Galaxy Note 10 Plus under review: Samsung's camera gets new momentum

I learned even more about the Galaxy Note 10 Plus after another day of testing centered on the observation of the battery life, the effectiveness of the fingerprint reader on the screen and the comparison of the photo quality in the night mode of the camera of the Note 10 to Huawei P30 Pro and Google Pixel 3, the two best expressions of night mode dedicated to this day. It has been only four days since I unpacked the Note 10 Plus for the first time, but until now, I love what I see.

Now I've set the 10 Plus exactly as I want (up to change the wallpaper and choose custom clock colors) and swap my SIM card. This is currently the only phone I use until the battery discharge test time, which could take 24 hours or more with the 4,300 mAh battery of the 10 Plus. After this test, I will continue to use the Note 10 Plus full-time.

The review is half finished (it takes a solid week to perform in-depth tests and to make all the optimal and worst parts of a phone crystallize.) There is still much to discover about the capabilities of the depth sensor (a feature, 3D Scanner, is not out yet) and how useful Samsung's new S Pen gesture controls are.

Until now, the Note 10 Plus advertises beautifully, thanks to its attractive colorful support and its slimmer and more sophisticated design than the Galaxy Note 9. Its cameras, tools and features are starting to present themselves as a complete, fun and satisfying set to use. But I'm struggling with the placement of the buttons and the missing headphone jack, and I have a few questions about some new features. Read on for more details.

Night mode makes the difference

Samsung's Galaxy cameras have always been very good, but have struggled to keep up with the night-time rush compared to competing devices, such as the Huawei P30 Pro and Google Pixel 3, and at the zoom quality as well as the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom. Samsung has released a stand-alone night mode after criticizing the S10 Plus, but Note 10 phones are baking them.

The dedicated night mode of the camera takes pictures brighter and brighter than those of the automatic mode.

I am quite satisfied with the dedicated night mode up to now, but the comparison with the competitors is interesting. The goal is to illuminate and accentuate the dark scenes so that the details stand out. For example, streetlights that produce shine on an automatic photo are better controlled in night mode. Neon signs should be easier to read.

The process takes a few seconds on all phones. What I like about Google and Huawei phones, is that they both say how long you have to stay still; the note 10 is more of a guessing game.

In terms of the actual image quality, Samsung's photos tend to be the brightest, with the most background details outside the focus area. This is not always what you want, however, if your goal is to capture also the fact that these images are taken at night. In the picture below, the Note 10 Plus improves the leaves the most. The P30 Pro was better able to keep the clock (focus area) clearer and easier to read, with higher contrast in the overall picture, which I prefer.

Here is the Note 10 Plus with and without the dedicated night mode.

Main observations up to now

Screen: The dynamic AMOLED screen is superb, but the phone does not seem to be creating bright white, even when you change the "bright" settings and select cool tones. The 6.8-inch screen is great for watching videos and reading eBooks. It becomes heavy if you try to hold it while you go to bed. The palm of the hand has triggered the screen a few times when I did not want it, and the curved screens make it harder to use the S Pen Pen until the end.

fingerprint reader: The fingerprint reader on the phone is much more sensitive than on the S10 Plus, it's a very good thing.

Color Aura Glow: It's beautiful, but the fingerprint fat reduces the attractiveness. Gorilla Glass 6 at the front and back helps to shine the rainbow effect, but you need a holster to prevent all that glass from breaking into a drop, which will cut or mask the color.

Positioning the camera in front: The 10-megapixel center-front camera is a lot less distracting than the Galaxy S10 selfie camera on the right. (Here 7 Note 10 wallpapers that you can get now.)

New camera tools: The portrait video worked for a first test, but I was not sure I liked the blur in the background. Zoom-in-audio worked as advertised, but the effect was more subtle than expected and the quality of the image suffers when you zoom too close. The new video editor was easy to use, from cutting to adding to a music track. A new live focus filter gives portraits a more dreamy look.

Battery life: Battery life lasts all day and recharging with the 25 watt charger is incredibly fast. The 4,300 mAh of the Note 10 Plus regularly went from empty to fully charged in 65 minutes.

Pen stylus: It is shorter and thinner than the note 9. Its button seems more difficult to accidentally press, which is a good thing. It also seems less important, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The S Pen pneumatic controls have a refreshing look. It is much more comfortable to use when sitting for a while, less when you are traveling.

Performance: It is zippy, supported until now by comparative tests compatible with other phones using Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset.

Restarting and taking screenshots seems difficult

Let's talk about buttons. Samsung moved the power / lock button to the left on the side and made it a three-in-one power / lock / Bixby button that you can reprogram. This is now called the side key. I am skeptical about the placement, although I imagine it is a boon for left-handed people. Still, I'm starting to get used to it. In fact, I ended up pressing the Bixby button of a Galaxy S10 Plus to turn it on. Muscle memory is a fun thing.

