Samsung Galaxy Note 20 vs Note 10 Plus - Specs Comparison - Android

If you’re looking for a brand new high-end phone, chances are, you’re going with the latest model like the Samsung Galaxy Note 20. Why wouldn’t you? It’s the newest release with all the brand new specs and features. Plus, money is probably not an issue so you don’t mind squandering money for a flagship device.

However, just like most decisions in life, you gotta be smart. Sure, you have all the money in the world, but you should spend it wisely to get the most out of your hard-earned money.

The Galaxy Note 20 is good and all, but for a similar price, the last generation top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus also poses a compelling value.

With that, here in our Samsung Galaxy Note 20 versus Galaxy Note 10 Plus specifications and features comparison, we’ll check out the difference between these Galaxy Notes and see which one is better worth your money.

Design and Build Quality

Samsung really disappointed its fans, especially tech enthusiasts, when the launched the Galaxy Note 20 with a plastic back. It’s technically called ‘polycarbonate’. But still, it’s plastic — a really disappointing choice for a smartphone that costs more than Php50,000. To add to the damage, it has a flat screen, instead of a curved edge.

This is where the older Galaxy Note 10 Plus shines. It may be last-gen, but at least it has a more premium Corning Gorilla Glass 6 in front and back, with an aluminum frame holding everything together.

Although, the new camera design on the back of the Note 20 series really screams “hey, I’m rocking the latest model”, which you wouldn’t have on the former.

The Note 20 is also available in Mystic Bronze, the new colorway implemented on the also-new Samsung devices like the Galaxy Watch 3, Tab S7 series, Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Display and Audio

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra came with a smooth 120Hz screen, while the Note 20 is stuck at the regular 60Hz refresh rate. Again, a disappointing move for the price.

This also means that it has the same refresh rate as the Note 10 series. However, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus overtakes once again thanks to its sharper QHD+ resolution, while the Note 20 only has FHD+.

Samsung didn’t bother to do a lot of changes in the audio department. Both models have AKG-tuned stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. Hoping for headphone jacks to come back is a lost cause by now.

Processor and Hardware

Being the newer model, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 gets to enjoy the newer and more powerful Exynos 990 processor. Albeit, its difference between the Exynos 9825 is pretty insignificant, especially when you consider the perks of getting older model.

What are these perks? For starters, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus has 12GB of RAM and a microSD card slot, which you can’t get on the Note 20 series unless you go with the more expensive Note 20 Ultra model.

Their 256GB of storage should be enough to store all your files and apps. However, the Note series has always been targeted to power-users — users who want to have the option to expand their storage in the future.

There’s a one big caveat, though. The Galaxy Note 20 do have a special 5G model, which you can only get through Smart and Globe. So if you want to futureproof your device, you can get the Note 20 5G — or go with the Note 20 Ultra 5G to unlock the storage expansion capability.

Cameras

If you indeed end up with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, you’re still getting great camera quality. After all, it’s one of the most celebrated flagships from last year. Plus it shares identical selfie, primary, and ultra-wide camera to the former. It even has a sharper 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

But obviously, you’re getting more modern camera features with the Samsung Galaxy Note 20. For starters, it has a sharper 64-megapixel telephoto lens that can do 3x of optical zoom and 30x of Super-Resolution Zoom. The Note 20 also has Tracking AF, 8K video recording, and you can use the Galaxy Buds Live as an external microphone for videos.

Connectivity

Having the newer chipset, the Galaxy Note 20 gets to have more modern connectivity features. Primarily, the WiFi 6, the new standard that we’ll have in the coming years.

It also comes with 5G connectivity, for as long as you get it on Smart or Globe postpaid plan. The Note 20 series also has Wireless DeX feature, more on that later.

See also: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Specs Comparison

Battery

Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 10 Plus have 4,300mAh batteries with fast wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging for your accessories.

But where the Galaxy Note 10 Plus shines is its 45W fast charger. On the other hand, the Galaxy S20 only has 25W which is, again, disappointing for the price.

Others

The main highlight of the Galaxy Note series is the S-Pen. On the Galaxy Note 10, the most popular stylus in the world became more useful with its air gestures and actions. But it appears that the S Pen has peaked, as we’re not seeing any noticeable improvements on the newer model.

What’s really new is on the Samsung DeX feature. Before, you have to plug it directly to a TV to use its desktop-like interface. Now, you can do it wirelessly. It’s a feature we already saw on devices like the Huawei P40 Pro, so it’s nice to see Samsung finally catching up.

It’s possible for Samsung to bring wireless DeX on the Note 10, but we can never know for sure.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus initially arrived in the Philippines for Php60,990. But now, it’s Php5,000 cheaper with its latest price of Php54,990. That’s only Php1,000 more expensive than the 4G-only Galaxy Note 20, which retails for Php53,990.

Personally, we prefer the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus. It has a more premium build that justifies its price, a sharper screen, extra RAM capacity, expandable storage, and faster storage.

But if you really want to future proof your smartphone, you can skip the Galaxy Note 20 and get the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G instead — if you don’t mind spending more money. You can check our Note 20 vs Note 20 Ultra comparison for more details.

This article, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 vs Note 10 Plus: Specs Comparison, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to's.