Galaxy Note Tips & Tricks

micro SD card

Top 11 disappointments of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

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Top 11 disappointments of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 UltraLike Galaxy Note 10, Samsung released two models Galaxy Note 20: Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra. Many existing Galaxy Note owners were very disappointed with this year’s Galaxy Note models. This post summarizes the top 11 disappointments of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

These disappointments include inconvenient S Pen Slot location, lacking apps for S Pen, no S Note app, disturbing curved screen on Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, an inferior in-display fingerprint reader, mediocre Exynos CPU/chipset in most regions, missing micro SD card support on Galaxy Note 20, plastic back on Galaxy Note 20, overpriced, no spare S Pen nibs and removing tool, no USB connector and no clear cover.

With the release of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Samsung also released the updated Galaxy Buds Live, which adds active noise cancelling (ANC) and a totally new design to Galaxy Buds +.

Inconvenient S Pen slot location

Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra relocated the S Pen slot to the left side of the charging port. In all previous generations of Galaxy Note phones, the S Pen slot is always on the right side so that it is very convenient for right-handed users to access it.

The relocation is apparently to create space for the bumped camera modules on Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. It seems the engineer just duplicated the design of S20 Ultra, which does not need a slot for S Pen.

It is one of the most inconvenient “new” features of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. For right-handed owners, it is very awkward to access the S Pen on Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

This relocation reflects the arrogance of Samsung engineers. And it proves very likely Galaxy Note designers never or seldom use S Pen. Maybe, they use iPhones.

Without the S Pen, Galaxy Note is just a bigger (now identical) Galaxy S phones. Designers should always put S Pen in the spotlight.

The inconvenient S …

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Galaxy Note 10 SIM Card Guide

Everything you need to know about using SIM cards on Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+

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Galaxy Note 10 SIM card trayYou need to add a SIM card to Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) if you want to use any mobile services.

But do you know how to add or replace the Galaxy Note 10 SIM card? Do you know your Galaxy Note 10 is single SIM version of dual-SIm version? Do you know how to use the SIM card tray and use two SIM cards on the phone?

This Galaxy Note 10 guide explains everything you need to know about using SIM cards on Galaxy Note 10: the sim card size, dual-SIM vs single-SIM, adding/replacing SIM cards, using the SIM card tray, managing and customizing  SIM cards, and using two SIM cards. It also answers some questions you may have about using SIM card on Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10+.

What’s the SIM card size for Galaxy Note 10?

Both Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 requires nano-SIM (the smallest one).

Traditionally, SIM card comes with 4 types of size (form factor):

  1. Full-size SIM. There are no smartphones using it.
  2. Mini-SIM. You can only find it in vintage phones.
  3. Micro-SIM. The popular SIM card 3-4 years ago.
  4. Nano-SIM. The mainstream SIM card.

The relative size of these 4 SIM card sizes is illustrated in the picture below.

Most phone companies offer 3-in-1 SIM cards. What you need is the smallest one.

You can detach the nano-SIM (the smallest part) and use it on Galaxy Note 10, as shown below.

Please note, you should not throw away the remaining plastic part.  You can use it as a SIM card adapter for old devices that may require a micro-SIM or even mini-SIM card.

If you are using one of the following popular phones, you can use the existing SIM card on Galaxy Note 10:

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5,  Note 7 FE, Note 8, and Note 9.
  • Samsung Galaxy S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 and all their variants (e.g., S10, S10+, S10e, S9, S9+, S8,  S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Edge+).
  • Any of Samsung Galaxy A series: Galaxy A3, A5, A7,
…

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Galaxy Note 10 Layout

The layout of Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+

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Galaxy Note 10 LayoutYou need to know 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 zoom-in microphone, in-display fingerprint reader, 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 differ 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, 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 check the 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, Galaxy Note 10 has one additional camera. Samsung labeled it as DepthVision camera, which includes a camera lens and an infrared sensor.

galaxy note 10 camera vs galaxy note 10+ camera

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 t 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

Edge screen is NOT …

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Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10+: what are the differences?

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Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10+: what are the differences?When you decide to buy a Galaxy Note 10 phone, you need to know there are two models of Galaxy Note 10. So, what are the major differences for Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10+?

This post details the major differences between Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ to help you make the correct decision when purchasing a Galaxy Note 10.

The top 10 new features of Galaxy Note 10 were summarized in this post. The top 10 missing features of Galaxy Note 10 can be found in this post.

Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10+: they are for a different audience

If you are an owner of Galaxy Note phone, you need to know Galaxy Note 10+ is the successor for Galaxy Note 9.  If you want to upgrade, you should choose Galaxy Note 10+, not Galaxy Note 10. You may check the missing features of Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) before upgrading.

