Apple iPhone SE (2020) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ dominates across nearly every technical specification, featuring a massive 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 3040x1440 resolution and 1200 nits brightness compared to iPhone SE's compact 4.7-inch 1334x750 IPS LCD. Processing power heavily favors Samsung, with Snapdragon 855 and 12GB RAM versus iPhone's A13 Bionic with 3GB RAM. Camera systems differ fundamentally: Samsung offers quad cameras including telephoto and ultra-wide lenses with enhanced video stabilization, while iPhone SE provides a single 12MP shooter. Battery capacity vastly separates them at 4300mAh versus 1821mAh, with Samsung supporting 45W fast charging. However, iPhone SE's $399 price point targets budget-conscious buyers seeking reliable performance through Apple's ecosystem, whereas Note 10+ at $1099 appeals to multimedia enthusiasts demanding premium features. For value-oriented consumers, iPhone SE delivers solid fundamentals at an accessible price. Professional users prioritizing screen real estate, camera versatility, and battery endurance should choose Samsung.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if…
- →Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
- →Touch ID home button
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 SE (2020)
Pros
- Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Long software support from Apple
Cons
- Tiny 1821 mAh battery with poor endurance
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera with no ultrawide
- 750p LCD display
- No 5G support
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 SE (2020) | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 13 | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 148 g | 196 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front and back |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps, Super Steady |
| Depth | — | VGA ToF 3D sensor |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | — | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 1821 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 3040 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 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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