For the first time in years Samsung is
giving us more options with two sizes of its latest Note flagship. With a 6.8”
panel, the Galaxy Note10+ evolves the large screen experience that Note buyers
are used to while the smaller 6.3” model is almost the same size as the Galaxy
S10 (yes, it’s smaller than the S10+).
The trademark S Pen has new features
that make it even more useful. It has gained an accelerometer and a gyroscope
so it can be used as a motion controller. The default gestures help you
navigate the UI at a distance, but Samsung is opening up the Air Actions SDK,
so app and game developers can use it in new, creative ways. Both models get
the same-sized S Pen, but they offer different canvas to work on. The large
model boasts a 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED panel with 1440p+ resolution (498ppi).
The smaller Samsung Galaxy Note10 comes
with a 6.3” Dynamic AMOLED display with 1080p+ resolution (401ppi). Both
screens support HDR10+ and Dynamic Tone Mapping for great image quality
regardless of content.
The two models share a triple camera
setup. The main camera features a 12MP sensor, optical image stabilization
(OIS) and a dual aperture (f/1.5 and f/2.4). There’s also a telephoto camera
with a 12MP sensor and OIS, plus a 123° ultra wide-angle 16MP camera. The
Galaxy Note10+ also features a 3D ToF sensor, which is used by the 3D Scanner
app to create 3D models of real-life objects (it can scan objects as large as
80 x 80 x 80cm).
Unlike the S10 phones, the screens of
the Galaxy Note10 duo have centered punch holes for the 10MP selfie camera
(with an 80° lens and autofocus). The phones can record 4K video and offer
features like Life focus video (bokeh) and an improved version of the Super
steady feature (which gained a Hyperlapse mode). They also get a more advanced
video editor that can also leverage the S Pen makes for quicker selecting and
trimming. A Note-friendly version of Adobe Premier Rush is available for free
download for those who need more advanced editing features. Both the Galaxy
Note10 and Note10+ come in LTE and 5G versions, although 5G units will
naturally have limited availability as most carriers don't have functioning
next-gen networks yet.
The Galaxy Note10+ and Note10 come with
256GB of storage as standard, with 512GB versions also available. The Note10
gets 8GB of RAM as standard and 12GB on its 5G version, while the Note10+ has
12GB RAM across the board. The Plus model is the only one to have a microSD
slot, which supports cards up to 1TB (it's a hybrid slot on the dual SIM
version, though). As usual, there will be two different chipsets - the new
Exynos 9825 and the Snapdragon 855 chipset (non-plus). Different regions will
get different chipsets.
The Plus model also has a larger battery
– 4,300mAh – with 45W Super Fast Charging. Samsung says that you only need 30
minutes of charge to last you through the day. The catch is that you'd need to
buy the 45W charger separately as you only get a 25W one in the box. The smaller phone gets a 3,500mAh
battery with 25W charging. Both support fast wireless charging and reverse
wireless charging, so you can top up accessories like a Galaxy Watch, Galaxy
Buds or even other phones.
Both Note10 models feature stereo
speakers and come with a pair of USB-C headphones in the retail box as they
lack 3.5mm audio jacks. The speakers and the headphones have been tuned by AKG
for superior audio. Samsung’s new Link to Windows feature integrates will sync
notifications, messages and photos with your Windows 10 PC. This feature can be
enabled from Window’s Quick Panel.
Another neat new feature is PlayGalaxy
Link, which allows you to continue playing a game from your computer on your
phone (think Nvidia GameStream or Steam Link). The phones also feature the
slimmest vapor chamber cooling to help them stave off thermal throttling.
The Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+
will be available from August 23 (pre-orders start today). There are three
color options at launch: Aura Glow, Aura White and Aura Black. Select markets
will also get an Aura Pink version of the Galaxy Note10 and Aura Blue Galaxy
Note10+. The Galaxy Note10 will start at US$ 949 in the US and € 949 in Europe. The
Note10+ will be US$ 1,099 and € 1,099, respectively for its base 12GB/256GB version
and US$ 1,199/€ 1,199 for the 12GB/512GB one.
