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Marques Brownlee - Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review: It Better Be Good!

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Author: Marques Brownlee
Categories: Science Creativity & Design
Tags: science, creativity
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 08:50 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the best-built, best-looking Samsung phone yet, with a strong display, cameras, and S Pen, but at $1,300 it only earns that price for buyers who specifically want the Ultra's full package, and the reviewer suggests waiting for prices to drop or considering cheaper alternatives. The reviewer credits Becca from The Verge with the observation that "Ultra," not "Note," now signals flagship quality in Samsung's lineup.

Key Points

  • Build and design are the strongest in Samsung's history: matte soft-touch back, flat top and bottom, thin bezels, chamfered metal edges, and a Mystic Bronze finish the reviewer likes.
  • The 6.9-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and hole-punch camera is excellent, though its large size and curved edges caused occasional accidental touches.
  • The camera system (108 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, 12 MP periscope zoom) produces outstanding photos in most conditions; laser autofocus fixed the previous hunting issues, but shutter lag remains noticeable.
  • The S Pen received major latency improvements (about 9 ms), approaching Apple Pencil-level responsiveness, but it is largely unchanged otherwise and mainly appeals to heavy stylus users.
  • Battery life is adequate (about six hours of screen-on time, ending days with 15 to 25 percent left) but no longer a standout, and the speakers were a disappointment.

Details Worth Noting

  • To reduce camera shutter lag in photos, hold the camera steady and wait out the delay before the capture happens, especially when shooting fast action. To reduce accidental touches on the large curved display, be mindful of hand grip, since the reviewer found hand positioning caused them. To turn off the loud S Pen writing sound, which some find annoying, disable it in the settings.
  • The Note 20 Ultra's price is $1,300; the reviewer expects prices to fall within three or four months after launch.
  • The reviewer suggests considering the Galaxy S20 Plus or non-Samsung phones instead of the non-Ultra Note 20 until reviews of it are available.
  • The phone has no headphone jack but keeps IP68 water resistance, wireless and reverse wireless charging, and 45 W fast charging.
  • The Snapdragon 865 Plus and 12 GB RAM deliver smooth performance; the 4,500 mAh battery is smaller than the S20 Ultra's 5,000 mAh.

Bottom Line

The Note 20 Ultra is a premium, well-rounded device that justifies its price mainly for dedicated S Pen users and camera enthusiasts, while most buyers should weigh cheaper options or wait for price drops.