Samsung Electronics Australia and Telstra today announced that Australians will be among the first in the world to experience 5G connectivity when the new Galaxy S10 5G is launched in Australia¹. Customers who purchase a Galaxy S10+ through Telstra prior to the Galaxy S10 5G launch will be eligible to upgrade to the Galaxy S10 5G at no extra cost when it is released in the first half of 2019².

Galaxy S10 5G represents a milestone for Samsung as its first 5G-enabled smartphone. Over the coming months and years, 5G will play a critical role in transforming the lives of Australians by delivering access to the fastest mobile internet speeds Australia has ever seen.

Garry McGregor, Vice President of IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia said: “5G speeds will demonstrate unparalleled connectivity and be critical in transforming the way Australians live, work, connect and communicate. Capable of speeds up to 20 times faster than 4G³, 5G will also be integral to advancing AI, IoT and computing technologies, which are key to bringing-to-life Samsung’s vision for a connected future.

“Out-of-the-box, Galaxy S10 5G will also unlock new experiences for our customers thanks to hyper-fast upload and download speeds. For example, the ability to download a full-length feature movie to your mobile device in seconds and enhancing real-time applications like AR, VR, gaming and video conferencing.”

Galaxy S10 5G also builds on Samsung’s heritage by delivering an incredible screen with a 6.7-inch Infinity-O Display⁴, a bigger and faster-charging battery⁵, and an all-new camera experience. Galaxy S10 5G will also incorporate a revolutionary set of features to the Galaxy experience including Infinity-O Display, vault-like security with its ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and can even wirelessly charge other compatible devices with Wireless PowerShare⁶.

Samsung optimises its smartphones for each Australian network to deliver the best possible mobile experience on its devices. Samsung and Telstra have a long-history of collaboration, which has included Blue Tick⁷ certification for select devices⁸ to deliver optimal coverage in rural and regional areas and the implementation of VoLTE⁹ so Samsung customers can enjoy clear calls and fast connection times.

Samsung is deeply invested in working with all Australian operator partners to deliver the best possible experience and by delivering superfast mobile internet speeds for all Australians. Samsung continues to work with all operator partners in Australia to put the power of fast, reliable 5G service into the hands of its customers. Future 5G partners to be announced.

Note: 

Telstra initially is deploying 5G into its mobile network in the major capital city CBDs and other select high traffic areas and will be progressively rolling out to other areas. Find out more about Telstra’s 5G at www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/5G

¹ The anticipated Australian launch date of the Galaxy S10 5G is currently in the first half of 2019. Subject to change.
² Subject to the full terms & conditions of Telstra’s upgrade offer once available that includes but is not limited to: customers must maintain their existing plan and return their Galaxy S10+ in good working order up to 21 days after the 5G device becomes available.
³ Actual speeds achieved will vary depending on service availability and other factors.
⁴ Screen measured diagonally without accounting for rounded corners.
⁵ Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S9.
⁶ Wireless PowerShare limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones and wearables with WPC Qi wireless charging. May not work with certain accessories, covers, or other brand devices. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment. Requires at least 30% battery life on Galaxy S10 5G.
⁷ Blue Tick signifying that a device has been thoroughly tested and delivers superior voice coverage in rural and regional areas, ensuring optimal call quality for customers. Current Samsung Blue Tick handsets include Galaxy S9 and S9+, Note9, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy J2 pro.
⁸ Current VoLTE handsets include Galaxy S9 and S9+, Note9, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy J2 pro.

Telstra Consumer Segment Executive Kevin Teoh joined Samsung executives today at Unpacked, which showcased three new 4GX-capable smartphones – the Galaxy S10e, S10 and S10+ – to be released on 08 March and the Galaxy S10 5G, which will come later in the year.

Under the partnership, the Galaxy S10 5G will be available first through Telstra when the smartphone is launched in Australia. In a further win for customers, anyone who purchases a Samsung S10+ through Telstra will be able to upgrade to the 5G-capable Galaxy S10 5G at no extra cost when it is released.

“Telstra has been a global leader in the testing, development and rollout of 5G in Australia and now our customers will be among the first in the world to experience it with Samsung,” Mr Teoh said.

“This delivers the best of both mobile worlds for our customers. Getting their hands on a smartphone by one of the world’s biggest brands, powered by our world leading 4GX technology, and then being able to upgrade to the next generation in mobile technology later in the year is an exciting opportunity that we are looking forward to sharing with them.

“5G-enabled devices are the next step towards customers experiencing the potential of this revolutionary technology with faster downloads, high resolution video streaming with less buffering and better mobile gaming on the go on their new 5G device just the start of its capabilities.

“5G’s ultrafast speeds and lower latency will throw open new digital doors for businesses in particular, so this upgrade offer will also be available to our small and medium business customers. The partnership will also enable a number of strong value offers on Samsung handsets, for small and medium business fleet customers.”

“Under the partnership, the Galaxy S10 5G will be available through Telstra before any other Australian mobile operator when it is released in the first half of 2019.

“With more than 200 Telstra 5G-enabled mobile sites online across the nation and growing, our customers taking up this offer will be at the forefront of this revolutionary technology as well as enjoying the multiple cameras, wireless power sharing, stunning display, sonic fingerprint security and other exciting features on these new Samsung smartphones.”

Customers will also experience the fastest 4G speeds available via our 4GX coverage whenever they are outside of the 5G footprint.

Samsung Vice President, Mobile Division, Garry McGregor said the partnership with Telstra would open up new possibilities to Australian customers.

“Telstra and Samsung have already accomplished a number of Australian firsts together. We achieved the first smartphone 1 Gigabit per second (1Gbps) download on a commercial mobile network on the S9 series last year and we look forward to achieving even more milestones together soon,” Mr McGregor said.

“The arrival of 5G will be a true game-changer for the mobile industry. Samsung is extremely proud to be working closely with Telstra so our Australian customers can be among the first in the world to experience 5G.”

The partnerships are yet another demonstration of Telstra’s 5G leadership, adding to a growing list of national and global firsts including:

• Unveiling the world’s first connection of a 5G mid-band commercial device
• Australia’s first 5G video call
• The world’s first precinct of 5G-enabled Wi-Fi hotspots
• Australia’s first 5G Connected Car
• The world’s first end-to-end 5G non-standalone data call on a commercial mobile network,

Australia’s first 5G customer connection

Telstra’s early rollout of 5G is the culmination of its investment of around $8 billion in its mobile network over the five years to 30 June 2019 to enhance the capacity, capability and reach of Telstra’s network.

Hero Plan:

At launch the Samsung S10+ 128GB will be available on the XL lease plan for $129 a month (for 24 months, min cost $3096) and will come with 160GB of data*, unlimited national and international talk and text**, Peace of Mind Data as well as Telstra’s sports, music and Wi-Fi data inclusions.

Pre-orders of the S10e, S10 and S10+ smartphones also come with bonus Galaxy ear buds.

Full details on all consumer and small business plans will be available at Telstra.com at opening of pre-ordering from 9am AEDT, 21 February 2019

* includes 100GB of bonus data

** to 15 select countries

MORE INFORMATION

The Galaxy S10 5G release date will be announced closer to the Australian launch.

To upgrade, customers must maintain their existing plan and return their S10+ in good working order up to 21 days after the 5G device becomes available.

Telstra initially is deploying 5G into our mobile network in the major capital city CBDs and other select high traffic areas and will be progressively rolling out to other areas. Find out more about Telstra’s 5G at  www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/5G