This is a question that I've been asking myself and many have asked me over the past few weeks: Should I upgrade from the Galaxy Note 9 to the Galaxy Note 10? We do know quite a bit about the device now as the leaks and rumors have picked up in recent days, so I believe one can begin to debate the question now.
I'm a Note loyalist. I've been using my Galaxy Note 9 since it came out last year and didn't switch to the Galaxy S10. That's despite the fact that it brought some interesting new features and a better camera. This has been the case for many users and they will now be wondering whether an upgrade to the Galaxy Note 10 makes sense.
Upgrading from Galaxy Note 9 to Galaxy Note 10: The options
Let's look at the options first. We have exclusively revealed before that there will be two models of the Galaxy Note 10. Each will get its own 5G variant (the regular one will only have it in South Korea), but let's keep 5G out of the equation for now as only a handful of markets have it (US and South Korea) and the coverage leaves a lot to be desired. The first decision for most customers will be whether they opt for the 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 10 or the 6.75-inch Galaxy Note 10+.
I'm already pretty sure that I'll opt for the Galaxy Note 10+ because of the larger display. I often have to get some work done on my phone when I'm out and about. It's the reason I shifted from the Galaxy S series to the Galaxy Note in the first place. That may also be the case for many other customers as well. No concrete figures related to the battery have surfaced as yet. Earlier reports have suggested that the Galaxy Note 10+ may have a 4,500mAh battery. If that's true, it would be an even more compelling option for customers looking for a workhorse.
Galaxy Note 10+ will be a no-brainer for most customers
Both models will use an Exynos 9825 processor or the Snapdragon 855 in select markets. There should be at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on the base variant, if not more. A recent report has claimed that the Galaxy Note 10 isn't going to have a microSD card slot, only the Galaxy Note 10+ will have it. For many, including myself, this will be another reason why they opt for the larger model instead, even though there's a lack of any solid evidence that the microSD slot will be missing on either model.
Expect the new flagship to feature a 12-megapixel primary camera paired with a 16-megapixel ultra-wide and 12-megapixel telephoto camera. Samsung is expected to add a three-stage variable aperture to the device, a first for any smartphone. The Galaxy Note 10+ may get an additional Time of Flight sensor as well. For anyone upgrading from the Galaxy Note 9, the camera system is going to be a significant improvement. If you live the influencer lifestyle or simply have a knack for photography, the Galaxy Note 10 will prove to be a worthy upgrade.
It won't be priced any cheaper than the Galaxy Note 9 was. According to reports, the Galaxy Note 10 will start at 999 euro which means it will be about the same in USD. The Galaxy Note 10+ will start at 1149 euro. You may consider paying the premium if you want a larger display, bigger battery and a ToF sensor at the back. It may even offer 45W fast charging but you'll have to purchase a 50 euro charger separately to take advantage of that. Larger models have historically performed better and we may see that with the Galaxy Note 10+ as well.
Having to choose between the two models will come after you first decide whether you want to give up your Galaxy Note 9 or not. There are some significant generational improvements in the Galaxy Note 10 for which I absolutely will upgrade. I'd like the larger display and the significantly improved camera (even if there's no three-stage aperture, having an ultra-wide camera would be a neat feature to have). They alone give me reason enough to purchase the upcoming flagship.
Some may think otherwise or they may simply not be ready to give up the 3.5mm headphone jack. What's your position on this? Do you feel that the Galaxy Note 10 will be a worthwhile upgrade for you from its predecessor? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
