Upgrading my S8+

[mnoble0902]

Good morning!

As the title indicates, I am planning on upgrading my s8+ fairly soon. I have a question that I hope could get some help with!

I am looking at the S20+5G and the S10+. Right now the S20+5G is $899 with trade in and the S10+ is $599 with trade in. Other than a few differences, it seems the biggest difference between the two is the 5G capability. So, I guess the big question here is, is the 5G capability necessary? The 5G speeds are impressive, but if I am almost always connected to wi-fi, do I really need a 5G connection? The one benefit of going 5G is that I am future proofing myself.

I have been reading some other threads similar to my question, but I'm still not sure. Any thoughts?

Thank you!!!

 

[the_boon]

I personally would definitely go for the S10+ and save alot of money.

If you have to ask if you need 5G, then you probably don't really need it.

I think the vast majority of consumers don't need it now, and probably won't for quite some time.

 

[jtfwTX]

save the money. wait until 5G is more widespread.

One option. You could look for a used s10+ on swappa, etc. Compare those prices taking into account selling your s8 also. Would that be a lot better than the trade in deal? but if you definitely want brand new, forget it then. Just a thought as I've almost always bought used devices. You'll enjoy no matter what!!

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

Hi there. You do keep your phones for a few years, so future proofing could be a good idea. The things to think about it the type of 5G available where you are. The basic S20 only has sub 6 5G which is barely faster than LTE/4G right now. So I wouldn't buy that phone for its 5G capability. If you want the latest and greatest processor than we would be looking at the S20 range. If you are wanting to save a bit of money I would go S10+ every day of the week. It is a truly capable phone and is really nice to use.

If you want the faster 5G (millimetre wave) which is very short ranged but gives you ludicrously fast speeds, then you need to consider the S20+ or Ultra.

The only issue with the ultra is that there is an issue with the camera lens where it doesn't always focus properly due to a shallow depth of field. Ultimately if you want to take photos within a few feet of an object it may lose focus.

So unless you are desperate for the largest screen (basically a small tablet) the plus is probably a better value for money prospect.

In the end you need to decide what your criteria are in a phone, how much you are willing to pay and how important the cameras are.

The S10 series has received the OneUI 2.1 update now, with camera improvements and other features found on the S20. At this point it is 5G and processor that really stands the S20 range out from the S10 range.

Hope this helps.

 

[mnoble0902]

Thanks everyone! I live in the Washington D.C. area. D.C. itself has 5G, but I don't know how far that spreads.

the_boon mentioned if I have to ask if I need 5G, then I probably don't. I think that is a good point.

Saving money and waiting for 5G to be more widespread is also a good idea. That also allows time for any 5G bugs to be worked out, both with the service and the devices.

Finally, I was going to purchase the new phone using Samsung's upgrade program, so maybe within a year or so 5G will be more widespread.

So far the responses have been helpful!

 

[GraCal]

I just posted on the S20 forum (S10 vs S20) as to why I went with the S10 over the S20. As great of a phone as it is, the S20 is simply overkill for me right now. I've had the S10 less than 24 hours and I feel I made a good choice.

 

[mnoble0902]

I'm leaning more towards the S10+. I'm going to use the Samsung upgrade program, so that will allow time for 5G to expand and work out any issues with the service and devices. I want 5G, but it is new, so I'm sure there are issues with it. I don't buy new video game consoles when they first come out for the same reason, so I should follow my own guidance.

 

[mnoble0902]

I just thought of another question.

Going from the S8+ to the S10+, will I notice a major difference in terms of performance, features, etc?

 

[jtfwTX]

I just thought of another question.

Going from the S8+ to the S10+, will I notice a major difference in terms of performance, features, etc?

you'll be seriously IMPRESSED. enjoy the significant upgrade!

 

[Sam Chung]

Hey there. I have had s10 plus for a while and I feel this is more than enough tech I need for everyday needs. since working at home it handles everything beautifully including streaming HD, zoom meetings to email, web browsing and so much more. I am connected to Wi fi most of the time and speeds are always super fast.
I upgraded a few years from the s8 plus and definitely a lot better overall performance.

 

[mnoble0902]

Hey there. I have had s10 plus for a while and I feel this is more than enough tech I need for everyday needs. since working at home it handles everything beautifully including streaming HD, zoom meetings to email, web browsing and so much more. I am connected to Wi fi most of the time and speeds are always super fast.
I upgraded a few years from the s8 plus and definitely a lot better overall performance.

This is very helpful!! Thank you!!

