I have always been one to prefer bigger phones over smaller ones, but I’ve never felt compelled to purchase a phablet, like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, until now. This phone offers pretty much everything I need and more without being too bulky or expensive. If you’re looking for something that’s big on features and big on style, keep reading to see if the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus is right for you!
Key Features
The new, bezel-less Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has a Quad HD+ Super AMOLED screen, 96GB of internal storage, 6GB of RAM, an in-screen fingerprint sensor and 3500mAh battery. It also has four rear cameras with the main shooter being an ultra wide 12MP lens with f/2.2 aperture. There are also two 8MP cameras (wide angle) with f/1.8 aperture along with one 12MP telephoto lens camera with f/2.4 aperture for quality zoom shots and portrait mode photos .
The Note 10 also offers amazing video shooting capabilities as it can shoot 4K video at 60fps or Full HD 1080p at 240fps. All this is backed by Android 9 Pie operating system, HDR10 certification and fast wireless charging technology to give you the best multimedia experience possible. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is available in four colors: Aura Black, Aura White, Aura Glow and Aura Blue.
Screen Quality
Most of the time, I think people should stick to the smaller versions of a particular handset because you can use it with one hand. However, I have small hands and even they felt cramped after typing out a message or scrolling through Instagram feeds for long periods of time. If this is an issue for you too, then the Galaxy Note 10+ might be a great option.
There are less frustrating ways to type out messages or search things on your phone than when you have to start grappling around the device with your thumbs in order to find what you’re looking for . The Galaxy Note 10+, thankfully, has a lot more space so the buttons are actually within reach of my fingers. The larger screen also makes it easier to read content without having to zoom in and out all the time.
Camera Quality
The rear-facing camera on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is undeniably excellent. The images it produces are sharp, natural-looking, with bright colors and plenty of detail. The only major drawback is how it handles low light shots; under those conditions photos are grainy, muted, with less contrast than you might expect. But in ideal lighting conditions photos look great. In our testing we found that this was true even when we zoomed into 100% on the resulting image files using Adobe Photoshop CC to inspect them.
We saw some noise at full magnification but not enough to be too bothersome when viewed at typical sizes or distances (e.g., while watching a video). Of course, it helps if you use a tripod to eliminate shaking from your hands—but a little shake won’t ruin your shot either way because of the optical image stabilization tech built into this device. For videos, OIS works well to help smooth out any bumps in footage, which can make for more enjoyable viewing experience for viewers and less wear and tear on your device over time as well.
Battery Life
My Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review finds that the battery life is good, not stellar. It took close to two hours to charge from dead (100%) to 100%. I was able to get through a full day of moderate use with a final reading of 60% battery remaining. During my heavier-usage days, I could reach 50% or below in five hours or less.
Most days, I’d top out at 70%. This is where the fast charging shines; when you need it most. With my heavy usage days, the charger would go from 0% to 99% in about 20 minutes. In about 30 minutes, it would be back up to 90%. So if you can charge for just 20 minutes here and there throughout your day, you should be fine.
If you’re not so lucky, then try to find an outlet before starting your day. Another handy tip is to turn off the Always On Display setting because this draws more power than necessary. Just like any new phone, I found myself regularly checking for updates, clearing apps running in the background, and turning off unneeded settings—even those I love.
These steps are all helpful ways to save battery life as much as possible. And while they may seem insignificant, they really add up over time. When it comes to deciding whether or not the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus will suit your needs, think about how often you want to take pictures and videos without worrying about the battery life. And consider how often you’ll want a quick charge midday without sacrificing too much productivity.
Final Verdict
The Galaxy Note 10 Plus is an excellent device. It looks great, it has plenty of power under the hood, and the software is still one of the best you can find. Sure, there are some quirks here and there (particularly with Bluetooth reliability), but this is one of Samsung’s most promising devices in a long time. If you’re in the market for a larger device or if you’re just looking for something to power through your work day, then this might be worth checking out.
That said, there is no lack of competition in the space. You’ve got Apple’s iPhone XS Max or Google’s Pixel 3 XL to consider as well. The real question here is what type of experience do you want? What set of features are important to you? If its battery life, then take a look at the Huawei Mate 20 Pro or OnePlus 7 Pro. But if you want all-day performance with fantastic cameras and gorgeous design, then I think it’s safe to say that the Galaxy Note 10 Plus has exactly what you need.