Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy Note 10+ excels with its massive 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, quad camera setup featuring a ToF sensor, and S Pen stylus integration, making it ideal for productivity and creative work. Sony's Xperia 5 IV counters with a more modern Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 120Hz refresh rate, 5G connectivity, and superior battery life from its 5000 mAh cell. Picture quality differs significantly: Samsung delivers higher pixel density at 3040x1440, while Sony offers smoother scrolling at 120Hz. Camera performance favors Samsung's versatile quad setup, though Sony's 4K 120fps video is compelling. Sony's lighter 172g frame and compact 6.1-inch form factor appeal to different users. Battery capacity decisively favors Sony, offsetting Samsung's faster 45W charging. At similar prices, Samsung dominates creative professionals valuing the stylus and larger screen, while Sony serves those prioritizing modern performance, 5G, and all-day battery endurance.
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 Sony Xperia 5 IV if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- →5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- →3.5mm headphone jack
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
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- 5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless charging added (absent on 5 III)
- Excellent manual camera controls
Cons
- 12 MP cameras feel dated in 2022
- Slow 30W charging
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermal issues
- Niche appeal limits accessories and cases
- Auto camera mode behind iPhone and Pixel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 196 g | 172 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 | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Depth | VGA ToF 3D sensor | — |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Super Steady | 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical 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 | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 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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