However, the geography of the buttons also makes it easy to take screenshots and disable or restart the Note 10. You can of course take a screenshot with the S Pen (I like the accuracy of the tool screen selection), but if you want to use the button controls, you need to press the volume down and lock buttons on the left. It hurts at ease.

Press this button longer and you will see the power off screen. This differs from other Samsung phones, where a long press on the power / lock button provides you with power off options. But with the Bixby Voice function supporting the default hold function, you will have to do something else. Samsung is even preparing a tutorial to guide you. You have three options:

• Simultaneously press and hold the volume down and lock button (this is the route of the iPhone)
• Press the power button located at the top of the quick access panel (drag from the top of the note 10).
• Tell Bixby to turn off the phone

Option D (none of these answers) consists of reprogramming the support and maintenance function of Wake up bixby at Power off menu and continue as if nothing had happened, on the left side of the phone and not on the right side.

The other design challenge of the Note 10 Plus is the headphone jack – or rather its absence. Samsung has removed this 3.5mm port in phones Note 10 and give you a pair of wired AKG headsets in the box, which suits you until you're looking for your trusty wired pair and need a dongle adapter, a new pair of wireless headphones or go get these new USB-C earbuds wherever you left them last.

I will frequently update this current review with new observations, which will eventually become my complete and rated review. For now, here are some preliminary observations (followed by pricing information and all specifications).

To be continued…

• Other camera tests, including AR Doodle and AR.
• Aerial gestures with the S Pen.
• Converting handwriting into text.
• Battery test.
• Link to Windows, which makes the content of Note 10 more enjoyable to read with a Windows 10 computer.

And now, back to the basics of note 10, originally published on August 7th.

The deal with Note 10 and Note 10 Plus

First of all, there is not just a 10 Note, but two: the Galaxy Note 10 of 6.3 inches, starting at $ 949, £ 899 or AU $ 1,499, and Note 10 Plus of 6, 8 inches, which starts at £ 1,099, £ 999 or AU $ 1,699. (See how to preorder a note 10 here.) Phones change color a notch with a prismatic prismatic bracket on two of its color options, bringing out the rainbow. And, as noted, Samsung killed the headphone jack in both phones Note 10.

The changes made to Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus do not stop there. There are four rear cameras in the larger 10 note, and no microSD card slot in the smaller 10 note. S Pen wins gesture controls it leaves you slide across the screens from afar. There is a bigger battery and more RAM in the Note 10 Plus compared to Note 10, and wireless charging is getting a little faster for both phones.

Samsung has also made a Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G Version it's the same in all respects, with the exception of the modem inside which gives it access to the fastest data speeds. This The Note 10 Plus 5G variant will be sold with Verizon before moving on to T-Mobile, AT & T and Sprint. The Note 10 Plus 5G costs $ 1,299, £ 1,099 or AU $ 1,999, at the same price as the Galaxy S10 5G.

Of all the changes to note 10, two are the most notable. Samsung saying goodbye to the headphone jack is a big problem because the mark was the last great bastion of the port of 3.5 mm. Letting it happen signals a likely change for future Galaxy phones. You will receive a pair of free USB-C earphones in the box, but an adapter dongle for your existing headphones will cost you $ 10 at Samsung. (I've quickly tested four dongles from rival manufacturers, including Google and Apple, and they all worked on Note 10.)

Samsung is just as interesting divide the family Note 10 into two sizes. The company claims to do this in order to make a smaller and cheaper phone for people who want a note, but not a huge device. This strategy also gives Samsung the opportunity to sell the ticket at two different prices, limiting upward trend towards more expensive phones. With the slowdown in phone sales, Samsung may be trying to reach more people.

Making the note 10 the note "Lite" is a new role for the phone, which since the very first Galaxy Note, represents the most powerful and powerful device that Samsung manufactures in a given year. This is no longer the case. Now, the smallest Note 10 rivals the Galaxy S10 Plus, and the S10 5G is very close to note 10 plus 5G.

The foldable Galaxy Fold It's a different story, but it also threatens to eclipse Note 10 with an even bigger screen and a more impressive design.

Keep reading for all the details of the pre-order, the specifications, the tools of the camera and the new features of the S Pen.

How to pre-order and buy Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus

The Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus are in pre-order on August 8 at 12 pm ET and on sale from August 23rd.

In the United States, you can buy the two phones Aura White, Aura Black and Aura Glow (the iridescent color above). We also saw the 10th grade in Aura Pink in the UK, and Aura Red will be available in some countries. In addition, the Note 10 Plus will be sold in Aura Blue, which also has prismatic back, but only for US customers who purchase it from Samsung.com and Best Buy.

