Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra: A Comprehensive Review

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra

Definition: The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is a premium phablet and flagship Android smartphone developed and marketed by Samsung Electronics, unveiled on August 5, 2020, alongside the standard Galaxy Note20 at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked virtual event. Positioned as the top-tier device in the Note lineup, it targeted power users, content creators, and productivity-focused professionals, combining a large dynamic display, a versatile S Pen stylus, high-end camera capabilities, and flagship-grade performance. The Note20 Ultra marked a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with key enhancements including a 120 Hz QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a 108 MP main camera, and 5G connectivity, solidifying its status as one of Samsung’s most powerful devices of 2020.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 3200 × 1440 resolution (QHD+), 511 PPI, 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (10–120 Hz), HDR10+ support, 1500 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, 19.3:9 aspect ratio, punch-hole camera cutout
Processor & Chipset	Regional variants:- Global/Exynos model: Exynos 990 octa-core (2×2.73 GHz Cortex-A77 + 2×2.5 GHz Cortex-A77 + 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), Mali-G77 MP11 GPU- US/China/Snapdragon model: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ octa-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/12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB non-expandable UFS 3.1 storage (no microSD slot)
Camera System	Rear Triple Cameras:- 108 MP Wide: f/1.8 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS), 1/1.33” sensor size, pixel binning (12 MP/27 MP output)- 12 MP Ultra-Wide: f/2.2 aperture, 120° field of view, 1.0 μm pixels- 12 MP Periscope Telephoto: f/3.0 aperture, OIS, 5× optical zoom, up to 50× digital zoom (Space Zoom)Video Recording: 8K at 24 fps, 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/120/240 fps, HDR10+ video, Super Steady stabilizationFront Camera: 10 MP, f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, 4K video recording at 30 fps
Battery & Charging	Non-removable 4500 mAh Li-ion battery; 25W wired fast charging (50% charge in 30 mins), 15W wireless fast charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging; USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
Connectivity	5G (sub-6 GHz & mmWave, variant-dependent), 4G LTE Advanced, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS/Beidou, Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, IR blaster
Operating System	Initially shipped with Android 10 + Samsung One UI 2.5; upgradable up to Android 13 + One UI 5.1 (final official update)
Design & Dimensions	Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front/back; dimensions: 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm; weight: 208 g; IP68 water and dust resistance; color options: Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
S Pen	Integrated stylus with 9 ms latency, 4096 pressure levels, Air Actions (gesture control), support for note-taking, sketching, screenshot editing, and Samsung DeX integration; magnetic charging (fully charged in 40 seconds)
Sensors & Biometrics	Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, magnetometer, heart rate monitor, SpO₂ sensor
Other Features	Samsung DeX (wireless/wired), Samsung Knox security platform, stereo speakers (AKG-tuned), Dolby Atmos support, no 3.5 mm headphone jack

