Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G – which is for you?

Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G

We will deep dive review the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G soon but here is a quick overview of the technology. And to be clear, there is no better phone!

What is a Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G? In the simplest terms, these are Samsung’s uber flagship models replete with the new S Pen. They have it all.

And along with that goes uber-pricing. The Note20 4G/5G is $1499/$1649. The Note20 Ultra 4G/5G is $1849/$1999 – or add $200 to double the storage to 512GB. For that, you get a lot of phone!

The key difference is the Note20 has a 6.7” flat AMOLED screen, and the Note20 Ultra has a 6.9” curved edge Infinity AMOLED screen. Apart from some fairly minor battery and camera differences, the bones are the same.

Who buys the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra?

Note: We are only referring to Google Android handset with access to Google Play and apps.

Sadly, in COVID times, 80% of Australian phone sales are now well under $500. The $1000+ flagship market has shrunk from around 10% to 2%. That market simply wants the best, and the Note20/Ultra is that. There is no competition from any other Google Android maker.

Those businesses that can lease the phone or purchase outright can write it off (depreciate) immediately. That means you can deduct it as a business expense – effectively a 30% discount.

Samsung also has a trade-in program offering up to $490 so if you have a Note10 of S10 then it’s a great way trade up.

5G is not a compelling reason to buy and new sub<$1000, indeed sub<$600 handsets will dominate there. So, if you are spending this much, then the extra $150 for the 5G version is petty cash.

In the past I have waxed lyrical about the S Pen – the stylus you can use to jot notes, draw, and do more with. It is the primary reason to buy. If not, you are better with a Galaxy S20/+/Ultra 5G (at $1349/1499/1999 – and there is some aggressive promotional pricing, so these are a bargain).

So rich doodlers will covet it!

Basic specs (both 5G models)

Website here

Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G
ItemGN20GN20U
Screen6.7” flat 2400×1080, 393ppi
60Hz
Super AMOLED
89.2% STBR
20:9
Gorilla Glass 5
HDR10+ AOD
Ultrasonic fingerprint
6.9” 3D 3088×1440, 496ppi
120Hz and 240Hz touch
Dynamic AMOLED
91.7% STBR
19.3:9
Gorilla Glass Victus 2m drop
Same SAME
ProcessorSamsung Exynos 990,  7nm
2×2.73GHz+2×2.50GHz+4×2.0GHz
Mali-G77 MP11
Same
RAM/Storage8GB
128GB or 256GB
MicroSD: No
12GB
128/256/512GB
MicroSD: Shared Sim slot
S Pen26ms
Bluetooth
9ms
Bluetooth
https://youtu.be/eecBkhyvF3k?list=PLhpbZcOKxtO1IsZNShTtKId7Z2TOfdZDt
Continued
Camera rear Primary (wide)12MP
f/1.8
1.8um
Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS
8K@24fps, Gyro/EIS/OIS
108MP
f/1.8
.8um (bins to 18MP/1.6um)
Laser AF and PDAF and OIS
Same
Camera telephoto64MP
f/2.0 .8um
PDAF and OIS
3x optical and 30X hybrid
12MP Periscope
f/3.0
1.0um
PDAF and OIS
5X Optical and 50X Hybrid
Camera Ultrawide12MP
f/2.2
1.4um
120° FOV
Same
Selfie10MP
f/2.2
1.22um
Dual Pixel PDAF
4K@60fps
Same
Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G
Continued
SoundEarpiece and down-firing stereo
32-bit/384kHZ
AKG tuned No 3.5mm port
Same
Battery4300mAh
Fast charge 25W PD 3.0
Qi charge 15W Reverse wireless 9W charge
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ALT DP (DeX)
4500mAh
CommsWi-Fi 6 AX
BT 5.0 LE, A2DP, aptX
NFC Dual-Band GPS
Same

 
ColoursMystic Green, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Gray, Mystic Red, Mystic BlueMystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
DeXWireless and USB-CSame
IP ratingIP68Same
Size161.6×75.2.8.3mmx192g
Polycarbonate ‘glasstic’ back
164.8×77.2×8.1x208g
GG Victus back
AndroidGoogle Android 10
Samsung One UI
Promising three major OS upgrades
Same

GadgetGuy’s take – Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G – two quite different phones

The trade-offs (or perhaps trade-ups depending on which way you look at it) for the Note20 are a smaller 1080p screen, less RAM, no MicroSD, 30x hybrid zoom and a slower S Pen. We don’t care if the back is ‘glasstic’. It is a formidable device.

The Note20 Ultra has the larger 4K, 120Hz screen, 12GB of RAM, microSD, 50X Hybrid and a faster S Pen. Is it worth $350 more?

Technically, yes. But given money is hard to come by I would not be surprised if the lower specified Note20 is more popular. Pricing is strategic to pick up sales from the Galaxy S20 range.

We have not waxed lyrical about the amazing software features, its tight integration with Windows PCs etc. This is just a spec comparison.

My takeaway message – there is no better. But if you forget the S Pen and look at the amazing $899 Samsung A71 5G (review here and 4.6/5), I know which way COVID convicts will go.

Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra 5G
https://youtu.be/DWRcNpR6Kdc
https://youtu.be/x3EcfBrjGPY