers who buy their devices outright. It might make enough sense for some customers to go ahead and upgrade and might not for others. Those who do upgrade will be leaving behind the S Pen-specific features on the Galaxy Note 9, which I've found to be quite useful in my line of work. Not to mention the fact that Galaxy Note fans may not want to give up their S Pens in the first place.
But those who aren't diehard fans of the S Pen are sure to wonder if they should upgrade from the Galaxy Note 9 to the Galaxy S10, and the answer is relatively simpler if you can justify the added cost and don't have much use for the S Pen. If you're in the other camp, then perhaps it would make more sense to wait it out. All of what you get on the Galaxy S10+ will eventually arrive on the Galaxy Note 10. And we already know that there's going to be a 5G variant of that as well.
It's a shame the 5G Galaxy S10 will be limited in availability
Personally, I wouldn't have hesitated in upgrading to the 5G Galaxy S10 (reportedly called Galaxy S10 X) if I could use its marquee feature where I'm based. There's no use buying it otherwise and that's one of the reasons why it will only be sold in select markets. Of course, the limited availability will still disappoint many, as the 5G variant is expected to get some crazy specs, like a 6.7-inch display, a 5,000 mAh battery, and possibly six total cameras.
Now, if you've got a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+, then it's an entirely different proposition. I'd upgrade in a heartbeat. But already owning a Galaxy Note 9 gives me cause to think prudently about this question. I may have a different opinion once I get to try the Galaxy S10+ for real, which is going be the case for many of you as well. I'll be sure to update you on that after February 20.
What are your views on the matter? Does owning a Galaxy Note 9 make you feel less interested in upgrading, or have you already decided the Galaxy S10 is going to find its way into your pocket? Let's get a conversation started in the comments below.
