Samsung officially unveils Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Note 20 smartphone series, two new tablets, a new version of the Galaxy Watch and near ear buds.  

Designed for ‘Note loyalists’, the standard Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra both support 5G and stream Xbox games over the cloud.

Both devices are optimised for game streaming via Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s video game subscription service that gives users access to a catalogue of games.

More than 90 games should be available on the smartphone via the cloud, making the Galaxy Note 20 a ‘portable game console’. 

The 6.7-inch-screened Note 20 will retail for £849, while the slightly larger 6.9-inch Note Ultra will retail for £1,179.

The smartphones, described as ‘the most powerful Note line yet’ by the Korean company, are available to pre-order on the Samsung website from today (August 5). 

The company has also announced the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus tablets, the Galaxy Watch 3 smartwatch, Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Z Fold 2, the next generation foldable smartphone. 

The standard Galaxy Note 20 model as leaked by WinFuture. As seen in ‘mystic bronze (left) and mystic black (right)

Samsung says the Galaxy Note 20 series is a ‘productivity powerhouse’ that works ‘like a computer and lets you game like a pro’. 

‘Technology has played a vital role in keeping us connected during these unprecedented times,’ said Conor Pierce, corporate vice president of Samsung Electronics for UK & Ireland.

‘Now more than ever, our customers are looking for products that deliver against this and work seamlessly together. 

‘Whether it’s through work or play, the ecosystem we have launched today is designed to help you get the most out of life. 

‘With our Note 20 range and Tab S7 Plus now powered by 5G, we are not only super-charging the connected experience, but also strengthening Samsung’s 5G leadership in the UK.’

Leading today’s announcement is the two smartphones in the Note 20 series, the standard Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, which is designed for Note fans ‘who demand the ultimate in power and productivity’. 

Samsung is also bringing its Microsoft partnership to the entertainment side of Galaxy Note20 series to take ‘virtual play to the next level’.  

The response time of the stylus is just nine milliseconds on the Ultra and 26 milliseconds on the standard Note 20, which comes ‘closer to writing on paper than ever before’.          

Both devices are optimised for game streaming via Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's video game subscription service that gives users access to a catalogue of games

Both devices are optimised for game streaming via Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s video game subscription service that gives users access to a catalogue of games

For the two devices, Samsung is cooperating closely with Microsoft to offer automatic synchronisation with OneNote, Microsoft’s note-taking software, as well as gesture commands. 

Both phones run Android 10, come with a triple camera system and have a new S Pen stylus, which is a characteristic feature of Samsung’s Note series.    

The slightly larger Ultra will have dimensions of 6.4 by 3 by 0.3 inches, compared to the standard’s 6.3 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches. 

The display of the smaller Galaxy Note 20 is ‘generously dimensioned’, but has a much lower resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, compared with 3200 x 1440 pixels for the Ultra.  

The main camera of the standard Note 20 uses a 12-megapixel sensor, while in the Ultra, a revised 108 megapixel camera with laser auto focus and five times the optical zoom is installed.  

Three camera sensors on the back should enable a 30-fold and 50-fold ‘space zoom’ on the standard and Ultra models, receptively. 

The ‘space zoom’ feature on the previously-released Galaxy S20 Ultra already allows users to zoom in up to 100 times while maintaining a high-quality resolution.

The powerful feature already sparked fears that the lens could be invasive and may be used to see inside people’s houses, although its been scaled down for the Note 20 range. 

Note 20 'standard' model, which lacks Gorilla Glass 7, comes with 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution and 8 GB RAM storage

Note 20 ‘standard’ model, which lacks Gorilla Glass 7, comes with 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution and 8 GB RAM storage

Note 20 Ultra. For the first time in the Note series, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G offers 'vivid and bright Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate delivering breathtakingly smooth visuals'

Note 20 Ultra. For the first time in the Note series, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G offers ‘vivid and bright Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate delivering breathtakingly smooth visuals’

Both of the main cameras on the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra will support video recording of up to 8K recording – meaning they’ll have an ultra-fine display resolution with a width of approximately 8,000 pixels. 

Note 20 Ultra will also be the first smartphone in the world to come with the chemically-strengthened Gorilla Glass 7 from US firm Corning over its display – something that will be lacking on the standard Note 20.    

Both models reportedly offer dual SIM support and are IP68-certified, meaning they survive up to 30 minutes in water nearly five feet (1.5 metres) deep.  

The Note 20 standard is fixed with a 4300mAh battery and Ultra comes with a 4500 mAh battery – both of which can be charged wirelessly and charged to 50 per cent of their capacity in 30 minutes. 

The standard Note 20 comes in three colours – ‘mystic black’, ‘mystic bronze’ and ‘mystic green’, while the Ultra just comes in mystic black and mystic bronze.          

Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus are described as two versatile tablets that combine the capability of a PC

Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus are described as two versatile tablets that combine the capability of a PC

Samsung has also unveiled the Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus, described as two versatile tablets that combine the capability of a PC, the flexibility of a tablet, and the connectivity of a smartphone. 

With the latest processor and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, both tablets come with two large displays — 11-inch and 12.4-inch, respectively. 

The Tab S7 Plus is also available in a 5G compatible variant, ‘ensuring you are always connected’.

Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus come with an upgraded S Pen and Samsung Notes featured on Galaxy Note20 series to provide a PC-like experience. 

The included S Pen provides an optimal companion bringing the best drawing and note taking apps such as Clip Studio Paint, Canva and Noteshelf10.  

Samsung has also announced a new set of earbuds – Galaxy Buds Live – with a bigger, 12mm speaker and bass duct and ‘audio sounds deep and rich so you can enjoy music the way the artist intended’. 

‘Galaxy Buds Live come with three microphones and Voice Pickup Unit so you can feel like you’re in the same room as your loved ones, even when you’re apart,’ Samsung said. 

‘These earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation for open type bringing the best of both – live and spacious sound quality, with the ability for you to tune in (or out) of the world around you.’

Samsung's kidney bean-like Galaxy Buds Live deliver 'audio sounds deep and rich so you can enjoy music the way the artist intended'

Samsung’s kidney bean-like Galaxy Buds Live deliver ‘audio sounds deep and rich so you can enjoy music the way the artist intended’

Note 20 Ultra. Samsung is cooperating closely with Microsoft' to offer automatic synchronisation with OneNote, Microsoft's note-taking software, as well as gesture commands

Note 20 Ultra. Samsung is cooperating closely with Microsoft’ to offer automatic synchronisation with OneNote, Microsoft’s note-taking software, as well as gesture commands

Note 20 Ultra. An ultrasonic fingerprint reader, like the one already used in the S20 series, will sit under the display surface on both of the models

Note 20 Ultra. An ultrasonic fingerprint reader, like the one already used in the S20 series, will sit under the display surface on both of the models

Note 20 Ultra. Both of the main cameras will support video recording of up to 8K recording – meaning they'll have an ultra-fine display resolution with a width of approximately 8,000 pixels

Note 20 Ultra. Both of the main cameras will support video recording of up to 8K recording – meaning they’ll have an ultra-fine display resolution with a width of approximately 8,000 pixels

Note 20 Ultra. Additional features include USB-C 3.2, AKG-optimised stereo speakers, NFC, Bluetooth 5.x, WiFi 6 and dual GPS support

Note 20 Ultra. Additional features include USB-C 3.2, AKG-optimised stereo speakers, NFC, Bluetooth 5.x, WiFi 6 and dual GPS support

As well as support for Microsoft applications such as Outlook and OneNote, Note devices will feature Wireless DeX – a wireless version of its DeX capability, originally launched in 2017, that extends the phone’s display to a desktop.  

Additional features include USB-C 3.2, AKG-optimised stereo speakers, NFC, Bluetooth 5.x, WiFi 6 and dual GPS support. 

The company has also launched Galaxy Z Fold 2 and a 5G version of its Galaxy Z Flip, which folds along a horizontal crease through its centre. 

Note 20 Ultra. The slightly larger Ultra will have dimesnions of 6.4 by 3 by 0.3 inches, compared to the standard's 6.3 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches

Note 20 Ultra. The slightly larger Ultra will have dimesnions of 6.4 by 3 by 0.3 inches, compared to the standard’s 6.3 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches

GALAXY NOTE 20 SPECS 

 Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Android 10 with Samsung One UI 

6.9 inch Dynamic AMOLED 

Infinity Display, Gorilla Glass 7 

3200 x 1440 pixel resolution

12 GB RAM storage 

Triple camera, 108 MP aperture f / 1.8

50x space zoom  

10 MP front camera (f / 2.2, autofocus) 

Up to 8K recording (main camera) 

Supports 5G

Latency 9 millisecond S-Pen 

Colours: mystic black, bronze  

Dimensions: 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches

 Galaxy Note 20 

Android 10 with Samsung One UI 

6.7 inch Super AMOLED  

 

2400 x 1080 pixel resolution

 8 GB RAM storage

Triple camera, 108 MP aperture f / 1.8

30x space zoom 

10 MP front camera (f / 2.2, autofocus) 

Up to 8K recording (main camera)

Supports 5G (optional) 

Latency 26 millisecond S-Pen 

Colours: mystic black, bronze, green 

Dimensions: 6.3 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches

Source:  WinFuture

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