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Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
...


8.7/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra currently has an Informr score of 8.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 93 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • 120Hz refresh screen
  • Camera with 5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom
  • All-day battery life
  • S Pen stylus support
  • Outstanding performance

What's bad

  • Very expensive
  • Heavy and awkward to hold
  • Protruding camera hub

The Samsung Note has been around for a decade. As such, enthusiasts were thrilled to hear about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. With its reputation, it’s obviously going to be a chart topper. But does the phone offer enough performance and value to justify its price point?

Design

The Galaxy Note Ultra is quite large, so one-handed users beware. Color choices include mystic bronze, mystic black, and mystic white. The stylus holster is located on the left side of the phone versus the right on previous versions. Otherwise, it’s the solid slab of a phone people have come to expect of the Note series.

The camera hub is the only thing reviewers were not so happy with. It sticks out, making the phone wobble when sat on a flat surface.

Display

The upgrade to a 120Hz refresh rate display is the most notable thing about the new Samsung Note 20 Ultra. But it comes with some caveats.

If you want to enjoy QuadHD you will need to settle for 60Hz. To keep that silky-smooth refresh rate, you’ll need to lower the resolution to 1080p.

Otherwise, the 6.9-inch curved screen has reviewers saying its great in some ways and not so much in others. Accidental taps, for one, have reviewers hesitant to sing its praises even if it is beautiful for media consumption.

Performance

There’s no denying the phone is super fast and capable, even when streaming games. It has one of the most powerful processors available on an Android phone right now.

Add on the 120Hz refresh rate display and it feels that much faster. Better still the phone’s software can adjust the frame rate on the fly, depending on what you’re doing. This means you won’t waste precious battery life when doing basic tasks such as checking text messages or emails.

Software & Storage

As with most top-tier phone these days, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra runs Android 10. But Samsung has customized the software to take full advantage of the S Pen. Reviewers said that the new air gestures were addictive and useful. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with 128GB onboard storage and a MicroSD space for further expansion.

Cameras

As expected of Samsung, the cameras tout some insane specs -- like their 50x AI assisted digital zoom. There is also a 5x optical zoom -- a rare feature on phones today.

If that wasn’t enough the rear-facing lens is 108MP an astounding amount among newer smartphones.

In ideal lighting, the cameras pleased reviewers. However, low light situations were left some reviewers wanting.

Tech Radar says, “Then... the sun started to set. This is where Samsung’s phones tend to compensate for noise with aggressive texture smoothing, and the Note 20 Ultra is no different.”

Battery Life

Being such a large device, you wouldn’t think the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra would hold a charge well, but reviews indicate otherwise.

You’ll want to leave it to charge every night.

Reviewers noted that the phone lasted all day but ended the day with about 20% battery left. Still if you find yourself low during the day, fast charging and wireless charging options allow you to pick between convenience and speed when topping up your charge.

Audio

The phone features stereo speakers. Reviewers had no issues with the sound. But you will need wireless headphones or earbuds for private listening -- or a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter -- as the Note 20 Ultra does not include a headphone jack.

Specs at a Glance

  • Gorilla Glass "Victus" chassis
  • 6.9-inch OLED, Quad HD display
  • Octa-core, 3GHz Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 processor
  • 8 or 12GB of RAM
  • Android 10
  • 128GB of storage with MicroSD option
  • 108MP rear-facing camera with 12MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto lenses
  • 10MP front-facing lens
  • 4500mAh battery
  • S-Pen stylus

Bottom Line

The Samsung Note 20 Ultra seems to check all of the boxes for an amazing smartphone in 2020. But it comes with some trade offs. It’s very big, so those with small hands might struggle to use it. That said, the massive screen is great for games and movies. The cameras are awesome but the way they stick out on the back of the phone is not.

Still, overall complaints are few and most reviewers seem pretty impressed.

The Verge says, “The Note 20 Ultra is a very ostentatious, flashy phone. But this year, it didn’t get a flashy update. It got what amounts to a spec bump (and a camera bump to match). But that’s enough to make it perhaps the best flagship Android phone you can buy right now. Even for a phone as big as this, that is no small thing.”

Forbes remarks, “Samsung’s latest, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G is out. I’ve been testing it for three weeks and it’s a pricey but powerful phone that is the highest point Samsung phones have yet reached. The design is classy, the performance is strong and in Samsung Notes it has the best app the company has built.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
3 GHz
Processor
Processor
3 GHz
6.9"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6.9"
108+ MP, f/1.8
Camera
Camera
108+ MP, f/1.8
4500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Fone Arena
Fone Arena

Well, if you are looking out for smartphone with stylus, we can assure you that no other phones in the market can match Samsung when it comes to stylus functionality. Leaving out the “productivity” factor, recommending the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra gets a bit tricky now. At Rs. 1,04,999, the Galaxy Note...

- Vigneshwar SR, Fone Arena
DxOMark
DxOMark

The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon), like its Exynos sibling, turns in a solid audio performance, with above-average scores for dynamics and volume, and an exceptional score when it comes to artifacts in playback. As for drawbacks, the lack of high-end extension hindered tonal balance an...

- Chris Welsch, DxOMark
T3
T3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is beautifully designed, incredibly powerful and has one key feature that you can't really find anywhere else – that useful S Pen stylus. Combined it is a productivity and creativity powerhouse.

- David Nield, T3
Android Authority
Android Authority

Samsung's Galaxy Note line has always been for the power users, and this year's models are no different — especially the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This new ultra-premium phone is Samsung's most refined device yet.

- C. Scott Brown, Android Authority
GSMArena
GSMArena

We just can't excuse the 'good, but not on par with the competition' smoothness and battery life and battery charging speed, nor the display forcing you to choose between 120 Hz and full resolution. You might, however. If these things aren't the most important to you, then the Galaxy Note20 Ultra is...

- GSMArena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions



Samsung backs up the Galaxy Note20 Ultra with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy Note20 Ultra has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
6.9"

The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra's screen size is 6.9 inches with 1440 x 3088 pixels resolution.

Processor
3 GHz

There is a Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+ (7 nm+) Octa-core 3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 10 operating system (OS).

Camera
108+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 108+ MP, f/1.8 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 10+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
128/512 GB

Internal memory is 128/512 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 1000 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
4500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 4500 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 1440 minutes, 960 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy Note20 Ultra Specs

Overview
Release Date August 21, 2020
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 10

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+ (7 nm+) Octa-core 3 GHz
Internal Storage 128/512 GB
RAM 8/12 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.83 W/kg
Body: 1.04 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable, Stylus
Cellular
Networks
HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE, 5G
Mobile / Cellular Data
5G, 4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 1000 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
108+ Megapixels, f/1.8
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, 2nd camera feature (12 MP, F3.0, Periscope telephoto, 5x optical zoom, 50x hybrid zoom), 3rd camera feature (12 MP, F2.2, Ultra-wide), HDR
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 60 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
10+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Aperture F2.2
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 60 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Dynamic AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 3088 pixels
Pixel Density 496 pixels
Size 6.9 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, HDR10+ certified, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging Yes
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 1140 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 960 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 900 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1440 minutes
Standby Time Up to 12 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Glass
Colors Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 16.48 x 7.72 x 0.81 cm (6.5 x 3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 208 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack No
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
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