Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra substantially outperforms the Note 10+ across nearly every metric, though both command premium prices. Display quality favors the S23 Ultra with its 120Hz LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen delivering 2200 nits brightness versus the Note's 60Hz panel at 1200 nits. Camera capabilities show dramatic generational improvements: the S23 Ultra's 200MP main sensor with advanced computational photography and dual telephoto setup (10x periscope plus 3x optical) vastly surpass the Note's quad camera system. Processing power differs significantly, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 handily beating the 855, while battery capacity jumps from 4300mAh to 5000mAh. Software receives major upgrades via Android 13 with One UI 5.1. However, the Note 10+ remains notably lighter at 196g, offers S Pen integration, and costs $100 less. For photography enthusiasts and performance seekers, the S23 Ultra is the clear choice. Budget-conscious users might still appreciate the Note's lighter frame and stylus functionality.
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 S23 Ultra if…
- →200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- →Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
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 S23 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
- Bright 2200-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Cons
- Very heavy at 234 g, tiring for extended use
- Thick 8.9 mm body compared to rivals
- 45W charging is slow for a $1199 flagship
- No significant camera hardware upgrade over S22 Ultra main sensor
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 196 g | 234 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front and back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Depth | VGA ToF 3D sensor | — |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Super Steady | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom | 10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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