The Galaxy Note 10 has a Dynamic AMOLED screen that looks beautiful, especially with those small bezels and centered front camera.
Angela Lang / CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is not only the cheapest cell phone of the 2019 generation of Samsung Note phones, but it is also "compact" and the lightest Note that has existed.
The Galaxy Note 10 arrived accompanied by Galaxy Note 10 Plus and the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G, but although there are now more options than ever, this is possibly the first option that most people should consider, as it is as powerful as the others. In addition, it is the cheapest Note 10 and its size makes it very attractive, making it the high-end cell phone that many were waiting for.
Galaxy Note 10 5G?
Although Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 10 along with the Note 10 Plus and the Note 10 Plus 5G, the company sold a Galaxy Note 10 5G version, although for the moment that cell phone is only available in South Korea.
The Note 10 5G will remain very in line with the other phones and, unlike the Galaxy S10 5G that modified its specifications to offer more cameras, battery and screen, the Galaxy Note 10 5G will be identical to the Note 10.
Galaxy Note 10 vs. Galaxy Note 10 Plus
The Galaxy Note 10 Plus and the Note 10 have exactly the same design. This means that they have curved glass on the back and front, a metal frame, a single front camera perforated on the screen; no input for headphones; Double horn and come with the renowned stylus S Pen.
The Galaxy Note 10 Plus (left) has a 6.8-inch screen, while the Note 10 has a 6.3-inch screen.
Angela Lang / CNET
The differences between Note 10 and Note 10 Plus:
- Screen:6.3 inches vs. 6.8 inches
- Bottom Resolution:Full HD + vs. QHD + (2K)
- Lower pixel density:401ppp vs. 498ppp
- Only one storage option:256GB and the Note 10 Plus offers up to 512GB
- MicroSD slot: It does not have the Note 10 Plus microSD slot
- Less RAM: 8GB vs. 12GB
- Lower capacity battery: 3,500mAh vs. 4,300mAh
- Without 5G option (in the United States): Note 10 Plus 5G is the only one with this connectivity in the series (Samsung selling a Note 10 5G initially only in South Korea)
- Exclusive colors (rod according to market):Note 10 pink vs. Note 10 Plus blue
- More compact: 151×71.8×7.9mm vs. 162.3×77.2×7.9mm
- Lighter than any Note: 168 grams vs. 196 grams (198 grams Note 10 Plus 5G)
- Ms cheap: US $ 949 vs. from US $ 1,099
- Cameras: The Note 10 has the same three main cameras of the Note 10 Plus (and Note 10 Plus 5G), it does not have the fourth Flight Time (ToF) camera
- Functions you don't have: AR Doodles and 3D scanner are only available on the Note 10 Plus (and Note 10 Plus 5G)
Galaxy Note 10: Features and Specifications
- screen: 6.3 inches, first cell phone screen with HDR + certification (Dynamic OLED)
- Resolution: 2,280×1,080 pixels
- Processor: 2.84GHz Snapdragon 855 / 2.7GHz Exynos 9825, depending on the market
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB (UFS 3.0)
- MicroSD slot: S
- Battery: 3,500mAh (not removable)
- OS: Android Pie (One UI)
- Fast loading: 25 watts (25W) with charger included
- Wireless charging: S with PowerShare (reversible load) and load up to 12 watts (12W)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 and 5GHz) MU-MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0
- Samsung Pay: S, through NFC and MST
- Unlock functions: Screen fingerprint reader, facial recognition, pattern, PIN, password
- Rear camera: Three of 12 megapixels (variable of f / 1.5 and f / 2.4) with optical stabilization (80 degrees); 16 megapixel wide angle (f / 2.2 of 123 degrees); 12 megapixel telephoto (f / 2.1 of 45 degrees) with optical stabilization
- Front camera: 10 megapixels (f / 2.2)
- Waterproof: IP68
- Sound: Double horn with Dolby Atmos
- Connectivity: Up to 7CA, LAA, LTE Cat. 20
- Size: 151×71.8×7.9mm
- Weight: 168 grams
Design: Fewer bezels, screen reader and no headphone jack
The Galaxy Note 10 has exactly the same design as the Note 10 Plus. The only thing that changes between the two is that the Plus has an additional camera on the back (consisting of two sensors) and a microSD card slot that allows you to expand your storage.