Galaxy Note 1o is a “lite” version of Galaxy Note 10+. It is not designed for existing Galaxy Note device owners. Instead, Samsung probably intended to use Galaxy Note 10 to attract new “S Pen” users who are currently using other middle-range Android phones.

Please note  Galaxy Note 10+ is NOT exceptionally larger compared to many other mainstream phones.  The curved the screen, thin bezel, and the 19:9 aspect ratio makes its physical dimensions just similar to other flagship phones.

Anyway, do not assume Galaxy Note 10 is large. Samsung actually reduced the width of the phone over the years. Both Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ are NOT very large.

Please note, in the Galaxy Note 10 box, there are no differences except the phone.

Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10+: Screen size and resolution

Both Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ use the top-tier OLED screen, which no other Android manufacturers can match.

Galaxy Note 10 has a 6.3″ screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 (1080p).

While Galaxy Note 10+ has a larger screen of 6.8″ with a resolution of 1440 x 3040 (1440p).…

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Top 10 missing features of Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ you should know before buying

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Top 10 missing features of Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ you should know before buying

When you decide to upgrade or switch to Galaxy Note 10, you need to know these 10 missing features of Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+. You may check this page for the top 10 new features of Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+.

For the first time, Samsung announced two models of Galaxy Note line-up: Galaxy Note 10+ and Galaxy Note 10. Galaxy Note 1o+ is a successor of Galaxy Note 9, and Galaxy Note 10 is a stripdown (budget? but still too expensive) version of Galaxy Note 10+.

As pointed in this Galaxy Note 10 review, both Galaxy Note 10 and Note 1o+ are targeted at the mainstream users (mass market), instead of the hardcore Galaxy Note users (niche market). The comparison of Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ was discussed here.

After playing around Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, we summarized the top 10 missing features that matter for traditional Galaxy Note owners.

#1.  Notification LED light: the most annoying missing feature of Galaxy Note 10

When Samsung switched to the punch-hole design on Galaxy S10, they removed the notification LED light.

Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ followed this design and removed the notification LED light. This is the first Galaxy Note device without the notification LED light.

It is obvious Samsung is willing to sacrifice any features and functions if they impact the “look” of the phone.

Do we buy a phone to look or to use in 2019?

Such small convenience features in old Galaxy phones actually are a magnet for many buyers.  Sadly, Samsung will eventually evolve their smartphones into a beautiful brick without any functions.

For example, you now have to check the phone screen to see whether the battery is fully charged or not when charging the Galaxy Note 10 battery.

#2. Capacitive fingerprint reader

Both Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ use an in-display fingerprint reader introduced in Galaxy S10 and S10+.

It sounds great. And of course, it “looks” great (see Galaxy Note 10 layout).

But in reality, it is a step …

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Galaxy Note 10 review: the death of Galaxy Note

Samsung is destroying Galaxy Note with Galaxy Note 10

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Galaxy Note 10 review: the death of Galaxy NoteWith the official announcement of Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+), many long-term Galaxy Note owners are disappointed, although there are many BS articles claiming how innovative and how exciting Galaxy Note 10 is. This is a no BS Galaxy Note 10 review from a long-term Galaxy Note owners who owned every Galaxy Note devices.

This Galaxy Note 10 review is an overall review about Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ (the difference between Note 10 and Note 10+ can be found here). The detailed review of the new features of Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) is posted here. And the detailed review of the missing features of Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) can be found here.

When the first Galaxy Note was announced in 2011, many are not convinced. They were correct, and they are still correct.

Galaxy Note is for a niche market where owners use two hands (instead of one) and like to use the S Pen to “write” (instead of touch). So, it is not for the mainstream phone users.  The screen size of the 5.3″ Galaxy Note is more than twice (actually 2.23 times, 81.4  vs. 36.5 cm²) of that on the 3.5″ inch mainstream phone (iPhone 4) in 2011.

The growing user community who enjoys the bigger screen helped Samsung lead the industry in adopting a bigger screen in the mainstream phones. Today, most smartphones have a screen larger than 5″.

But the success of Galaxy Note is not just the big screen.

The success of Galaxy Note is due to 1) Big screen, and 2) S Note

The early adopters of Galaxy Note consisted of two groups of buyers:

  1. People who prefer a big screen to read books/website, to play games or videos on the phone.
  2. People who like to write on the big screen with the S Pen.

For the first group owners, they have got more and more choices over the years because all smartphone manufacturers gradually increased the screen size of their flagship smartphones. So, they are …

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