Samsung makes many of the best Android phones available. We use every single one, and their competitors, to give you the knowledge you need to pick the right one for you.
Go big
Galaxy Note 10+
$900 at Amazon
Pros
- Samsung’s biggest and best display
- microSD expansion slot
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging
Cons
- Too big for many hands
- Considerably more expensive
The Note 10+ is the true flagship of the Samsung line. It has the biggest display, highest specs, and every capability you could ask for. Just be ready to open up your wallet and expand the reach of your hand.
Compact option
Galaxy Note 10
$750 at Amazon
Pros
- Smaller than Galaxy S10+
- $150 less than Note 10+
- Full S Pen in compact phone
Cons
- Smaller battery
- No microSD expansion
- Lower resolution display
The Note 10 brings the S Pen experience down to a phone that’s smaller than the Galaxy S10+. That’s an appealing proposition, but a relatively expensive one — and you make other trade-offs in the process.
What’s the difference between the Note 10+ and Note 10?
A whole lot is shared between the two Note 10 variants, but there are distinct differences between them that will make each appealing to a different group of people.
There are just a few technical differences between the phones, but ones you should be aware of.
Let’s address the technical differences first. The Note 10 has a smaller screen, of course, but the screen is also lower resolution: 1080p rather than 1440p. The smaller phone also has less RAM — 8GB rather than 12GB — and while it has the same 256GB base storage, it doesn’t have the option to bump up to 512GB like the Note 10+. And speaking of storage, you can’t expand the Note 10 with a microSD card like you can the Note 10+.
The Note 10’s battery shrinks to 3500mAh to fit its compact size, which is 800mAh smaller than the Note 10+. Recharge speeds from the in-box charger are at 25W for both, but the Note 10+ has the option to charge up even faster if you bring your own power adapter that puts out at least 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 |
| Expandable | microSD | n/a |
| 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 |
| Security | Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor | Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 4×4 MIMO 7CA LTE Cat.20, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 4×4 MIMO 7CA LTE Cat.20, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Audio | USB-C | USB-C |
| Battery | 4300mAh45W wired15W wireless | 3500mAh25W wired12W wireless |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm196 g | 151 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm168 g |
Functionally, not a whole lot differs between the phones. The Note 10 is, of course, easier to hold and use in one hand, and you get a little less screen real estate to work with, but everything it can do is the same as the Note 10+. The S Pen is identical, with the same supporting software. Even though the screen is lower resolution, you’d be hard-pressed to notice — the Dynamic AMOLED panel on both phones is fantastic.
The Note 10+ will offer you longer battery life, perhaps an extra hour or so depending on your use, but even the smaller Note 10 has an adequate battery to get you through the day. The Note 10+ also has a fourth supporting camera on the back dedicated to depth sensing, but it isn’t a critical part of the camera experience — you’ll be happy with the Note 10’s photos and video regardless.
Is the Note 10+ or Note 10 right for you?
The Note 10+ is the one to get if you’re an S Pen fan; the Note 10 doesn’t provide as much value.
Anyone who has a Note today, or has used and enjoyed one in the past, should be immediately drawn to the Note 10+. It’s the true continuation of the Note line, with the biggest screen, highest specs, and most capabilities. Yes it’s expensive, but if you’re someone who wants the biggest and best phone, and wants to use the S Pen to its fullest, there’s no substitute for going all the way to the top end with the Galaxy Note 10+. You just have to also be willing to pay top dollar for it, though that’s always been the case for Notes.
If you’re considering the Galaxy Note 10 instead because of its more compact size or lower price, then the question of whether you need the S Pen becomes even more critical. The S Pen is the only thing that differentiates the Note 10 from the Galaxy S10 and S10+, which do everything else the same but are hundreds of dollars less. If you can’t handle the size of the Note 10+ but need an S Pen, go for it — otherwise, make a choice between the Note 10+ and Galaxy S10+.
Go big
Galaxy Note 10+
$900 at Amazon
The biggest and best Samsung makes.
Note fans will be ecstatic to pick up a Note 10+. The biggest screen, highest specs, and most capabilities all come together to make this a proper Note. If you love the S Pen, it’s worth the money.
Compact option
Galaxy Note 10
$750 at Amazon
Filling a niche set of needs.
The Note 10 brings the S Pen down to a size we haven’t seen in several years. But that’s all it has to offer over the Galaxy S10+, which is less expensive and equally capable.
