When Apple released the iPhone in 2007, it sealed the end of the pen smartphones, one might have thought. But four years later, when all major manufacturers had long switched to touchscreens, Samsung introduced the first Galaxy Note. In addition to the touchscreen, this again had a stylus, like the devices from before the iPhone. What at that time looked like a step backwards became a model of success for the Korean company - apart from the Galaxy Note 7, which occasionally ignited itself.
The 10+ mark will hopefully save such a fate. Granted, if I've been tormenting it during the past week with computing-intensive tasks, it has certainly become a bit warmer, but never beyond the usual high-end phones.
photo gallery
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Galaxy Note 10+ in the test: Samsung's bestHigh-end is definitely the screen, which goes almost borderless into the housing. On the one hand this looks great and on the other hand it has made it possible for Samsung to enlarge the display to 6.8 inches diagonal without changing much on the case dimensions. With 3040 x 1440 pixels, it also dissolves very high, colors it shows very realistic, if you use the appropriate setting ( screen mode / Natural ).
Some colleagues complain that the screen "only" with 60 Hertz image refresh rate, while for example, the OnePlus 7 Pro already 90 Hertz creates. That's right, but also complaining at a high level. Even without the high image refresh rate, which is especially important for gamers, nothing flickers on the screen of the Note 10+.
Cameras with 3D and without
Just as high quality as the screen are the cameras. On the front sits a lonely camera with 10 megapixels. Additions such as a depth sensor has omitted Samsung. So the hole of the so-called punch-hole camera disturbs the screen at least not too much. Therefore, face recognition to unlock the device is not as safe as with 3D scanning devices such as the iPhone XS. Selfies work great with it, even with blur effects, which are sometimes calculated by the camera software a bit unclean.
The camera triplet on the back can do a bit better because the three main cameras - ultra-wide-angle, wide-angle and telephoto - support a 3D depth sensor. It can capture the distance of different areas of the image from the lens, providing accurate data, for example, in the foreground and in the background. This also works great for videos, which extends the cinematic possibilities again.
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The photo quality itself is very good, there is nothing to complain about. Simply select the automatic mode and click off, it works almost always. And the night mode, for example, even at sunset still recordings, as if it was bright day. Basically, that also applies to videos, but you have to decide more often: video stabilization or tracking autofocus? UHD with 60 hertz or video stabilization? You can not do both.
Waving with the pen
But the main feature of the Note 10+ is of course the pen called S Pen, which is quite unique in the modern smartphone landscape. Basically, he can write everything that he has already been able to do: paint and draw, in color and also on the lock screen. Also, converting from handwriting to computer text usually works very reliable.
Well, to be able to give the touch 10+ even a few extras, you can now use the pen for a bit of gesture control by waving it over the screen. I have tried it, meaningful it does not seem to me. The only option is to use the pen as a trigger for selfies.
The finest technology, except for the accessories
Besides these cornerstones brings the Galaxy Note 10+ also everything else, what you can expect from a smartphone in this price range: Elegant design, flawless processing, plenty of memory (256 or 512 GB, expandable via microSD card) and the usual protection against water and dust as well as a very good battery life. In my endless video test, it played the movie "Interstellar" for 15 hours before it switched off with an empty battery.
The then necessary charging can be significantly reduced by buying a stronger charger. Unfortunately, only one is supplied with 25 watts, Samsung's battery can also be easily with stronger power supplies, such as those used for notebooks, fill. The fact that the 10+ touch can also be charged wirelessly is standard in its price range.
Conclusion
advantages and disadvantages
Very good display
Very good cameras
Good design
Many extra functions possible with the pen
High price
No 45 watt charger included
The new Galaxy Note 10+ has a bit more of everything than its predecessor: a bit more screen, a bit more power, a bit more cameras and new pen functions. Only an analog headphone jack, it does not have more. This may annoy some, contemporary is this renunciation anyway. The combination of all these details makes it one of the best Android smartphones available.
Of course you have to shell out at least 1100 euros. For 150 euros less there is the smaller note, which is without a 3D sensor and with a maximum of 256 GB built-in memory but the worse choice. Since you should rather see if you really need the pen and take a look at the Galaxy S10 +. This is still high-end and can be got for just under 700 euros.
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