Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus long term review

Samsung’s Note series always fascinated me, with top-notch specs and solid build, it becomes the best Android smartphone of the year. However, there is something is different, Samsung launched a couple of Note 10, the regular one and the plus version. The Note 10 Plus is the direct successor of Note 9, whereas the Note 10 is just smaller and toned down versions. Nevertheless, I have been using Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus for a month or so. here’s a full review of Galaxy Note 10 Plus. 

Design and Display, Samsung never fails to impress

Starting off with the design, as usual, it’s slim and slick than its predecessor. The phone comes with a bezel-less display, with a curve on the edges, held on by a metallic frame. However, the punch hole on the top screen is kinda annoying for me.

With a metallic frame holding the two-glass panel, the device feels boxier than ever. However, the curvy edge on the screen might be a problem for the same, for me, I prefer not to have one. It becomes worse if you game a lot. Still, the device one of the most powerful and beautiful in the market.

As I already mentioned in my previous “initial impression” article, “when you hold it on the hand, the first thing you will feel: no button on the right side, actually the right side is clean. No power button? Well, wait, its shifted on the left side, just below the volume rocker. That’s what I thought until I found out that it was also the Bixby button, that was annoying.”

Well, after using it for a month or so, and a software update, that Bixby button can be customized, accordingly, as shown below.

Besides, the volume rocker is just above the power/Bixby button, nothing special. Microphones, USB Type C, speaker, and S-Pen, on the bottom. Of course, no headphone jack though. At the top, SIM/Memory slot, noise cancellation port, and an infrared port can be seen. On the back, the triple cameras are stacked vertically, unlike its predecessor and also a heart rate monitor is removed.

Now, coming to the display, it packs a 6.8-inch display, covering almost the front of the device. With curves on the sides, it makes prone to accidental touches, more than usual. Nevertheless, the display is the best you can get in the market. However, I expected the screen to have more than 60Hz refresh rate, like 90 or more, what a shame.

Performance and Gaming

Now, coming to the point, its hell of a device, with the latest processor and top-quality internal specs, it makes the device a giant. Here in Nepal, you will get Exynos 9825 chipset, whereas, in other Amerian and some Asian countries, it will be Snapdragon 855. The processor is coupled with 12GB of internal storage, with either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage and of course, it is expandable.

For the last 1 month, I have gaming in the device, a lot, and I have a mixed feeling. Alongside with Note 10 Plus, I have been using One Plus 7 Pro, which has Snapdragon 855. So, my experience with OP 7 Pro is kind of nice, compared to Note 10 Plus. Even though you won’t notice any difference in SD or Exynos processor instantly, but using it for a whole month, definitely there are some noticeable differences. In my experience, the Snapdragon version of Note 10 plus seems to be a better choice.

Being that said, don’t take the impression that the device is weak, o boy, it can do a lot of stuff, like editing RAW phone, or even cutting and exporting 4K video, with ease. Besides, you can use your device as a full desktop version using Samsung DeX, without using extra hardware. Just plugin you devise to the computer via HDMI and enjoy the full desktop environment.  

Camera and S-Pen

I have always been a big fan of the Samsung camera. It seems, Samsung copied and pasted the Galaxy S10 camera on the Note 10 Plus, with an excellent camera. But keep in mind, the iPhone 11 Pro and Huawei P30 Pro might be just one step ahead, in terms of camera.

The Galaxy Note 10 Plus comes with the triple camera vertically aligned, plus a ToF (time of flight) sensor: 12MP with dual aperture, f/1.5 and f/2.4, which changes according to the condition, a 16MP ultrawide and 12MP telephoto lens.

The camera is good; the images taken from the camera are clear and crispy. The colors are super bright and vivid, on a beautiful display, the photos pop up. Let’s look at some photos taken from Galaxy Note 10 Plus camera:

Now, to the S-Pen, one of the distinctive features of Note series. At first glance, it’s a little bit small and thinner, compared to its predecessor. The main task of this S-Pen is to write; besides other features will come along. However, the S-Pen has more features other than writing, you can take a quick note, use is as remote for the camera, etc.  For the full review, head to this link.

Battery Performance: Average

I think, in any smartphone, battery backup is one of the most important aspects. So, these days most of the smartphone manufacturers are focused on high powered batteries in their devices. In the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, the battery back up is average, with 1440p display, wifi, Bluetooth, full brightness, GPS, turned on, I only got 3-4 hours of battery back up. However, not everyone’s usage is some, I have heard others getting 5-6 plus hours backup. Nevertheless, I can’t say it’s good, the device will back you up for a whole day, unless you game. 

Others: Software, Fingerprint, Sound

To be honest, the One UI is not the best skin. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus runs on One UI over the Android 9. Even it has much improved over its previous one, still, it lacks some fineness, like of OP7 Pro. However, with DeX support, I can say that the software of Galaxy Note 10 Plus wins the race.

As the trend of the in-display fingerprint scanner is booming, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is no different. The scanner is pretty good, however, its not good as a traditional fingerprint scanner. Sometimes, it does not respond well, your finger should be at the right place.

Coming to sound, the earpiece sounds clear, no complains. The speakers are also pretty loud, actually, its louder than I expected. Sometimes, my ringtone volume scares me. The earpiece still works as the second speaker for stereo sound, similar to the Galaxy S10 and other Galaxy flagships with stereo speakers.