Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ First Impressions

Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ are now announced following the Samsung Galaxy S10 series last February 2019.

Meet the Samsung Galaxy Note10 series

Almost 10 years after Samsung launched its very first Samsung Galaxy Note in 2011, the South Korean giant released the 10th installment of its powerful series with notable improvements.

This is also the first time that Samsung Note series has two sizes. One in the regular one another in a plus, bigger-than-ever Note we've seen. It is also equipped with a more enhanced S Pen, and better cameras.

This powerful smartphone is powered with Exynos 9825 processor, 7nm chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, 512GB ROM expandable via microSD up to 1TB (for Note10+ ONLY), and 4,300mAh of battery.

Here are our first impressions of the new Samsung Galaxy Note10 series!

Note: As of this writing, we only received the smartphone itself without a box and its inclusions. We will update this section once a full retail unit becomes available.

Disclaimer: The following images and videos are taken using a pre-production unit that may not directly reflect the end-production experience of the devices that will be commercially available.

Build Quality/Design

Samsung Galaxy Note10's premium build

Both the Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ carry the same design with the Galaxy S10 series but with a thinner metal frame because of how deep the curved glass goes. It is one of the phones that look underwhelming in renders but look stunningly beautiful in-person.

The design basically lives up to the Note's premium feel and luxury. It comes in two sizes of 6.3-inch for the Note10 and 6.8-inch for the Note10+. 

Top

Bottom

Right

Left

On top of the Note10 are the dual SIM card tray, and microphone. The only difference with the Note10+ is that it has a Hybrid tray that holds one Nano SIM and one Nano SIM or one MicroSD slot (up to 1TB).

At the bottom are the USB-C port, grille speaker, and antenna lines. This time, the Note10 has no 3.5mm headphone jack anymore. 

There's nothing on the right since Samsung removed the Bixby button for the first time in the Note series. On the left are the volume button and power button. 

This is where you can 'bring back' Bixby button somehow

Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ feature an Edge to Edge Infinity-O display with the thinnest side, top, and bottom bezels we've ever seen that achieves a 94 percent screen-to-body ratio. 

Even though the metal frame is even thinner on the sides, it still feels as strong and solid as the S10 only heavier (probably because of the larger size, vapor chamber and larger battery).

Coming from the Samsung Galaxy Note9, this smartphone has a better grip, thanks to its slimmer build. 

Just like the Samsung Galaxy S10 series, it supports wireless charging, and Power Share (reverse wireless charging).

Initial findings

This is the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ along with the more productive S Pen

1. The Samsung Galaxy Note10 is simply a stunning smartphone in-person. It still lives up to the luxury of the Note series shown by its premium build of metal and curved glass. 

This is the first time that the new Note comes in two sizes of 6.3-inch for the Note10 and 6.8-inch for the Note10+. Both smartphones feature an Edge to Edge Infinity-O display with 94 percent of screen-to-body ratio.

2. The Galaxy Note10 series is powered by Samsung's latest 2.7GHz 64-bit Exynos 9825 octa-core processor w/ NPU, and Mali-G76 MP12 GPU. 

The Note10 will have up to 8GB RAM and a non-expandable 256GB internal storage while the Note10+ will have up to a powerful 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM expandable up to 1TB via microSD.

Even better, the more premium Note10+ is now packed with bigger 4,300mAh of battery compared with the Note9's 4,000mAh battery. However, the regular Note10 only carries 3,500mAh battery. 

Both smartphones support 45W fast charging, 20W wireless charging, and Power Share (reverse wireless-charging).

The Samsung One UI

3. Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ run on the Android 9.0 Pie along with One UI. The Galaxy Note10 extends Samsung DeX’s capabilities, making it easier for users to work between their phone and a PC or Mac. 

See also: #YouDoNote these new features about the Samsung Galaxy Note10 series

Through a simple, compatible USB connection, users can drag and drop files between devices, and use their favorite mobile apps with a mouse and a keyboard, while keeping their data secure on their phone through Samsung Knox. 

Samsung Galaxy Note10+'s rear cameras

4. Samsung Galaxy Note10 series has now improved cameras. The more premium Note10+ is equipped with 12MP (f/1.5/f/2.4) w/ Dual Pixel, OIS + 16MP f/2.2 123-degree ultra wide-angle lens + 12MP f/2.1 telephoto lens w/ OIS, AF + VGA DepthVision, and dual-tone LED flash for the back camera. 

