Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a top-of-the-line smartphone that was released in August 2020. Since then, it has become one of the most popular phones in the market due to its impressive features and specifications. With its sleek design, vibrant display, and powerful processing capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has become a favorite among tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra boasts a sleek and premium design that is sure to catch the eye of any gadget enthusiast. The phone's dimensions measure 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm, making it a large device that might be challenging to handle for some users. However, the phone's slim frame and stainless steel construction give it an elegant and sturdy feel that is worth the extra size.

One of the standout features of the phone's design is the glass back and front, both of which are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. This not only enhances the phone's durability but also gives it a luxurious feel. The device also has an IP68 rating, making it water and dust resistant up to 1.5m for 30 minutes, which is a valuable feature for users who are often on the go.

The Note 20 Ultra also features a stylus with 9ms latency, which is a significant improvement from its predecessor and enhances the user experience. The phone's buttons are well placed and easy to reach, and the fingerprint scanner is located under the display and works flawlessly.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's design and build quality are top-notch, with its premium materials and sturdy construction. While it may be a bit cumbersome for some users, its sleek and luxurious design makes it a device that stands out in the ever-growing market of smartphones.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra boasts a stunning 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 1440 x 3088 pixel resolution and a density of approximately 496 ppi. The display is equipped with HDR10+ technology, providing a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. With a screen-to-body ratio of nearly 92%, the phone's display is truly impressive and enhances the overall user experience.

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and navigating through apps and menus incredibly smooth and fluid. The phone also features an Always-on display, allowing users to easily check notifications and the time without having to wake up the device.

The display's Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection ensures durability and resistance to scratches, while the 9ms stylus latency provides a natural and responsive writing and drawing experience. The display's touch sensitivity is also top-notch, ensuring ease of use and responsiveness.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's display is undoubtedly one of the phone's most impressive features. Its size, resolution, and refresh rate, combined with its vibrant colors and smooth performance, make for an exceptional viewing experience.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. It features two different chipsets, depending on the region you are in. The global version of the phone comes equipped with the Exynos 990 chipset, while the USA version uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G+ chipset. Both versions of the phone are equipped with an impressive 12GB of RAM, which allows for seamless multitasking and speedy app performance.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a great device for gaming enthusiasts, thanks to its powerful hardware and the 120Hz refresh rate of its Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This display technology provides smooth and responsive gameplay, which is further enhanced by the phone's powerful Mali-G77 MP11 and Adreno 650 GPUs.

In terms of real-world usage, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra delivers impressive performance. Apps open quickly, and there is no lag or stutter when switching between them. The phone also offers excellent multitasking capabilities, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing any slowdowns.

In benchmark tests, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has been shown to perform exceptionally well. It scored an impressive 508,760 on the AnTuTu benchmark and 2,603 on the GeekBench 5.1 benchmark.

Overall, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a top-performing device that is perfect for power users and gamers. Its impressive hardware and software work together seamlessly to deliver speedy and responsive performance.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra runs on Android 10 with the One UI 2.5 on top. The user interface has a clean and organized layout that makes it easy to navigate. The phone offers a range of customization options, including themes, layouts, and icon styles. There are also several pre-installed apps, but users can easily uninstall or disable them if they are not needed.

One of the standout features of the Note 20 Ultra is the S Pen, which has been improved to provide more functionality and precision. The stylus can be used to write notes, draw, and navigate the UI. Its integration with Samsung Notes is seamless, allowing users to easily jot down notes or sketches and even convert handwriting to text.

The software also includes several features optimized for productivity, such as DeX mode, which allows users to connect the phone to a monitor or TV and use it as a desktop computer. The phone also includes Samsung's Bixby virtual assistant, which can be used to perform various tasks using voice commands.

In terms of updates and software support, Samsung has been known to provide regular updates for its flagship devices. The Note 20 Ultra is expected to receive software updates for several years, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security patches.

Overall, the software and user interface of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra provide a smooth and enjoyable experience for users, with plenty of customization options and productivity features. The S Pen integration and DeX mode make it a great choice for those looking for a device that can function as both a phone and a productivity tool.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra boasts an impressive camera setup, with a triple rear camera system featuring a 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The camera also features LED flash, auto-HDR, and panorama mode.

