Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
The Verdict
iPhone 15 Plus excels with newer A16 Bionic processor, superior 48MP main camera with Dolby Vision 4K recording, and brighter 2000-nit Super Retina XDR display despite 60Hz refresh rate. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ counters with higher 12GB RAM, faster 45W charging, more versatile quad-camera system including 2x telephoto lens, and sharper 1440p Dynamic AMOLED screen. However, the Note 10+ runs outdated Android 9 with security concerns, lacks 5G capability, and has weaker processing power by several generations. iPhone 15 Plus offers cleaner software, longer update support, better computational photography, and modern connectivity. For pure value and feature richness, Galaxy Note 10+ had merit at launch, but iPhone 15 Plus provides significantly better long-term performance and security despite higher upfront cost. Recommend iPhone 15 Plus for most users seeking current technology.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ if…
- →S Pen with air gesture controls and Bluetooth LE
- →Gorgeous 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display
- →45W super fast charging for rapid top-ups
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
Pros
- S Pen with air gesture controls and Bluetooth LE
- Gorgeous 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display
- 45W super fast charging for rapid top-ups
- 12 GB RAM handles multitasking effortlessly
- Versatile quad-camera system with ToF depth sensor
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors were moving to high refresh rates
- No headphone jack — a first for the Note series
- Exynos variant has weaker GPU performance than Snapdragon
- Glass back is slippery and fragile without a case
- Samsung software updates have ended
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 196 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps, Super Steady |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Depth | — | VGA ToF 3D sensor |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3040 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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