Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G vs Note10+: The Ultimate Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ and Note10+ 5G were flagship powerhouses, offering the S Pen experience and premium features. But what are the key differences between these two near-identical devices? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you decide which one is the better choice.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Note10+ 5G offers the benefit of 5G connectivity, a potentially faster chipset in some regions, and slightly improved future-proofing. However, the standard Note10+ remains a fantastic device, often available at a lower price, making it a compelling value proposition for many.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G Samsung Galaxy Note10+
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 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global, LATAM
5G bands5, 71, 260, 261 NSA/Sub6-
EDGE-No
GPRS-Yes
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 1, 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - Canada
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, August2019, August 07. Released 2019, August 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.31 in)162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.31 in)
Keyboard-QWERTY
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus, 42ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)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
Resolution1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~498 ppi density)1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~498 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 114.0 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.0 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-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 (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/China
ChipsetExynos 9825 (7 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/ChinaExynos 9825 (7 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China
GPUMali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/ChinaMali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/China
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4
Memory
Call records-Yes
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Phonebook-200 entries
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-CIF
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 video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)12 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 video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps4K@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio (USA & Canada only)FM radio (USA & Canada only)
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
Browser-WAP 2.0
Games-Downloadable
Java-No
Messaging-SMS, MMS
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Stand-by-Up to 450 h
Talk time-Up to 6 h
TypeLi-Ion 4300 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAura Glow, Aura White, Aura BlackAura Glow, Aura White, Aura Black, Aura Blue
ModelsSM-N976F, SM-N976U, SM-N976, SM-N976B, SM-N976N, SM-N976V, SM-N9760, SM-N976QSM-N975F, SM-N975U, SM-N9750, SM-N975U1, SM-N975W, SM-N975N, SM-N975X, SCV45
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-0.35 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.19 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -95.1dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 107h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 342208 (v7), 438622 (v8) GeekBench: 10403 (v4.4), 2154 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Potentially Faster Snapdragon 855 (region dependent)
  • Slightly Brighter Display
  • Premium Build Quality
  • S Pen Functionality

  • Higher Price
  • 5G availability varies
  • Battery life can be impacted by 5G usage

Samsung Galaxy Note10+

  • Lower Price
  • Excellent Battery Life (107h endurance)
  • Premium Build Quality
  • S Pen Functionality
  • Great Display

  • No 5G Connectivity
  • Slightly less future-proof

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Note10+ 5G boasts a slightly higher peak brightness (794 nits measured) compared to the Note10+, offering marginally better visibility in direct sunlight. Contrast ratio is essentially infinite on both. The difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are virtually identical, featuring a versatile quad-camera setup with a main lens, ultrawide lens, telephoto lens, and depth sensor. Image quality is excellent on both devices, with vibrant colors and sharp details. Video recording capabilities are also comparable, supporting up to 8K resolution.

Performance

Performance is largely similar, with both devices utilizing either the Exynos 9825 or Snapdragon 855 chipset depending on the region. The Snapdragon 855 generally offers a slight edge in raw processing power, particularly in gaming, but real-world performance differences are often negligible. Both handle multitasking and demanding apps with ease.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4500mAh battery. The Note10+ boasts an endurance rating of 107 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Note10+ 5G's battery life is likely comparable, the 5G connectivity can impact battery drain depending on usage.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G is ideal for users who prioritize future-proof connectivity and live in areas with robust 5G coverage. The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ is a great choice for those seeking a premium experience without the 5G premium, especially if budget is a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Note10+ 5G worth the extra cost?
If you live in an area with good 5G coverage and plan to keep your phone for several years, the Note10+ 5G's future-proofing might be worth the premium. Otherwise, the standard Note10+ offers excellent value.
❓ Are the cameras the same on both phones?
Yes, the camera hardware and software are virtually identical. You can expect similar image quality and performance from both devices.