Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra surpasses the Note 10+ across nearly every dimension despite arriving two years later. Display quality improvements are substantial: the S21 Ultra delivers 120Hz refresh rate with LTPO technology and brighter 1500 nits versus the Note's static 60Hz and 1200 nits. Camera capabilities showcase dramatic leaps, particularly the 108MP main sensor with superior low-light performance and a 10x periscope zoom replacing the Note's 2x telephoto. Processing power benefits from Snapdragon 888 with Adreno 660 GPU, enabling faster performance and 5G connectivity. Battery capacity increased to 5000mAh, though charging speeds dropped from 45W to 25W. Build quality improved with Gorilla Glass Victus and more recent Android 11 software. Weight penalty of 31g represents a notable drawback. For serious photographers, video enthusiasts, and those prioritizing cutting-edge performance, the S21 Ultra justifies its premium. The Note 10+ appeals primarily to those seeking S Pen functionality and legacy software familiarity. Recommendation: S21 Ultra for modern specs and capabilities.
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 Ultra if…
- →100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- →108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- →S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
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 Ultra
Pros
- 100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- 108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
- 1440p 120Hz LTPO adaptive display
- 5000 mAh battery with all-day endurance
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g
- Snapdragon 888 can overheat under load
- S Pen sold separately, no silo slot
- Slow 25W charging for the class
- No charger or earbuds in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 196 g | 227 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 | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Depth | VGA ToF 3D sensor | — |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 40 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Super Steady | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Periscope | — | 10 MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO |
| Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1500 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
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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