X
Tech

Galaxy S10 battery drain: Bug keeps waking $1,000 phone in people's pockets

Fix this proximity-sensor problem now, Galaxy S10 owners tell Samsung.
Written by Liam Tung, Contributing Writer

Samsung's $1,000 flagship Galaxy S10 has a problem switching off the screen when placed in a pocket, causing frustration for users concerned about battery life. 

Users have posted the same complaints about the faulty wakeup issue on Reddit and Samsung's community forum. 

As reported by Android Police, Galaxy S10 devices appear not to be properly using the proximity sensor that automatically switches off the screen when the screen is held to an ear on a call or if it's inside a pocket. 

The sensor is working when pressed to an ear but users are complaining that it's not functioning inside a pocket, so a leg brushing the screen through the fabric of the pocket is enough to wake up the device.  

"First thing I did was activate tap to wake, I have never seen this in a Samsung phone before. Now I have the newest that Samsung has to offer and it does not work properly. My leg through my fabric taps the phone and opens it up," a Galaxy S10 owner wrote on Samsung's forum.  

"This is draining my battery, and your accidental touch-protection feature is useless. That's two features down right there. $900 for what? Flagship that doesn't work properly? A Samsung technician walk me through many steps to isolate this problem, I even factory-reset it with no good results. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves by not checking this. FIX THIS NOW."

A Samsung moderator suggested turning off the touch-sensitivity feature on the Galaxy S10. However, the user claimed that no setting resolved the issue.   

SEE: IT pro's guide to the evolution and impact of 5G technology (free PDF)

Another Galaxy S10 owner claims to have accidentally called the European emergency service number '112' due to the malfunctioning proximity sensor. 

"I somehow called '112' from my pocket at work and when I got home, I was told the Police had come to my house asking if there was an emergency. I checked my call history and sure enough there was the call made, right in the middle of my time at work while my phone was in my pocket for the whole time," wrote the user. 

"The 'accidental touch protection' setting is on, the enhanced touch setting is off as well. It needs an update, so embarrassing."

Users on Reddit have suggested turning on 'accidental touch protection' but several users report that it doesn't work either.   

ZDNet has contacted Samsung to see whether it has a fix available and when it plans to deliver it.

Previous and related coverage

Galaxy S10 Plus dual selfie camera earns Samsung top spot in photo benchmarking

Samsung's new Galaxy S10 Plus passes its first test with flying colors to win top marks for photos. 

Galaxy S10 first look: All the models and colors up close

Here is Samsung's latest flagship range, in all its glory.

Galaxy S10: Which model should you buy?

The buying decision for the Samsung Galaxy S10 is more complicated because of two words: Next year. Galaxy S10 5G and a foldable device are two reasons to hold off on Samsung's flagship.

Galaxy Fold: A $2,000 smartphone becomes a reality, but is it worth the money?

I long thought that it would be an iPhone that first hit the $2,000 smartphone barrier. I'm a bit surprised that it ends up being a Samsung smartphone that folds in half.

Those Galaxy S10 prices: Why expensive smartphone upgrades without 5G are just plain dumb

So, you want to spend over $1,000 on a new Android or an iPhone with no next-generation wireless network? You're nuts.

Galaxy S10 Plus or Note 9: Which is best for business use?

Samsung just took the wraps off its latest flagship phone and Galaxy Note 9 users will naturally start to question if the newest Galaxy S10 Plus is a better option for the enterprise.

Galaxy S10: Launch date, prices, specs, features, and more

The Galaxy S10 is finally official, and we have everything you need to know.

Galaxy Fold: I want the specs, but no clue what to do with a $1,980 foldable phone

Samsung outlined the Galaxy Fold, a device that can do a bit of everything, but may struggle to find use cases. Either way it's interesting enough to warrant some gadget lust.

Samsung Galaxy Fold, S10, S10 Plus and S10e: A cheat sheet TechRepublic

Samsung's new flagship Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus phones include an Infinity-O display, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, a triple-camera system and reverse wireless charging.

New Galaxy S10 phones bring it: 4 rear cameras, 1TB of storage, in-screen fingerprint scanner and 5G CNET

Meet the Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, "cheap" Galaxy S10E and Galaxy S10 5G.

Editorial standards