The latest Samsung flagship 5G smartphones are built to handle video conferencing, gaming, and document creation with ease.
The Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones, offering powerful hardware and features aimed at both productivity and entertainment. Samsung unveiled both devices during its first-ever all-digital Galaxy Unpacked event on August 5, 2020.
The growing reliance on mobile devices during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the design and capabilities of the Note 20 series. With remote work and home offices becoming increasingly common, Samsung positioned the phones as versatile tools for handling professional tasks as well as everyday entertainment.
During a press briefing, Drew Blackard, vice president of product management at Samsung Electronics America, explained that the devices were developed with the changing needs of users in mind. The company highlighted the increased use of mobile data, messaging, and video conferencing as people adapted to working and communicating from home.
According to Blackard, in-home mobile data usage in the US had increased by nearly 50% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, almost one-third of consumers reported using texting, chatting, and messaging services more frequently, while more than a quarter of professionals said they had either started using video conferencing or increased their usage.
This guide covers the essential details about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, including their features, specifications, capabilities, and key differences. It can also be updated as additional information becomes available.
What Are the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are Samsung’s flagship smartphones and the 10th generation of the company’s Galaxy Note lineup. Both models support 5G and continue Samsung’s signature combination of a large display, powerful hardware, and an integrated S Pen stylus.
The two smartphones succeed the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+, which Samsung introduced in August 2019. Despite being labeled the “Note 20,” the series is considered the 10th generation because Samsung skipped the Galaxy Note 6.
Earlier models in the lineup include the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy Note 8, which helped establish the Note series as a popular choice for users looking for advanced productivity features and stylus-based functionality.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra combine large displays, powerful hardware, and productivity-focused features with 5G connectivity. The standard Galaxy Note 20 features a 6.7-inch display, while the Note 20 Ultra comes with a larger 6.9-inch screen.
The Galaxy Note 20 packs a 4,300mAh battery, matching the capacity found in the previous-generation Galaxy Note 10+. The Note 20 Ultra increases that capacity to 4,500mAh, making it the largest battery Samsung had included in a Note smartphone at the time. Samsung also stated that the Note 20 could reach a 50% charge in about 30 minutes.
Both smartphones support ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which provides directional and spatial awareness. This allows users to share files by simply pointing their phone toward another compatible UWB device.
What Features Are New on the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The S Pen remains one of the defining features of the Note series and works alongside Samsung’s updated productivity tools. Samsung Notes received new capabilities designed to make taking and managing notes more convenient.
One notable addition is Voice Note Replay, which lets users associate voice recordings with written notes. By tapping a specific word or section of a note, users can replay the corresponding portion of the recording captured while taking those notes.
Samsung Notes also allows users to import PDF files and annotate, highlight, or mark them directly on the smartphone. Once the edits are complete, the files can be exported to PowerPoint for further editing on a PC.
Handwriting recognition was also improved with artificial intelligence and deep-learning technology. Samsung Notes can learn a user’s handwriting style and convert handwritten notes into cleaner, more readable text.
Another useful addition is a folder-based organization system similar to what users might expect on a PC. This makes it easier to categorize, organize, and manage large collections of notes.
How Does Link to Windows Work on the Galaxy Note 20 Series?
Samsung introduced several new integrations and improvements to Link to Windows, allowing users to access their phone’s apps directly from a Windows PC. The feature mirrors mobile apps on the computer, making it possible to respond to notifications and handle quick tasks without constantly reaching for the smartphone.
Later in 2020, Samsung planned to expand Link to Windows to support up to six apps simultaneously. This would allow users to work across their phone and PC in real time without repeatedly switching between devices. Samsung also planned improvements to drag-and-drop functionality, making it easier to transfer files between the smartphone and computer.
What Is New About the S Pen?
The S Pen is designed to do more than take notes or draw. On the Galaxy Note 20 series, Samsung improved its responsiveness, making the stylus more useful for navigation, writing, and creative work.
The Galaxy Note 20 offers approximately 40% lower latency than the Galaxy Note 10, while the Note 20 Ultra delivers an improvement of around 80%. On the Ultra model, latency is reduced to as little as 9 milliseconds, providing a more natural pen-on-screen experience that can be particularly useful for graphic designers, artists, architects, and other creative professionals.
Air Actions also remain available, allowing users to control certain smartphone functions remotely using S Pen gestures. Samsung expanded the available controls with five additional gestures, giving users more ways to navigate and interact with the phone without touching the display.
How Much Storage and RAM Do the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Have?
The Galaxy Note 20 comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra offers 12GB of RAM and is available with either 128GB or 512GB of internal storage.
The Note 20 Ultra also supports microSD expansion, allowing users to add up to 512GB of additional storage. The standard Note 20 does not include a microSD card slot.
Samsung’s approach follows the storage strategy introduced with the previous Note generation. The Galaxy Note 9 included a microSD slot, but Samsung removed it from the standard Galaxy Note 10 while retaining it on the larger Note 10+. The same approach continues with the Note 20 series, making expandable storage exclusive to the Note 20 Ultra.
What Kind of Display Does the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Have?
