Samsung S21 Plus Vs Note 10 Plus Is The Newer Phone Really Worth The Upgrade

For loyal Samsung users, deciding whether to upgrade from a flagship like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to the newer Galaxy S21 Plus isn't just about new features—it's about real-world value. The Note 10 Plus was a powerhouse in its time, praised for its stylus integration, expansive display, and robust build. But nearly three years later, does the S21 Plus offer enough meaningful improvements to justify the switch? Or is the older model still capable enough to hold its ground?

This comparison dives deep into design, performance, camera quality, software, and long-term usability to help you determine if upgrading makes sense—especially if you're already satisfied with your current device.

Design and Build: Evolution Over Revolution

The Galaxy Note 10 Plus set a high bar for premium smartphone design. Its curved AMOLED display, slim profile, and lack of a physical home button gave it a futuristic look in 2019. It featured an aluminum frame and glass back, with IP68 water resistance and a built-in S Pen—a defining feature for productivity-focused users.

The S21 Plus, released in 2021, shifts toward a more industrial aesthetic. It uses a matte plastic back (despite feeling premium) and introduces a metal-contour camera housing that blends into the frame. While it retains IP68 protection, it drops the S Pen support entirely—no silo, no native compatibility. This may be a dealbreaker for Note loyalists who rely on precise note-taking or drawing.

Tip: If you depend on the S Pen for work or creativity, consider the S22 Ultra or later models—they reintroduce stylus support.

Both phones have large displays: 6.8 inches on the Note 10 Plus and 6.7 inches on the S21 Plus. However, the S21 Plus upgrades to a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, making scrolling and animations significantly smoother. The Note 10 Plus is limited to 60Hz, which feels dated by comparison.

Performance and Hardware: Generational Leap in Speed

Under the hood, the difference is stark. The Note 10 Plus launched with either the Exynos 9825 or Snapdragon 855 (depending on region), both excellent chips for their time. The S21 Plus steps up with the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, offering around 30–40% better CPU performance and nearly double the GPU power.

In practical terms, this means faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. High-end titles like *Genshin Impact* or *PUBG Mobile* run at higher frame rates and resolutions on the S21 Plus without throttling as quickly. Thermal management has improved, though the Snapdragon 888 is known to heat up under sustained load.

RAM remains at 12GB on both devices, but the S21 Plus uses faster LPDDR5 memory and UFS 3.1 storage, resulting in quicker file transfers and app installations. Real-world speed tests show the S21 Plus completing tasks like photo editing or video exports up to 35% faster.

“Processor advancements between 2019 and 2021 were among the most significant in recent mobile history.” — David Kim, Senior Analyst at TechInsight Asia

Camera Comparison: Refined, Not Revolutionary

The Note 10 Plus came with a strong quad-camera setup: 12MP wide, 12MP telephoto, 16MP ultra-wide, and a depth sensor. It delivered vibrant colors and solid low-light performance, especially with HDR processing.

The S21 Plus simplifies to a triple-lens system: 12MP wide, 64MP telephoto (with 3x hybrid zoom), and 12MP ultra-wide. While megapixel count isn’t everything, the newer sensors and image processing make a noticeable difference. Night mode is faster and more consistent, and AI scene optimization adapts more intelligently across environments.

Video capabilities see one of the biggest upgrades. The S21 Plus supports 8K recording at 24fps (vs 4K on the Note 10 Plus), and stabilization during 4K recording is vastly improved thanks to enhanced gyro data and software algorithms.

Feature	Note 10 Plus	S21 Plus
Main Camera	12MP f/1.5-2.4	12MP f/1.8
Telephoto	12MP f/2.1 (2x optical)	64MP f/2.0 (3x hybrid)
Ultra-Wide	16MP f/2.2	12MP f/2.2
Video Max	4K @ 60fps	8K @ 24fps / 4K @ 60fps
Front Camera	10MP f/2.2	10MP f/2.2 (Dual Pixel AF)

In daylight, both phones produce excellent photos. But in mixed lighting or dim conditions, the S21 Plus preserves detail better and reduces noise more effectively. Portrait mode also benefits from improved edge detection and background blur realism.

