The Ultra cellphone is right here to remain. At its Galaxy Unpacked occasion final week, Samsung introduced two sizes of its Galaxy Note 20 cellphone. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra mannequin changed final yr’s Plus mannequin on the high finish. That makes two Ultras for Samsung, together with the beforehand introduced Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Which one do you have to purchase (should you can afford the costs, each nicely north of $1,000)? We’ll undergo the key factors of comparability that can assist you resolve.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Design
As Samsung’s screens have gotten larger over time, the visible variations between the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note telephones have shrunken together with the bezels. Both telephones are mainly all-screen now, with a sliver of black above and under the display, however their shapes differ. The Note is taller with squared corners, to resemble a notepad, whereas the S20 is rounded like a transitional cellphone.
Both telephones have large bumps however the Note 20 Ultra’s is just a bit bumpier.
The telephones even look fairly related from the again. Both have a moderately massive raised digicam array within the high left nook, however the Note’s housing has a bit extra of a bump (at the very least Samsung ditched the cheesy Space Zoom branding). While they’re each fabricated from glass, the Note has a frosted end, together with an unique “Mystic Bronze” hue that doesn’t mirror gentle as a lot because the S20 does, and feels much less slippery. It’s a fantastic shade and a fantastic look that provides the Note an actual magnificence.
My decide: Both telephones are extraordinarily large and a contact unwieldy as a result of their gigantic digicam bumps. I favor the S20 ever so barely, however should you like large telephones, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with both one.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Display
These are Samsung flagships, so each of those telephones have glorious screens. It’s laborious to discover a flaw in both of them:
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (3200×1440, 511 ppi), HDR10+ licensed, 120Hz refresh price
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (3088×1440, 496 ppi), HDR10+ licensed, 120Hz refresh price
The S20 Ultra has an infinitesimally increased decision, and that’s mainly it. Both shows assist 120Hz refresh, however you’ll have to decrease the decision to Full HD (1080p) to make use of it.
The solely materials distinction between the 2 shows is the best way the refresh price prompts. On the Note 20 Ultra, the show dynamically switches again to 60Hz when not in use to protect battery life.
SamsungThe Note 20 Ultra has a stunning display, however so does the S20 Ultra.
My decide: There’s no dangerous selection right here. Both screens are large, stunning, and the perfect of their class, with extraordinarily minor variations almost inconceivable to discern. In direct comparisons, the Note 20 Ultra appears to have a barely higher white steadiness.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Processor, RAM, storage and battery
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Samsung S20 Ultra have extraordinarily related specs, with one exception—the processor. The Note 20 Ultra makes use of the newer Snapdragon 865+ processor, which brings a slight efficiency increase over the 865 within the S20 Ultra.
Otherwise, you’re getting the identical 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of storage (with an expandable reminiscence slot that may add as much as 1TB). Both supply 512GB storage upgrades. If you need the highest of the highest, you’ll additionally get 16GB of RAM within the S20 Ultra with the additional storage.
The Note 20 Ultra has an ultra-wideband chip for extra exact spatial consciousness. It’s not very helpful now—mainly you’ll be able to ship information to different Note 20 customers shortly—nevertheless it might carry good unlocking and indoor positioning down the highway.
While each premium smartphones have large batteries, the S20 has a bit extra juice at 5,000mAh, versus 4,500mAh on the Note 20. They’ll probably each get you simply by means of a full day of heavy use. They each include a 25W charger within the field and assist 45W fast-charging with Samsung’s optionally available adapter.
My decide: I’ll go along with the S20 right here, as a result of I’d moderately have 11 p.c extra battery than 10 p.c extra storage. With both, I’d stick to the bottom 128GB configuration, as a result of you’ll be able to add further storage for reasonable should you look forward to a sale on SD playing cards.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Camera
The Note 20 Ultra and S20 Ultra each have quad-camera arrays, however Samsung has tweaked them a bit for this new technology:
S20 Ultra
Camera 1: 12MP Ultra broad, f/2.2
Camera 2: 108MP Wide, f/1.8
Camera 3: 48MP Telephoto (10X, 100X), f/3.5
Camera 4: DepthVision
Note 20 Ultra
Camera 1: 12MP Ultra broad, f/2.2
Camera 2: 108MP Wide, f/1.8
Camera 3: 12MP Telephoto (5X, 50X), f/3.0
Camera 4: Laser autofocus
The two have two key variations. The largest is the telephoto lens. The Note 20 has fewer megapixels and fewer zoom. I’m nonetheless testing the Note 20 Ultra and can have a overview quickly, however in my expertise with the S20, you gained’t miss the additional Space Zoom. The zoom is extraordinarily laborious to manage at 100X, and photos don’t look so nice anyway. At 50X, your photos might be sharper and simpler to shoot. But it’s nonetheless very gimmicky.
