The Samsung Galaxy Note was a line of smartphones that pushed the boundaries of what technology could do. But times have changed and this isn’t the flagship that showcases Samsung’s innovation, that honor now goes to the Fold. That doesn’t mean the Note 20 didn’t set up it up, it just means that the refinement and iterative nature of the phone is less head turning than a foldable phone.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 line is the best Note yet!
Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Note 20
The Galaxy Note 20 has a 6.7 inch display and the Ultra is larger at 6.9 inches. They’re both running the Qualcomm Snapdragon 990 processor and the S Pen has moved from the right side to the left. The Ultra is true flagship of the bunch, with the Note 20 having a lower resolution display and a slower S Pen, the it feels more like a Note 20 lite than a true little brother.
The Note 20 has a smaller display (6.7 vs 6.9) with a significant resolution difference, FHD+ 2400×1080 vs WQHD 3088×1440. Pair this with lower ram, 8GB vs 12 and the camera is a pretty big step down, 5X optical zoom vs Hybrid 3X zoom. It’s clear the phone that Samsung wants to sell is the Note 20 Ultra! So we’re going to primarily focus on this device.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Note 20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is far superior to the Note 20!
The Note 20 Ultra has a dynamic OLED display, with a 25% higher peak brightness and an adaptive 120 hertz now at full resolution. The device automatically adjusts to the content you’re viewing in order to optimize your battery life. The Note 20 has a 60Hz refresh rate.
Samsung is introducing a new camera sensor on the Note 20 line. It is equipped with a new laser autofocus sensor, as well as face detection, that allows for fast, accurate focusing. Like the Galaxy S20, you can zoom across a scene.
Single take has been upgraded, you’re in full control of how long you want to take a single photo. You can record for up to 15sec, and as low as 5sec. If I take a single site for five seconds it will give me a mixture of pictures and videos snapped instantly.
The camera’s video capabilities got an update in pro mode. They’ve included a histogram on the top, and you’re able to measure sound and light balance. Like before you’re able to zoom in digitally and smoothly.
When recording video you can record can record multiple audio sources or select them for giving you more control or clearer sound. You can record audio via Bluetooth using cutting background noise by pairing note 20 with galaxy buds.
Following the business nature of the phone, you’ll be able to use it as a Secure Digital key. Things like office key cards can now be added to your phone.
Fast charge will get you 50% in 30min, with a 4500mAp battery in the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and a 4300mAp battery in the Galaxy Note 20.
The Ultra will come only with 5G and the Note 20 only supports 4G. Both will have WiFi 6.
Both devices have stunning edge to edge displays, but the Ultra has the curved edge to edge and will be sporting Gorilla Glass Victus with the Note 20 will have Gorilla Glass 5.
S Pen.
The S Pen has been improved, previous S pens operated at 42ms. Now, on our the Note 20 Ultra, it’s down to 9ms milliseconds and the Note 20 it’s down to 26ms. It’s also moved from the right side to the left of the device.
You can move pages from left and back. You can move right and back, which will take you to your recent apps. And rotating will allow you to zoom. You can also go up and down to take you back home. My personal favorite is the shake. So if you shake that will allow you to start writing on your screen.
Looking at Notes, we like the features that you’re able to straighten out my text, because you naturally write on an angle most of the time. Also, you can save your documents into Word files PDFs or PowerPoints. They’ve also introduced a file structure that’s similar to a PC in folders, and they can all be synced to Samsung’s Cloud.
Galaxy Note 20 introduces a mystic color palette with an S pen to match in: mystic gray, mystic green and mystic bronze which is the signature color for the 2020 flagship line. There will also be mystic black, and in select markets mystic white. Preorder begins on August 5, and devices will be available 21st of August. Note 20 price starts at 949EUR and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra at 1299EUR. If you preorder you’ll get an Xbox gamepass bundle, or galaxy buds.
Should you get a Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra?
The price difference between the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra is 350, and the spec difference is too large, the Ultra has 4GB more RAM, 300mAh more battery, 5x optical zoom vs 3x hybrid, a MicroSD card, and a 120Hz display vs 60Hz (come on Samsung, everyone else is at minimum doing 90Hz).
If that weren’t enough, the S Pen is even slower on the Note 20, 26ms vs 9ms. So if you really are getting the Note for the Pen, you have no choice but to go for the Ultra!
