Samsung's Galaxy S10 will come with a screen protector pre-installed

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: Samsung knows that many consumers employ screen protectors on their devices. The problem, it seems, is that Samsung can’t guarantee its ultrasonic fingerprint sensor will work with all third-party screen protectors, especially those constructed of traditional glass or polyurethane materials. As such, it is including a screen protector pre-installed from the factory to eliminate any possible compatibility issues.

Samsung will ship its flagship Galaxy S10 with a screen protector pre-installed from the factory. While seemingly a kind gesture, the real reason Samsung made the decision has to do with the technology behind its in-screen fingerprint reader.

The Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ utilize an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor built into the lower portion of the phone’s display. The sensor reads the peaks and troughs of your finger’s unique characteristics, a method that is said to be far more secure than traditional 2D scanning.

Notably, Samsung said the included screen protector will not be covered under warranty. It’ll also be available to purchase as a standalone product for all Galaxy S10 variants for $29.99.

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 family launches on March 8 starting at $899.99. Check with Samsung or your wireless service provider for more information or to set up a pre-order.

Lead image via Sarah Tew courtesy CNET

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https://www.techspot.com/news/78980-samsung-galaxy-s10-come-screen-protector-pre-installed.html

 

[Teko03]

This is breaking news of some sort?

 

[seeprime]

It's hard not to be cynical of this free screen protector, that will cost $30 to replace, on an $800+ phone. I bet a lot of people will buy into the idea that it's required and fatten up Samsung coffers even further. I doubt the actual cost to Samsung is much over ten cents each. They should have included at least a ten pack. I guess profits need to found somewhere in a time of decreasing sales of overpriced stuff. So, Samsung is pulling the old "the first one is free" trick.

 

[OutlawCecil]

Buy a Samsung, where we include a screen protector worth 10 cents to us, at a $1.50 value to customers. It's a nice addition but seriously, this should just be common practice.

 

[EEatGDL]

Wow, people will complain about anything, aren't you? It is initiative, they didn't do it because of a change.org petition or to avoid a boycott if they didn't do it, they could simply not care to add the additional cost of "ten cents" you're estimating it costs them and the world would continue its course.

"This should be common practice". Well, if it isn't already, a company starts it and if others follow suit, we will get there. One step at a time, don't you think?

Disclaimer: I'm not a Samsung shill, I haven't bough anything but storage from them and I haven't gone above $250 on a phone in years; so I'm defending the decision, not the company.

 

[Evernessince]

$30 for a replacement eh? Either they are price gouging or making a screen protector for the phone is seriously expensive.

 

[Danny101]

Other manufacturers do it, so it's the least they could do.

 

[amghwk]

It's a good decision. Many other companies do it. It's a necessary protection, though I believe some do hate them and even go to a length of saying that they never put anything on and they never even have a single scratch on them, even after using for a long time. Blah...

 

[RaXoR]

It's hard not to be cynical of this free screen protector, that will cost $30 to replace, on an $800+ phone. I bet a lot of people will buy into the idea that it's required and fatten up Samsung coffers even further. I doubt the actual cost to Samsung is much over ten cents each. They should have included at least a ten pack. I guess profits need to found somewhere in a time of decreasing sales of overpriced stuff. So, Samsung is pulling the old "the first one is free" trick.

Well luckily enough there's a third party market for these sort of things that has been around for quite a while now. There's no way that anyone who is now purchasing an S10 will not be aware that they can go on Amazon and buy a cheap screen protector. Hell, if it's an issue where they don't want to install it, there are stores that will do it for them.

 

[iamcts]

How often do you even change your screen protector?

My OnePlus 2 came with one applied, and I haven't switched it out since I've owned the phone.