If you buy the note 10 from Samsung.com or certain operators, you will get a credit that you can apply to devices or accessories other than these, such as Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Buds. Active Galaxy Watch 2. Samsung will give you $ 100 for the 10 ticket and $ 150 for the 10 plus ticket.

here is everywhere you can buy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus.

No note 10 headphone jack: it's time to kiss the dongle life

In a movement that risk of alienating some fans, Samsung has removed the headphone jack of the two phones Note 10. The hard truth is that most phones have already abandoned the 3.5mm headphone jack and rely on the USB-C port to connect wired headphones. Samsung was the last major hurdle.

Why remove the plug? Samsung said its decision was to free up space on the phone to increase the capacity of its battery. About 70% of the owners of Galaxy S and Note did not use it anyway because people are turning to wireless headphones.

Once the headphone jack is removed, those who feel attached to a wired headset will either need to purchase an electronic key adapter or use the USB-C headset provided. Samsung does not provide you with a dongle, but will be happy to sell you a $ 10. You can also decide to switch to wireless headphones, including Samsung Galaxy Buds.

Galaxy Note 10 vs Note 10 Plus: what's the difference?

Although the design builds on last year 's Galaxy Note 9, I' ve been impressed by the looks and feel of Note 10 and 10 Plus. Let Samsung make a nice phone with eye-catching colors (I'm talking about Aura Glow and Aura Blue, of course).

The punchy selfie camera moves to the center of the 10 note screen. This is a significant advance over Galaxy S10 phones, where the lens is completely right.

Samsung has also changed the configuration of the buttons. the Bixby button is gone. Or rather, it does more than one with the power / lock button on the left back under the volume keys. Press once to lock and unlock the screen, press twice to launch the camera (or any application – you can program it in the settings), then hold this key pressed to activate Bixby Voice.

Note 10 phones use the same in-screen digital fingerprint reader that we saw in the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus.

The phones and S Pen felt good in my hand during my short time with the phones. Although Note 10 Plus is massive, I have not found it too heavy yet. We will see if this remains true after spending more time testing it.

There are more similarities than differences between these two phones, but Samsung wanted to make sure that the Note 10 Plus, larger, has the advantage of the features. We compare the specifications at the end, but here are the main distinctions that make the Note 10 Plus an extra bonus.

• Size of the screen: 6.3 inches against 6.8 inches.
• Size and weight of the device: The note 10 plus is definitely bigger and heavier.
• AR camera: Note 10 Plus adds a fourth camera, for AR video and drawing.
• Battery capacity: 3500 mAh against 4300 mAh.
• Storage room: 256 GB for Note 10, 256 or 512 GB for More.
• RAM: 8 GB against 12 GB.
• microSD card slot: Not on the note 10, but on the note 10 plus.

No microSD card reader on Note 10

Samsung too it's got rid of the microSD card slot for the note 10 only. The Plus always accepts the card you throw at it.

Again, the reason for this change seems to be a space saving mission that also helps keep the note 10 smaller lighter and thinner. That said, it seems likely that Samsung also wanted to give Note 10 Plus an additional way to be different.

Note 10 Plus cameras make night mode, video portrait, doodling AR

The Note 10 and Note 10 Plus cameras do not differ much from the Galaxy S10 Plus and S10 5G phones that Samsung marketed earlier this year.

On both phones, you get:

• Dual aperture 12 megapixel lens.
• 16-megapixel wide angle lens.
• 12 megapixel telephoto lens.
• 10 megapixel front camera.

Like Galaxy S10 phones, you can switch between the rear objectives. In particular, Samsung has removed the second camera from the front of Note 10 phones, citing better software for taking selfies in portraiture.

The Galaxy Note 10 Plus adds a fourth 3D depth detection camera to the back, which you can use to take portraits videos that scramble the background, and draw on photos and videos with new feature called AR Doodle.

I've been less than impressed by the video portraits on the Galaxy S10 5G, which also has a 3D camera at the back. When people move, the video tends to scramble hair, legs, hands, and other appendages around the edges. Samsung claims that the quality of the portrait video has been improved and that my test videos were certainly better on the Note 10 Plus. I am looking forward to trying this more.

AR Doodle is the other main use of this fourth camera. With the stylus, you can draw on a photo or video of a person or thing, annotating with words, arrows, starry sunglasses, capes, and so on. If you film a person on video, AR Doodle will follow the movements, so the melon hat you just drew while traveling with your friends is a fun bonus.

Another good thing about AR Doodle is that you can save the file in JPEG or movie format and share it on any major platform, not just with other Note 10 users.