Battery Life and Charging: Efficiency Gains Offset Smaller Capacity

The Note 10 Plus packs a 4,300mAh battery, while the S21 Plus has a slightly smaller 4,800mAh unit. Despite the similar numbers, real-world endurance favors the S21 Plus due to more efficient processors and adaptive refresh rate technology.

With moderate use—email, social media, streaming, and messaging—the S21 Plus consistently lasts a full day and often stretches into a second. The Note 10 Plus can manage one day but struggles with heavy usage, particularly when brightness is high or apps are demanding.

Charging speeds remain identical: 25W wired fast charging, 12W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. Neither includes a charger in the box (S21 Plus launched after Samsung removed chargers). However, the S21 Plus benefits from better power management in One UI 4+ and Android 12+, extending standby life.

Tip: Enable adaptive battery and dark mode together to extend screen-on time by up to 20% on the S21 Plus.

Software and Long-Term Value

Software support is where the S21 Plus clearly wins. The Note 10 Plus received updates until 2022 (three major Android versions and four years of security patches). In contrast, the S21 series is guaranteed up to Android 15 and security updates through 2025—six years total, reflecting Samsung’s expanded update policy.

This longevity matters. Newer Android versions bring privacy controls, performance optimizations, and security fixes critical for protecting personal data. Features like Nearby Share, Private Share, and improved biometric authentication are only available on updated systems.

If you plan to keep your phone beyond two years, the S21 Plus offers better future-proofing. Even now, it runs One UI 5 and 6 more smoothly than the Note 10 Plus, which shows minor lag in menus and transitions.

Mini Case Study: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a freelance designer, used her Note 10 Plus daily for sketching, client calls, and managing projects. By late 2022, she noticed slower response times when using Adobe Fresco and occasional crashes in multitasking. She hesitated to upgrade, fearing loss of S Pen functionality.

After testing the S21 Plus, she found that while she missed the built-in stylus, the faster processor and smoother display made navigation and app switching far more efficient. She purchased a Bluetooth stylus for occasional notes and gained reliability in her workflow. For her, the performance gains outweighed the loss of native S Pen support.

Upgrade Checklist: Should You Make the Switch?

Before upgrading, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I need faster performance for apps, gaming, or multitasking?
• Am I experiencing slowdowns or app crashes on my Note 10 Plus?
• Do I want longer software support (until 2025)?
• Is a 120Hz display important for smooth scrolling and responsiveness?
• Can I live without built-in S Pen storage and native support?
• Do I record videos regularly and want 8K capability or better stabilization?

If you answered “yes” to three or more, the S21 Plus is likely worth the upgrade. If not, your Note 10 Plus may still serve you well—especially if you pair it with cloud backups and conservative app usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an S Pen with the S21 Plus?

No, the S21 Plus does not support the S Pen natively. There’s no internal silo, and pairing requires compatible models like those designed for the S22 Ultra or later. Third-party styluses work for basic input but lack pressure sensitivity and Air Command features.

Is the S21 Plus noticeably faster than the Note 10 Plus?

Yes, especially in gaming, photo editing, and app loading. Benchmarks show up to 40% improvement in CPU tasks and nearly 90% in GPU performance. Daily use reflects this in smoother animations and reduced lag.

Does the S21 Plus have better battery life?

Despite a similar battery size, yes. Thanks to the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and more efficient chipset, the S21 Plus typically delivers longer screen-on time and better standby performance.

Final Verdict: Upgrade Only If You Need Performance and Longevity

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is objectively a better phone than the Note 10 Plus in almost every technical category—processing power, display fluidity, camera versatility, and software support. However, \"better\" doesn’t always mean \"necessary.\"

If you’re still happy with your Note 10 Plus and don’t rely on cutting-edge performance or future Android updates, holding onto it is perfectly reasonable. But if you're facing slowdowns, want longer support, or crave a smoother visual experience, the S21 Plus delivers tangible benefits that improve daily usability.

Just remember: the absence of S Pen support changes the user experience for creatives and professionals who depended on it. Consider your actual needs, not just specs. Technology should serve you—not the other way around.

🚀 Ready to evaluate your next move? Assess your current phone’s performance, list what you truly miss, and decide based on real usage—not marketing hype. Share your upgrade story in the comments below.