Samsung Galaxy Note20 series: Everything that matters

Samsung unveiled five new devices at its first-ever Galaxy Unpacked virtual event live-streamed from Korea. Headlining the launch are the new Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra–annual upgrades to its flagship stylus-totting device family. Also making a debut are the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, Galaxy Watch3 and the Galaxy Z Fold2 (with a new moniker and branding).

Pricing and availability

The Galaxy Note20 series is available for pre-orders in Malaysia starting today, 6 August until 20 August 2020. Prices as below:

Galaxy Note20 Ultra / Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White – MYR5,199
Galaxy Note20 5G / Mystic Bronze, Mystic Green, Mystic Grey – MYR4,299
Galaxy Note20 / Mystic Bronze, Mystic Grey – MYR3,899

Pre-orders are never complete without early bird deals.

So, here are goodies buyers will receive when picking up the new Galaxy Note20 devices:

Galaxy Note20 Ultra

Free unit of Galaxy Buds Live (MYR699) when pre-ordering at Samsung Experience Stores (SES) and Samsung Authorised Partners; or
e-voucher worth MYR650 to claim a unit of Galaxy Buds Live (without any top-up) when pre-ordering at Samsung Online Store

Galaxy Note20

Free unit of Galaxy Buds+ worth MYR599 when pre-ordering at Samsung Experience Stores (SES) and Samsung Authorised Partners; or
e-voucher worth MYR450 to claim a unit of Galaxy Buds+ (without any top-up) when pre-ordering at Samsung Online Store

Pre-order here: https://note20preorder.mysamsungcampaign.com/preorder.aspx

Features that matter

Unlike the expansive Galaxy S20 series, Samsung has streamlined the Note20 series to just two main models—the hero Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Galaxy Note20. What’s interesting is that the entry-level Galaxy Note20 also comes in a non-5G variant, debuting at MYR3,899.

Samsung has strategically injected the best-of-the-best technologies into the flagship Note20 Ultra, clearly differentiating it from the regular Note20.

Design and build

It starts with the design and build. The Note20 Ultra features metal body enveloped In Gorilla Glass Victus, the toughest glass in a smartphone. This year’s hero colour is Mystic Bronze—a premium yet neutral hue. It’s worth to note that the regular Galaxy Note20 gets a plastic, glass-like exterior aka “glasstic” instead of its range-topping sibling. It does offer another possibly popular colourway—Mystic Green, though.

By the way, both models offer IP68 dust- and water-resistance.

Display

The Note20 Ultra rocks a massive 6.9-inch edge Infinity-O Display with a typical dual-curved edge design. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers 1500 nits of brightness and has a refresh rate of 120Hz.

For fans of flat displays like the Galaxy S10e, the Note20 packs a 6.7-inch flat Infinity-O Display, offering a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Cameras

Samsung has pretty much adopted the camera system from the Galaxy S20 series. On the Note20 Ultra, the triple-cam setup is headlined by the 108MP f/1.8 wide-angle camera, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 12MP f/3.0 telephoto shooter. Note that while the main sensor offers plenty of pixels, it lacks Dual Pixel AF and instead uses Laser AF. The camera system offers up to 5x Optical Zoom and 50x Space Zoom (AI-assisted digital zoom).

Meanwhile, the Note20 packs a 12MP wide-angle camera, 12MP ultra-wide angle camera, and a 64MP telephoto camera. The new camera is capable of 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom and 30x Space Zoom.

Both models can shoot up to 8K UHD videos, 120fps FHD, up to 960fps Super Slow-mo and Live Focus Video. The beauty of shooting 8K video is the ability to turn an 8K frame into a 33MP snapshot. They also feature advanced AI stabilisation for super steady videos.

Over on the front is a 10MP f/2.2 selfie-shooter capable of HDR, 4K UHD video recording.

Samsung claims the new cameras are the “biggest leap in low light photography” in a Galaxy.

S Pen

Impressive already as it is, Samsung has reduced latency of the S Pen to just 9ms, offering an even better, realistic pen experience. What’s powerful are the enhanced software features that makes the Note20 an even more outstanding device for work or play.

Samsung has worked closely with Microsoft to enhance the Note20’s productivity features. For instance, easily turn your scribbles into text so you can copy and paste. Then you can export your notes directly to PPT or Word for sharing.

The integration goes even further. You can auto save and sync Samsung Notes to Microsoft OneNote on your PC and Outlook which can be accessed via mobile, web, and PC. This feature is coming starting November 2020.

With pre-built Link to Windows integration, you can wirelessly share your Note20 screen on your PC. That’s not all, you can even open your mobile apps on the PC, whether it’s WhatsApp or Messages or your favourite social media feed.

Let’s also not forget Samsung DeX, which allows you to wirelessly (or wired) link up to your TV or external display to use as a desktop computer.

Under the hood

The Galaxy Note20 series packs the Exynos 990 with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The hybrid SIM slots work in tandem with eSIM and offers a slot for storage expansion via microSD.

Keeping things juiced is a large 4,500mAh and 4,300mAh battery on the Note20 Ultra and Note20, respectively. They support 25W fast-charging, Fast Wireless Charing 2.0 as well as Wireless PowerShare.

In the audio department, the Note20 features stereo speakers tuned by AKG and supports Dolby Atmos for immersive audio.

Biometric authentication is via face recognition or the in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

Connectivity-wise, both models support 5G (SA and NSA) complemented by a 4G-enabled entry level Note20.

With the new Nearby Share feature, it is now easier than ever to share files wirelessly to nearby contacts using UWB-equipped Galaxy devices.

Note for play

In an extended partnership with Microsoft, starting 15 September, you will be able to play over 100 Xbox games on the Note20 and other mobile phones and tablets. This is streamed directly from the cloud with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and will include hits like Minecraft Dungeons and Gears 5.

Specs at a glance

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