Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (256GB). This phone was a game-changer when it was released, and even now, it holds up surprisingly well. We're going to cover everything from its design and display to its performance, camera, and overall value in today's market. So, if you're thinking about picking one up or just curious about this iconic device, stick around!

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy Note 10 boasts a sleek and modern design that still looks fresh. Samsung really nailed the aesthetics with this one. The phone features a glass front and back, seamlessly blending into a polished aluminum frame. This construction not only makes it look premium but also feels incredibly sturdy in hand. The curved edges of the display and back panel contribute to a comfortable grip, which is essential for a phone you'll be using all day long.

When it comes to durability, the Note 10 is equipped with Gorilla Glass 6 on both the front and back, offering decent protection against scratches and minor drops. However, glass is still glass, so you'll probably want to invest in a good case to keep it looking pristine. The phone also has an IP68 rating, meaning it's dustproof and can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. This is a great feature for peace of mind, especially if you're prone to accidents around water.

One of the standout design elements is the placement of the front-facing camera. Instead of a wide notch, Samsung opted for a small, centered hole-punch camera, which is far less intrusive and allows for a more immersive viewing experience. The back of the phone is clean and minimalist, with the vertically aligned camera module in the top left corner. The absence of a rear fingerprint sensor adds to the sleek look, as the Note 10 uses an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.

Overall, the design and build quality of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 are top-notch. It's a beautiful and well-built phone that feels great to hold and use. The attention to detail and premium materials make it a device that you'll be proud to show off. While it might be a few years old, its design still holds up against many of today's smartphones, proving that Samsung created a timeless classic.

Display

The display on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is a Dynamic AMOLED panel, and it's absolutely gorgeous. Colors are vibrant and punchy, blacks are deep and inky, and the overall picture quality is stunning. The screen resolution is 1080 x 2280 pixels, which results in a pixel density of around 401 ppi. This means that the display is incredibly sharp, and you won't be able to see any individual pixels with the naked eye.

One of the key features of the Dynamic AMOLED display is its HDR10+ support. This allows for a wider range of colors and greater contrast, making videos and photos look more realistic and immersive. Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or just browsing the web, the Note 10's display will impress you with its clarity and vibrancy.

The brightness of the display is also excellent, reaching up to 1200 nits in certain conditions. This makes it easy to see the screen even in direct sunlight. The viewing angles are also wide, so you can comfortably view the screen from any angle without any color distortion.

The Note 10 also features an Always-On Display (AOD) mode, which allows you to see the time, date, notifications, and other information without having to wake up the phone. The AOD is customizable, so you can choose what information you want to see and how you want it to be displayed. It's a convenient feature that saves you time and battery life.

The size of the display is 6.3 inches, which strikes a good balance between being large enough for comfortable media consumption and small enough for easy one-handed use. The slim bezels around the display further enhance the viewing experience, making it feel like you're holding a screen with minimal distractions. In conclusion, the display on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is one of its strongest features. It's bright, vibrant, and sharp, making it a joy to use for any task.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 packs a powerful punch. Depending on the region, it comes with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or the Exynos 9825 chipset. Both of these processors are incredibly capable and can handle demanding tasks with ease. The Snapdragon 855 variant is commonly found in the US, while the Exynos 9825 is available in international markets.

Regardless of the chipset, the Note 10 comes with 8GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. You can have multiple apps open at the same time without experiencing any lag or slowdown. The phone also comes with 256GB of internal storage, which is plenty of space for your photos, videos, and apps. However, it's worth noting that the Note 10 does not have a microSD card slot, so you can't expand the storage.

In terms of real-world performance, the Galaxy Note 10 is a beast. It can handle demanding games like Fortnite and PUBG with high graphics settings without any noticeable frame drops. The phone also excels at everyday tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and using social media apps. Everything feels snappy and responsive.

The Note 10 also features a Game Launcher, which is a dedicated app that optimizes the phone's performance for gaming. It allows you to block notifications, adjust the graphics settings, and monitor the phone's temperature. This is a great feature for serious gamers who want to get the most out of their gaming experience.

Another notable aspect of the Note 10's performance is its software. It runs on Android with Samsung's One UI on top. One UI is a user-friendly interface that is designed to be easy to use with one hand. It also includes a number of useful features, such as a system-wide dark mode, improved navigation gestures, and enhanced privacy controls. In summary, the performance of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is excellent. It's a fast and responsive phone that can handle anything you throw at it.

