Samsung Galaxy Note 20: A Comprehensive Review

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is a powerful smartphone designed for productivity and creativity. It features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that offers vibrant colors and a high refresh rate.

This phone is built for multitasking, with a large 4300mAh battery that provides all-day power. The battery life is a major upgrade from previous models.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy Note 20 is its S Pen stylus, which offers precise control and a natural writing experience. The S Pen is also compatible with the phone's screen-off notes feature.

The Galaxy Note 20 is available in two storage options: 128GB and 256GB, both of which offer ample space for storing files, photos, and apps.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series has a design that's similar to its predecessors, with an Infinity-O display featuring a circular punch hole for the selfie camera. The rear camera array is located in the corner with a rectangular protrusion.

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The Note 20 Ultra uses stainless steel as its frame material, making it the first Samsung phone to do so. The regular Note 20, on the other hand, sticks to anodized aluminum. This choice of materials gives the Ultra a more premium feel.

The Note 20 uses Gorilla Glass 5 for its screen, while the back panel is made of reinforced polycarbonate. This is a departure from the Note 10, which had a glass back. The Note 20 Ultra, however, has Gorilla Glass Victus for its screen. The Note 20 is significantly lighter than the Ultra, making it easier to hold and carry around.

Here are the color options for the Note 20 series:

The Note 20's plastic backing may feel cheaper, but it's also lighter than the Ultra's glass back. This makes the Note 20 easier to hold and carry around.

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The Galaxy Note 20 series has a design that's similar to the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S20. The Infinity-O display features a circular punch hole in the top center for the frontal selfie camera.

The rear camera array is located in the corner with a rectangular protrusion, housing three cameras. This design is similar to the Galaxy S20.

The Note 20 Ultra is the first Samsung phone to use stainless steel as the frame material, while the regular Note 20 sticks to anodized aluminum.

The Note 20 uses Gorilla Glass 5 for the screen, while the Note 20 Ultra has Gorilla Glass Victus for the screen. The back panel of the Note 20 is reinforced polycarbonate, a material that was last seen on the Note 4 and Note Edge.

The Note 20 Ultra has a stainless steel frame and Gorilla Glass Victus for the screen, giving it a more premium feel. The Note 20, on the other hand, has an anodized aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 5 for the screen.

Here are the color options for the Galaxy Note 20 series:

The Note 20 is significantly lighter than the Note 20 Ultra, making it easier to hold and carry around.

The Note 20 Ultra has 12 GB RAM, which is a significant upgrade from the standard 8 GB RAM found in the base model.

This extra RAM provides a smoother and more responsive user experience, making it ideal for multitasking and demanding applications.

The base model comes with 128 or 256 GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. However, for those who need more space, the Note 20 Ultra offers up to 512 GB of internal storage.

You can also expand the storage capacity of the base model up to 1 TB via the microSD card slot, giving you even more room for your files and apps.

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The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G has 5G standard connectivity, but some regions may only have LTE or sub-6 GHz connectivity.

It also comes with NFC, eSIM, and Ultra-wideband technology, making it a versatile device for connectivity purposes.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G T-Mobile updated software on April 14, 2021, to support eSIM and dual SIM (DSDS), but other carriers still don't enable these features.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, which is the same chipset used in other top-of-the-line phones, resulting in fine performance.

This processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable storage, making it a powerful device for daily use.

The Note 20 also has a double-length SIM card holder, although the space for a second SIM or microSD card is filled in, so you can't use it.

The software on the Note 20 is the same as the Note 20 Ultra, with lots of Samsung customizations to Android 10, including features like wireless DeX connectivity and Note-exclusive features like using the S Pen as a camera trigger.

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The Galaxy Note 20 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, which delivers fine performance and benchmarks just like other top-of-the-line phones with the same chipset.

This processor is paired with 8GB of RAM, which is a decent amount for most users, although the Note 20 Ultra has 12GB.

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The Note 20 has 128GB of non-expandable storage, which should be sufficient for most users, but if you need more storage, you're out of luck.

One interesting note is that the Note 20 has a double-length SIM card holder, but the space for a second SIM or microSD card is filled in, making it unusable.

The software on the Note 20 is the same as on the Note 20 Ultra, which means you get plenty of Samsung customizations to Android 10.

You can also take advantage of features like wireless DeX connectivity, Microsoft Your Phone, and Note-exclusive features like using the S Pen as a camera trigger or with air gestures to operate the phone's UI from a distance.

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The Galaxy Note 20 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, which performs just as well as other top-of-the-line phones with the same chipset.

It comes with 8GB of RAM, which is less than the Note 20 Ultra's 12GB, but still provides smooth performance for most tasks.

The phone has 128GB of non-expandable storage, so you'll need to consider your storage needs before buying.

The Note 20 supports wireless DeX connectivity, allowing you to cast a PC-like mode to your TV.

The phone also supports Microsoft Your Phone, making it easy to transfer files and get notifications on your Windows PC.

The Note 20 is available in three colors: bronze, gray, and green, so you can choose the one that suits your style.

