The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G arrived in August 2020 as the productivity flagship of its generation, blending a sprawling 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with the precision of an embedded S Pen stylus. It was positioned as a tool for people who wanted to write, sketch, sign, and multitask on a device that still doubled as a top-tier camera phone and media machine.
Years on, it remains an interesting reference point because it represents the mature peak of Samsung’s Note line before the S Pen migrated into the Galaxy S Ultra series. This article focuses on what made the Note20 Ultra 5G distinctive, how its hardware holds up, and which type of buyer still benefits from a stylus-first big-screen phone.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 – SM-N986U |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 – SM-N986B | |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 – SM-N986W | |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – SM-N986U |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 – SM-N986B | |
| 41, 66, 71 Sub6 – SM-N986W | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
Launch
| Announced | 2020, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, August 21 |
Body
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), stainless steel frame |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus, 9ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
Display
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 116.7 cm2 (~91.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~496 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD refresh rate |
Platform
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) – GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) – USA |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2×2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) – GlobalOcta-core (1×3.0 GHz Kryo 585 & 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) – USA |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 – GlobalAdreno 650 – USA |
Memory
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.0 |
Main Camera
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 50x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm |
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS |
Selfie camera
| Single | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| High-bitrate audio support Tuned by AKG |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
Battery
| Type | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
Misc
| Colors | Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White |
| Models | SM-N986B, SM-N986B/DS, SM-N986U, SM-N986U1, SM-N986W, SM-N9860, SM-N986N, SC-53A |
| SAR | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Price | C$ 706.91 / $ 247.59 / € 479.99 |
Our Tests
| Performance | AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) GeekBench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display | 1024 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | -27.8 LUFS (Good) |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 88h |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €480, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 21, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $550
- Japan: ¥88,765
- United Kingdom: £416
- Australia: A$785
- Canada: C$779
- Taiwan: NT$17,412
- Denmark: kr3.582
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼2,064
- South Korea: ₩843,007
- Germany: €480
- Brazil: R$2.838
- Vietnam: ₫14.472.838
- Kenya: KSh 71,348
- India: ₹51,928
- Indonesia: Rp 9.783.146
- Nigeria: ₦742,014
- Pakistan: ₨153,304
- Philippines: ₱33,419
- Bangladesh: ৳৬৭,৬২৬
Design and Build: A Productivity Slab Done in Premium Materials
The Note20 Ultra 5G is unapologetically large at 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm and 208 g, with a stainless steel frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back. The squared-off corners house the S Pen silo, and the angular design language reinforces the device’s role as a work tool rather than a compact daily carry. IP68 dust and water resistance adds reassurance for everyday durability. It is a phone built for two-handed use, and the flat-ish edges make stylus input feel more natural than on heavily curved rivals.
Display: A 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Showcase
The standout feature is the display: a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a QHD+ resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and roughly 496 ppi. It supports HDR10+ and a 120Hz refresh rate, though that high refresh rate runs at FHD while QHD is locked to 60Hz. Independent testing measured peak brightness above 1000 nits, so outdoor visibility is strong. For note-taking, video, and reading, this remains one of the more impressive screens of its era, and the 9ms-latency S Pen makes writing feel close to ink on paper.
Performance: Exynos 990 Versus Snapdragon 865 Plus
Performance depends on region. Many markets received the Exynos 990 (7 nm+), while U.S. units used the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G. Both are octa-core chips paired with UFS 3.0 storage and up to 12GB of RAM, with memory options spanning 128GB to 512GB plus microSDXC expansion via the shared SIM slot. Benchmark figures such as an AnTuTu score near 508,000 reflect flagship-class 2020 silicon. Day to day it still handles multitasking, the DeX desktop mode, and demanding apps well, though the Snapdragon variant is generally regarded as the more efficient of the two.
Camera: 108MP Sensor and Periscope Reach
The triple rear camera centers on a 108 MP f/1.8 wide sensor with OIS, joined by a 12 MP periscope telephoto offering 5x optical and up to 50x hybrid zoom, plus a 12 MP ultrawide. Laser autofocus addresses the focus-hunting issues seen on earlier 108 MP Samsung phones. Video tops out at 8K@24fps with 4K up to 60fps and gyro-EIS, while the 10 MP dual-pixel selfie camera handles 4K capture. It is a versatile system that suits both casual shooting and zoom-heavy scenarios, even if newer phones have since pushed low-light and zoom processing further.
Battery and Charging
A 4500 mAh battery powers the package, supporting 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless. Endurance ratings of the period landed around the mid-80-hour mark, which translates to comfortable all-day use for most owners, though the bright QHD panel and 120Hz mode will draw the runtime down if both are pushed simultaneously. Charging speeds are modest by current standards, so buyers used to faster bricks should set expectations accordingly.
Software and the S Pen Productivity Edge
The phone launched on Android 10 and was later upgradable to Android 13 with One UI 5, giving it a respectable support window for its generation. The real differentiator is the S Pen: handwriting-to-text, Samsung Notes, screen-off memos, and Air Actions gestures make it a genuine notetaking and annotation device. Combined with Samsung Wireless DeX, it can act as a lightweight desktop replacement, which is the core reason this model still appeals to professionals and students.
Connectivity and 5G Variants
Connectivity is comprehensive: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, NFC, USB-C 3.2, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) support. 5G coverage varies sharply by model, however. The SM-N986U supports Sub6 and mmWave on select U.S. bands, the SM-N986B targets international Sub6 bands, and the SM-N986W covers a narrower set. Anyone buying secondhand should verify the exact model number against their carrier’s bands, since band support is not interchangeable across regions.
Value: Who Should Buy the Note20 Ultra 5G
As a current purchase the Note20 Ultra 5G makes most sense in the used and refurbished market, where pricing has fallen well below its original flagship level. Listed reference figures around C$ 706.91, $ 247.59, or € 479.99 vary widely by condition and region, so treat any quoted price cautiously and confirm before buying. The phone is best suited to people who specifically want the S Pen, a huge sharp display, and flexible zoom photography, rather than those chasing the fastest charging or the latest chipset.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G remains a compelling stylus-first flagship whose display, S Pen, and versatile cameras still feel premium, even if its charging speeds and 2020 silicon now show their age. It is an easy recommendation for productivity-minded buyers and stylus enthusiasts shopping the used market, provided you confirm the model number matches your carrier’s 5G bands and verify the condition and price before purchase. Anyone who does not need the S Pen will likely be better served by a newer mid-range or current Ultra device.
References
- Samsung Global – Galaxy Note20 Official Product Page – Primary manufacturer source for Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra features, design, S Pen, display, camera, battery, and official positioning.
- Samsung Semiconductor – Exynos 990 Mobile Processor – Official chipset reference for Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G variants that used Samsung Exynos 990 in many regions.
- Qualcomm – Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform – Official chipset reference for Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G variants that used Snapdragon 865 Plus, including CPU, GPU, modem, and connectivity capabilities.
- FCC Equipment Authorization (fcc.gov) – Authoritative regulatory source for U.S. model certification, radio compliance, FCC IDs, SAR filings, and wireless band documentation.
- GSMArena – Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G – Well-known smartphone specification database useful for cross-checking dimensions, display, cameras, memory variants, battery, network bands, and release details against official sources.
