Samsung’s new Notes are here — let’s talk about them.
In the second half of each year, Samsung launches a new entry in its Galaxy Note series to showcase the very best it has to offer in smartphones. For 2019, Samsung’s using the Galaxy Note 10, Note 10+, and Note 10+ 5G to do just that.
This is the first year Samsung’s ever launched three Notes at the same time, and along with that, the company’s also made some controversial decisions when it comes to legacy Note features. Even so, these handsets stand out as the best smartphones Samsung has to offer right now.
Eager to learn more? Keep on reading.
New Notes
Galaxy Note 10
From $950 at Samsung
Samsung’s Note flagship is back for 2019.
The Galaxy Note is back for 2019, but it looks a little different than usual. Samsung is selling three different models, removed the headphone jack, and is starting to phase out the microSD card. However, with gorgeous AMOLED displays, faster performance, and an S Pen that does more than ever before, these new Notes are certainly worth a look.
- Check out our hands-on preview!
- The Note 10 has impressive specs
- We’ve compared it to other phones
- There are three different models
- It’s true — Samsung got rid of the headphone jack
- Here’s what’s new with the S Pen
- Take a look at the Note 10’s colors 😍
- Pre-orders begin August 8
- Make sure you get some accessories
First, read and watch our hands-on impressions
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZhxAHSOctA?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Before you do anything else, we first recommend taking a look at our preview of the Note 10 and Note 10+.
We were able to get some hands-on time with both phones ahead of their announcement, and while it’s still too early for any final judgments, our initial impressions are quite positive. Yes, it’s annoying that the headphone jack is gone, but Samsung has two excellent devices on its hands with the new Notes.
Watch the video above and then read our written preview below to learn more!
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 hands-on preview: No headphone jack, no problem
Take a look at the specs
Note devices are always chock-full with the latest specs, and that’s no different with the Note 10 and Note 10+.
Powering the phones are Qualcomm’s blazing-fast Snapdragon 855 processor, you can get up to 12GB of RAM, the displays support HDR10+, and Samsung’s finally boosted its wired charging speeds (up to 45W!).
| Operating System | Android 9 PieOne UI 1.5 | Android 9 PieOne UI 1.5 |
| Display | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED3040x1440, HDR10+ | 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED2280x1080, HDR10+ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 855 |
| Memory | 12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256/512GB | 256GB |
| Rear Camera 1 | 12MP, f/1.5-2.4, OIS, 77° FoV | 12MP, f/1.5-2.4, OIS, 77° FoV |
| Rear Camera 2 | 16MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV | 16MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV |
| Rear Camera 3 | 12MP, f/2.1, OIS, 45° FoV | 12MP, f/2.1, OIS, 45° FoV |
| Rear Camera 4 | VGA DepthVisionf/1.4, 72° FoV | n/a |
| Front Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 80° FoVauto focus | 10MP, f/2.2, 80° FoVauto focus |
| Battery | 4300mAh45W wired15W wireless | 3500mAh25W wired12W wireless |
No matter how you slice it, these are flagship phones through and through.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ specs: Everything but the headphone jack
See how the Note 10 compares to other phones
This year’s Notes are forces to be reckoned with — no doubt about that. However, they’re also far from existing in a bubble.
The flagship smartphone space is crowded with tons of other competing handsets, with some of them offering similar features for hundreds of dollars less.
Before you pull the trigger on the Note 10, be sure to give our comparisons a look to make sure you’re buying the phone that’s right for you.
- Galaxy Note 10 vs. OnePlus 7 Pro: Which should you buy?
There are three models this year
As mentioned above, Samsung’s shaking up its Note release formula this year by launching not just one new Note, but three — the Note 10, Note 10+, and Note 10+ 5G.
The regular Note 10 is the cheapest of the bunch, and for the first time since we can remember, offers a true Note experience in a surprisingly manageable form factor. Samsung usually tries to make Notes as big as it can, but the Note 10 has a similar footprint to the Galaxy S10. While we still wouldn’t consider it a small phone, it’s definitely a breath of fresh air for the Note series.
Unfortunately, the Note 10 does come with some drawbacks to achieve its “low” price. Its display is only 2280 x 1080 Full HD+, there isn’t support for expandable storage, and the battery capacity isn’t the largest at just 3,500 mAh.
If you want this year’s best Note, you’ll want to get the Note 10+. It has a larger display with a higher Quad HD+ resolution, a bigger battery, an additional Time-of-Flight rear camera, and supports microSD cards for extra storage space.
