If one takes a look over the evolution of the Galaxy Note series, there is a pattern to be seen. Over the years Samsung has experimented with various designs but the screen size has also gradually increased to accommodate and increase the effectiveness of the S-Pen. Same is the case with the Galaxy Note 10 which brings in the punch-hole design with a “tallish” display, minimizing bezels and offering maximum display area through an AMOLED 6.3 inches panel.
Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 continues the tradition of raising the bar for all other phones. As you will find out later on in this review that everything has been meticulously crafted to make sure that each component serves its purpose even if not completely fulfilling it. Let’s take a look at a few features:
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is in simple words a powerhouse. Equipping an Octa-Core Exynos 9825 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, the phablet simply performs everyday tasks like a breeze. We put the phone through its paces with multiple browser tabs open along with a mailing app and PUBG, the transition from process to process was smooth with no hints of lags whatsoever. One might assume that the Samsung One UI might be a resource hog but the Note 10 performs like a brand new phone every time we put it through our rigorous tests.
The phone scores around 10,300 to 10,400 on GeekBench while assessing the multi-core performance which may be below the phablet’s arch-rival iPhone XS but it gives all Android smartphones a run for their money. It was a pleasure testing the phone out on Gangstar Vegas, exploring the open-world with crisp graphics and smooth gameplay. The phone will easily go toe to toe with phones in the next few years.
Display and Design
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 brings in a “glass sandwich” with a 6.3 inches AMOLED display with the front camera included as a punch-hole design. When this first debuted in the Galaxy S10, we wondered if the design wasn’t too intrusive and while Samsung released wallpapers after wallpapers in which they tried to blend in the punch-hole display naturally with the screen.
It’s a question if an all-display design would be better or the punch-hole one. While this certainly offers more endurance as there are no motors involved but the all-display design certainly looks better in terms of aesthetics. The phone seems tallish in a good way as it offers more area for viewing. With a resolution of 1080 x 2280px and HDR10 support, the display is absolute eye candy. The phone is comfortable to hold but sometimes it feels it might accidentally slip given the intricate glass back. It combines the best elements of a curved and a boxy design giving off a premium feel which seldom lacked in Samsung flagships which previously used plastic backs.
Camera Quality
Bringing in a triple camera set up at the back in which one lens is for wide-angle pictures. The telephoto lens offers 2x optical zoom whereas the wide-angle lens offers a viewing angle of 123 degrees. The camera’s performance has majorly improved over the predecessors especially in regards to low-light photography with no loss in saturation and controlled noise levels.
The camera app is the same one found on the Galaxy S10 series and offers a diverse range of modes for any type of situation like Food, Night modes and others. Another signature feature of the Note series is still present which allows you to snap pictures by using the S-Pen offering more comfort if you want to take pictures from a distance.
At the front, we have a big 10MP sensor without flash. While the world is moving towards dual cameras even at the front side, even the Galaxy S10+ offers this, Samsung is placing a lot of confidence by just going with one sensor. The front camera performs satisfactorily in daylight conditions but suffers from noise in low-light which is understandable.
Battery Life
Bringing in a 3500 mAh non-removable battery, Samsung is again placing high hopes considering rival phones offer more at the same price point. Our tests have concluded that while the battery is sufficient for daily tasks but if you are looking to pair your phablet with a smartwatch, then you might have some issues. For daily tasks, however, the phone can easily last 12 to 15 hours if you go with a normal office routine which involves switching between mobile data and WiFi occasionally. The good thing is that Samsung is giving you a 25W adapter in case the phone’s battery runs out. The adapter will give you a 50% charge in just 20 to 30 minutes.
Conclusion
In short, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is a complete phone for those who are looking for an all in one package. While we would have preferred a dual-camera system at the front and slightly larger battery, the phone offers a near best experience in every other segment. It will last you a few years and even beyond that go toe to toe with many phones.
