Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Note 10+: 10 things to note

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ are now official in India – both the phones will be available for buying from August 23. While the Galaxy Note 10 price in India starts at Rs 69,999 (8GB/256GB), the Galaxy Note 10+ will start at Rs 79,999 (12GB/256GB). Unlike last year’s Note, we have two different Note phones – phablets – this year, a 6.3-inch Note 10 and a larger 6.8-inch Note 10+. While size is of curse a key differentiator, there are also other differences between the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+, that could be deal breakers for some. The Galaxy Note 10, for instance, does not support expandable storage – the Galaxy Note 10+ does. 

That said, the similarities between the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ still outweigh the differences – the biggest one being that the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ phones are the most powerful and feature-rich flagship phones in Samsung’s 2019 portfolio. And it doesn’t matter which one you pick, be rest assured, you’re investing in the best from Samsung right now. 

The new Note(s) also bring many upgrades over last year’s Note – so much so that those looking to make a switch, should be excited. Samsung’s signature S-Pen is also getting a big update this year, making it more useful.  

1. The Galaxy Note 10 phones build upon the design scheme that Samsung first introduced in the Galaxy S10 lineup earlier in the year. Therefore, a glass and metal sandwich design, is a given. But because the Note is so productivity-focused, Samsung’s signature curves – seen in the Galaxy S10 phones - have been reduced ever so slightly so using the S-Pen stylus on it for scribbling notes would be easier. Samsung has also trimmed down the bezels on all sides and moved its Infinity-O punch hole dead center. The Galaxy Note 10 phones have Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on the front as well as on the back.  
2. The button layout has been updated from last year – the power button is now on the left and doubles as the dedicated Bixby button (to wake Bixby through long-press). You can remap this action to power off/restart as well.
3. While the Galaxy Note 10 comes in Aura Glow, Aura Red and Aura Black, the Galaxy Note 10+ will have Aura Glow, Aura White and Aura Black colour options in India.
4. The Galaxy Note 10 has a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 1080p+ resolution. The Galaxy Note 10+ has a bigger 6.8-inch Super AMOLED screen with QHD+ resolution. Yes, there’s a difference in resolution, so if you absolutely have to have the best, the Galaxy Note 10+ is your only option. FYI, the default resolution in the case of the Galaxy Note 10+ is also set to 1080p+. 
5. Samsung calls its new displays dynamic AMOLED, and these are also HDR10+ certified. A punch-hole notch (Infinity-O) is standard across the board. So is the in-display fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication.
6. The Galaxy Note 10 phones are powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 9825 processor in India. The Galaxy Note 10+ will be available in two configurations in India – 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB. Expandable storage is supported. The Galaxy Note 10 will be available in India in only one configuration - 8GB/256GB. The Galaxy Note 10 does not support expandable storage. Software inside is Samsung's OneUI.
7. The Galaxy Note 10+ has four cameras - one 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with variable f/1.5-f/2.4 aperture and dual pixel OIS, a 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus, a 12MP telephoto sensor with OIS and f/2.1 aperture, and a Time-of-Flight camera for 3D depth mapping purposes. The Galaxy Note 10 comes with triple rear cameras (same as Galaxy Note 10+ minus ToF). The Galaxy Note 10 phones have the same 10MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 80-degree field-of-view. 
8. Samsung is particularly touting its new Galaxy Note phones’ movie-grade video capabilities, including Live Focus mode in videos and Zoom-in Mic that “amplifies the audio in frame and pushes background noise aside to help focus on the sounds that you want.” 
9. The Galaxy Note 10 has a 3,500mAh battery. The Galaxy Note 10+ has a 4,300mAh battery. Fast charging (45W in Galaxy Note 10+, 25W in Galaxy Note 10), wireless charging (15W) and reverse charging (PowerShare) are standard across the board.
10. Samsung has packed an accelerometer and gyroscope inside the S-Pen that accompanies the new Note phones, so it can now support ‘air’ gestures to control the Galaxy Note 10 phones, literally like a magic wand. Samsung is also opening the SDK so third-party developers can incorporate this aspect into their apps.

Photo by Saurabh Singh

Also Read:  Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+: Every Difference That You Wanted To Know