Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra: Plans, Price and Features

Samsung's latest and largest Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra phones are here.

Galaxy Note fans are the modern-day equivalent of a Blackberry user, in that they're a specific breed of smartphone user that won't compromise on the size or functionality offered by Samsung's oversized handsets. But is the 2020 iteration of the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the upgrade? Or are you better off sticking with Samsung's flagship Galaxy S20? Let's take a look.

Where this year's Galaxy S20 lineup saw three separate models launch, Note enthusiasts only have to choose between two core models: the Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Much like Samsung's last release, the Ultra variant is the premium option, with some meatier specs, and a higher price tag. Samsung is also sticking with a 4G and 5G variant of both models, with the 5G versions fetching a higher price.

As for colour options, both handsets are available in Mystic Bronze, whereas the Note 20 also comes in Mystic Green and Mystic Grey, and the Note 20 Ultra in Mystic White and Mystic Black.

The 256GB 4G and 5G Note 20, and 256GB 5G Note 20 Ultra are the most widely available handsets on a plan, whereas the Note 20 Ultra 256GB 4G and Note 20 Ultra 512GB 5G are limited to select providers. Follow the links above for more comprehensive breakdowns on the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra plans.

Surprisingly, Note users don't pay a premium for the phablet experience. You can get a cheaper Galaxy S20 at $1,349 outright, but that's because the Galaxy S20 comes in an economic 128GB size variant. Compared side-by-side, the Galaxy S20 and Note 20's size and connectivity variants are priced exactly the same.

No doubt about it, the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra both take cracker photos. The only problem is, there's no marked upgrade between the Galaxy S20 and S20 Ultra's cameras. Samsung has reined in what it calls "Space Zoom" for the Note 20 series, reducing the S20 Ultra's 100x zoom to a 50x zoom in the Note 20 Ultra. Unfortunately, that's probably because the S20 Ultra's attempt was widely criticised as a needless gimmick. Despite being capable of zooming in that far, the resulting image was a grainy mess, as our friend Alex Choros pointed out in his review.

It's standard shooter is more up-to-scratch with the kind of quality we've come to expect from smartphones, but you're not in for any surprises if you already own a smartphone that's been released in the last two years.

Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra devices began shipping Friday the 21st of August 2020 here in Australia.

Outright purchases can be placed over on Samsung’s website and plans are available through Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and Woolworths mobile.

The Note 20 family cribs a lot from this year’s Galaxy S20 release. Firstly, there’s the 120Hz display at the premium end in the Galaxy S20 Ultra model, but Samsung has also decided to stick with its gimmicky Space Zoom branding on its 30x (Note 20) and 50x (Note 20 Ultra) digital zoom hybrid. Those who spend extra on Ultra also get a 108MP main camera, whereas those saving a bit of dosh on the Note 20 will get a perfectly serviceable 64MP. The biggest difference in the Note 20’s Ultra is its Laser Auto Focus Sensor, which seems to be a solution to the focus issues of its Ultra predecessor.

Just like Galaxy S20 family before it, both Note 20 handsets are packing the Exynos 990 chipsets, so there’s nothing new to announce there. Samsung has also stuck to offering the 120Hz panel on the Ultra range and the upgraded 12GB of RAM solely on the Ultra 512GB model; another small detail for Samsung to justify the upgrade.

However, there’s a stark visual difference in the Note 20’s Ultra’s 6.9-inch display, Samsung is bringing back the edge. The Note 20 Ultra sports a curved edge display, and top-and-tailed the Note 20 Ultra with flat edges. It’s a nice touch and puts the Note 20’s bezel to shame. It appears that the bottom of the Note 20 Ultra is completely flat with the exception of the S-Pen’s cradle.

Who am I to tell a Galaxy Note enthusiast how to spend their money? Design folk and lovelorn PDA diehards will buy just about anything Samsung lets you jam a pen in. If you invested in last year’s Galaxy S20 family, the extra screen real estate, and the S-pen are the only two real reasons you’d want to take notes on the new range. There’s the added bonus of Laser Auto-Focus for those who were disappointed by the S20 Ultra’s camera (plus something to be said for the lowered 50x zoom) but we can’t really speak to that until we’ve had some hands-on time with the device.

However, if you’re a Note fan through and through and you’re upgrading from the 2019 version, the design changes, larger updated edge display, bigger battery and whopping 108MP camera could have you penning in an appointment with Samsung come Friday the 21st of August.