Samsung Galaxy Note10 5G vs OnePlus 7 Pro 5G: A Detailed Performance and Feature Comparison

Launched in 2019, both the Samsung Galaxy Note10 5G and the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G represented significant steps forward in mobile technology, particularly with the advent of 5G connectivity. However, they approached the flagship experience with different philosophies. The Note10 5G aimed for a fully-featured experience with the S Pen, while the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G prioritized raw performance and a clean software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences, especially considering the regional chipset variations.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G offers a more consistent experience thanks to its exclusive use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. While the Note10 5G boasts features like the S Pen and reverse wireless charging, the potential for performance inconsistencies due to the Exynos variant makes the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G the safer bet.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Note10 5G OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands78 NSA/Sub641 NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - USA-
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, August2019, May 14. Released 2019, September 06
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions151 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm (5.94 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus, 42ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/ChinaOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetExynos 9825 (7 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/ChinaQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/ChinaAdreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.4
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.1, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, no video rec. with ultrawide camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAFMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioFM radio (USA & Canada only)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)-
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0 12W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless30W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAura Glow, Aura White, Aura Black, Aura Pink, Aura RedMirror Grey, Almond, Nebula Blue
ModelsSM-N971U, SM-N971NGM1925
PriceAbout 1100 EURAbout 800 EUR

Samsung Galaxy Note10 5G

  • Integrated S Pen for productivity and creativity
  • Reverse wireless charging for convenient accessory power
  • Snapdragon variant available in key markets (USA/China)

  • Exynos variant prone to thermal throttling
  • Slower wired charging compared to OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
  • Potentially inconsistent performance based on region

OnePlus 7 Pro 5G

  • Consistent Snapdragon 855 performance globally
  • Faster 30W wired charging
  • 90Hz display for smoother visuals

  • Lacks S Pen functionality
  • No reverse wireless charging
  • More basic camera software processing

Display Comparison

Both devices feature excellent displays, but key differences exist. While specific display specs (brightness, color accuracy) aren't provided, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G's 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience compared to the Note10 5G's standard 60Hz panel. The Note10 5G's Dynamic AMOLED technology likely delivers vibrant colors, but the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G's fluid display is a tangible benefit for gaming and scrolling. Bezels are comparable, suggesting a similar immersive experience in terms of screen-to-body ratio.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a nuanced area. Without detailed sensor information, it's difficult to make definitive claims. However, the Note10 5G likely benefits from Samsung's image processing expertise, potentially delivering more vibrant and saturated photos. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, while capable, typically leans towards a more natural color profile. The absence of specific aperture or sensor size data prevents a detailed comparison of low-light performance. It's important to note that both phones included 2MP macro lenses, which are often of limited practical use due to their low resolution.

Performance

The performance landscape is heavily influenced by the chipset. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G consistently utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a 2.84 GHz Kryo 485 prime core. The Note10 5G, however, employs a regional strategy: EMEA/LATAM models receive the Exynos 9825 (7nm) with a different CPU architecture (Mongoose M4 cores), while USA/China models get the Snapdragon 855. The Exynos 9825, while powerful, has historically shown a tendency for more thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 855. Both phones utilize LPDDR5 RAM, ensuring fast memory access, but the Snapdragon's superior thermal management gives it an edge in prolonged gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Note10 5G supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, 12W wireless charging (Qi), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, in contrast, offers significantly faster 30W wired charging. While battery capacity isn't specified, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G's faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, mitigating any potential capacity differences. The Note10 5G's reverse wireless charging is a unique feature, allowing it to charge other Qi-compatible devices, but it's a relatively slow process.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note10 5G if you absolutely need the S Pen for productivity, value wireless power sharing, and are purchasing a unit in the USA or China where it ships with the Snapdragon 855. Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G if you prioritize consistently high performance, a clean Android experience, and faster wired charging, regardless of your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9825 in the Note10 5G overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Exynos 9825 variant of the Note10 5G has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, leading to reduced performance during prolonged gaming. The Snapdragon 855 variant generally manages heat more effectively.
❓ Is the 90Hz display on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G a significant upgrade over a standard 60Hz display?
Absolutely. The 90Hz refresh rate on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel noticeably smoother and more responsive. It's a feature that many users quickly become accustomed to and appreciate.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use between the two phones?
The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G's 30W charging is considerably faster than the Note10 5G's 25W charging. This means you can top up the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G much quicker, reducing downtime and making it more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge.
❓ Is the S Pen on the Note10 5G worth the extra cost if I don't regularly use a stylus?
If you don't anticipate using the S Pen for note-taking, drawing, or remote control functions, the extra cost of the Note10 5G may not be justified. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G offers comparable performance and features without the stylus-centric additions.