You need to know the Galaxy Note 10 layout if you want to use Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+ effectively.
With some new features of Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+, like a zoom-in microphone, in-display fingerprint reader, and the new Side key (power button), even a seasoned Galaxy Note owner may get a bit confused on some parts of the Galaxy Note 10.
This Galaxy Note 10 guide details the layout of both Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+. All parts, ports, and buttons (keys) and their usage are explained as well.
Although the size of Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ are substantially different, the layout of the two phones is almost identical except one missing rear camera on Galaxy Note 10. So, in this post, after highlighting this difference, we will not differentiate between Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+.
What are the differences between the layout of Galaxy Note 10 and the layout of Galaxy Note 10+
As explained in this guide, there are some differences between Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+. For example, the Galaxy Note 10 is smaller. There is no micro SD card support on Galaxy Note 10. The screen resolution of Galaxy Note 10 is only up to 1080p.
But if you look outside of the two phones, you may notice the main difference (actually, the only difference except the dimensions and weight) is the rear camera module.
As shown below, the Galaxy Note 10 has one additional camera. Samsung labeled it as a DepthVision camera, which includes a camera lens and an infrared sensor.
Galaxy Note 10 layout explained
As shown in the illustration below, from the front view of Galaxy Note 10, you can find:
1. Touch screen
More than 90% of the front of the Galaxy Note 10 is occupied by the dynamic OLED screen.
Please note, in most regions, a plastic screen protector was pasted on the screen because most tempered glass screen protectors do NOT work with the in-display fingerprint sensor.
2. Edge screen on Galaxy Note 10 layout
The edge screen is NOT a separate part. It refers to the curved parts on both sides of the touchscreen.
Samsung added some quick tools, including edge panel and edge lighting features, to the Edge screen.
You may check this guide on how to use the Edge screen on Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S10.
3. Fingerprint sensor (under the display)
As mentioned in the top 10 new features of Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) uses an in-display fingerprint sensor, which was first introduced in Galaxy S10 and S10+ (not S10e).
Although it sounds great, it is harder to use compared to the traditional capacitive fingerprint reader (see top 10 missing features of Galaxy Note 10).
You need to familiarize yourself with the location of the fingerprint sensor. When the screen wakes up, it does show an icon on the location.
You may check this guide on how to use the in-display fingerprint sensor.
4. The selfie camera on Galaxy Note 10 layout
The cutout for the front camera on the Galaxy Note 10 is not as excessive as that on the Galaxy S10.
If you really do not like the punched hole, you can use the virtual bezel (black bar) to hide the top part as explained here.
5. Earpiece/speaker (front)
When on a call, the sound should come out from here.
6. Proximity/light senor (under the display)
The proximity sensor detects where something is close to the phone. For example, when you pick up a call and move the phone to your ear, the screen will be off automatically (to avoid inadvertent touches). When you put down the phone, the screen will be on automatically.
The light sensor detects the lighting conditions. Galaxy Note 10 may adjust the screen brightness automatically based on the info from the light sensor.
7. SIM card tray
For Galaxy Note 10, the SIM card tray is for holding SIM cards (nano-SIM) only.
For the single SIM version of Galaxy Note 10+, slot one is for a SIM card, and slot 2 is for a micro SD card. For the dual SIM version of Galaxy Note 10+, slot one is for SIM cards only, and slot two can be used to hold a SIM card OR a micro SD card (but not both concurrently). Please check the Galaxy Note 10 SIM card guide for details.
You should always use the ejection pin in the Galaxy Note 10 box to eject the tray.
8. Volume key on Galaxy Note 10 layout
In addition to adjusting the volume, the volume key (volume button) has many other functions/usages on Galaxy Note 10, for example:
- Take photos in the Camera app.
- Zoom in/out in some apps.
- Reboot the phone into recovery mode to clear the cache partition.
- Reboot the phone into safe mode to check whether a problem is caused by third-party apps.
- Access the power menu.
- Take a screenshot (with the Side key).
Remember, although the volume key appears as one key, it is often referred to as two keys: volume down (bottom part) and volume up (top part)
9. Side key
The Side key takes the location of the old Bixby key. But it is a modified Power key (Power button).
By default, you can:
- Press once to wake up or turn off the screen.
- Press twice to launch the camera app (camera Quick launch).
- Press and hold to wake Bixby.
Of course, you can remap the double press and long press to other functions.
Please check this guide on how to use and customize the Side key (power button).
10. USB-C port
Samsung started to switch to USB-C (from micro USB) in Galaxy Note 7.
As Samsung removed the headphone jack from Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+, you have to use a USB-C earphone or a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle if you want to use a wired headset.
The USB-C port is truly a multi-purpose jack. For example,
- You can connect a charger to this port to charge the Galaxy Note 10 battery.
