Samsung Galaxy Note20 Review: Features & Specs Explained

Galaxy Note20

Product Overview: The Samsung Galaxy Note20 is a premium phablet and flagship smartphone in Samsung’s Galaxy Note series, unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold2, and Galaxy Tab S7 series on August 5, 2020, and released globally on August 21, 2020. Positioned as a more compact, accessible alternative to the Note20 Ultra, it retains the core productivity features of the Note lineup—most notably the S Pen stylus—while balancing performance, display quality, and portability. The device launched with One UI 2.5 based on Android 10 and supports software updates up to Android 13 with One UI 5.1, delivering a 3-year OS support cycle that aligns with Samsung’s premium device standards.

Key Hardware Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus flat display, 2400×1080 resolution (393 ppi), 60 Hz refresh rate, 800 nits peak brightness, HDR10+ support; Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front/back); no curved edges (unlike the Note20 Ultra)
Processor	Dual-chipset strategy:- Global variants: Samsung Exynos 990 (8-core: 2×2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 + 2×2.5 GHz Cortex-A76 + 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), Mali-G77 MP11 GPU- U.S./China variants: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (8-core: 1×3.1 GHz Kryo 585 + 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585 + 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 585), Adreno 650 GPU
Memory & Storage	8 GB RAM; 256 GB non-expandable internal flash storage (no microSD slot— a key difference from the Note20 Ultra)
Cellular Connectivity	5G (sub-6 GHz; mmWave support on U.S. variants), 4G LTE Advanced, UMTS/HSPA+, GSM/EDGE; dual-SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM) support
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS, Ultra Wideband (U1) chip (for spatial awareness)
Camera System	Rear Triple-Camera:- 64 MP wide-angle lens (f/2.0 aperture, 1/1.72″ sensor, 0.8 μm pixels, optical image stabilization (OIS), 3x hybrid optical zoom)- 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2 aperture, 120° field of view, 1.4 μm pixels)- 8 MP telephoto lens (f/2.4 aperture, OIS, 3x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom)Front Camera: 10 MP (f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, 1.22 μm pixels)
Battery	4300 mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery; 25 W wired fast charging (USB-C), 15 W wireless fast charging, reverse wireless charging (4.5 W); no bundled charger (Samsung’s first push for eco-friendly packaging)
Design & Dimensions	161.6 × 75.2 × 8.3 mm, 192 g; aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 front/back; IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 1.5 meters depth for 30 minutes); available in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Green, Mystic Gray
Other Features	S Pen (4096 pressure levels, 9 ms latency, Air Actions support), in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers (AKG-tuned), Dolby Atmos support, no 3.5 mm headphone jack

Core Feature Upgrades & Innovations

S Pen with Enhanced Air ActionsThe Galaxy Note20’s S Pen retains the signature productivity features of the Note series, with 9 ms latency for lag-free note-taking and sketching. The upgraded Air Actions let users control the device remotely via stylus gestures—for example, pausing/playing videos, switching camera modes, navigating presentations, or scrolling through web pages without touching the screen. The S Pen also integrates with Samsung Notes for seamless cloud syncing and supports converting handwritten notes to digital text.
Dual Flagship Chipsets for Regional OptimizationSamsung deployed two high-end chipsets to cater to regional market needs: the Exynos 990 for global markets and the Snapdragon 865+ for the U.S. and China. Both chips deliver flagship-level performance for multitasking, 4K video editing, and gaming—though the Snapdragon 865+ offers marginally better 5G speeds and GPU performance. The 8 GB RAM ensures smooth operation of multiple apps, including Samsung DeX (which lets users connect the phone to a monitor for a desktop-like experience).
Versatile Triple-Camera System with Hybrid ZoomThe Note20’s camera system balances versatility and image quality:
- The 64 MP wide-angle lens captures detailed photos in daylight, while OIS reduces blur in low-light conditions.
- The 12 MP ultra-wide lens is ideal for landscape and group photos, with a 120° field of view.
- The 8 MP telephoto lens supports 3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom, with OIS ensuring sharpness even at maximum magnification.The camera also features Single Take 2.0, which captures photos and videos in multiple formats (e.g., standard, ultra-wide, zoomed, slow-motion) with a single shutter press, letting users choose the best shot post-capture.
IP68 Durability & Eco-Friendly PackagingThe Galaxy Note20 carries an IP68 rating, making it resistant to dust and temporary submersion in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes—ideal for outdoor or rugged use. Samsung also shifted to eco-friendly packaging for the Note20 lineup, omitting the charger and earbuds to reduce plastic waste. The device supports 25 W wired charging and 15 W wireless charging, though users need to purchase compatible accessories separately.

Software & User Experience (One UI 2.5)

The Galaxy Note20 launched with One UI 2.5 (Android 10), optimized for large screens and the S Pen:

Samsung DeX: Enables a desktop-like interface when connected to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse—ideal for productivity tasks like document editing and video conferencing.
Samsung Notes: Integrates with Microsoft Office and Google Drive, supporting handwriting-to-text conversion and cloud syncing across devices.
Game Booster: Optimizes gaming performance by allocating CPU/GPU resources, blocking notifications, and enabling touch protection to prevent accidental inputs.
Android Updates: The device received official updates to Android 11 (One UI 3.1), Android 12 (One UI 4.1), and Android 13 (One UI 5.1), adding features like enhanced privacy controls, a redesigned UI, and improved S Pen functionality.

Market Impact & Legacy

Note Series Accessibility: The Galaxy Note20 filled a gap between Samsung’s mid-range A series and the ultra-premium Note20 Ultra, offering core Note features at a lower price point for users who don’t need a 120 Hz display or expandable storage.
Eco-Packaging Trendsetter: Samsung’s decision to omit chargers and earbuds from the Note20 lineup set a precedent for the industry, with Apple and other manufacturers following suit in subsequent years to reduce electronic waste.
S Pen Productivity Standard: The Note20’s enhanced Air Actions solidified the S Pen as a key differentiator for Samsung’s productivity-focused devices, influencing future Galaxy S Ultra models (which also integrated S Pen support).

Limitations

Plastic Frame (Some Regions): Early reports noted that some regional variants used a plastic frame instead of aluminum, reducing the device’s premium feel.

60 Hz Display: Unlike the Note20 Ultra’s 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, the Note20’s 60 Hz screen feels less smooth during scrolling and gaming—a notable compromise for a premium device.

Non-Expandable Storage: The lack of a microSD slot is a drawback for users who need to store large amounts of photos, videos, or apps.

Slow Wired Charging: 25 W charging is slower than competitors’ 65 W+ fast charging solutions, requiring longer time to fully recharge the 4300 mAh battery.