Review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Smartphone

Release Date of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Over the past few years Samsung has announced new models several times a year; flagship releases typically arrive in late summer and early spring. That was the case with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which is an enhanced version of the Galaxy Note 10 from the previous year and the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

The Note 20 lineup was released on August 5, 2020, with sales beginning August 21. Pre-orders for the Note 20 Ultra included complimentary Samsung wireless earbuds as a gift. At launch, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with maximum storage cost around 41,000 UAH, though you can now find it for less.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review

Key Features of the Note 20 Ultra

Besides its excellent flagship specs, the Note 20 Ultra has its own distinctive traits that set it apart from any other smartphone. It's easily recognizable by its design, and photos and videos shot on it have a unique signature look.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Special Features:

• Glass body with Gorilla Glass 7;
• 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate;
• Triple‑camera module with ISO support and 8K video recording;
• eSIM support and latest connectivity protocols;
• Super‑fast USB Type‑C 3.2 port;
• Wireless and reverse wireless charging;
• Upgraded S Pen stylus.

Compared to the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Note 20 Ultra (both 512 GB and 256 GB variants) is faster, more powerful, and has improved battery life. It stands strong against flagship devices from other brands, often outperforming them.

Design of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The phone features a sharp‑lined, angular design. The camera module slightly protrudes from the back, which adds to its character and accommodates the sophisticated optics. Available in black, white, and bronze finishes—black and white variants feature glossy glass, while the bronze model has a matte back. The display and rear are made from next‑gen protective glass, with a metal frame around the edges.

The S Pen slot, USB Type‑C port, and speaker are located at the bottom. On the right side are the power and volume buttons. At the top is the SIM/microSD tray. An under‑display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor sits beneath a notch for the front camera.

Display and S Pen of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The 6.9″ Quad HD+ (3100×1440) Dynamic AMOLED 2X display supports HDR10+ and a 120 Hz refresh rate. With a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 496 ppi density, and up to 1500 nits brightness, the curved‑edge screen ensures excellent viewing from any angle. It's ideal for gaming, movies, and using the S Pen.

The Note 20 Ultra’s S Pen features new gesture controls and offers extensive functionality—drawing, note‑taking, video editing, document conversion, presentation control, camera shutter, music navigation, and app switching.

The S Pen latency in the Note 20 Ultra is just 9 ms, compared to 42 ms in the Note 10. Overall, its stylus performance is far superior to other devices.

Camera of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The flagship camera setup on the Note 20 Ultra consists of three lenses and a laser AF sensor. It features optical ISO stabilization and supports video recording at 24 fps, with manual focus and shutter‑speed control. You can choose 16:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio and use various editing tools right on the device.

Main Camera Components of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

1. 12 MP ultrawide lens, f/2.2, 1/2.55″ sensor, 1.4 µm pixels;
2. 108 MP wide lens, f/1.8, 1/1.33″ sensor, 0.8 µm pixels, PDAF, OIS;
3. 12 MP telephoto lens, f/3.0, 1 µm pixels, PDAF, OIS, 5× optical and 50× digital zoom;
4. Laser‑based autofocus (AF).

Front Camera of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

1. 10 MP lens, f/2.2, 1/3.2″ sensor, 1.22 µm pixels, PDAF, Dual Pixel technology.

The front camera supports 2160p/60 fps video recording. With AI-enhanced algorithms, it delivers top-tier selfies by processing different lighting areas effectively.

Hardware & Connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Note 20 Ultra is powered by an 8‑core Exynos 990 (7 nm+) CPU clocked up to 2.73 GHz. It comes in configurations of 8 GB RAM/256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM/512 GB storage, with microSD expansion up to 1 TB. This flagship platform is ideal for heavy apps, advanced graphics, modern technologies, and high-resolution content.

The phone supports Wi‑Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, high‑speed mobile connectivity, eSIM, Bluetooth with aptX codec, NFC, and satellite navigation. It runs Android with the latest One UI skin.

Battery and Charging on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra draws power from a 4500 mAh battery and an optimized chipset. It supports wired fast charging (USB‑PD 3.0, 45 W), 15 W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging to power other compatible devices.