Samsung Galaxy Note10 vs OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Released within months of each other in 2019, the Samsung Galaxy Note10 and the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The Note10, with its integrated S Pen, targets productivity and creative professionals, while the 7T Pro 5G McLaren prioritizes raw performance and 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value in today's market.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and 5G, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset consistently outperforms the Exynos 9825 (or even the Snapdragon 855 in some Note10 variants), and its 30W charging is significantly faster. However, the Note10’s S Pen and more versatile camera system still hold appeal for specific use cases.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Note10 OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global, LATAM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-71 SA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - CanadaCDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, August 07. Released 2019, August 232019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), 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)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-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 6
Resolution1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% 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 (1x2.96 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 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
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, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
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@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@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, aptX5.1, 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, compass
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0 12W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless30W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAura Glow, Aura White, Aura Black, Aura Pink, Aura RedPapaya Orange
ModelsSM-N970F, SM-N970U, SM-N970U1, SM-N9700, SM-N970W, SM-N9700, SM-N970N, SM-N970XHD1925
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 800 EUR
SAR0.85 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.21 W/kg (head)     1.52 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -94.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 92h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.2 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 344442 (v7), 452400 (v8) GeekBench: 10353 (v4.4), 2241 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Samsung Galaxy Note10

  • Integrated S Pen for productivity and creativity
  • Versatile camera system with advanced features
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging

  • Exynos 9825 chipset can throttle under sustained load
  • Slower charging speeds compared to OnePlus

OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

  • Faster Snapdragon 855+ processor for superior performance
  • 30W fast charging for quick top-ups
  • 90Hz display for smoother visuals

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Less versatile camera system compared to Note10

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Note10 boasts a vibrant display capable of reaching 789 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s brightness isn’t specified, OnePlus typically delivers competitive displays. Both feature a contrast ratio described as 'Infinite (nominal)' for the Note10, indicating excellent black levels. However, the Note10’s display technology is likely to be more refined, benefiting from Samsung’s display expertise. The 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s 90Hz refresh rate, absent on the Note10, provides a smoother scrolling experience, a noticeable benefit for everyday use and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but approach photography differently. The Note10’s camera is described as offering both 'Photo / Video' capabilities, suggesting a broader feature set. While specific sensor details are missing, Samsung’s image processing typically emphasizes vibrant colors and strong contrast. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s camera performance relies heavily on its image processing algorithms, aiming for natural-looking photos. Without detailed sensor specifications, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Note10’s broader feature set and Samsung’s established camera expertise give it a slight edge. The Note10’s inclusion of an S Pen also opens up unique creative possibilities with the camera.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+, a refined version of the Snapdragon 855 found in some Note10 models. The 855+ features a slightly higher clock speed (2.96 GHz vs 2.84 GHz on the Snapdragon 855) and improved thermal management. The Note10, in EMEA/LATAM regions, is equipped with the Exynos 9825. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 855+ generally demonstrates superior sustained performance due to Qualcomm’s optimizations. The CPU architecture is similar – both utilize octa-core configurations with Kryo/Mongoose cores – but the 855+’s architecture is more efficient. This translates to better gaming performance and smoother multitasking on the OnePlus.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Note10 achieves an endurance rating of 92 hours, indicating respectable battery life. It supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, 12W wireless charging (Qi), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren, while lacking wireless charging, compensates with significantly faster 30W wired charging. This means a quicker top-up time, crucial for users who frequently drain their battery. While the Note10’s endurance rating is good, the 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s faster charging mitigates any potential battery life concerns, especially for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note10 if you absolutely need the S Pen for note-taking, sketching, or remote control functionality, and value Samsung’s established ecosystem. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you prioritize gaming, fast charging, and 5G connectivity, and prefer a cleaner Android experience with a focus on performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9825 in the Note10 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9825 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance can decrease during extended gaming sessions to manage heat. While not a complete deal-breaker, the Snapdragon 855+ in the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren offers better thermal management and more consistent performance.
❓ Is the 90Hz display on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren a significant upgrade over the Note10's 60Hz display?
Yes, the 90Hz display on the 7T Pro 5G McLaren provides a noticeably smoother scrolling and gaming experience. While not a revolutionary change, it enhances the overall user experience and makes everyday tasks feel more fluid.
❓ How does the 30W charging on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren compare to the Note10's 25W charging in real-world usage?
The 30W charging on the 7T Pro 5G McLaren is significantly faster. Expect a full charge in approximately 60-70 minutes, compared to 80-90 minutes for the Note10's 25W charging. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.