Galaxy Note 10 primary feature further confirmed: Aimed at new iPhone 11 war

This morning one of the most important features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 was confirmed. Or rather, the fact that we've predicted its existence and specificity in feature details was confirmed, as was pretty much expected. We're talking about the primary camera module, and the fact that it'll almost certainly be more than just comparable to that of the Samsung Galaxy S10.

With the Samsung Galaxy S10, the company dropped some of their best work within the confines of the 1.4μm camera. This module was the S5K2L4, the same on the Galaxy S10+ and the S10 5G. This module, according to that one very alarmed cat known as Ice Universe, will be the last one in which Samsung uses the 1.4μm camera, and in 2020 Samsung's camera "will be a new beginning."

That might seem like a disappointing bit of detail for those users aiming to make the Galaxy Note 10 their own this late August. But as it was with each previous major release from Samsung, each new half-year brings a new set of improvements over the previous most powerful smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy smartphone generally brings in the big step-up from the previous year, and the Galaxy Note generally gives those specifications a boost. This year, that idea seems to be getting a bit more on-the-nose than usual, as it's been rumored that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 of the Galaxy S10 will be replaced in the Note 10 by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (Plus!)

The suggestion, or all-but-confirmation (short of Samsung) of the main camera module by Ice Universe essentially tips off the existence of the rest of the conglomeration of camera units and sensors we've previously predicted. That means we'll get something like what follows.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 cameras (likely):

• 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS

• 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom

• 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide)

• TOF 3D camera

• LED Flash

There'll be some improvements over the launch-day abilities of the Galaxy S10 5G, but yes, you are right in thinking that these cameras are basically identical to those given to the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. The relatively small number of Galaxy S10 5G units sold due to a lack of 5G coverage around the world meant Samsung was able to see how their TOF sensor would work on a limited scale.

With the launch of the Galaxy Note 10, Samsung can point to the TOF sensor as a primary feature, and a major reason to choose the phone over its predecessors. The TOF sensor on the back of this phone should also serve to differentiate the phone from the various iPhones that'll be launched in September of 2019. Whether this ONE feature will be enough to turn fans from one phone ecosystem to another is yet to be seen.

Samsung's filed for trademark on the term "Make & Play 3D" for their TOF-sensor smartphones with the EU earlier this year. This is more than just the LG Optimus or 3D MAX nonsense, this is a vast expansion of the abilities of the backside sensor array on the smartphone. We're talking the sort of business you see in the video below. Cross your fingers this is all more than a gimmick!