TECH NEXT: Samsung’s perfect 10: Slim, light and great for binge-watching

We put the top-of-the-line Galaxy S10+ under the scanner to discover that Samsung’s new flagship ticks key boxes. It starts with the form factor. The S10+ sports a 6.4-inch display and yet feels remarkably light in your hand. It’s a shade thinner than its predecessors like Note 9.

Almost since the first Galaxy S debuted in 2010, Samsung’s Super AMOLED displays have set the benchmark for Android flagships. The new 6.4-inch Dynamic Display (1440 x 3040 pixels / 19:9 Aspect Ratio / 522 PPI) is stunning. Samsung knocks off the bezels and incorporates a dual selfie cam with a unique laser cut opening on the top right corner of the device. It’s easy to ignore and creates an immersive screen experience — perfect to binge watch your favourite shows on the go. Samsung has embedded an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor in the display that’s responsive and secure.

Aside from the display and the fingerprint sensor, the other standout feature is the camera set-up. The rear cam features three lenses including a 16MP ultra-wide lens. There’s a dual selfie cam. The S10+ shoots brilliant pictures and videos (including 4K UHD). Lowlight images were very sharp in our tests. The S10+ is power packed — it’s propelled by the all-new Exynos 9820. There’s a choice of 8GB/12GB of RAM and 128/512/1TB internal memory options plus support for Micro SD cards. The 4100 mAh battery should comfortably last you a day; there’s also a clever reverse charging option that allows your phone to double up as a wireless charger for compatible devices. One of the many cool touches that put the focus on user experience. The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is the Android flagship to beat in 2019. (Rs 73,900 onwards).

Honor teased us with its flagship device towards the end of 2018. The View 20 is here and stands out with its unique ‘punch-hole’ display. It’s all-screen with a tiny dot for the 25MP selfie cam. The Notched display might well become a thing of the past with more devices embracing an all-screen form. The View 20’s aesthetic appeal doesn’t end with the 6.4-inch display (1080 x 2310 pixels / 398 PPI). The View boasts of a gorgeous glass back with a psychedelic V pattern and is bound by a premium aluminium frame.

The View 20 is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 980, the same processor that we experienced on the Mate 20 Pro, Huawei’s current flagship. There’s 6GB of RAM, 128GB of Internal storage and a 4000 mAh battery that offers a fast charging option (0 to 50% in 30 minutes flat). The View 20 takes an interesting approach with a 48MP rear cam that combines with a Time of Flight (TOF) sensor that offers 3D capabilities, enhancements for portrait mode and also augments lowlight photography. The Honor View 20 is a great addition to the Honor 2019 line-up and delivers great value at its Rs 37,999 price tag.