Video tools will improve for everyone

A new feature in Galaxy Note phones is a native video editor that you can use to create a neat video that combines clips, transitions, music tracks and cut edges. The tip of the S Pen is a much more accurate instrument to scrub than the tips of your fingers.

This new video editor works with a version of Adobe Premier Rush optimized for Galaxy phones and allows you to export to social platforms. It already seems like a victory.

Samsung also offers a new video feature called zoom-in mic, which uses several microphones to target the audio in the image during recording. In other words, it will use the microphones located at the front to record the voices in front of you, which should make them clearer. When you zoom in on a subject, such as a speaker or a musician, the sound becomes louder, much like a micro boom microphone.

Samsung also claims that it improves the fluidity of its ultra stable video mode that we have seen on Galaxy S10 phones. The mode now also applies to hyperlapse videos.

Signage control is the big new tip of the S Pen

the Pen stylus gets some extra features in the Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus. Last year's Note 9 introduced the Bluetooth feature into the stylus, allowing you to take a picture remotely by clicking the stylus button. It also includes a battery that charges when you put the stylus back in the phone.

This time, the S Pen adds to this Bluetooth power a new set of gesture control tips. While holding down the button, you can swipe left, right, up, or down to do things such as switching from the main camera to the rear camera, advancing music tracks to Spotify, or changing slides in a PowerPoint presentation that you launch. from your phone You can also use more advanced gestures, such as an arc, to zoom in or out of the camera.

It is better to consider this as a remote control. There is really no reason why you need to use gesture controls when the phone is in your hand, but if you have it installed on a tripod to take a group photo, it could be practical.

I'm on the fence about gesture control in general – it's often a clever solution looking for a problem that I have rarely – but I can see some real utility here for some cases specific. It took a while to master some of the more advanced gestures, but the practice probably makes perfect.

The handwriting to the text is cool too

Another interesting enhancement of the Pen S pen facilitates the conversion of handwriting from a note to text, by simply touching the box and pressing a button on the screen. You can also export it to a Microsoft Word document.

If you are the type of person who needs to take a break to write, it would be a way to listen to his thoughts.

Transfer to your Windows 10 laptop with Link to Windows

The export to Word is only a link between Note 10 and Microsoft. I am excited about another one, Link to Windows.

When you activate it in the quick access menu, you will be able to synchronize the Note 10 on your Windows 10 desktop. You will be able to see your Samsung messages, your recent notifications and photos, as well as your screen.

Wireless charging, games, Samsung DeX: minor improvements

• Note 10 phones will work with a 45-watt wired charger.
• 30 minutes of charging lasts all day.
• Wireless charging is also getting a little faster.
• The AI-based game-building application comes out of the bottom and runs in the background while you play.
• Galaxy Link is a PC application that creates a connection with your Note 10 to stream games wirelessly. It will be available in the future and will work with a joystick that Samsung will sell.
• The update simplifies the use DEXYou will be able to use the feature – which allows you to access the contents of your phone from any laptop or monitor – with the cable provided with the Note 10 box.

Galaxy Note 10 and 10 Plus specs

	Samsung Galaxy Note 10	Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
Display size, resolution	AMOLED 6.3 inches; 2,280 x 1,080 pixels	6.8 inches AMOLED; 3,040 x 1,440 pixels
Pixel density	401 ppi	498 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	5.94 x 2.83 x 0.31 in.	6.39 x 3.04 x 0.31 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	151 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm	162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm
Weight (ounces, grams)	5.93 oz; 168g	6.91 oz; 196g
Mobile Software	Android 9.0 Pie	Android 9.0 Pie
Camera	12 megapixels (wide angle), 16 megapixels (ultra wide angle), 12 megapixels (telephoto)	12 megapixel (wide angle), 16 megapixel (ultra wide angle), 12 megapixel (telephoto), 3D depth (HQVGA)
Front facing the camera	10 megapixels	10 megapixels
Video capture	4K	4K
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or Samsung Exynos 9825 processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or Samsung Exynos 9825 processor
Storage room	256 GB	256 GB, 512 GB
RAM	8GB	12 GB
Expandable storage	No	Up to 1 TB
Drums	3,500 mAh	4,300 mAh
Fingerprint detector	On the screen	On the screen
connector	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	No	No
Special features	Pen S Pen; Wireless PowerShare; perforated screen notch; water resistant (IP68)	Pen S Pen; Wireless PowerShare; perforated screen notch; water resistant (IP68)
Price excluding contract (USD)	$ 949	$ 1,099
Price (GBP)	£ 899	£ 999
Price (AUD)	AU $ 1,499	AU $ 1,699