Samsung Note 20 Ultra review: Super smartphone comes with super price tag

Delays are hitting the smartphone schedule left, right and centre with Google delaying the Pixel 4a release from May to October and even Apple expected to delay the next iPhone release until late October.

Samsung isn't phased by supply chain issues: its new Note 20 range is flashier and more expensive than ever and it’s available to buy from today. Here’s the lowdown.

Samsung's Note range has always been in the larger, phablet style. But things have been taken up a notch with the Note 20 range: whilst last year's Note 10 and Note 10+ sported 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch screens respectively, the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra come in at 6.7-inch and 6.9-inch.

Given the sheer size of the Note 20 Ultra phone, with the curved AMOLED display, I was prepared to hate it but I’ve grown attached to its over-sized nature. The glass back has an extremely smooth effect to ward off thumbprints, as well as being protected by Gorilla Glass 7 to prevent scratches — necessary given the gorgeous new mystic bronze colour. I can barely fit this phone in the pocket of my jeans but thanks to the recent spate of warm weather and WFH, I’m not really wearing jeans right now.

A case is recommended if only to protect that substantial camera lens heft at the back of the phone. Go for something you can carry the phone in, like Not Another Bill’s clever rope phone straps. It does weigh 204g after all.

Samsung prides itself on its camera tech and the Note range is no different. The Ultra features better specs and an additional telephoto lens for improved zoom capabilities over the normal Note 20. Once you get used to shooting images in 108MP then it’s hard to return. Those making memories with whatever type of holiday they can this year will love the single-take feature: it debuted on the S20 and allows to continuously shoot a moment in time. Samsung’s algorithm will select the best photos and videos from the scene, so you don’t have to spend time switching between modes to capture the moment.

Not to mention the 8K video capture creates vlog-worthy videos off the bat, whilst the new wireless earbuds, Galaxy Buds Live, minimise external sound when recording. Ready to launch that TikTok channel? The Note 20 Ultra will make your videos look and sound professional without any external editing software.

Flashy camera specs aside, the Note’s power comes back to its range’s original intention as a ‘business’ phone. It’s the only phone range to successfully pull off a stylus and keep it feature fans come back for year after year.

Productivity upgrades for the Note 20 include improved hand-writing recognition and an auto-straighten tool, for scribbling down notes during a meeting or a to-do list on the go. If you can actually draw, you can create amazing digital illustrations. Air Actions allow you to remotely control the device so you can swipe the pen in the air to go back, visit the home screen and access your most recently used apps. It’s extremely intuitive, partly down to the fact the S Pen now has a lower latency of only 9 milliseconds compared to the Note 10’s 42.

There’s also the DeX feature which doesn’t get enough airtime in the promo materials. You can link up the Note 20 Ultra to an external screen and use the device like a computer. For those attempting the cycling commute back to the office, leaving a laptop at home will come in handy.

Gamer? You’ll love the Note 20. As part of a wider partnership between Samsung and Microsoft, Note 20 owners can play PC and Xbox games from their device including Forza Horizon 4. In particular, this is where the 120Hz screen tech comes in handy — this means the display refreshes 120 times per second which means gaming is fast and smooth. Get your hands on a wireless controller and it will feel like you’re sitting in front of a console — albeit you may have to contend with connection issues depending on your Wi-Fi and 5G network.

If you spend more time watching Netflix than gaming, then there’s still a lot to love here. Watching shows on this device is better than watching them on my laptop given the dynamic high-definition screen. Thanks to the 4,500mAh battery I can use the device for work calls and social media throughout the day, watch a Selling Sunset episode — ok, maybe two — and still have a few hours of battery left in the morning.

Given Samsung’s major investments in next-generation connectivity, the Note 20 Ultra is only available with 5G. Before you splash out, it’s worth checking if 5G is available in your area: EE is offering the new Note range and its coverage checker, lets you know the strength of the connection where you are.

The inclusion of 5G, along with the improvements to the screen tech and camera, means that Samsung’s supersized Note 20 Ultra comes with a supersized price: £1,179 for 256GB of storage, or £1,279 for 512GB.

Even if your pocket can fit a device this big, your wallet might not be able to, particularly given the state of the world thanks to coronavirus. But for those who do decide to splash out, luckily there is a lot to love.

Samsung Note 20 Ultra 5G is available to buy from today, carphonewarehouse.com