Samsung S20 Vs Note 10 Plus Is The Newer S20 Actually Worth Ditching The Note For

For long-time Samsung users, upgrading from a flagship like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to its successor—the Galaxy S20—feels like more than just a hardware refresh. It’s a decision that weighs legacy features against modern innovation. The Note 10 Plus was beloved for its stylus functionality, expansive display, and productivity-focused design. The S20, on the other hand, arrived with next-gen specs, 5G connectivity, and a camera system built for creators. But does the S20 truly outshine its predecessor enough to justify abandoning the Note line’s signature strengths?

This isn’t just about megapixels or processor speeds. It’s about how each device fits into your daily life—whether you’re taking notes in meetings, editing photos on the go, or simply browsing social media. Let’s break down where the S20 improves upon the Note 10 Plus and where the older model still holds its ground.

Performance and Hardware: A Clear Leap Forward

The most immediate difference between the two phones lies under the hood. The Galaxy S20 is powered by either the Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 (depending on region), both representing a generational leap over the Note 10 Plus’s Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9825. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better efficiency during intensive tasks like video rendering or gaming.

Both devices feature 12GB of RAM, but the S20 benefits from faster LPDDR5 memory, which improves data throughput and responsiveness. Storage also steps up: while the Note 10 Plus maxes out at 512GB (expandable via microSD), the S20 starts at 128GB and offers up to 512GB with microSD support retained.

Tip: If you frequently use multiple apps simultaneously or rely on cloud-heavy workflows, the S20’s improved memory architecture will deliver noticeably snappier performance.

Battery and Charging: Incremental Gains

The Note 10 Plus packs a 4,300mAh battery, slightly larger than the S20’s 4,000mAh unit. However, real-world usage tells a different story. Thanks to more efficient components and adaptive power management, the S20 often matches or exceeds the Note 10 Plus in screen-on time—especially when using its default 60Hz refresh rate.

Charging speeds remain identical: 25W wired fast charging, 12W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. Neither supports ultra-fast 45W charging introduced later in the Note 20 series, so there's no advantage here for early adopters of the S20.

Display and Design: Subtle Evolution, Not Revolution

Both phones feature edge-to-edge Dynamic AMOLED displays with HDR10+ support, but the S20 introduces a critical upgrade: a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel significantly smoother. You can toggle between 60Hz and 120Hz manually or let the phone adapt dynamically—a smart compromise between fluidity and battery life.

The S20 has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch display compared to the Note 10 Plus’s 6.8-inch screen. That may seem like a downgrade, but it results in a more compact and manageable form factor. The S20 measures 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm and weighs 163g, making it notably lighter and narrower than the 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm, 196g Note 10 Plus.

“The shift from 60Hz to 120Hz is one of those upgrades you didn’t know you needed—until you experience it.” — James Lee, Mobile Tech Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Design Trade-offs

The S20 ditches the headphone jack and heart rate sensor found on the Note 10 Plus. For some users, this loss matters; others see it as inevitable progress. The S20 also uses a punch-hole front camera centered at the top, improving symmetry over the off-center cutout of the Note 10 Plus.

Camera Comparison: Night Mode and Zoom Make the Difference

This is where the S20 shines brightest. While the Note 10 Plus already had a strong triple-camera setup (12MP wide, 16MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto), the S20 redefines mobile photography with its 64MP telephoto lens and advanced computational imaging.

The standout feature is Space Zoom: up to 30x digital zoom with AI-powered enhancement. Though image quality degrades beyond 10x, it still outperforms the Note 10 Plus’s 2x optical zoom. More importantly, the S20 introduces Single Take mode, which captures multiple photo and video formats in 10 seconds using all lenses and AI effects—ideal for spontaneous moments.

Night mode sees significant improvements too. The S20 uses multi-frame processing across all rear cameras, delivering brighter, clearer low-light shots even on the ultra-wide lens—something the Note 10 Plus couldn’t do effectively.