This means that the Galaxy Note 10's screen has bezels even smaller than that of the Galaxy S10 andGalaxy S10 Plus and its camera that has also been integrated into the screen through a gap is no longer located towards the upper right corner, but is located in the center of the upper part.
The small bezels of the Galaxy Note 10 screen and its front-facing camera.
Sarah Tew / CNET
This is very attractive, because it makes the cell phone more symmetrical and that at least the little content that can be blocked is only in the center. Likewise, the status bar is generally divided into two (status indications and notifications), so it can also serve as a kind of division.
However, with this the company also removed the iris scanner and placed the headset that works as a secondary horn at the top edge, something that is different from what we have seen in other companies' phones. For example, with the LG G8 ThinQ the South Korean company removed the headset so that the screen works like a horn class, while with the OnePlus 7 Pro The Chinese company moved the headset right at the intersection of the top edge with the screen.
Watch this:
Galaxy Note 10: Specifications and first impressions
6:30
Samsung's implementation could make the call experience different as well, because if you don't put the cell phone to listen to a call right on the edge or above, the call quality should be reduced. I haven't tried it yet, but I think that, given its design, that is a possibility.
Another change that many may not like is that Samsung moved the power button from the right side edge to the left side edge.
This means that if you had a Samsung cell phone or almost any cell phone you will have to get used to holding it differently or that you end up holding it more with your left hand surely the left-handed people may feel more comfortable, but it is possible that they also have a little getting used to.
The Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus start button is now on the left side edge.
Sarah Tew / CNET
While now that right side edge is completely clean of buttons, on the left side edge you not only find that power button, but also the volume bar that is located a little higher. On the bottom edge you find the USB-C port and the horn that is located practically in the same position.
The Galaxy Note 10 has no traditional headphone jack (3.5mm), which is unfortunate for many. Samsung includes a USB-C headset in the box, but not a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter that sells separately for $ 9.99.
On the top edge, you find the SIM card drawer, right next to where the headset or horn is.
The back of the Galaxy Note 10 is still glass (it has Gorilla Glass 6), just like the glass that protects your Dynamic AMOLED curve screen with the Infinity O design.
The fingerprint reader of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is located on the screen, just like what we saw in theGalaxy S10. The trouble is that Samsung told CNET in Spanish that it is exactly the same as it is in the S10. That means that it is an ultrasonic fingerprint reader that fails to completely replace a traditional physical fingerprint reader.
The back of the phone maintains a slight curvature that allows the cell to feel good in the hand. The cell phone is still very symmetrical by integrating two pieces of curved glass (rear and front) that are subtly joined in a metal frame.
The back is available in the typical black and white colors, as is the new Aura Glow color which is a silver mirror type (reminds me of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium), but that reflects the light in different colors and is sometimes really bright.
As you would expect, the rear cameras (three) closely resemble what we saw in the Huawei P30 Pro: a vertical module located towards the upper left corner. These three cameras are exactly the same main cameras that the Note 10 Plus has and the same ones that we see in the S10 and S10 Plus, with the exception that the telephoto now has a better aperture (f / 2.1 instead of f / 2.4) that gives It will allow to adapt better to low light situations.
The Galaxy Note 10 is waterproof with IP68 certification such as the Note 10 Plus, the S10 and their predecessors.
Bixby no longer has its own button, but is present
Samsung finally removed the Bixby button on their phones, but Bixby is still present.
Now, unlike before, to activate Bixby you have to press and hold the power button. If you press once (and don't keep it pressed) you can turn the screen on or off. Also, if you press the Galaxy Note 10 Plus power button twice in a row, you can open the camera.
To turn off the Galaxy Note 10, it is now necessary to open the notification panel to turn it off through a shortcut.
You can also customize the action the cell phone takes when you press that button twice in a row so that it can practically open any app. However, the function that activates Bixby cannot be customized in the same way.
