Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy S10
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy S10, open Settings > Device care > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Device care: Storage, then empty Gallery's Recycle bin. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 128 GB base model.
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Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy S10?
The Galaxy S10 launched in March 2019 with Android 9 and One UI 1.1. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Device care > Storage.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy S10?
On the Galaxy S10, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 9, before Android 11's system trash, so that depends on it having been updated.
What is specific to the Galaxy S10?
microSD slot takes cards up to 512 GB. Launched with Android 9 and was updated to Android 12, so the Gallery recycle bin works the same as on later Galaxy phones.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy S10 ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 1.1, the Galaxy S10 has Device care: Storage (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage), Recycle bin cleanup (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage > Recycle bin) and My Files Recycle bin (My Files > Recycle bin). How each works is in the Samsung guide.
How much space do Galaxy S10 photos take?
Galaxy S10: 12 MP main sensor, plus 16 MP ultrawide, 12 MP 2x telephoto. 1,000 default Galaxy S10 shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 4K 60fps | about 400 MB | about 25 minutes |
The Galaxy S10 has no high-resolution mode beyond 12 MP, so photo sizes stay predictable. RAW files from the Galaxy S10 run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 4K 60fps, the Galaxy S10 writes about 400 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 4.0 GB, the same as 1,111 default photos. Selfies from the 10 MP front camera are about 3 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy S10 storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 12 GB (9%) |
| 512 GB | 18 GB (4%) | 12 GB (2%) |
On the 128 GB Galaxy S10, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 56% of it. On the 512 GB Galaxy S10, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 14% of it.
Can you move Galaxy S10 photos to a memory card?
Yes, the Galaxy S10 takes microSD. A 128 GB card would hold about 35,556 of its default photos.
How does the Galaxy S10 compare with other Galaxy S phones?
Against the Galaxy S10e (March 2019), the Galaxy S10 has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy S10+ (March 2019), the Galaxy S10 has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy S20 (March 2020), the Galaxy S10 has the same 128 GB starting storage.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S10 | March 2019 | 128 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S10e | March 2019 | 128 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S10+ | March 2019 | 128 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S20 | March 2020 | 128 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy S10?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later (so an updated Galaxy S10), will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy S10 photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 512 GB Galaxy S10?
In theory about 142,222 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Galaxy S10 have?
It was sold with 128 GB and 512 GB, plus a microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy S10 (SM-G973FZBDBTU) specifications (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to clear up storage space on your smartphone (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to delete or restore files in the recycle bin in My Files (checked 31 October 2026)
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GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.