Camera

The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is versatile and capable of capturing stunning photos and videos. It features a triple-lens setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP primary lens, a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. This combination of lenses allows you to capture a wide variety of shots, from sweeping landscapes to close-up portraits.

The primary lens has a variable aperture, which means it can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 depending on the lighting conditions. This allows for excellent low-light performance, as the wider aperture lets in more light. The ultra-wide-angle lens is great for capturing expansive scenes, while the telephoto lens allows you to zoom in on distant subjects without losing detail.

The Note 10 also features a 10MP front-facing camera, which takes excellent selfies. The front camera also supports autofocus, which ensures that your selfies are always sharp and in focus.

In terms of video recording, the Note 10 can record videos in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. It also supports HDR10+ video recording, which allows for a wider range of colors and greater contrast. The phone also has excellent video stabilization, which ensures that your videos are smooth and steady, even when you're moving around.

The camera app on the Note 10 is packed with features, including a variety of shooting modes, such as Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and Pro Mode. Night Mode is designed to improve low-light performance, while Portrait Mode creates a shallow depth of field effect, blurring the background and making the subject stand out. Pro Mode allows you to manually adjust the camera settings, such as the ISO, aperture, and white balance.

Overall, the camera system on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is excellent. It's versatile, capable, and packed with features. Whether you're a casual shooter or a photography enthusiast, you'll be impressed with the quality of the photos and videos that this phone can capture.

S Pen

The S Pen is the signature feature of the Galaxy Note series, and it's one of the main reasons why people choose the Note 10 over other smartphones. The S Pen is a stylus that is designed to be used with the Note 10's display. It allows you to take notes, draw, and navigate the phone with precision.

The S Pen has a number of features that make it a valuable tool. It supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, which means that it can detect how hard you're pressing on the screen. This allows for a more natural and responsive writing and drawing experience. The S Pen also has a built-in button that can be used to perform various actions, such as taking a screenshot, launching an app, or controlling the camera.

One of the most useful features of the S Pen is its ability to convert handwriting to text. You can write notes in the Samsung Notes app, and the Note 10 will automatically convert your handwriting into digital text. This is a great feature for students and professionals who need to take notes on the go.

The S Pen also supports Air Actions, which are gestures that you can perform in the air to control the phone. For example, you can wave the S Pen to switch between camera modes, zoom in and out, or control music playback. Air Actions are customizable, so you can set them up to perform the actions that you use most often.

The S Pen is also great for creative tasks, such as drawing and sketching. The Samsung Notes app includes a variety of brushes and tools that you can use to create artwork. The S Pen's pressure sensitivity and precision make it a great tool for artists of all skill levels.

In conclusion, the S Pen is a valuable tool that enhances the functionality of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10. It's great for taking notes, drawing, and navigating the phone with precision. If you're looking for a smartphone with a stylus, the Note 10 is an excellent choice.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, which provides decent battery life. With moderate usage, you can expect the Note 10 to last through a full day on a single charge. However, if you're a heavy user, you may need to top it up in the afternoon.

The Note 10 supports 25W fast charging, which allows you to quickly recharge the battery. With the included charger, you can charge the battery from 0% to 100% in about an hour. The phone also supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which allows you to use the Note 10 to charge other devices.

One of the factors that affects battery life is the display. The Note 10's Dynamic AMOLED display is bright and vibrant, but it can also consume a lot of power. To conserve battery life, you can lower the screen brightness, turn off Always-On Display, and use a dark theme.

Another factor that affects battery life is the processor. The Snapdragon 855 and Exynos 9825 chipsets are both power-efficient, but they can still consume a lot of power when you're running demanding apps or playing games. To conserve battery life, you can close unused apps, turn off background app refresh, and use the phone's power-saving mode.

Overall, the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is decent. It's not the best in its class, but it's good enough to get you through a full day with moderate usage. The phone's fast charging capabilities make it easy to top up the battery when needed.

Value

So, is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (256GB) still worth it? Considering its age, the price has come down significantly, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. You're getting a premium design, a stunning display, a versatile camera system, and the iconic S Pen. While it might not have the latest and greatest specs, it still holds its own against many mid-range phones today.

If you're someone who values the S Pen and its features, the Note 10 is definitely worth considering. It's a unique device that offers a different experience than most other smartphones. However, if you're primarily concerned with having the fastest processor or the most advanced camera technology, you might want to look at newer options.

Ultimately, the value of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you can find it at a good price and the features appeal to you, it's still a solid choice in today's market.