Watch this:
Galaxy S10 Plus vs. Note 10 Plus vs. Note 10: The differences
6:01
Samsung S Pen: News
The S Pen of the Galaxy Note 10 is exactly the same as you find in the Note 10 Plus. Even though this cell phone is much more compact, the size of the optical pen remains unchanged. This means that your battery life and the entire experience must be identical.
Its design is not very different from the one that had the S Pen of Note 9 and even Note 8, since it maintains that upper button that makes it look more like a traditional pen.
The S Pen of the Galaxy Note 10 is a bit more refined.
Sarah Tew / CNET
The most notable change I could detect during the time I could prove it was that the S Pen's body is smoother and looks a bit more luxurious. Also, although this styluso S Pen brings practically the same functions as its predecessor, it also includes a few new features.
Hand writing to text
The Galaxy Note 10 Plus has the ability to understand your handwriting to convert it into text that you can use to place it in virtually any app, including Gmail. That text can even be used to create a Word document, so your handwriting can be transformed into a Microsoft Word document in seconds.
Keep in mind that this only works through the Samsung Notes app.
The Galaxy Note 10 Plus can convert your handwriting into text.
Angela Lang / CNET
Air actions
The S Pen integrates Bluetooth (just like its predecessor), but now it also has an accelerometer and gyroscope to allow you to detect your movements. With this, you can press and hold the S Pen button to control different cell phone functions without touching it or being so close.
The S Pen of Note 10 can detect when launched when you move it to the right, left, up, down and when you make a circle (right or left).
During my tests, I can control the camera app to switch between the different modes (side gestures), switch between the front and rear camera (vertical gestures) or to control the zoom by drawing circles in the air.
You also have the ability to control the playback of videos on YouTube and others to for example jump or return.
3 rear cameras; video with blurred background and night mode
The Galaxy Note 10 has the same three main rear cameras and the same front of the Note 10 Plus. This means that it has a front camera of 10 megapixels (f / 2/2), a regular rear of 12 megapixels (f / 1.5 and f / 2.4), a wide angle of 16 megapixels (f / 2.2) and a 12 megapixel telephoto (f / 2.1)
This means that although the Galaxy Note 10 has the same combination of cameras of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus, the telephoto opening is better, so it should offer better results in low light situations. The Galaxy S10 telephoto has had an aperture of f / 2.4), while the Note 10 has an f / 2.1.
True, the Note 10 does not have the fourth lens of the Note 10 Plus that allows you to record video with more augmented reality. However, in everyday use I do not consider that at this time it will make a big difference for most users.
The Galaxy Note 10 has three rear cameras, the same main ones of the Note 10 Plus.
Angela Lang / CNET
Video with dynamic background: Video recording with blurred background
Despite not having that Flight Time (ToF) lens of the Note 10 Plus, the Note 10 can record the same quality of blurred background video with Live Focus Video or Dynamic Background Video mode. This is because Samsung is not using that flight time sensor to achieve that detection, but instead uses the three main lenses to make it work.
These are not the first cell phones that offer this kind of video recording with blurred background. Others, including the LG G8 ThinQ, have offered this function and at the moment the accuracy has not been the best when the subject moves.
Although you can only try this function briefly, the video recording with blurred background still does not work as well as I would like, but it seems to work better than the other phones. Samsung told CNET in Spanish that this recording is better than what we saw in the Galaxy S10 5G.
Video with better sound recording
Similar to what HTC has offered in previous years, the Galaxy Note 10 allows you to zoom when you are recording video to increase the audio that comes from that address, mainly using the microphones that are located to that side.
Night mode even with the front camera
From the first time you turn on the Note 10, you will find a night mode that allows the photos in those situations to come out brighter and with more details.
Although I have not been able to test this function in detail, Samsung did not give it much importance in its presentation, so it is possible that it does not bring great news compared to the night mode that the Galaxy S10 received through an update.
The great novelty that Samsung s highlights on this occasion is that this night mode is now also available in the front camera, so your selfiesThey should also come out better in low light situations.
The Galaxy Note 10 camera app.
Sarah Tew / CNET
More advanced video editing app
Samsung improves its video editing app to offer more control, not only for cutting and editing video, but also for placing background music of your choice. The app is even compatible with the S Pen to allow more accuracy.
