What you need to know about the new Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra

Its cameras are considerably tamer too, at least by Samsung standards. Rather than go all-out as it did with the Note 20 Ultra, Samsung appears to have just transferred the Galaxy S20 Plus’s three main cameras into the Note 20. That’s especially ironic since, as of this writing, recent deals and promos temporarily made the unlocked Galaxy S20 Plus with the same cameras, a better screen, expandable storage, more RAM and a slightly larger battery quite a bit cheaper than the Note 20.

Credit where it’s due, this thing isn’t without its charms. For one, it has a slightly rounder body that I find surprisingly appealing, even as a fan of new Notes’ squarish aesthetic. The Note 20’s display is completely flat too, rather than slightly curved at the edges like the Ultra’s — that may make it less prone to accidental touches. And it still feels like a well-put-together device, even if it lacks the sheer style and reassuring density of its more expensive sibling.

I get what Samsung is trying to do here. This is a phone for people who want most of the Note experience but don’t need all the premium frills, and that’s a valuable argument. The thing is, it’s still a $1,000 phone. When you consider many people (in the US anyway) buy expensive smartphones like these on installment plans anyway, it can be hard to imagine someone not shelling out a little per month for the Ultra. After all, that $1,300 behemoth is exactly the kind of phone Samsung has long believed — or argued, at least — its die-hard Note fans really want.

Chris Velazco/Engadget

Beyond all that, Samsung has insisted for years that the Note series represented the peak of smartphone-making prowess. With the Note 20, the company is muddying that message. Maybe I’m wrong — maybe the regular Note 20 will become the kind of mass-market hit Samsung really wants. For now, though, it largely comes off like a watered-down version of the Ultra with an asking price that makes it hard to overlook some notable compromises. To find out if that’s really the case, I’d suggest you stick around for our continuing coverage (and eventual review) before you decide to drop upwards of $1,000 on either one of these phones, but if you absolutely can’t wait, pre-orders for both Notes kick off at midnight on August 6, 2020.

Pre-orders

You can “reserve” the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra today starting at $999 and $1,299, respectively. Pre-orders officially begin August 6, and you can pick up either smartphone at a physical retail location starting August 21. Those who pre-order either device should receive it by August 21 as well.

Samsung added a few perks for those who reserve or pre-order the Note 20 or the Note 20 Ultra. First, you can get up to $500 off if you have a device to trade in when you pre-order. You’ll also get a $150 Samsung credit that you can use towards accessories or the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundle that includes a Bluetooth gaming controller that you can use to stream and play Xbox games from your new phone. To top it off, you’ll also get four months of YouTube Premium for free and six months of Spotify Premium for free.

You also have the option to go to Best Buy for your Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra pre-order. Best Buy is offering up to $700 off if you have a qualifying device to trade in, and you’ll get a $150 Samsung credit as well.

Key specs

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