The Galaxy Note 20 is coming — here's everything you need to know
Here's the lowdown on Samsung's newest Note.
Every year, there are certain phones we just can't help but get excited about - one of which is the Galaxy Note. From the first Note that debuted in 2011 up to last year's Note 10, Samsung's stylus-equipped flagships are regularly some of the most interesting to hit the market.
Samsung revamped its naming convention this year with the Galaxy S lineup, going from the S10 to the S20. We're expecting something similar for the Note lineup, meaning 2020 will see the launch of the Galaxy Note 20.
From the latest specs, leaked renders, pricing rumors, and more, here's everything you need to know!
- We're expecting at least two models
- Get ready for a familiar design
- Specs? Here's what we know
- There won't be a physical launch event
- Let's discuss pricing
- Don't overlook the Note 10
From $950 at Samsung$900 at Best Buy
Plenty of specs and features for years to come
While we are excited to see what Samsung has to offer with the Note 20 later this year, that doesn't dismiss the fact that the Note 10 is still one heck of a phone. Between its AMOLED display, flagship performance, and reliable triple rear cameras, there's plenty to like. Now that the Note 10's been out for a while, it's not uncommon to find solid promotions/deals for it.
There will be at least two models
For most Notes that have come out, Samsung's released one model and called it good at that. Last year, however, Samsung went all out with three versions of the Note - including the Note 10, Note 10+, and Note 10+ 5G.
5G is expected to be a core feature for the Note 20 just like it is on the S20, so we shouldn't have a 5G-specific model like we did last year. As such, this could mean we only get a Note 20 and Note 20+. This point was reinforced on May 10, with the CEO and Founder of the Display Supply Chain Consultants saying that Samsung is only making the Note 20 and Note 20+ - no Note 20 Ultra.
No Note 20 Ultra. Note 20 and 20+
- Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 11, 2020
This would be an interesting shift for Samsung, and if true, has us wondering if it'll go back to a simpler release pattern for the S21/S30 in 2021.
Let's talk design
What you're looking at above is the first (and only) CAD render we've seen for the Galaxy Note 20. It was shared on May 21 by phone accessory company Pigtou and leaker xleaks7, but it should be taken with a grain of salt as this source doesn't have the most reliable track record for this kind of stuff.
Even if this render isn't 100% accurate, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Samsung go with a design like this. It's extremely reminiscent to the Galaxy S20 Ultra, especially with the large camera bump on the back. There's also a large display with slim bezels, a centered hole-punch cutout, and what appears to be no (or minimal) curved edges.
There are a couple of smaller details also revealed by this leak, such as the S Pen being moved to the left of the bottom frame and the power + volume buttons going from the left side of the device to the right. We can also see a USB-C charging port and no presence of a headphone jack.
Flagship specs should be present
The Note is always powered by the latest-available Qualcomm processor, meaning the Note 20 will offer the Snapdragon 865. We'd also expect at least 12GB of RAM, with an upgrade option to go all the way to 16GB. In regards to battery size, it's being said that the Note 20 Plus will have a 4,500 mAh unit - noticeably smaller than the S20 Ultra's 5,000 mAh one.
If you live in a country where Samsung phones get Exynos chips instead of Qualcomm ones, word on the street is that the Note 20 will get a new Exynos 992 processor in these markets. The Exynos 992 should be a noticeable upgrade from the 990 in the Galaxy S20, seeing as how it's built on a 6nm process instead of a 7nm one.
Samsung impressed last year by making 256GB the base storage amount for the Note 10, but according to a leaked model number for the Note 20 (SM-N9821), this year's phone will come with just 128GB. That's still plenty of space for most people, but a 50% year-over-year decrease isn't exactly something we're excited about.
As for the display, a report from May 11 offered a few tech specs for the Note 20+'s screen. Based on that report, the Note 20+ will have a 6.87-inch display size, 3096 x 1444 resolution with a 497ppi, a 19.3:9 aspect ratio, and a 120Hz refresh rate. An earlier report suggested that the regular Note 20 won't get a 120Hz refresh rate, which would certainly be disappointing seeing as how all models of the S20 family have that feature.
Speaking of the S20, the Note 20 may ditch one of the most talked-about features of the S20 Ultra - its 100x Space Zoom. Samsung tipster Ice Universe reported this on May 19, saying:
Note20 series no longer retains 100X zoom function
- Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 19, 2020
Samsung hyped up the Ultra's 100x zoom function quite a lot, but shortly after reviews of the phone started coming out, it became quickly apparent that it offered little real-world functionality. As such, it isn't all that surprising to learn Samsung may be leaving the feature behind.
That said, another report hints at the Note 20 Plus keeping the S20 Ultra's 108MP primary camera.
There won't be a physical Unpacked event this year
We know you're probably eager to get your hands on the Note 20, but you should be aware that this year's release spectacle will look a bit different than normal. All previous Note launches have taken place at physical Unpacked events hosted by Samsung, but that's likely not happening this time around.
A May 20 report claims that Samsung will launch the Note 20 via an online-only event, all thanks to the ongoing global pandemic. It should be held at some point in August, which lines up with past Unpacked presentations. The release timeline for the past few years is as follows:
- Galaxy Note 10 - Released August 23, 2019
- Galaxy Note 9 - Released August 24, 2018
- Galaxy Note 8 - Released September 15, 2017
- Galaxy Note 7 - Released August 19, 2016
Another August launch seems likely, but given the pandemic mentioned above, it wouldn't be surprising if the Note 20's launch gets pushed back a bit further into the year.
The Note 20 won't be cheap
Smartphone prices have been continually rising, and unfortunately for your wallet, that trend is bound to carry over to the Note 20. Looking back on the prices of past Notes, here's how things have changed between the previous three models:
- Galaxy Note 8 - $930
- Galaxy Note 9 - $1,000
- Galaxy Note 10 - $950
- Galaxy Note 10+ - $1,100
Samsung really went all-out with price hikes this year with the S20, with the base S20 costing $1,000 and the S20 Ultra starting at $1,400.
In other words, the Note 20 will be expensive. We don't know exactly how expensive, but something beyond the $1,000 threshold seems inevitable.
Don't want to wait? Just get the Note 10
We fully expect the Note 20 to be one of the best phones of 2020, but if you're shopping for a handset right now and don't feel like waiting until August to make a decision, the Note 10 and Note 10+ are both excellent devices that are more than worth a look.
Even by 2020 standards, the Note 10 lineup has plenty to like. The Snapdragon 855 processor is more than capable for all of your apps and games, the AMOLED display tech looks fantastic even with the slower 60Hz refresh rate, and the triple rear cameras are more than adequate for snapping Instagram pictures.
On top of all that, it's quite common to find deals and promotions on the Note 10 that bring its price down quite a bit.
Today's NoteGalaxy Note 10+
From $950 at Samsung$900 at Best Buy
Plenty of specs and features for years to come
While we are excited to see what Samsung has to offer with the Note 20 later this year, that doesn't dismiss the fact that the Note 10 is still one heck of a phone. Between its AMOLED display, flagship performance, and reliable triple rear cameras, there's plenty to like. Now that the Note 10's been out for a while, it's not uncommon to find solid promotions/deals for it.