[Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Questions & Answers] Tetsujin_100:
Hi, I need some guidance from more knowledgeable users deciding between phones due to my lack of detailed information on the mod ecosystem of the newer Samsung devices, since I stopped paying attention after Samsung dropped features I prefer (removable battery, IR blaster, etc). I have a note 4 that was rooted and running a custom rom that worked like a champ until recently with the ZeroLemon 10Ah battery when it decided to die. I use my phone as a pocket Linux computer so stripping away most of the limitations placed on the device by the manufacturers is what I desire to do.

Can people who have owned or have detailed knowledge of the current ecosystem weigh in on the pro and cons of the note 10+ vs the note 9 beyond the basic technical differences on the data sheets? I am currently researching information regarding the following:

Software Bugs

Root support/stability (Traditional or Magisk)

MicroG support (I want as little google in my life as possible)

TWRP(or equivalent) compatibility

Tasker and Xprivacy compatibility or equivalent.

Custom Rom support(general development and extra hardware feature support like Fingerpring reader being usable by apps or Hotspot capability)

bypassing and stability of warranty voiding/feature locking measures(KNOX, SafetyNet)

Overall I just want to better understand the upper limits and issues of modification that can be achieved with each device while holding on to as much built in functions as possible.

I do not need the absolute most cutting edge technical performance from parts, but features included in the SoC or RAM capacity for software expansion that affect longevity I would want to know. I dont really mind the need to use a dongle for 3.5mm audio on the 10+ but avoiding sending Samsung the message that its removal was ok for a supposed kitchen sink device is a small consideration. I would have liked and IR blaster but that ship has sailed on the new Samsung devices regardless. I would get a battery case that adds a few thousand mAh's for the 10+ or 9 so small differences in use endurance would be heavily mitigated. If it turns out the 10+ is just a stopgap half-step until the actual refinement (Note 11?) then I can try to send in my Note 4 to Samsung and get it online for another year since paying $1000US for an experiment or obligatory product cycle launch is not really what I am looking for at the moment since I keep phones for a while. From what I read so far their product line seems to speak of artificial market segregation and I feel the base note 10 only exists to make the S and the 10+ look better while getting rid of surplus inventory of parts from other product lines. Overall it just made me wary of potential hiccups for long term use.

If you would like me to specify anything else I will do my best to answer quickly. Thanks for any help you can provide. :good:

Now im off to continue my reading and watching of reviews for these devices.

EDIT:

I didn't think It needed to be said, but can we try to keep the answers constructive instead of snarky for no reason? If you need to be snarky for no reason plz make your comment as amusing and original as possible. Thx

EDIT 2:

So in addition to the removal of the 3.5mm audio port from the N10/N10+, Samsung has seen fit to entirely remove the internal DAC from the phone. Passive USB-C to 3.5mm adapters will not function and explains why certain external DACs "may experience bugs" and why many of the external battery cases claim to support data sync but not USB-C to 3.5mm audio.

I am corresponding with a ZeroLemon representative to get them to clarify the capabilities of the 5Ah battery case and the 10Ah variant that "will be available in a few weeks". (EDIT) ZeroLemon have confirmed that their extended battery cases have no wired audio functionality with or without DAC integrated into the mix. They are reluctant to give me wiring data so I can only take the demerit at their word.

Removing the 3.5mm jack was bad enough but Samsung removing the DAC entirely is a little overboard for the cost of the device imo just to offload the cost with a $20US basic dongle you buy separately. I can understand it from a business perspective, but as a consumer I am not pleased with Samsungs development direction.