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).
Basic specs (both 5G models)
Website here
Item | GN20 | GN20U |
Screen | 6.7” 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 |
Processor | Samsung Exynos 990, 7nm 2×2.73GHz+2×2.50GHz+4×2.0GHz Mali-G77 MP11 | Same |
RAM/Storage | 8GB 128GB or 256GB MicroSD: No | 12GB 128/256/512GB MicroSD: Shared Sim slot |
S Pen | 26ms Bluetooth | 9ms Bluetooth |
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 telephoto | 64MP 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 Ultrawide | 12MP f/2.2 1.4um 120° FOV | Same |
Selfie | 10MP f/2.2 1.22um Dual Pixel PDAF 4K@60fps | Same |
Continued
Sound | Earpiece and down-firing stereo 32-bit/384kHZ AKG tuned No 3.5mm port | Same |
Battery | 4300mAh Fast charge 25W PD 3.0 Qi charge 15W Reverse wireless 9W charge USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ALT DP (DeX) | 4500mAh |
Comms | Wi-Fi 6 AX BT 5.0 LE, A2DP, aptX NFC Dual-Band GPS | Same |
Colours | Mystic Green, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Gray, Mystic Red, Mystic Blue | Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White |
DeX | Wireless and USB-C | Same |
IP rating | IP68 | Same |
Size | 161.6×75.2.8.3mmx192g Polycarbonate ‘glasstic’ back | 164.8×77.2×8.1x208g GG Victus back |
Android | Google 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.
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