- You can directly connect USB-C accessories, including USB-C headsets.
- You can connect Galaxy Note 10 to a Windows 10 PC through this USB-C port to use Samsung DeX for PC.
- You can connect a USB connector (included in the Galaxy Note 10 box) here and then attach other devices or accessories.
- You can connect the phone to a monitor with a USB-C to HDMI dongle (or a DeX cable) to use Samsung DeX. Of course, you can also connect Galaxy Note 10 to a DeX Pad or a DeX Station to use Samsung DeX.
Please note that you should only use quality USB-C cables like the one included in your Galaxy Note 10 box. A $5 poor-quality USB-C cable may damage your $1000 Galaxy Note.
11. S Pen and S Pen slot
S Pen is the signature feature of Galaxy Note devices.
Galaxy Note 10 S Pen added the gesture support. You may check this guide on how to use the new S Pen on Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+.
Please note the Galaxy Note 10 S Pen needs about 10 mins to charge (instead of 45 seconds for the Galaxy Note 9 S Pen) due to the real battery inside the Galaxy Note 10 S Pen. The S Pen will be charged automatically when you put it in the slot.
The S Pen slot is for Galaxy Note 10 S Pen only. You should NEVER insert other S Pens into the slot. Similarly, you should NEVER insert the Galaxy Note 10 S Pen into other Galaxy Note devices. The dimensions of S Pens for different Galaxy Note devices are different.
Looking from the back, as shown below, you can find:
12. Rear camera module on Galaxy Note 10 layout
Galaxy Note 10 has three rear cameras, while Galaxy Note 10+ has 4.
As explained in this post, the missing camera in Galaxy Note 10 is the DepthVision camera (and the infrared sensor).
You should remove the protective film from the lens after getting the phone. If the lens becomes dirty, the camera app will warn you.
Please check Galaxy Note 10 camera guides on using the cameras.
13. LED flash
Normally, you should avoid using flash for photos.
The new Night camera mode can be used without firing the flash.
Please note the LED flash can be used as a torch. You can find the Flashlight button in quick settings.
14. NFC/MST antenna and wireless charging coil (beneath the back cover)
Galaxy Note 10 NFC antenna and wireless charging coils are near the center of the phone.
You need to tap this area for any NFC readers when you want to use NFC.
When using wireless charging to charge Galaxy Note 10 battery, you should try to put this part near the charging coils (usually near the center) in the wireless charging pad.
Also, if you want to use Galaxy Note 10 wireless PowerShare to charge other devices with Galaxy Note 10 battery, you need to put other devices close to this region.
MST (Magnetic secure transmission) is mainly used by Samsung Pay on the traditional credit card terminal (where you need to swipe the card).
Please note some thick cases or covers may affect NFC and wireless charging. All official Samsung Galaxy Note 10 cases work with the BFC/MST antenna and wireless charging coil without issues.
15. Main antenna (beneath the back cover)
Mobile, WiFi, and Bluetooth antennas are located near the bottom (beneath the back cover).
You should NOT block this area with metals.
16. GPS antenna (beneath the back cover)
The GPS antenna is needed to get the precise location of the phone.
17. Microphone (top)
Sometimes, this microphone is referred to as the secondary microphone or noise-canceling microphone. When you are on a call, by default, the microphone in the bottom is the “main” one, and this top microphone will be used to sample ambient sound for noise canceling.
In fact, both this top and the bottom microphone can work interchangeably. When you use the Voice Recorder app, you assign different microphones for different roles.
18. Speaker (top)
Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+, of course) has two stereo speakers: one at the top and the other at the bottom. This hole is actually the vent for the speaker.
Please do not confuse this with the zoom-in microphone.
19. Speaker (bottom)
This is a normal speaker which can be found in almost all smartphones.
20. microphone (bottom)
Sometimes, this microphone is called the main microphone.
21. Zoom-in microphone on Galaxy Note 10 layout
Galaxy Note 10 introduced the zoom-in microphone for video recording as one of the main new features.
The zoom-in microphone can automatically amplify the sound from the object detected. You can disable it by tapping the icon when it appears.
Because the zoom-in microphone always focuses on the object detected by the camera, it is placed close to the camera lens, as shown in the illustration below.
Many reviewers and owners mistakenly recognized the top speaker as the zoom-in microphone, as explained in this guide.
Do you have any questions on Galaxy Note 10 layout? Do you understand the function of each part and buttons on Galaxy Note 10?
Should you have any questions on the layout or functions of any parts of Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+, you may let us know in the comment box below.
If you have any other Galaxy Note 10-related questions, you may check our Galaxy Note 10 guides.
If you need to get a copy of the official Galaxy Note 10 user manuals in your language, please check this page.
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