The Galaxy Note 20 features a 6.7-inch display with up to 25% higher peak brightness than the Galaxy Note 10. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a larger 6.9-inch display and introduces a 120Hz refresh rate with adaptive refresh-rate technology.
The higher refresh rate on the Note 20 Ultra makes scrolling, animations, and supported games feel smoother. The adaptive system can also adjust the refresh rate based on what is displayed, helping balance smooth performance with battery efficiency.
What Should Gamers Know About the Galaxy Note 20 Series?
Samsung positioned the Galaxy Note 20 series as capable gaming devices, particularly through its partnership with Xbox. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, users could stream a library of more than 100 Xbox games through the cloud, including titles such as Minecraft Dungeons, Forza Horizon 4, and Gears 5 Ultimate Edition.
The phones also include optimizations for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to support a smoother gaming experience. Gamers can pair the devices with a compatible Bluetooth controller for a more immersive, console-like gaming setup.
How Has Samsung DeX Changed?
Samsung DeX remains an important productivity feature on the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. When DeX was first introduced, users needed a dedicated accessory to connect their phone to a larger display. Samsung later simplified the setup by allowing DeX to work with a smaller dongle or the phone’s included power cable.
With the Galaxy Note 20 series, Samsung took things a step further by introducing wireless DeX. This allows users to connect their smartphone to a compatible smart TV without requiring a physical cable.
Wireless DeX works with smart TVs that support screen mirroring, including Samsung smart TVs released from 2019 onward. Users can therefore turn their phone into a desktop-style workspace on a larger screen without needing additional hardware.
Has the Camera Been Upgraded on the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra?
Samsung made several camera improvements across the Galaxy Note 20 series. The Note 20 includes an updated Pro Video mode that can record 8K video at 24 frames per second and supports a 21:9 aspect ratio, giving users greater control over video capture.
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features an upgraded camera sensor paired with a laser autofocus system designed to deliver faster and more accurate focusing. The Ultra also offers up to 50x zoom, while the standard Galaxy Note 20 supports up to 30x zoom.
What Colors Are Available for the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra?
The Galaxy Note 20 is available in three colors:
- Mystic Gray
- Mystic Green
- Mystic Bronze
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is offered in:
- Mystic Bronze
- Mystic Black
- Mystic White
Samsung also gave the phones a textured finish designed to reduce the visibility of fingerprints and smudges, helping the devices maintain a cleaner appearance during everyday use.
When and Where Can You Buy the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra?
Samsung opened pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 20 series on August 6, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. ET, with both smartphones officially going on sale on August 21, 2020.
Customers who pre-ordered the Galaxy Note 20 through Samsung.com between August 6 and August 20 received $100 in Samsung credit, while Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pre-orders came with $150 in Samsung credit. The credit could be used through Samsung.com or the Shop Samsung app.
Pre-order customers could also use their Samsung credit toward the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Bundle. The bundle included a Bluetooth gaming controller optimized for cloud-based Xbox gaming on the Galaxy Note 20 series, along with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service beginning September 15.
AT&T Availability and Pre-Order Offers
AT&T began accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 20 5G series on August 6, with both online and in-store availability starting August 21. Customers could pre-order the devices through AT&T’s Galaxy Note 20 5G promotion page.
For a limited time, new and existing AT&T customers who traded in an eligible smartphone could receive up to $1,000 in bill credits toward the Galaxy Note 20. The offer required customers to purchase the phone using a 30-month installment plan and subscribe to an eligible AT&T unlimited plan.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Specifications
| Specification | Galaxy Note 20 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch FHD+, flat, 60Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 64MP + 12MP; 3x optical, 30x digital zoom |
| Front Camera | 10MP |
| Battery | 4,300mAh |
| Storage / RAM | 128GB / 8GB |
| Processor | Snapdragon 865+ |
| 5G Connectivity | Sub-6 / mmWave |
| Colors | Mystic Bronze, Mystic Gray, Mystic Green |
| Other Features | S Pen with 26ms latency, IP68 rating, stereo speakers |
| Starting Price | $999.99 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Specifications
| Specification | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch WQHD+, edge, 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 108MP + 12MP; 5x optical, 50x digital zoom |
| Front Camera | 10MP |
| Battery | 4,500mAh |
| Storage / RAM | 128GB or 512GB / 12GB |
| Processor | Snapdragon 865+ |
| 5G Connectivity | Sub-6 / mmWave |
| Colors | Mystic Bronze, Mystic White, Mystic Black |
| Other Features | Adaptive refresh rate, microSD support, UWB, S Pen with 9ms latency, IP68 rating, stereo speakers |
| Starting Price | $1,299.99 |
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra combine powerful performance, 5G connectivity, advanced cameras, large displays, and the productivity-focused S Pen experience. While both models share many features, the Note 20 Ultra stands out with its 120Hz display, higher-resolution camera system, larger battery, expandable storage, and significantly lower S Pen latency.
The Note 20 is a more affordable option for users who want the core Galaxy Note experience, while the Note 20 Ultra is better suited to those looking for premium hardware and additional features. With improvements to Samsung Notes, wireless DeX, Link to Windows, gaming, and camera capabilities, the Note 20 series offers a versatile experience for both work and entertainment.