Last but not least, there’s the Note 10+ 5G. As the name suggests, this is essentially the same phone as the Note 10+, save for the fact that it can connect to 5G networks.
- Which Galaxy Note 10 model should you buy: Regular, Plus, or 5G?
- Here’s exactly how big the Note 10 and 10+ are next to other phones
- Galaxy Note 10+ vs. Galaxy Note 10: Which should you buy?
- Why the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G’s new modem is a huge deal
- Does the Note 10 have an SD card slot?
Samsung got rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack
Yep, the rumors were true. The 3.5mm headphone jack, one of the Note series’ staple features, is no more with the Note 10. No matter which Note 10 you get, you won’t find the legacy port anywhere on the phone.
As with other phones that lack the 3.5mm jack, you can still use wired headphones with the Note 10’s USB-C port — either with USB-C headphones or the USB-C to 3.5mm adapter Samsung includes with the Note 10.
Alternatively, if you prefer wireless headphones, the Note 10 supports the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard so you can listen to your tunes with great wireless range and minimal interference.
- Does the Note 10 have a headphone jack?
The S Pen picked up some new features
For a lot of people, the S Pen is the reason to get a new Note phone each year. With the Note 10, Samsung’s continuing to improve the S Pen and adding even more features to it.
For avid selfie-takers, Samsung’s added something called Air Actions. Building upon the Bluetooth functionality first introduced with the Note 9’s S Pen, Air Actions allow you to point the S Pen at the Note 10 to act as a camera shutter button, switch between different shooting modes, and zoom in/out.
Air Doodle is another new feature, allowing you to draw wigs, mustaches, and more on people in the camera’s frame. Through the use of algorithms, the Note 10 can map these drawings on top of people through the viewfinder in real-time.
If video editing is more your thing, the S Pen is also a key component to the Note 10’s new native video editor, making it super easy to splice, scrub, rearrange timeline items, and more.
Here’s everything new with the Note 10’s S Pen
It’s available in some beautiful colors
With last year’s Note 9, Samsung had some fun with its creative side with colors like Ocean Blue and Lavender Purple. For the Note 10, Samsung kicked its color wheel up to 11.
The Note 10 comes in a variety of awesome colors, including a striking Aura Glow one that’s essentially a rainbow colorway and changes its appearance all the time depending on how light is hitting it.
If that’s not your thing, Aura Red, Pink, and Blue are also pretty great. Check out the link below to see all of them for yourself 🎨.
What color Galaxy Note 10 should you buy?
You can pre-order the Note 10 on August 8
If you want to be among the first to own the Galaxy Note 10, pre-orders for the phone begin tomorrow, August 8 at 12:01 AM ET. If you make your pre-order between then and August 22, you’ll be eligible for a Samsung credit up to $150. Furthermore, Samsung’s also offering freebies like a free Wireless Charging Duo and Galaxy Watch Active.
The Note 10 has a starting price of $950, whereas the Note 10+ will cost you at least $1100.
For those interested in the Note 10+ 5G, it’ll be available to purchase from Verizon starting August 23. At a “later date,” it’ll expand to AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.
Where to pre-order the Galaxy Note 10
Don’t forget to get some accessories
After you pre-order the Note 10, we recommend picking up some accessories for the phone.
The Note 10 is big, beautiful, and definitely not something you want to risk shattering with just the right drop. As such, we urge you to get a screen protector and case at the bare minimum.
If you opt for the larger Note 10+, you’ll also want to consider getting a microSD card.
Take a look at our accessory guides if you want to see what we recommend picking up.
Galaxy Note 10
- Best Galaxy Note 10 Cases in 2019
- Best Galaxy Note 10 Screen Protectors in 2019
- Best 25W Chargers for Galaxy Note 10 in 2019
Galaxy Note 10+
- Best Galaxy Note 10+ Cases in 2019
- Best Galaxy Note 10+ Screen Protectors in 2019
- Best 45W USB-C Chargers for Galaxy Note 10+ in 2019
- Best MicroSD Cards for Galaxy Note 10+
New Notes
Galaxy Note 10
From $950 at Samsung
Samsung’s Note flagship is back for 2019.
The Galaxy Note is back for 2019, but it looks a little different than usual. Samsung is selling three different models, removed the headphone jack, and is starting to phase out the microSD card. However, with gorgeous AMOLED displays, faster performance, and an S Pen that does more than ever before, these new Notes are certainly worth a look.
