The Samsung Note line has always represented a blend of productivity and power. But what happens when a 'Lite' version from 2019 goes head-to-head with a flagship tablet from 2014? We’re pitting the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite against the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) to see how far Samsung’s technology has come – and where older hardware still holds its own.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite is the clear winner. Its significantly more modern Exynos 9810 chipset, coupled with a brighter display and superior battery endurance, offers a far more usable experience than the aging Note 10.1 (2014). While the 10.1 offered a larger screen at its time, the Note10 Lite’s overall package is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - all versions |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-P605 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January 03 | 2013, September. Released 2013, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, January 21 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 243.1 x 171.4 x 7.9 mm (9.57 x 6.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM - cellular model only |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 540g (WIFI)/ 535 g (3G)/ 547g (LTE) (1.18 lb) |
| | Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~299 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR | Super clear LCD |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 - LTE modelOcta-core (4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7) - 3G model |
| Chipset | Exynos 9810 (10 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP18 | Adreno 330 (LTE model) |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@60fps (LTE model) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 98 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 2230 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 10 h (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 49 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 8220 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aura Glow, Aura Black, Aura Red | Black, White |
| Models | SM-N770F, SM-N770F/DS, SM-N770F/DSM | SM-P600, SM-P601, SM-P605 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) | 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -91.4dB |
Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -97.3dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 92h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 821:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good) |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 258484 (v7), 341212 (v8)
GeekBench: 6103 (v4.4), 2027 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite
- Significantly faster processor (Exynos 9810)
- Much brighter and higher contrast display
- Superior battery life and faster charging
- Smaller screen size compared to the Note 10.1
- May lack some features found in higher-end Note 10 models
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014)
- Larger screen size for media consumption
- Classic Note design with S Pen support
- Potentially lower price point (due to age)
- Outdated processor (Snapdragon 800)
- Poor battery life and slow charging
- Low display contrast and brightness
Display Comparison
The Note10 Lite boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 622 nits, compared to the Note 10.1’s unspecified brightness. This translates to far better visibility outdoors. More importantly, the Note10 Lite’s display has an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, indicating a modern panel likely utilizing AMOLED technology. The Note 10.1, with its 821:1 contrast ratio, uses an older LCD panel, resulting in washed-out colors and limited black levels. The difference in display technology is a major factor, impacting the overall viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Given the age difference, the Note10 Lite likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes. The Note 10.1’s camera technology is dated, and image quality will likely suffer in comparison, especially in low-light conditions. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the Note10 Lite’s newer hardware provides a clear advantage.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Note10 Lite’s Exynos 9810, built on a 10nm process, features an octa-core CPU with powerful Mongoose M3 cores clocked at 2.7GHz. This is a significant leap over the Note 10.1’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28nm) or the octa-core Cortex-A15/A7 variant. The 28nm process of the Snapdragon 800 is far less efficient, leading to higher power consumption and potential thermal throttling. While the Snapdragon 800 was a flagship chip in its day, the Exynos 9810 offers a considerable performance advantage in modern applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Note10 Lite’s endurance rating of 92 hours is a strong indicator of its battery efficiency. While the Note 10.1’s battery capacity is unknown, the less efficient Snapdragon 800 chipset and older display technology would likely result in significantly shorter battery life. The Note10 Lite also supports 25W wired charging, a feature absent in the 2014 model, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite if you need a modern smartphone experience with a large screen and S Pen functionality at a reasonable price. It’s ideal for students, professionals, or anyone who values portability and current software support. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) if you specifically require a larger screen for media consumption or drawing and are willing to accept significantly reduced performance, outdated software, and limited battery life. It's a niche choice for those already invested in the ecosystem and seeking a very affordable large-screen device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9810 in the Note10 Lite suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9810 can get warm under heavy load, its 10nm process and Samsung’s thermal management generally prevent significant throttling. It’s not a gaming phone, but it can handle moderate gaming sessions without major performance drops. The Snapdragon 800 in the Note 10.1 is more prone to throttling due to its less efficient 28nm process.
❓ Is the Note 10.1 (2014) still usable for basic tasks like web browsing and email in 2024?
Yes, the Note 10.1 can still perform basic tasks, but the experience will be sluggish compared to modern devices. The outdated processor and limited RAM will result in slow app loading times and noticeable lag. Software updates are no longer available, posing security risks.
❓ What S Pen features are available on the Note10 Lite compared to the Note 10.1?
The Note10 Lite benefits from software improvements and refinements to the S Pen experience over the years. While both support Air Command and handwriting recognition, the Note10 Lite’s S Pen is likely more responsive and offers features like Screen Off Memo and Smart Select that weren’t available on the 2014 model.
