Despite the global health crisis, Samsung has chosen not to break with tradition by unveiling the new products for the Galaxy family at its traditional Samsung Unpacked event in August. As a guest star at the event, two new phabletsThe Galaxy Note20 Ultra, at 6.9 inches, and its little brother, the Galaxy Note20, at 6.7 inches. Resolutely premium, these two models are the latest members of the Note family developed by Samsung and positioned between tablets and smartphones, all accompanied by their companions, highly responsive styli.
Le Note20 Ultra is the jewel in the crown, bringing together all the latest innovations, starting with resistant glass, 8K and of course 5G. Its attributes make it a real mini mobile computer, useful for business travellers. It incorporates Microsoft services, including OneDrive synchronisation of handwritten notes, as Samsung has stepped up its collaboration with the American firm. This professional tool does, however, come at a price, topping the €1,300 mark.
Although less expensive, its 4G-compatible little brother does come close to the 1,000 euro mark, while a 5G version will surprisingly require an additional budget, even though the Galaxy Note20 can be used as a miniature games console. In addition to these two phablets, the Galaxy ecosystem is completed by a new connected watchthe presentation of a version of the Korean manufacturer's foldable mobile called Z Fold2The latest generation of Galaxy Buds Live, wireless earphones that are all the more appropriate for use with the Note.
A tough, secure pocket computer
In terms of design, this new generation of Note changes little. Equipped with a slightly curved screen and larger than its little brother, the Note20 Ultra stands out above all for its Gorilla Glass Victusdesigned by Corning, Samsung's supplier and partner. This latest generation of mobile glass is resistant to drops from over two metres, as well as scratches. So there's no need to worry about accidents when handling this imposing premium smartphone.
The display quality of this Note20 Ultra is at the rendezvous with a 6.9-inch Dynamic Amoled 2X panel. This Android smartphone benefits from a refresh rate that automatically adapts to usage, going from 120Hz when watching a video to 60Hz when simply reading a paper. The result is a smooth, comfortable display and limited strain on the battery.
Inserted on the left-hand side, the famous S Pen specific to Samsung phablets offers new gestures to make it easier to use your mobile without touching it. Above all, its responsiveness has been improved, with latency limited to 9 milliseconds. This means you can quickly take handwritten notes with the stylus on the screen, making it easier for professionals to use the phone. Powered by the company's own Exynos 990 processor, this smartphone, like its little brother, the Note 20, comes with a new version of the Windows application to make it even easier to use. instantly retrieve files from your PC without a wired connection.
In addition to productivity, data security is even more important for a smartphone for professional use. In addition to the traditional fingerprint reader under the screen and the facial recognition sensor on the front, data is protected by a proprietary mobile security solution. Samsung Knox makes it possible to separate professional and private data, and to store the most confidential items in a secure folder for added protection.
When it comes to entertainment, the Note20 Ultra boasts a rather protruding photo block on the rear with three sensors to provide an ultra-wide angle, a wide angle and a telephoto lens, with a x5 optical zoom. The Note2O Ultra can also film in 8K, and for the first time Samsung is also offering a 21.9 video format.
This work tool can also be used to relax by transforming your phablet into a gaming accessory with the option of streaming around a hundred titles from Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass catalogue. The Moga XP5-XPlus, a gamepad adapted for mobile gaming, will be available for pre-order in the autumn. You'll also be able to make the most of this smartphone's great battery life, with a 4500 mAh battery and its fast charge to combine business with pleasure.
The Note 20, a pocket console
Unlike its big brother, the Galaxy Note 20 has to make do with a plastic back on the outside, as its design is not curved. It shares a large number of technical attributes with its big brother, starting with the in-house Exynos 990 processor, both running Android 10. In more detail, its 6.7-inch Super Amoled Full HD+ panel is just as bright, but less fluid than its big brother, with a refresh rate limited to 60 Hz - a surprising feature for a top-of-the-range smartphone. Similarly, its stylus latency of around 26 milliseconds is higher than that of the Ultra, as is its battery life, which is slightly shorter at 4,300 mAh.
The Note20 is displayed as a pocket gamerLike the Note20 Ultra, it is compatible with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft's new Cloud Gaming service.
Like the Ultra, the safety aspect is ensured by a fingerprint reader placed under the screen, as well as a selfie sensor on the front. Aside from size, the major difference between this phablet and its big brother is that it is available in 4G, and you'll have to pay a higher price for 5G connectivity. It remains to be seen whether mobile gaming aficionados will invest in a premium phablet at such a hefty price, not to mention the purchase of a mobile game controller as an extra.
****
Technical configurations
The star - Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Dimensions : 164.8 x 77.2x 8.1 mm
Weight : 208 g
Screen : Dynamic Amoled 6.9 inches (definition 3200 x 1440 px)
Photo : At the rear, main sensor, 108 MP wide-angle + 12 MP ultra-wide-angle + 12 MP telephoto. Front, 10 MP. 5X optical zoom
Video : 8K
Processor : Samsung Exynos 990
Operating system : Android 10
Storage : 256 GB or 512 GB depending on version
Expandable memory : up to 1 TB
RAM : 12 GB
Connectivity : 5 G, WiFi 6, BT 5.1, NFC
Connectors : USB C, dual SIM card, micro-SD, no jack socket
Safety : Fingerprint reader
Battery : 4500 00 mAh
Dedicated features : S Pen, 5G, reverse charge, IP68
Availability: since 21 August
Price : from €1309.
***
The gamer - Samsung Galaxy Note20
Dimensions : 161.6 x 75.2x 8.3 mm
Weight : 192 g
Screen : 6.7-inch Super Amoled (1800 x 2400 px definition)
Photo : At the rear, 64MP wide-angle main sensor + 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor + 12MP telephoto sensor. On the front, 10 MP.
Video : 8K
Processor : Samsung Exynos 990
Operating system : Android 10
Storage : 256 GB
RAM : 8 GB
Connectivity : 4 or 5 G depending on version, WiFi 6, BT 5.1, NFC
Connectors : USB C, dual SIM card compatibility, micro-SD, no jack socket
Safety : Fingerprint reader
Battery : 4300 00 mAh
Operating system : Android 10
Dedicated features : S Pen, reverse charge, IP68
Availability: since 21 August
Price : 959 euros 4G version and 1059 euros 5G version
