Samsung Galaxy S10 5G set to launch on April 5 in South Korea (Updated)

Update, April 1, 2019, 09:20 ET: Samsung has now confirmed the release of the Galaxy S10 5G in South Korea on April 5. Samsung announced the release in a blog post earlier today, stating the device would launch in three colors: Majestic Black, Royal Gold, Crown Silver.

The news follows from Yonhap News speculation last week that suggested Samsung would make the phone available in South Korea this Friday. Sadly, Samsung had little to say about wider availability in its press release, only that the phone would “expand to additional markets” after hitting Korea in a few days.

Previous coverage, March 21. 2019, 06:40 ET: The Samsung Galaxy S10 series is arguably the firm’s best flagship range in recent years, delivering loads of features and plenty of cameras. The manufacturer also has the Galaxy S10 5G waiting in the wings, but we haven’t received a release date anywhere until now.

According to Yonhap News (via SamMobile), the Galaxy S10 5G will officially launch in South Korea on April 5. Samsung won’t be running a pre-order program for the device, however, which is tipped to retail for 1.5 million won (~$1,329).

The Korean firm is tossing in a few extras for consumers who register the phone between April 5 and 16. These extras include a pair of Galaxy Buds, a “wireless charging package,” and a 50 percent discount on screen replacements. The latter is valid for a year, but it’s unclear whether this discount is only for one screen repair or for several within the time-frame.

News of the Korean launch comes as the country’s carriers put the finishing touches on their 5G networks. But Verizon has also announced that its 5G service will launch on April 11. And with the carrier confirmed as the exclusive U.S. home of the Galaxy S10 5G until the summer, I’d expect Samsung’s phone to hit the country sooner rather than later. We’ve contacted the manufacturer’s representatives for clarity on a U.S. release date and will update the article accordingly.

The 5G variant isn’t merely a Galaxy S10 Plus with next-generation cellular connectivity. Instead, the new phone offers two 3D cameras (one on front and one on the back), a larger display, and a bigger battery (4,500mAh versus the Plus’s 4,100mAh pack). We’ll be reviewing the device once it’s available.

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