Samsung has big new phones on the way, having now officially revealed the Note 10 and Note 10+. We haven't had a chance to go hands on with Samsung's latest devices yet, but here's what we know about key new features, how the pair compare, when you'll be able to buy them, and how much you'll pay.
What's new with the Galaxy Note 10?
The biggest change to this year's Note devices is that there's two. While past Note flagships have typically stood alone, there are two to pick from this year: the "standard" 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 10 and the larger 6.8-inch Galaxy Note 10+.
Both the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ take inspiration from this year's Galaxy S10 series. As with the S10 devices, Samsung has reduced bezel with a camera cut-out display. Rather than sitting in a notch, the selfie camera is built directly into the screen. While the S10 family have the selfie camera in the top right hand corner, Samsung has centred it for the Note 10 and Note 10+.
Much like the Galaxy S10 series, neither phone has a physical fingerprint reader. Instead, Samsung is using an in-screen fingerprint reader, as is becoming increasingly common these days. Both phones also support facial recognition.
As with last year's Note 9, the Note 10 S Pen is Bluetooth enabled. Essentially, this lets you use it as a remote for the Note 10. For example, you can use it to trigger the camera shutter, change the track on your playlist, or flip through presentation slides without actually touching the Note 10 screen. In addition, Samsung is making an SDK available to developers, allowing them to incorporate this kind of functionality in their apps.
Much like the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+, both Note 10 models have three core rear-facing cameras: a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP 2x zoom lens, and a 16MP ultra-wide angle lens. The Galaxy Note 10+ adds to these with a Time of Flight sensor, which is used to capture additional depth information to create more natural looking portrait shots.
What's the difference between the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+?
The Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ may look pretty similar, but the differences between them go beyond screen size. In fact, the smaller Note 10 is almost a premium economy version of the Note 10+, making more than a few compromises to keep down the cost.
It's obvious that the Galaxy Note 10 has a smaller screen than the Galaxy Note 10+, but it also runs at a lower resolution. The 6.3-inch Note 10 display is Full HD+, while the 6.8-inch Note 10+ screen is Quad HD+. This means the Note 10+ screen should look a bit sharper.
The Note 10's smaller display means it also has a smaller battery capacity, measuring in at 3,500mAh. The Note 10+ packs a 4,300mAh cell. Raw specs don't mean much when it comes to battery however, as the difference in screen size and resolution could means the Note 10+ burns battery just as fast as the standard Note 10. We won't really know until we've had a chance to test them.
It is worth noting that the Note 10+ can charge faster. The phone is kitted out with Samsung's new 45W fast charging tech, which is said to give as much as a full day of usage from a 30 minute charge. A 45W charger isn't included in the box, and will need to be purchased separately.
Oddly, the Note 10's storage isn't expandable, while the Note 10+'s is.
As aforementioned, the Note 10+ has four rear-facing cameras thanks to the additional Time of Flight sensor.
And lastly, the Note 10+ is also available in a 5G model locally, while Samsung isn't launching a 5G version of the standard Note 10 in Australia.
Here is a complete spec breakdown between the two phones:
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Specs
| Galaxy Note 10 | Galaxy Note 10+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch 1080p+ | 6.8-inch 1440p+ |
| Processor | Exynos 9825 | Exynos 9825 |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Rear-Facing Camera | 12MP + 12MP + 16MP | 12MP + 12MP + 16MP + ToF |
| Front-Facing Camera | 10MP | 10MP |
| Battery | 3,500mAh | 4,300mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging |
| Price | From $1,499 | $1,699 |
When will the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 be available?
Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+, and Galaxy Note 10+ 5G pre-orders start at 9am on August 8, ahead of an August 23 release date. Customers who pre-order any of the three will get a bonus pair of Samsung's AKG N700 NCM2 noise-cancelling headphones, valued at $499.
Optus is taking pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, but devices won't be delivered until September 20.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 cost?
Australian outright pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 family is as follows:
- Galaxy Note 10 (256GB): $1,499
- Galaxy Note 10+ (256GB): $1,699
- Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (512GB): $1,999
All Galaxy Note 10 models are also available on a plan.
Telstra is only ranging the Galaxy Note 10+ and Galaxy Note 10+ 5G. On top of the bonus headphone offer, Telstra has its own pre-order promo. If you pre-order the Galaxy Note 10+ before August 23, you're able to get the Galaxy Note10+ 5G for the price of the 4G-only Galaxy Note 10+. That's a saving of $12 per month if you're grabbing your phone on a 24-month repayment term.
Like Telstra, Optus is skipping the smaller Note 10. You will however be able to get the Note 10+ 5G, which makes it the first 5G device available through Optus. While Optus has got select customers testing 5G home broadband on an invite only basis, the telco has yet to announce a public launch for its 5G network. You can pre-order the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G through Optus now, but it won't be available until September 20.
If you'd prefer the Note 10+ 5G, you'll pay $10 extra per month.
Woolworths Mobile is ranging both the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ If you pre-order before August 23, you'll save $180 from either phone's outright price over 24 months, cutting $7.50 from your monthly bill. Woolworths Mobile won't range the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G.
Vodafone is offering both Galaxy Note 10+ and Galaxy Note 10 on plans, but no Galaxy Note 10+ 5G. New and upgrading customers who pre-order will get one month of plan fees waived.
Alex Choros
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