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Note10's rear camera sports 12MP (f/1.5/f/2.4) w/ Dual Pixel, OIS + 16MP f/2.2 123-degree ultra wide-angle lens + 12MP f/2.1 telephoto lens w/ OIS, AF, and dual-tone LED flash.

Both have the same 10MP f/2.2 w/ Dual Pixel and OIS for the selfie camera.

Live Focus Video with several bokeh effects and Super Steady Mode are now available. 

There is also this innovative Zoom-in Mic which means that when you zoom-in with lens, the microphone will amplify the sound in the frame and isolate background noise.

Related: Samsung also has a 5G-ready Galaxy Note10+

5. This new Note10 series has the most software improvements:

• Video Editor can now work with the S-Pen on-the-go. 
• Screen Recording feature is now built-in. 
• AR Doodle where you can record and track a face or object while you doodle that have dynamic animations and effects.
• AI-Based Game booster where the Note10 optimizes the performance and power consumption depending on the game.New PlayGalaxy Link P2P streaming service where you can stream a game (that supports this feature) you left from your PC and continue playing on your Note10.

The new S Pen's gestures

6. It now carries a new Unibody S Pen with a Lithium Titanate Battery. It also retains the Ultrasonic-fingerprint scanner and AKG-tuned audio experience. 

Samsung Galaxy Note10 series is IP68 rated.

Samsung Galaxy Note10 Specs

Display: 6.3-inch 3D curved Gorilla Glass 6 protected Dynamic AMOLED screen w/ FHD+ 2280 x 1080 resolution at 400 ppi
CPU: 2.7GHz 64-bit Exynos 9825 octa-core processor w/ NPU
GPU: Mali-G76 MP12
RAM: 8GB
ROM: 256GB 
Back Camera: 12MP (f/1.5/f/2.4) w/ Dual Pixel, OIS + 16MP f/2.2 123-degree ultra wide-angle lens + 12MP f/2.1 telephoto lens w/ OIS, AF, and dual-tone LED flash
Selfie Camera: 10MP f/2.2 w/ Dual Pixel and OIS
Battery: 3,500mAh w/ 25W fast charging, 20W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
OS: Android 9.0 Pie w/ One UI
Connectivity: WiFi 6, 4G LTE Cat 20, Bluetooth 5.0, OTG, NFC, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, dual SIM (hybrid)
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic, pressure, heart rate
Others: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock, IP68 water and dust resistance, USB-C, UHQ 32-bit/DSD audio support, AKG stereo speakers, S Pen, Colors: aura glow, black
Dimensions: 151 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm
Weight: 168 g
Price: PHP 53,990

Samsung Galaxy Note10+ Specs

Display: 6.8-inch 3D curved Gorilla Glass 6 protected Dynamic AMOLED screen w/ QHD+ 3040 x 1440 resolution at 495 ppi
CPU: 2.7GHz 64-bit Exynos 9825 octa-core processor w/ NPU
GPU: Mali-G76 MP12
RAM: 12GB
ROM: 256GB/512GB expandable via microSD card up to 1TB
Back Camera: 12MP (f/1.5/f/2.4) w/ Dual Pixel, OIS + 16MP f/2.2 123-degree ultra wide-angle lens + 12MP f/2.1 telephoto lens w/ OIS, AF + VGA DepthVision, and dual-tone LED flash
Selfie Camera: 10MP f/2.2 w/ Dual Pixel and OIS
Battery: 4,300mAh w/ 45W fast charging, 20W wireless charging, reverse wireless-charging
OS: Android 9.0 Pie w/ One UI
Connectivity: WiFi 6, 4G LTE Cat 20, Bluetooth 5.0, OTG, NFC, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, dual SIM (hybrid)
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic, pressure, heart rate
Others: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock, IP68 water and dust resistance, USB-C, UHQ 32-bit/DSD audio support, AKG stereo speakers, S Pen, Colors: aura glow, black, aura white
Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm
Weight: 196 g
Price: PHP 60,990 (256GB), PHP 72,990 (512GB)

As of the moment

Samsung Galaxy Note10 has the most notable improvements on paper in the history of the Note in the past years. It mainly focused on new software features and improvements as well as being the South Korean giant's smartphone for its latest developed processor. 

We'll have to reserve our full thoughts and tests in our full review! So watch out!