The phone measures 6.3 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches and weighs 6.8 ounces, making it a substantial device that may be difficult to use one-handed.

It's worth noting that the Note 20 has a matte plastic back, which is more durable than a crackable glass panel but may not feel as premium as some other phones.

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The batteries in the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra are non-removable Li-Ion batteries, with the Note 20 Ultra's battery being slightly larger at 4500 mAh.

These batteries support Qi inductive charging, which allows for convenient wireless charging.

The Note 20's battery can also be used to charge other Qi-compatible devices, a feature branded as "Samsung PowerShare".

Wired charging is supported over USB-C at up to 25 W, making it relatively fast compared to other charging methods.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 has a 12 MP wide sensor with f/1.8 aperture, a 64 MP telephoto sensor with f/2.0 aperture, and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor with 12 mm equivalent focal length.

The Note 20 Ultra has a more advanced camera setup, including a 108 MP wide sensor, a 12 MP "periscope" telephoto sensor, and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor. The telephoto camera has a focal length of 120 mm (35mm equivalent), which equals 5× optical zoom.

The Note 20's telephoto sensor and the Note 20 Ultra's wide sensor use pixel binning to output higher quality images at a standard resolution. The front camera uses a 10 MP sensor, and can record 4K video.

The Note 20 can record 8K video at 24fps, enabled by the 64 MP telephoto sensor, while the Note 20 Ultra's 108 MP wide sensor natively supports 8K video.

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The Galaxy Note 20 has a 6.7-inch 1080p display, whereas the Note 20 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch 1440p display.

Both models use an AMOLED display with HDR10+ support and dynamic tone mapping technology, which is marketed as Super AMOLED Plus for the Note 20 and Dynamic AMOLED 2X for the Note 20 Ultra.

The Note 20 has a fixed 60 Hz refresh rate, but the Note 20 Ultra offers a variable 120 Hz refresh rate, which can adjust based on the content being displayed.

Adaptive mode on the Note 20 Ultra uses a variable refresh rate, enabled by a more energy-efficient LTPO backplane, and can handle slightly higher temperatures before switching to 60 Hz.

The Note 20 Ultra's Adaptive mode is limited to a FHD resolution, requiring users to switch to 60 Hz mode to enable QHD resolution.

Both models utilize an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor.

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The size of a display can greatly impact your viewing experience.

Some smartphones have screens that are as small as 5.5 inches, while larger devices can reach up to 7 inches.

A bigger display can be beneficial for watching videos or browsing the web, but it also means the device may be more difficult to carry around.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example, has a massive 6.8-inch screen that's perfect for gaming and entertainment.

On the other hand, smaller displays like the one on the iPhone 13 Mini are ideal for those who prefer a more compact phone.

The Galaxy Note 20 has a battery life that's just as excellent as its bigger sibling, the Note 20 Ultra. The phone had 27 percent of battery left after a 12-hour video rundown test at 75 percent brightness.

With 22W wired and 10W wireless charging, you can quickly top up your phone's battery when needed. This is a feature that's available on other recent Samsung phones as well.

The Note 20 has all the various forms of 5G used in the US right now, which means you'll get fast data speeds and low latency. I compared it with a Galaxy S20+ on T-Mobile's network and found performance was effectively the same.

You can expect pings as low as 11-15ms and data speeds that peaked over 500Mbps on T-Mobile's mid-band 2.5GHz 5G network in New York. That's fast enough for smooth video streaming and online gaming.

The phone also has strong dual speakers at the top and bottom, making it perfect for watching videos or listening to music. Call quality is good, with support for high-quality HD and EVS calling.

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The S Pen on the Galaxy Note 20 has significantly improved latency, reducing from 42ms on the Note 10 to 26ms on the Note 20 and 9ms on the Note 20 Ultra. This means a more precise and responsive experience when using the stylus.

The S Pen also gains five new Air gestures that work across the UI by utilizing the accelerometers and gyroscope, as well as 'AI-based point prediction'. This adds a new level of functionality and convenience to the stylus.

The Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra were initially shipped with Android 10 and One UI 2.5, but later received several major software updates, including Android 11 with One UI 3.0 and Android 12 with One UI 4.0.

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The S Pen has seen significant improvements in latency, now boasting 26ms on the Note 20 and 9ms on the Note 20 Ultra, a reduction from 42ms on the Note 10 and Note 10+.

These faster response times make a big difference in everyday use, allowing for more precise and fluid writing and drawing experiences.

The S Pen also gains five new Air gestures that work seamlessly across the UI, leveraging the accelerometers and gyroscope for a more intuitive experience.

This new feature is a game-changer for those who rely on the S Pen for productivity and creativity, enabling new ways to interact with your device.

Battery life has also been improved, now lasting up to 24 hours, a significant increase from the previous 10 hours.

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The Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra devices were shipped with Android 10 and One UI 2.5.

These devices receive 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates. That's a significant amount of support, especially considering the rapid pace of technology advancements.

