Tech Guru wrote
Tech Guru wrote
xazbrat wrote
If it is unlocked, then it will work anywhere. The only thing that might be an issue are the OTA updates---you may have to do download those manually if you find out that your are not getting them in a timely manner here.

Do you do think it is worth to get the S10plus 512GB Snapdragon 855 /Adreno 640 from outside vs getting the Exynos 9820 / ARM's Mali-G76 variant  from here + ctc preorder bundle ? From your prespective does the performance difference between the two variants justifies that ?
@bobo619

Your prespective mate.
Snapdragons have always had a slight edge on the GPU performance (10-15%) that is why you see a higher score on antutu for the SD while the Exynos have better computing and single core performance which is better for most apps since they only use single core, hence the better geekbench score for the Exynos . Do note that i find the exynos more power efficient and the samsung always tend to have their phone more optimized with their in house chip.In my experience in real life usage you will not notice the difference.The reason we have 2 variants of the phone is because samsung cannot meet demand in relations of the chip produced so they outsource their North American phones to snapdragon and that is why samsung flagships have stuck with 15w charging QC2.0 (Exynos chips do not allow more than that) and not the snapdragon (samsung limited) QC3.0 which is much faster in order to keep the same specs across the board so customers won't have preferences. I would have personally prefered the snapdragon but wouldn't go as far to import one.. I don't think it is worth importing one from abroad but if you do make sure the model number ends with F for the unlocked version (G975"F") but you will need someone from abroad to use a local sim card for about 15 min to unlock it worldwide as you will see on the box North American sim only or middle east sim card only etc.... The only glass screen protector to work with the ultra sonic fingerprint to my knowledge is the whitestone dome one but it is out of stock roght now check :
https://youtu.be/NdU4OW-f8K8.
bobo619 wrote
Tech Guru wrote
Tech Guru wrote

Do you do think it is worth to get the S10plus 512GB Snapdragon 855 /Adreno 640 from outside vs getting the Exynos 9820 / ARM's Mali-G76 variant  from here + ctc preorder bundle ? From your prespective does the performance difference between the two variants justifies that ?
@bobo619

Your prespective mate.
Snapdragons have always had a slight edge on the GPU performance (10-15%) that is why you see a higher score on antutu for the SD while the Exynos have better computing and single core performance which is better for most apps since they only use single core, hence the better geekbench score for the Exynos . Do note that i find the exynos more power efficient and the samsung always tend to have their phone more optimized with their in house chip.In my experience in real life usage you will not notice the difference.The reason we have 2 variants of the phone is because samsung cannot meet demand in relations of the chip produced so they outsource their North American phones to snapdragon and that is why samsung flagships have stuck with 15w charging QC2.0 (Exynos chips do not allow more than that) and not the snapdragon (samsung limited) QC3.0 which is much faster in order to keep the same specs across the board so customers won't have preferences. I would have personally prefered the snapdragon but wouldn't go as far to import one.. I don't think it is worth importing one from abroad but if you do make sure the model number ends with F for the unlocked version (G975"F") but you will need someone from abroad to use a local sim card for about 15 min to unlock it worldwide as you will see on the box North American sim only or middle east sim card only etc.... The only glass screen protector to work with the ultra sonic fingerprint to my knowledge is the whitestone dome one but it is out of stock roght now check :
https://youtu.be/NdU4OW-f8K8.
Perfect info mate on the difference between Snapdragon 855 /Adreno 640 vs the Exynos 9820 / ARM's Mali-G76 . I will get it from here then.

The whitestone dome is available at Amazon , ordering to here will cost around 110 USD shipped.

The sceen protector that comes pre-installed from Samsung on the S10 Plus is good indeed. The 1st time Samsung does such thing for the end customer convenience. Spigen NeoFlex Screen Protector (TPU Film) I think it will work with the ultra sonic finger print. Spigen is a reputable and reliable brand. The whitestone dome, on the other hand , is the only glass screen protector that work with the senor.

At 110 USD ,I will would rather bring the official Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus LED View Cover  ( that comes with a white color option) or the Official Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Clear View Cover , both provide a 360 degree protection and seem to be robust.

I contacted Samsung CTC showroom debayeh , till now they do not have an official ETA of the S10e/ S10 / S10Plus accessories , such as official covers, . Hopefully they will arrive mid of March. I am also interested in Samsung Ear Buds (Galaxy Buds) , very solid reviews and better than the previous IconX.
8 days later
Pre-order Just Delivered :)

Worth It with this free bundle @1270 USD all :

Galaxy S4 Watch 46mm ~ 349 USD
Wireless Charger Duo ~ 89 USD

Stand Alone ~ 438 USD , Phone Retails now alone @ 1270 USD at Samsung Show room.

Surprised that the preorders period for this S10plus & S10 bundle went out fast (in two weeks) @Samsung CTC Debayeh Show Room & All Official Samsung CTC Retailers.