Feature	Samsung S20	Note 10 Plus
Main Sensor	12MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel AF	12MP, f/1.5–f/2.4, variable aperture
Ultra-Wide	12MP, f/2.2, 120° FoV	16MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV
Telephoto	64MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom	12MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom
Front Camera	10MP, f/2.2	10MP, f/2.2
Video Recording	8K @ 24fps, 4K @ 60fps	4K @ 60fps only

Tip: Use the S20’s 8K video recording sparingly—it produces large files and limited playback compatibility, but it’s excellent for pulling high-res stills from footage.

The S Pen Dilemma: Why Productivity Lovers Hesitate

The biggest emotional hurdle in moving from the Note 10 Plus to the S20 is the absence of S Pen integration. The Note series defined itself around the stylus—its ergonomic design, air commands, and precision input made it indispensable for note-takers, artists, and professionals.

The S20 doesn’t support the S Pen natively. You can pair a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen (like the one from Note 20), but without the silo in the chassis, there’s nowhere to store it, and latency is higher. Air actions and handwriting recognition are less refined without deep firmware integration.

If you regularly take handwritten meeting notes, annotate PDFs, or sketch ideas, losing seamless S Pen access is a real downgrade—even if the rest of the phone improves.

“Ditching the S Pen feels like trading a Swiss Army knife for a sleeker pocket tool—you gain elegance but lose versatility.” — Lena Park, Digital Artist & Tech Reviewer

Mini Case Study: Maria, Freelance Designer

Maria upgraded from her Note 10 Plus to an S20 after being drawn in by the 120Hz display and 8K video. She loved the speed and camera flexibility but quickly missed the tactile feedback of the S Pen during client brainstorming sessions. She now carries a separate stylus, but finds it clunky and imprecise. After six months, she switched back to a Note 20 Ultra, citing workflow disruption as the primary reason.

Her experience underscores a key truth: raw specs don’t always translate to real-world usability. For creative professionals, the S Pen isn’t a gimmick—it’s a core tool.

Should You Upgrade? A Practical Checklist

Deciding whether to move from the Note 10 Plus to the S20 depends on your priorities. Use this checklist to evaluate your needs:

• ✅ Prioritize smooth performance and future-proof specs?
• ✅ Want 120Hz display for gaming or scrolling comfort?
• ✅ Interested in 8K video or enhanced zoom capabilities?
• ✅ Prefer a smaller, lighter device?
• ❌ Rely heavily on S Pen for work or creativity?
• ❌ Need maximum battery capacity above all else?
• ❌ Still satisfied with current phone performance?

If most of your checks are in the first three boxes, the S20 is a worthy upgrade. If the last three resonate more, sticking with the Note 10 Plus—or waiting for a Note-series successor—might be smarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an S Pen with the Galaxy S20?

You can pair a compatible S Pen (such as the one from the Note 20) via Bluetooth, but the S20 lacks the built-in silo for storage and doesn’t support air commands or low-latency writing. Functionality is limited compared to Note devices.

Is the S20’s camera significantly better than the Note 10 Plus?

Yes, particularly in zoom and low-light performance. The 64MP telephoto sensor enables sharper 3x–10x hybrid zoom, and Night mode works across all lenses. 8K video is also exclusive to the S20, though practical benefits are limited today.

Does the S20 feel like a downgrade in build quality?

No. Both phones use glass-and-metal construction with IP68 ratings. The S20 feels more compact and balanced, though some miss the larger screen and included S Pen slot. Build quality remains premium on both.

Final Verdict: Progress Comes With Compromises

The Galaxy S20 is objectively a more advanced phone than the Note 10 Plus. It delivers faster performance, a smoother display, superior zoom, and cutting-edge video features. For tech enthusiasts and photographers, the upgrade path is clear and rewarding.

But technological superiority doesn’t always equal personal value. The Note 10 Plus offered something rare: a perfect blend of productivity, screen real estate, and stylus integration. The S20 trades some of that utility for refinement and speed.

If you're someone who values precision input, long-form note-taking, or professional-grade annotation, the S20 might leave you feeling unfulfilled. But if you want a leaner, faster, more visually responsive flagship experience, the S20 proves that evolution—even without the S Pen—can still be compelling.

🚀 Ready to make your move? Assess your daily usage, prioritize your must-have features, and choose not just the newer phone—but the one that truly works for you.