A beta test for Android 11 was released later in the year, and by January 2021, Android 11 with One UI 3.0 was sent OTA to the majority of Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra devices.

The Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra received the Android 12 update with One UI 4.0 by January 2022. This update brought new features and improvements to the devices.

As of May 2024, the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra received their last major upgrade, One UI 5.1, based on Android 13.

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With the Galaxy Note20, you can own the phone forever, changing how you work and play.

The color availability may vary depending on your country or carrier, so be sure to check what options are available to you.

The screen size of the Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches, measured diagonally in the full rectangle, with a slightly smaller viewable area due to the rounded corners and camera hole.

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra has an even larger screen, measuring 6.9 inches in the full rectangle, with a similar reduction in viewable area.

Here's a comparison of the screen sizes:

The Galaxy Note20's camera features a Hybrid Optic Zoom, which combines a high-resolution image sensor and lens for improved zoom capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 received mixed reviews from tech websites and critics. Some praised its redesigned S-Pen and camera performance.

Reviews from TechRadar and The Verge highlighted the Note 20's lower quality display and plastic back panel as major drawbacks, especially considering its high starting price point. James Peckham from TechRadar called it "Samsung's new entry-level stylus-included smartphone for 2020" that "doesn't seem particularly exciting for the usual Note-loving crowd."

The Note 20's performance was also affected by the difference in processors available, with Exynos models being criticized for being inferior products. This was a notable change from previous models, where the differential was not as large.

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The reception of the Note 20 was mixed, with some technology websites praising its redesigned S-Pen and camera performance.

Reviews from TechRadar and The Verge highlighted these positives, but also criticized the baseline Note 20 for its lower quality display and plastic back panel despite its high starting price point.

The Note 20's lower quality display and plastic back panel were major drawbacks, especially considering its high price point, which may have been a turn-off for some potential buyers.

The performance of the two processors available for the Note 20 was a concern, with some reviewers noting that the Exynos models seemed to be an inferior product.

The cooling system introduced in the Galaxy Note 10 was also removed in the Snapdragon Variants of the Note 20 series, which may have impacted performance.

Here are some key categories that the Note 20 falls under:

If you're considering the Samsung Galaxy Note20, you might want to take a look at some of its similarly priced competitors.

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is a great option, priced at $213.06, making it a strong contender in this price range.

The Samsung Galaxy A17 4G is another option, priced slightly lower at $184.97.

The Samsung Galaxy A26 is a compact alternative, priced at $179.99.

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 13 is also worth considering, priced at $199.99.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE rounds out the options, priced at $198.90.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 has a triple-camera setup with a 12 MP wide sensor, a 64 MP telephoto sensor, and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor.

The Note 20 Ultra takes it to the next level with a 108 MP wide sensor, a 12 MP "periscope" telephoto sensor, and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor.

The Note 20's telephoto sensor and the Note 20 Ultra's wide sensor use pixel binning to output higher quality images at a standard resolution.

You can record 8K video at 24fps on both models, but the Note 20 Ultra's 108 MP wide sensor natively supports 8K video.

The front camera uses a 10 MP sensor, and can record 4K video, making it perfect for product videos or everyday snaps.

The Note 20 Ultra's laser autofocus is a game-changer for capturing sharp images of complex subjects, like a flower right in front of the lens.

The Note 20's 12-megapixel main lens is just fine, with an f/1.8 aperture and dual-pixel autofocus, making its low-light performance almost identical to its bigger sibling.

In some cases, my main-camera shots on the Note 20 were even better than on the Note 20 Ultra because the Ultra's 108-megapixel camera has very shallow depth of field and needs to be handled a bit differently.

The Note 20 Ultra's front-facing camera is terrific, producing crystal-clear product videos and everyday snaps.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is a solid phone, but it's not without its quirks. It feels good as a standalone phone, but is overshadowed by the Note 20 Ultra.

One of the advantages of the Note 20's flat screen is that it's less prone to accidental presses. However, this also means that it can be tricky to hold without accidentally triggering something, like fast-forwarding a Netflix show.

If you're used to a 120Hz screen refresh rate, you may notice that the Note 20 feels a bit slow when scrolling. This is likely due to its standard 60Hz screen refresh rate.

On the bright side, the Note 20's battery life seems to be at least as good as the Note 20 Ultra, and possibly even better. This could be due to the fact that it's not trying to power a curved screen.

The phone is still quite large, but it feels less treacherous to hold than the Note 20 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is a powerful device that checks all the right boxes. It features a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that provides an immersive viewing experience.

In comparison to its predecessor, the Note 20 has a slightly smaller battery capacity of 4300mAh, but still offers a day's worth of battery life. This is likely due to the more efficient processor and power-saving features.

The Note 20's camera system is a significant upgrade, with a 12MP main sensor and a 12MP front-facing camera that can record 4K video at 60fps. This is a notable improvement over the Note 10's 10MP front camera.

One of the standout features of the Note 20 is its S Pen, which now supports Air Actions and can be used for more precise gestures.