Christopher Hebert/IDGThe S20 Ultra has extra zoom than the Note 20 Ultra, however which may not be an excellent factor.
The different main distinction between the 2 telephones is the fourth digicam. Neither is a useable digicam per se, however they assist in very alternative ways. The S20’s DepthVision lens is a time-of-flight digicam that helps with portrait photographs and AR apps. You may see a distinction when taking Live Photos, however you’ll want a really technical eye. Otherwise, the entire similar blur options, together with real-time adjustment, can be found on each telephones.
On the Note 20, nevertheless, Samsung has swapped out the time-of-flight sensor for laser autofocus, which might repair one of many S20’s largest points: When capturing customary photographs with the S20, it might battle to lock in on a topic. Even after a number of updates, the issue nonetheless crops up infrequently. The laser autofocus is each an admission that the issue exists and a severe try and appropriate it. In my early testing, autofocus is impressively quick on the Note 20.
My decide: While the S20’s digicam might sound higher on paper, I’m taking the Note 20’s with its laser autofocus. The most important sensor is basically the identical, and the advantages of the depth digicam aren’t as clear.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: S Pen and equipment
The main distinction between Samsung’s S and N strains continues to be the inclusion of a stylus on the Note. The Note 20 Ultra brings some new tips to the occasion—and a brand new location, on the underside left moderately than the underside proper—however the largest change is the latency, which has been lowered to 9ms. I didn’t have any points with the Note 10’s S Pen, nevertheless it’s noticeably improved on the Note 20 and feels as easy as a ball-point pen.
Michael Simon/IDGIf you need an S Pen, there’s just one selection.
You’re additionally getting one thing with the Galaxy S20 that you simply’re not getting with the Note 20, at the very least not within the field: earbuds. However, whereas Samsung has opted to not embody its very-good AKG-tuned earbuds with the Note 20, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a pair without spending a dime by contacting Samsung customer support.
My decide: The S Pen isn’t for everybody, nevertheless it’s a wonderful addition to the Note 20. The new options are gimmicky, however the decrease latency makes a noticeable distinction in writing and drawing.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Colors
Samsung has opted for sophistication over splashiness with its Ultra telephones, so that you’ll wish to slip on a case should you’re in search of character:
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Cosmic Gray
Cosmic Black
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Mystic Black
Mystic White
Mystic Bronze
The distinction between Mystic and Cosmic is the end. The Note 20 Ultra has a matte coating that appears and feels implausible and doesn’t decide up fingerprints almost as simply because the S20 does. It’s one of many nicest finishes I’ve ever seen in a Galaxy cellphone, and I hope Samsung makes use of it for all of its telephones going ahead.
Michael Simon/IDGThe Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s Mystic Bronze shade is every kind of attractive.
My decide: Mystic Bronze isn’t simply essentially the most stunning shade of this bunch, it’s additionally the most effective of all time in a Galaxy cellphone.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Price
If you’re selecting between these two telephones, value isn’t actually an object. The Note 20 Ultra is definitely $100 lower than the S20 Ultra, however each telephones will set you again a bundle:
Galaxy S20 Ultra: $1,400
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: $1,300
My decide: With the $100 financial savings, you would get a pair of Galaxy Buds Live for simply $80, or a case. But you’ll be capable of get both of those telephones for lower than Samsung’s asking value with a trade-in or a sale.
Note 20 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: My total decide
These telephones each have Ultra of their names for a motive: They’re mainly the perfect you should buy. Neither selection is a foul one, however the Note 20 Ultra edges out the S20 Ultra. Despite the marginally increased value, however the laser autofocus, however the shade choices, the processor, and UWB chip are all causes—together with the S Pen—to go for the Note 20 Ultra.