Master your Galaxy Note 10 or Note 10+ at your fingertips by discovering these ten tips and hidden features.
With their gigantic screen, record battery life, fast recharging that takes just an hour, the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, Samsung’s latest high-end smartphones, have all the arguments to please.
Powered by Android 9.0 and the One UI interface, Samsung’s new flagships contain many hidden features which, once known and mastered, will allow you to take full advantage of all the capabilities of the Korean brand’s smartphone.
1. Learn how to turn off the Note 10
No, it’s not a joke, turning off the Galaxy Note 10 is not as easy as you would like to imagine. The terminal does have a side button, grafted on the left edge of the device, but using this will not allow you to hug the device.
Natively, a double click on the side button allows you to quickly launch the camera, while a long press, in principle used to turn off the majority of smartphones, will only activate Bixby. There are actually several ways to turn off the Galaxy Note 10.
The first, by making a long press simultaneously on the side button as well as on the low volume, to bring up the extinction screen.
The second, by deploying the notifications panel where there is a power button to open the shutdown screen.
Finally, the third and final method to turn off the device requires that you change the function assigned by default to the side button.
To do this, go to Settings, then in Advanced functions, enter the Side key menu. Under Long press, select Menu Power off. You will be able to display the shutdown menu by making a long press on the side button.
2. Take a quick screenshot
The placement of the physical buttons of the Galaxy Note 10 not being the best in terms of ergonomics, taking a screenshot by holding the power button and the volume down, both placed on the left edge is not the easiest. Fortunately, Samsung has thought of incorporating a gesture that allows you to quickly capture the screen with one hand.
To do this, you just have to swipe the screen in one direction or the other using the edge of your hand.
For the rest, if you want to make a video recording of the device screen, you just have to deploy the notification panel and display all the shortcuts. The button to launch the screen recording tool is on the second shortcut pane.
3. Configure the side panel
Thanks to the large screen of the Galaxy Note 10, the side panel, where your favorite applications are grouped together, makes perfect sense. But there is still more to it.
Deploy it, and press the cogwheel icon to access its settings. Then scroll to the left through all the options offered. In addition to favorite applications, the side pane can display your device’s clipboard, your favorite contacts, your reminder, the quick execution of certain tasks (alarm, screenshot, compose a new message, etc. ), And much more.
To view them, just open the side pane, and swipe your finger to switch from one pane to another.
You can select multiple panels and rearrange their display order by opening the options and then selecting Rearrange.
4. Increase the screen definition
With its gigantic 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, the Galaxy Note 10+ promises to blow your mind. However, the device does not apply its maximum definition by default. The images it displays are in fact in FHD + which corresponds to 2280 x 1080 pixels. It is possible to go further and switch to a WQHD + definition corresponding to 3040 x 1440 pixels. However, applying a higher definition may reduce the autonomy of the terminal somewhat.
To do this, go to the Device Settings, then in Display, enter the Screen resolution menu. Select WQHD + and validate your choice by pressing Apply.
5. Master the gestures of the S Pen
The S Pen is the centerpiece of the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+. As simple as it seems, it contains many secrets and in particular allows you to control many applications using Air Actions.
To discover the gestures and actions that can be used with the different applications installed on the device, open Settings and then, in Advanced functions, access the S Pen menu.
Then enter the Air Actions menu. By default, a long press on the S Pen key launches the camera. However, you can change the function assigned to the S Pen key by going to the S Pen key pressed function section.
You can choose between activating a function specific to the S Pen, such as creating a note or making a smart selection, or opening an application. Then return to the main menu dedicated to Air Actions.
The S Pen can be used to perform certain actions in multiple applications. These are listed in the Application Actions section. Tap on each of the apps to go into details and find out what actions can be used to perform actions.
The actions of the S Pen are composed of single or double presses on the S Pen key grafted on the side of the stylus, but also of directional or circular movements.
In the camera, for example, pressing the S Pen button triggers the shooting, two presses allow you to switch from the rear sensor to the front sensor.
A movement up or down also allows you to switch cameras, while a movement to the left or right will switch between modes.
Finally, a clockwise circle will zoom in, while a counterclockwise circle will zoom out. All these actions are obviously customizable, according to your preferences.
6. Scan objects in 3D to use them in augmented reality
Thanks to the ToF sensor and a dedicated application, the Galaxy Note 10+ is able to scan objects or people in 3D. Once modeled, they can be added to your augmented reality photos and can even come to life using motion tracking, a technology that uses the movements you make to apply them to the scanned model.
To use it, you will first need to download the 3D Scanner application from the Galaxy Store.
Next, you will need to stand at a distance of between 20 and 80 cm from your subject, before slowly rotating around it to scan all the areas indicated in blue. Samsung says results are best when the subject is taller than 8 inches and doesn’t have a dark, transparent, or reflective area.
7. Activate light notifications
The Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ being devoid of notification LED, you will not be able to check the arrival of new notifications through this means. Instead, Samsung offers Illuminated Notifications on the edges of the device’s screen. Once activated, they will replace the usual notification pop-ups.
To take advantage of it, open Settings and go to the Display menu. Then go to the Side screen menu and then enter the detailed options of Light notifications. Activate the feature and customize your preferences. You can choose to always display light notifications, or to have them only with the screen on or off.
The display style of light notifications can also be configured. Enter the Light notification style menu and set its effect, color, transparency, width and duration according to your needs.
Note that it is possible to interact with the lighted notification pop-up to open an app, open an app in a pop-up, or ignore the notification. However, this function can be deactivated.
Finally, you will need to select the applications authorized to use light notifications from the Notifications management menu.
8. Improve the quality of video display
The display of videos on the big screen of Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ can be improved. How? ‘Or’ What ? By activating the device’s video optimizer which results in better rendering by forcing a display of clearer and more vivid colors.
To enjoy it, open Settings, access Advanced functions, and enter the Video Optimizer menu. Activate the function and observe in real time on the sample image displayed, the difference in treatment applied. At the bottom of the screen, you will find the list of all the applications installed on your device able to use the video optimizer.
9. Connect your smartphone to Windows
For some time now, Android smartphone users have been able to connect their smartphone to their Windows PC using Microsoft’s Your Phone application. This application allows you to manage notifications, view and send SMS from the device, or access images stored on the smartphone from your PC.
For the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, Samsung has partnered with Microsoft to offer exclusive features to users who have connected their smartphone with the Your Phone application. Among these, the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ are the only devices capable of displaying their screen on a PC without a Bluetooth connection being necessary.
To connect the Note 10 and Note 10+ to your Windows PC, open Settings, enter Advanced Functions and go to the Link with Windows menu. Then tap Sign in with Microsoft and initiate a connection to your Microsoft account.
On your Windows PC connected to the same Microsoft account, launch the Your Phone application, authorize the connection of the PC to your smartphone on the Galaxy Note 10 screen. The Your phone application window should display the additional feature Phone screen (in preview) in addition to the three other functions available for other Android devices.
10. Turn your smartphone into a PC
In addition to being able to manage the content of your smartphone from your PC via the Microsoft Your Phone application, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ allow you to enjoy your mobile applications on your PC. And it is through the DeX application, available on Windows and macOS, that it is possible to use your Galaxy Note 10 or 10+ from your PC, whereas previously you had to buy a dedicated dock.
Download Samsung DeX for Windows (Free)
Download Samsung DeX for macOS (Free)
Once your smartphone is connected to your computer, Dex creates a suitable working environment, based on your smartphone, within an independent window, like a virtual machine. Except that here, nothing is virtualized since the rendering displayed on the computer screen is generated by the Galaxy Note 10 or 10+.