Since the first Samsung Galaxy S was released in 2010, a lot has happened around the technology and design, and some of the phone models have become more popular than others. So let’s take a brief look back to see which phones you should be looking for here on Tradera.
Things to consider when buying a second-hand mobile phone:
- An older and used cell phone has the advantage that you are buying something that is already manufactured. In this way, it is more durable.
- There can be a big difference between older phones in terms of features, apps, battery life and speed.
- Manufacturers’ security updates may not work optimally on an old phone.
Samsung’s early Android phones
2010: Samsung Galaxy S
This was a small and light mobile phone that had many of the key technical features when it was launched. A good camera and a large AMOLED screen. By today’s standards, it can be perceived as plastic and simple in design. And if you were to use it today, you would probably experience major differences in both speed and software.
2011: Samsung Galaxy S2
With this phone, the series starts to move towards its early successes. What this phone had over its predecessor was, among other things, a larger screen with more color range and better memory. In terms of design, the phone’s buttons and placement could look a little different in different countries, which was (and is!) a little confusing.
2012: Samsung Galaxy S3
Many consider this to be one of the best smartphones in the series because, among other things, it had a large and updated HD screen, much larger than its then competitor Apple’s IiPone 5. The camera in this one was improved to be able to film in HD quality, while the internal memory in the phone could be expanded.
2013: Samsung Galaxy S4
It was probably hard to beat the popular S3 model, but in this release Samsung made an attempt by refining the features of the Galaxy S3. This screen was slightly larger and the phone no longer had FM radio – but what you did get was the ability to make hand gestures in the air instead of touching the screen.
New updated design after the phone successes
2014: Samsung Galaxy S5
Here you start to notice major design differences – the back, which was made of plastic, got a softer leather feel, for example. One advantage was that you could still open the back and change the battery. This phone also had technologically advanced features such as fingerprint scanning, wireless charging and IP certification that allowed it to be submerged under water.
2015: Samsung Galaxy S6
In terms of design, the Galaxy S6 meant a new start when the phone got aluminum edges and glass both front and back. This immediately gave it a more sleek and modern look that we are no strangers to today. Clearly more difficult to change the battery yourself, which had been somewhat easier before. Compared to the S5, this phone was not fully waterproof, nor did it have space for an extra SD card, which may seem a shame. The camera in this phone, on the other hand, has been praised and was one of the better ones on the market in 2015.
2016: Samsung Galaxy S7
This model is largely reminiscent of the Galaxy S6, although there were differences in the size and the curved back. A glass back is something we’re used to by now, but since it’s harder to get a good grip, it was one of the objections when the phone came out. In this phone, Samsung reintroduced the ability to put in extra storage and raised the IP certification.
Galaxy S8 to Galaxy S10 – Samsung’s latest mobile release
2017: Samsung Galaxy S8
In this model, we saw a difference in that the push button on the front was made to blend into the infinity screen in a more elegant way. With that, the fingerprint reader was also moved to the back of the phone. Thankfully, Samsung chose to have both a USB-C connector and a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, making the phone very useful. Talking directly to the phone? It was fine, thanks to the launch of Samsung’s own voice assistant Bixby. The new 18.5:9 aspect ratio also made it more beneficial to watch some movies on this phone.
2018: Samsung Galaxy S9
Why change a winning concept? In this model, there were no major changes compared to the S8, except that the fingerprint sensor was moved to a more advantageous location – right under the camera on the back. Unlike Apple’s iPhone, Samsung chose not to remove the headphone jack, which still makes it possible to listen to music with old headphones. Or you can do it through the dual stereo speakers that are built in. A subtlety that distinguishes the standard model from the plus model is that you can switch between two apertures in the latter, which gives great freedom for the photo enthusiast.
2019: Samsung Galaxy S10
To close out the 2010s, the latest cell phone from Samsung was released in several different variations of sizes, storage options and features. Whether you need to change sim cards, charge wirelessly, have different headphones or extra storage, this phone has it all. And with three cameras, it’s also possible to take photos from different angles and in different lighting conditions. Here on Tradera there are often many copies of the latest variant and it is usually possible to get hold of a good price if you compare with the purchase price.
Amanda Blennborn, freelance journalist