You can also download Adobe Rush that is now optimized to work with the Note 10 and the S Pen.
Load much faster
Samsung had been stuck in Quick Charge 2.0 in more than a couple of generations of its flagship phones by offering a fast load of 15 watts (15W), while other manufacturers had already offered 40 or up to 50 watts.
The good news now is that the Galaxy Note 10 is compatible with fast 25-watt charging and that adapter is included with the phone. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus comes with the same charger, but it also supports a 45-watt (45W) fast charge.
The bottom edge of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.
Angela Lang / CNET
The Galaxy Note 10 can be charged wirelessly, and you can also charge other devices wirelessly as the Galaxy S10 did.
Another novelty of the Galaxy Note 10 is that it has the ability to charge faster wirelessly offering a 12-watt compatibility instead of 7.5 watts as its predecessor. The Note 10 Plus also has a slight improvement here, since it is compatible with fast wireless charging of up to 15 watts.
Other news from Note 10
Native Screen Recording
For years, Android has allowed you to record the screen of your cell phone using all kinds of apps, but this is the first time that Samsung includes a native screen drive recording. Located in the quick settings panel, you can activate it in just seconds. In addition, it has an option that allows you to activate the front camera so that you can appear as a floating bubble on the screen recording.
Better with video games
The Note 10 has a cooling system and a system calledGamer boosterwhich tries to improve video games using artificial intelligence to optimize power and battery, according to the video game.
Windows pairing
Link to Windows or pairing with Windows is a new feature of the Galaxy Note 10 that also appears right in the quick settings panel.
This function allows you to pair your Samsung Galaxy Note 10 with a Windows computer to receive different notifications and even answer them from the computer. The function also allows you to view your recent photos on the computer.
Samsung Dex
Samsung DeX, the function that allows you to convert a Samsung cell phone into the CPU of a desktop computer is also present, but now you don't need an adapter,dockor nothing similar. Samsung says that simply with a USB-C cable you can turn your phone into a desktop computer.
These are the different colors of the Galaxy Note 10.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
Galaxy Note 10: Price
The Galaxy Note 10 is priced at US $ 949 and is only available with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.
The presale of the Galaxy Note 10 begins on August 8 and arrives in stores on August 23.
The Note 10 Plus be available in Aura Glob color (glowing silver), Aura White (white) and Aura Black (black). Aura Pink (pink) and Aura Red (red) are available in some markets.
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, Xfinity Mobile, Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Sam's Club, Target and Walmart will be some of the operators and stores where you can buy the Galaxy Note 10.
Those who decide to buy the Galaxy Note 10 between August 8 and August 22 (presale) can get $ 150 of credit from Samsung to buy accessories, smart watches and tablets, but not cell phones.
Users who buy the Note 10 Plus can also receive 6 months free of Spotify Premium.
The colors of the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 5G.
Samsung
Initial Opinions
The Galaxy Note 10 costs $ 150 less than the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and although it makes some sacrifices to achieve this, the overall experience should be practically identical. I believe that his weaknesses in front of his older brother will come through a slightly shorter battery life: 3,500mAh instead of 4,300mAh.
However, since its resolution is lower and its screen is smaller, it is likely that it gave us a pleasant surprise. The bad thing is that although the Note 10 Plus has a higher resolution screen, Samsung has been placing those screens by default also in Full HD + resolution (you can change it in the settings), so that benefit of the resolution may not exist for the duration of the battery. Another flaw in front of the Note 10 Plus is that the Note 10 does not have a microSD slot.
As for the fourth rear camera, I do not think that at this time it shows great functions to simply choose the Note 10 Plus for that reason.
Where the Galaxy Note 10 shines is that its price of US $ 949 is lower than the price that the Note 9 had at its launch (US $ 999) and its size makes it compact against the grandulons that are in the market. For example, it is more compact than the Note 10 Plus and the Galaxy S10 Plus. Even though it has a bigger screen, it is not much bigger than the Galaxy S10.
That said, the Note 10 offers the same power as the Note 10 Plus; It has a beautiful screen with very small bezels and the best optical pencil that you will find on a cell phone.