New Package Now , not worth it.

The Preorder Package Worth It Much More

Galaxy S10plus 512 GB
Galaxy Watch 46mm~ 349 USD
Wireless Charger Duo ~ 89 USD

All at 1270 USD

Total = USD 438

Meanwhile , the Galaxy Tab E 9.6" 3G ~ 180 USD with S10Plus 512 GB ~ 1299 USD.
15 days later
Sold the S10Pus Preorder Package sealed & bought the new 1TB , 12 GB Ram bundle with the Galaxy Watch 46mm.




Hi Techguru,

I agree with buying new (and expensive) tech and reselling it, it sounds like a good alternative to buying old (and cheap) tech and putting it to work until it dies, then basically you are collecting junk.

I just wonder - since you are such a fan of new tech, with the budget to go with it, how do you feel about living in Lebanon and dealing with the tech limitation in Lebanon related to the infrastructure (internet, roads, electricity)?
7 days later
Buying an Android on launch is a fast way to burn money. It’ll be 600$ new in 3 months.
Salloum wroteBuying an Android on launch is a fast way to burn money. It’ll be 600$ new in 3 months.
S10 plus 1TB 12GB Ram @600USD after 3 months , over exaggerated unrelated to reality claim.

S9 Plus 128GB is being Sold now @630 USD at Amhaz Stores " sort of black market giving lowest market prices".
rolf wroteHi Techguru,

I agree with buying new (and expensive) tech and reselling it, it sounds like a good alternative to buying old (and cheap) tech and putting it to work until it dies, then basically you are collecting junk.

I just wonder - since you are such a fan of new tech, with the budget to go with it, how do you feel about living in Lebanon and dealing with the tech limitation in Lebanon related to the infrastructure (internet, roads, electricity)?
Well mate , Lebanese infrastructure in weak yes & but you can enhance your life style with paying a " premium". Example , FTTH 1TB 100Mbps home internet.
Tech Guru wrote
Salloum wroteBuying an Android on launch is a fast way to burn money. It’ll be 600$ new in 3 months.
S10 plus 1TB 12GB Ram @600USD after 3 months , over exaggerated unrelated to reality claim.

S9 Plus 128GB is being Sold now @630 USD at Amhaz Stores " sort of black market giving lowest market prices".
Obviously not the top end model. But the 128GB should drop fast, as previous years tell us
Salloum wrote
Tech Guru wrote
Salloum wroteBuying an Android on launch is a fast way to burn money. It’ll be 600$ new in 3 months.
S10 plus 1TB 12GB Ram @600USD after 3 months , over exaggerated unrelated to reality claim.

S9 Plus 128GB is being Sold now @630 USD at Amhaz Stores " sort of black market giving lowest market prices".
Obviously not the top end model. But the 128GB should drop fast, as previous years tell us
S9+ 128GB Plus @ 630 USD now ; I bet the S10/S10plus 128GB models will be 600 USD after 3 months, after one year " maybe".
infiniteloop wroteWait for the Note 10
Already dropped the Samsung S10Plus 1TB , 12GB Ram with the Free Galaxy Watch 46mm - Silver @ 1649 USD & purshased separately the Wireless Charger Duos @ 89 USD ,
Total 1738 USD TTC from Samsung Official Showroom - CTC Debayeh.

It is a monster phone indeed , very satisfied with my switch from my ex Iphone XS Max 512GB.

Lot of power & innovative features. Awesome near bezeless QHD+ Dynamic Amoled screen & HDR 10+ rocks.
Just out of curiosity why go for the 1TB model? Is it really worth it? The max I’ve ever used on a phone is 150GB
Salloum wroteJust out of curiosity why go for the 1TB model? Is it really worth it? The max I’ve ever used on a phone is 150GB
I am "gamesholic " , "appsholic" :) , I download videos I like from Facebook / Instagram I spot interesting. 1TB is good for 1 - 2 years , I will skip s11+ most probably
The real answer is his "hard earned money" can get it. So why not?
My last phone was the huawei mate 10 porsche edition with 256 GB and i still hated to keep old files and such
vlatkozelka wroteThe real answer is his "hard earned money" can get it. So why not?

Marginal Propensity to Consume in such sense , and techically incremental trend of more and more data consumption by apps and apps updates / 2160p 60Fps video recording / 12MP images etc.. No loss definitely to go 1TB depending on the end user usage.
vlatkozelka wroteThe real answer is his "hard earned money" can get it. So why not?
I agree entirely, but sometimes even if you can doesn’t mean you should. I consider myself a very heavy user but even on a laptop the max I ever needed is 512GB. To each his own!
10 days later
I am interested by the S10+, call me ''bakhil'' but 930$ for a smartphone is way too much specially how much you lose once you resale, I will wait another 2 months with the arrival of the note 10 the price of the s10+ should drop to 750-800$