After numerous rumors, leaks, and teasers, Samsung has finally announced the newest iterations of its Galaxy Note Series. Welcome, the Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra.
These devices sport a new design that exudes precision, elegance, and beauty, with their glass and metal construction. Note20 comes in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Green, and Mystic Gray colors, while the Note 20 Ultra comes in Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black.
Both sport Infinity-O Displays. The Note20 at 6.7-inches (FHD+), and the Note20 Ultra at 6.9-inch (Quad HD+). The latter also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate. Both feature Adaptive Refresh Rate – Intelligently adjusting the screen refresh rate depending on the content in order to optimize battery life.
Under the hood of both devices is an Exynos 990 SoC which is 19% faster than the one on the Note 10 in CPU performance and 15% faster in GPU performance. Note20 packs 8GB of RAM, while Note20 Ultra has 8GB/12GB of RAM. Both use Samsung’s latest LPDDR5 RAM which is 1.5x faster and 20% more power-efficient compared to what’s in the Note 10. Both also have 256GB of internal storage.
Pro Grade Cameras for Photos and Videos
Galaxy Note20
For imaging, you get a triple camera setup on both. Note20 Ultra uses a 108MP wide-angle camera along with a 12MP Telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultra-wide unit. Note20 on the other hand swaps out the 108MP sensor to a 12MP wide-angle shooter and gets an upgrade to 64MP for its Telephoto lens. Both are equipped with a 10MP front camera.
Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Now, you’ll be able to capture 8K video in your choice of 16:9 or 21:9 aspect ratios. Use the Note20’s highly refined Pro-Grade tools to assume full control of every shot. You can even adjust Zoom Speed, and add dynamic effects to each scene.
Multi-source mic control lets you record multiple audio sources, or select a particular input for more control. Pairing your Note20 with the new Galaxy Buds Live to eliminate background noise, or add a peripheral microphone to hear sound from a distance.
Just like on the S20 Series, the Note20 Series also features Space Zoom – Up to 50X on the Note20 Ultra, and up to 30X on the Note20.
Improvements to the S-Pen
As usual, Samsung has made improvements to the S-Pen. The one on the Note20 Ultra in particular now offers a latency of only 9ms, a significant improvement compared to 42ms on Note 10. This makes the writing experience feel more natural and accurate. There are also new gestures for Moving Backward, going to your Home Screen, Accessing Recent Apps, Smart Select, and Screen Capture.
Samsung Notes
On the software side, Samsung Notes now features Notes Sync, which allows for real-time auto-syncing of content across multiple devices. This allows you to start your work on one device, and seamlessly continue to finish it on another. Now, you’ll be able to put notes on a pdf file by importing it to Samsung Notes, Auto Straighten can intelligently “straighten” text that’s written in another direction, and a new customizable folder and page structure.
Samsung DeX Goes Wireless
You’ll be able to use Samsung DeX wirelessly on any Smart TV that supports screen mirroring (Samsung TVs 2019 models and up). You’ll easily be able to take down notes on your phone while watching content on the larger screen. DeX helps you multitask and always be in control.
Other features include an Ultra Sonic Fingerprint Scanner, Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Wireless DeX, Improved integration with Windows, and Ultra-Wideband Technology (Note20 Ultra Only) which allows for easier, more secure, and more accurate interactions with compatible devices.
Soon, you may be able to share your files just by pointing your phone to another UWB-equipped device using the sharing panel and the new Nearby Sharing app. Soon, the technology can also be used to find and locate UWB-enabled devices. It also allows your phone to be used as a digital key.
Better Longevity
The Note20 series packs bigger batteries compared to its predecessors – 4,500mAh on the Note20 Ultra, and 4,300 on the Note20. Both are capable of 15W wireless charging, Wireless PowerShare, and 25W wired fast-charging.
Specifications
| Note20 Ultra | Note20 | |
| Display | 6.9″ Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X HDR10+ Certified, 120Hz | 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED Plus HDR10+ Certified |
| Infinity-O Display, Edge | Infinity-O Display, Flat | |
| Processor | Exynos 990 | Exynos 990 |
| RAM | 5G: 12GB | 5G: 8GB |
| LTE: 8GB | LTE: 8GB | |
| Storage | 5G: 256GB | 5G: 256GB |
| LTE: 256GB | LTE: 256GB | |
| Rear Camera | 108MP Wide (f/1.8) | 12MP Wide (f/1.8) |
| 12MP Telephoto (f/3.0) | 64MP Telephoto (f/2.0) | |
| 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2) | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2) | |
| Laser AF Sensor | ||
| Front Camera | 10MP (2PD) AF | 10MP (2PD) AF |
| Battery | 4,500mAh | 4,300mAh |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Other Features | Ultra Sonic Fingerprint | Ultra Sonic Fingerprint |
| Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos | |
| Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | |
| Wireless PowerShare | Wireless PowerShare | |
| Wireless DeX | Wireless DeX | |
| Colors | Mystic Bronze | Mystic Bronze |
| Mystic Black | Mystic Green | |
| Mystic Gray |
Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra will be available at authorized Samsung stores and online partner merchants starting August 21.
Pricing starts at PhP53,990 for the Note20, PhP67,990 for Note20 Ultra, and PhP72,990 for Note20 Ultra 5G (Pre-Order Exclusive).
Check out the pre-order details and opening week promo by clicking here.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