In various lighting conditions, the camera produces stunning images, with vivid colors and sharp details. Even in low light, the camera performs admirably, thanks in part to its optical image stabilization and laser autofocus. The 50x hybrid zoom is also impressive, allowing for detailed shots from a distance.

Video recording is another strong suit of the Note 20 Ultra, with the ability to record in 8K at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps. The camera also supports HDR10+ and gyro-EIS for stable footage. The front-facing camera is a 10MP sensor that performs well for selfies and video calls, featuring dual video calling and auto-HDR.

Overall, the camera on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is one of its strongest features, producing remarkable images and videos in a variety of conditions. Whether you're a casual photographer or a professional, the Note 20 Ultra's camera is sure to impress.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

When it comes to connectivity and networking, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a true powerhouse. It boasts support for a wide range of cellular networks, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, and even 5G. This means that you can enjoy lightning-fast download and upload speeds no matter where you are in the world.

In terms of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, the Note 20 Ultra does not disappoint. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, and Wi-Fi Direct, as well as Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, and aptX. This allows for seamless connectivity to other devices, such as headphones, speakers, and smart home gadgets.

NFC and wireless payment support are also included, making it easy to pay for goods and services with just a tap of your phone. GPS and navigation accuracy are top-notch, and the phone also comes with a range of sensors, including a fingerprint sensor, face unlock, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer.

Overall, the connectivity and networking features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are top-of-the-line, allowing for fast and easy connectivity to a wide range of networks and devices.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra boasts a range of additional features that make it stand out from its competitors. Firstly, the device is water and dust resistant, with an IP68 rating, giving users peace of mind when using the phone in wet or dusty environments.

Secondly, the device offers expandable storage options via a microSDXC slot, allowing users to add up to 1TB of extra storage space. This is particularly useful for those who store large amounts of media on their devices.

Thirdly, the audio quality of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is impressive, with 32-bit/384kHz audio and AKG-tuned stereo speakers providing a rich and immersive sound experience.

In addition, the device features a powerful vibration motor that provides haptic feedback for notifications and other interactions, adding an extra layer of tactile feedback for users.

Lastly, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features a range of innovative and unique features such as Samsung Wireless DeX, which allows users to connect their phone to a monitor and use it as a desktop computer, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, which enables faster and more accurate location-based services.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's additional features set it apart from other smartphones on the market, providing users with a range of useful and innovative features that enhance the user experience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When compared to other flagship phones in the market, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra stands out as a highly advanced device with cutting-edge features. One of its main competitors is the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which also boasts a large display, advanced camera system, and high-performance processor. However, the Note 20 Ultra offers more versatility with its S Pen stylus, expandable storage, and support for 5G networks.

Another competitor is the OnePlus 9 Pro, which offers a similar display size and resolution, but with a slightly faster refresh rate at 120Hz. The OnePlus also has a more affordable price point, but lacks some of the advanced camera features and stylus support of the Note 20 Ultra.

The Google Pixel 5 is also a strong contender, with an excellent camera system and clean, user-friendly software. However, its mid-range processor and lack of expandable storage make it less powerful than the Note 20 Ultra.

Lastly, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro is another high-end option, with a sleek design, advanced camera capabilities, and fast processor. However, its lack of Google services and limited availability in some regions may make it less attractive to some users.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra offers a unique blend of advanced features and versatility that sets it apart from its competitors in the flagship market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

After thoroughly reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, it's safe to say that this device is a powerhouse in the smartphone market. Its stunning design and build quality, combined with a vivid and responsive display, make this phone a joy to use. The Note 20 Ultra's performance is top-notch, thanks to its powerful processor and RAM, and it can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease.

One of the standout features of the Note 20 Ultra is its camera setup, which delivers impressive results, particularly in low light and zoom capabilities. Battery life is also a strong point, with the device lasting a full day on a single charge.

In terms of connectivity and additional features, the Note 20 Ultra does not disappoint, with waterproofing and expandable storage options. However, the lack of a headphone jack might be a dealbreaker for some users.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is an excellent device that caters to power users who demand the best of the best. While its high price point may be a barrier for some, the device's superior performance, stunning display, and camera capabilities make it worth the investment. If you're in the market for a premium smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra should definitely be on your list of considerations.