Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs Samsung Galaxy S21+
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy Note 10+ delivers a larger 6.8-inch display with sharper 3040x1440 resolution and superior brightness at 1200 nits, making it exceptional for productivity and media consumption. However, the Galaxy S21+ counters with a newer Snapdragon 888 processor, faster 120Hz refresh rate, superior 5G connectivity, and a larger 4800 mAh battery. Camera capabilities differ meaningfully: Note 10+ features a distinctive variable aperture main lens and dual depth sensor, while S21+ offers a stronger 64 MP telephoto with 3x hybrid zoom and 8K video recording. Battery charging is notably faster on Note 10+ at 45W versus 25W. S21+ runs Android 11 versus the Note 10+'s Android 9, providing fresher software. Pricing favors S21+ at $999 versus $1099. For stylus productivity and display excellence, choose Note 10+. For modern performance, gaming, and overall value, S21+ is the stronger recommendation.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21+ if…
- →Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
- →120Hz AMOLED display
- →Gorilla Glass Victus durability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Pros
- Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Gorilla Glass Victus durability
- Good triple camera system
- Flat display is easier to use with screen protectors
Cons
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- Plastic back on some regions (Glasstic)
- Slow 25W charging
- No microSD card slot (removed in S21 series)
- No charger in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 196 g | 200 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front and back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Depth | VGA ToF 3D sensor | — |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Super Steady | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Ultrawide | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4800 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 |
| 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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