 

[Morty2264]

I see you are a newer user here - welcome to Android Central!

As far as I'm aware, 5G is still in its infancy stage and has some tweaks to be ironed out. However, if you are thinking that it's not entirely necessary for you to have it - and if you'll be connected to a Wi-Fi network most times anyway - then I would recommend saving some money and going for the S10+.

Plus (see what I did there?), with the S20 camera updates coming over to the S10 line, you really won't be missing out on very much if you indeed go for the S10+.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

 

[mnoble0902]

I see you are a newer user here - welcome to Android Central!

As far as I'm aware, 5G is still in its infancy stage and has some tweaks to be ironed out. However, if you are thinking that it's not entirely necessary for you to have it - and if you'll be connected to a Wi-Fi network most times anyway - then I would recommend saving some money and going for the S10+.

Plus (see what I did there?), with the S20 camera updates coming over to the S10 line, you really won't be missing out on very much if you indeed go for the S10+.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

Thank you very much!

I just looked at Verizon's 5G map in Washington DC, and it fairly limited...another check mark in the S10+ column! I live about 25 minutes from DC, so I'm sure I won't benefit from 5G for a couple more years.

The S20 updates coming the the S10 line is another big plus...I can make puns, too!! haha!

Thank you again for your thoughts. I appreciate it. Awesome profile picture by the way!!

 

[gendo667]

I'll echo everyone else, get the S10+. There's no reason to pay for a 5g device in 2020, the camera isn't enough of an upgrade and the S10 camera is actually pretty good. Especially in natural light. It's still a fantastic device. Welcome to the forums by the way.

 

[Morty2264]

Thank you very much!

I just looked at Verizon's 5G map in Washington DC, and it fairly limited...another check mark in the S10+ column! I live about 25 minutes from DC, so I'm sure I won't benefit from 5G for a couple more years.

The S20 updates coming the the S10 line is another big plus...I can make puns, too!! haha!

Thank you again for your thoughts. I appreciate it. Awesome profile picture by the way!!

You're welcome! I have an S10 and am loving the S20 camera updates! There's a mode called "Single Take" that is just fantastic! My cat isn't too happy about it LOOL.

Good pun! I like it! And thank you so much! Pokémon rules!

 

[mnoble0902]

You're welcome! I have an S10 and am loving the S20 camera updates! There's a mode called "Single Take" that is just fantastic! My cat isn't too happy about it LOOL.

Good pun! I like it! And thank you so much! Pokémon rules!

LOL!! I've been working from home since March, so my cats are definitely not liking me as much right now with all the photos I've been taking of them!

Pokemon is the best! I'm team Squirtle...Squirtle Squad all the way!!

 

[mnoble0902]

I made my decision! I just ordered the S10+!!! It should be here next week!

Thank you to everyone that provided their suggestions. Supporters of getting the S20+5G made great arguments and I almost went that way. However, considering 5G is still in its infancy, I decided I would wait a couple more years and see where it is at that time.

Now to order a screen cover and otter box case! With the new camera upgrades, I have a feeling my cats will be taking themselves back to the shelter! hahaha!!!

 

[gendo667]

I made my decision! I just ordered the S10+!!! It should be here next week!

Thank you to everyone that provided their suggestions. Supporters of getting the S20+5G made great arguments and I almost went that way. However, considering 5G is still in its infancy, I decided I would wait a couple more years and see where it is at that time.

Now to order a screen cover and otter box case! With the new camera upgrades, I have a feeling my cats will be taking themselves back to the shelter! hahaha!!!

Congrats! By the way, for future consideration, we have a Show Us Your Pets thread. We post all sorts of pictures here in the forums. Again, congrats.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=277576

 

[mnoble0902]

Congrats! By the way, for future consideration, we have a Show Us Your Pets thread. We post all sorts of pictures here in the forums. Again, congrats.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=277576

Thank you!

That is a great idea! I will post pictures in that thread!

 

[Morty2264]

I made my decision! I just ordered the S10+!!! It should be here next week!

Thank you to everyone that provided their suggestions. Supporters of getting the S20+5G made great arguments and I almost went that way. However, considering 5G is still in its infancy, I decided I would wait a couple more years and see where it is at that time.

Now to order a screen cover and otter box case! With the new camera upgrades, I have a feeling my cats will be taking themselves back to the shelter! hahaha!!!

Congratulations and Happy Phone Weekend! Please let us know when your S10+ comes and how you are liking it!

Oh yes, definitely post in the "Show Us Your Pets!" thread. You'll find that a lot of us are quite obsessed with it.