If you prioritize having a larger screen and a stylus for productivity, the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ is a cost-effective option that also offers a high-quality camera system. However, if you prefer an updated processor with 5G capability, better battery life, and a higher refresh rate screen for smoother scrolling, the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S21 FE would be a better fit, although it has a smaller screen and doesn't include a stylus. Both phones offer quality cameras; the S21 FE's camera system is slightly better, especially for video. Keep in mind the Note10+ has a glass back, versus the plastic back of the S21 FE, which might impact durability and feel. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note10+
Good battery life
Very good display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Note10+.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.6/10
7.0/10
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ generally underperforms in crucial camera attributes with a notably poor selfie, low light performance, and overall camera versatility, which are detrimental to the photography experience. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE displays good camera quality, including a good selfie score, making it a superior option for users prioritizing camera capabilities, despite its slightly lower microphone quality compared to the Note10+.
Photo Quality
5.5/10
6.9/10
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ has a poor selfie quality which means it may not perform as well compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE which has a good selfie quality; this suggests you'll get better results for self-portraits with the S21 FE. Additionally, the overall photos experience with the S21 FE is likely to be more satisfactory due to better ratings in resolution, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility compared to those of the Note10+.
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$299
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ has a price of $299 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung Galaxy Note10+ both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE delivers superior video capabilities compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ due to its higher video resolution/framerate, more effective video stabilization, better performance in dynamic range and low light conditions, and improved video software experience.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
"It is difficult to drain the 4300-mAh battery on the Samsung Galaxy Note10+. I tried. I used it over the weekend, and I didn’t have to recharge it once between Friday afternoon and Sunday evening. It’s a shiny spectacle of a phone, a kind of playground for Samsung, where the company can flex its acrobatic skills."
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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86,020
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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