Key Selling Points & Innovations

120 Hz QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X DisplayThe Note20 Ultra’s 6.9-inch display was a standout feature, combining a QHD+ resolution with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate—a first for the Note series. The adaptive refresh rate adjusted dynamically between 10 Hz and 120 Hz based on content (e.g., 120 Hz for scrolling/gaming, 10 Hz for static images) to balance smoothness and battery efficiency. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel delivered deep blacks, vibrant colors, and HDR10+ support, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and content creation. Gorilla Glass Victus also provided enhanced scratch and drop resistance.
Enhanced S Pen with Air ActionsThe integrated S Pen received a major upgrade with Air Actions, which allowed users to control the device via gesture commands without touching the screen. For example, users could switch camera modes, adjust volume, or navigate slideshows by waving the S Pen in the air. With 9 ms latency and 4096 pressure levels, the stylus offered a natural writing and sketching experience, supporting features like Notes (even when the screen was off), Screen Write, and PDF annotation. The S Pen charged magnetically when stored in the device, reaching full charge in just 40 seconds for up to 10 hours of use.
108 MP Camera System with 5× Optical Periscope ZoomThe rear camera setup was designed for versatility, led by a 108 MP wide sensor with sensor-shift OIS—Samsung’s first use of this technology in a smartphone. Sensor-shift stabilization moved the entire sensor (instead of the lens) to reduce blur, improving low-light performance and video stability. The 12 MP periscope telephoto lens enabled 5× optical zoom and up to 50× digital zoom (Space Zoom), allowing users to capture distant subjects with minimal quality loss. The 108 MP sensor also supported pixel binning (outputting 12 MP or 27 MP photos) for better low-light sensitivity and faster processing.
Flagship Performance & 5G ConnectivityPowered by either the Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865+ chipset, the Note20 Ultra delivered top-tier performance for multitasking, gaming, and 8K video editing. The LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage ensured fast app launches and smooth file transfers. 5G connectivity (sub-6 GHz and mmWave in select markets) enabled ultra-fast download speeds, low-latency gaming, and seamless streaming of 8K content, future-proofing the device for emerging 5G ecosystems.
Productivity & Content Creation ToolsTargeted at professionals, the Note20 Ultra included features like Samsung DeX (wireless/wired desktop mode for connecting to monitors/TVs), split-screen multitasking, and support for productivity apps like Microsoft Office. The S Pen integrated seamlessly with these tools, allowing users to edit documents, sketch designs, and annotate presentations directly on the device. The large display also made it ideal for multitasking, such as browsing the web while taking notes or editing videos while referencing tutorials.

Limitations & Criticisms

No MicroSD Card SlotSamsung removed the microSD expansion slot from the Note20 Ultra, a decision that was heavily criticized by power users who relied on expandable storage for large 8K videos, photos, and apps. This forced users to choose higher storage tiers at purchase, increasing the total cost of ownership.
25W Wired Charging (Underwhelming for Flagship)While competitors like OnePlus offered 65W+ fast charging in 2020, the Note20 Ultra only supported 25W wired charging. This was slower than expected for a premium flagship, with a full charge taking over an hour. Samsung also did not include a charger in the box, adding an extra cost for users without an existing 25W adapter.
Battery Drain with 120 Hz QHD+ ModeThe 120 Hz QHD+ display was power-hungry, and many users reported significant battery drain when using the device in this mode for extended periods. While the adaptive refresh rate helped conserve battery, heavy usage (e.g., gaming, 8K video recording) still required frequent charging.
Plastic Frame (Instead of Metal) in Some RegionsEarly reports revealed that some global variants of the Note20 Ultra used a plastic frame instead of the advertised aluminum frame, which was criticized for feeling less premium and being more prone to scratches. Samsung later clarified that this was limited to specific markets, but the controversy damaged the device’s reputation among enthusiasts.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: August 21, 2020 (available globally; regional variants with Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865+ chipsets).
Pricing: The 12 GB/256 GB variant started at $1,299 (unlocked), positioning it as one of Samsung’s most expensive flagships to date.
Sales: The Note20 Ultra performed well among productivity-focused users and S Pen enthusiasts, though sales were slightly lower than the Note10 series due to its high price tag and the global COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on consumer spending. The Mystic Bronze color variant was the most popular choice.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2021 with the launch of the Galaxy Note21 series (which was later canceled, making the Note20 Ultra the last traditional Note device until the Galaxy Z Fold series adopted S Pen support).

Legacy

The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is remembered as the swan song of the traditional Note lineup, as Samsung discontinued the series after 2021 and integrated S Pen support into its foldable devices (e.g., Galaxy Z Fold3/Fold4). It represented the pinnacle of Samsung’s phablet design, combining a large high-refresh display, a versatile S Pen, and flagship camera capabilities into a single device. For professionals and content creators, it remains a popular choice even in 2025, thanks to its long software support (3 major Android updates) and robust productivity features.