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amazon Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra reviews
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is one of the most advanced phones in the trio of S20 phones launched this year that is receiving a lot of attention from technology lovers around the world. With the successes achieved by the S20 and S20 Plus, the Galaxy S20 Ultra with its better Camera, larger size, and higher resolution promises to be one of the most loved phones of 2020.
Design and Build Quality
Premium Aesthetics: The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is a large and imposing device, exuding a sense of luxury with its premium materials and sleek design. The phone is constructed from Gorilla Glass 6 on both the front and back, with an aluminum frame sandwiched between the glass panels. This combination not only gives the device a premium feel but also ensures durability. The glossy finish of the back panel is visually striking, although it is prone to fingerprints and smudges. Samsung offers the S20 Ultra in two color options: Cosmic Gray and Cosmic Black, both of which are understated and elegant.
Size and Weight: With a 6.9-inch display, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is undeniably large, making it one of the biggest smartphones on the market. This size is both a strength and a weakness; while the expansive screen is perfect for media consumption and gaming, it can be unwieldy for users with smaller hands. The device is also quite heavy, weighing in at 220 grams, which adds to the premium feel but may become cumbersome during extended use.
Button and Port Layout: The layout of the buttons and ports on the Galaxy S20 Ultra is typical of Samsung’s flagship devices. On the right side of the phone, you’ll find the power button and volume rocker, both of which are easily accessible with one hand. The USB-C port for charging and data transfer is located on the bottom edge, alongside the SIM card tray and speaker grille. Notably, the S20 Ultra, like other recent Samsung flagships, does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a trend that has disappointed some users.
Water and Dust Resistance: The Galaxy S20 Ultra comes with an IP68 rating, which means it is resistant to dust and can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. This level of protection provides peace of mind for users who may accidentally drop their phone in water or expose it to dust and dirt. However, it’s important to note that water damage is not covered under warranty, so users should still exercise caution.
Display
Dynamic AMOLED 2X: The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which is one of the best screens available on any smartphone. With a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels (WQHD+), the display offers a pixel density of 511 pixels per inch, resulting in incredibly sharp and detailed visuals. The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for watching videos, playing games, or simply browsing the web.
120Hz Refresh Rate: One of the standout features of the S20 Ultra’s display is its 120Hz refresh rate, which doubles the standard 60Hz found on most smartphones. This higher refresh rate results in smoother animations, more responsive touch inputs, and an overall more fluid user experience. However, the 120Hz mode is only available when the display resolution is set to Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), as running the screen at 120Hz with WQHD+ resolution would drain the battery more quickly. Users can choose between 60Hz and 120Hz in the settings, depending on their preference for smoothness versus battery life.
HDR10+ Support: The S20 Ultra’s display also supports HDR10+, which enhances the dynamic range of content, allowing for brighter highlights and deeper shadows in HDR videos. This feature is particularly beneficial when streaming HDR content from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube, providing a more immersive viewing experience with lifelike colors and contrast.
Edge Display and Customization: Samsung has reduced the curvature of the Edge display on the S20 Ultra compared to previous Galaxy models, resulting in fewer accidental touches and a more usable screen area. The Edge panel is still present, offering quick access to apps, contacts, and tools with a swipe from the side of the screen. Users can customize the Edge panel with different shortcuts and widgets to suit their needs.
Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S20 Ultra’s display is exceptionally bright, with a peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits in certain conditions, making it easy to view even in direct sunlight. The adaptive brightness feature works well, automatically adjusting the screen brightness based on ambient lighting to ensure optimal visibility in any environment.
Up to 100x zoom capability
First of all, when talking about the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra phone, the phone’s 100x recording capacity is one of the best plus points of the S20 Ultra smartphone. Samsung calls it “Space Zoom”.
This is made possible by the 48-megapixel (MP) periscope lens, which is equipped with phase detection autofocus (PDAF), optical image stabilization (OIS), and optical zoom cross 10 times.
Extremely high camera resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra is Samsung’s best camera resolution phone to date, able to capture high-quality images at up to 108Mb resolution, while also recording 8K video. That’s great for a smartphone, isn’t it?
RAM up to 16GB
Nowadays, more and more new smartphones have large RAM capacity, but 16 Gb Ram capacity is considered to be the best for a Smartphone today and this is also the RAM capacity of the S20 Ultra. With this level of Ram, all the heaviest applications and games today can also work smoothly on the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra phone.
The most advanced chipset
As always, at the beginning of the year, the flagship smartphone received an update on the chipset. The same goes for the Galaxy S20 series. There are two versions, of which the Galaxy S20 Ultra model for the global market will be equipped with Samsung Exynos 990 fabricated 7 (nm +). The US version carries the Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) from Qualcomm.
One of the two advantages of the latest generation chipset is the extremely fast clock speed, even up to 2.84 (GHz) giving users the ultimate processing power.
Jumbo Battery and Quick Charge 45 watts
The device is equipped with a large battery with a capacity of up to 5000 mAh, this is not exactly one of the best capacities for a phone, but it can still fully meet the needs of continuous use for 6 hours. Especially with the addition of 45-watt (W) super-speed charging technology, fully charging the battery for S20 Ultra does not take too much time for users.
High-quality, sharp screen
Screen size up to 6.9 Inches is both an advantage and a disadvantage for the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra phone. With a large screen size, users will have the best experience when watching movies, and playing games almost like when you are playing on a tablet. At the same time with the Dynamic AMOLED screen, HDR10+, and 120 (Hz) refresh rate, the experience when watching movies and playing games on the S20 Ultra is perfect and I have absolutely nothing to complain about image quality on Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Half Terabyte Memory
In addition to super-large RAM, the Galaxy S20 Ultra also has internal storage equivalent to most laptops on the market today. 512 GB memory, also known as half a terabyte, can help you comfortably store whatever you like quite comfortably without having to worry about running out of memory.
Support 5G connection
Samsung is one of the parties that takes taking high-speed internet connectivity to the next level. It’s no surprise that 5G technology has been built into the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra phone.
Battery Life
5000mAh Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is equipped with a massive 5000mAh battery, which is necessary to power its large display and high-performance internals. In terms of battery life, the S20 Ultra performs admirably, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy use. This includes activities like browsing the web, watching videos, playing games, and taking photos. For lighter users, the battery can stretch into the second day before needing a recharge.
However, the battery life is significantly impacted when using the display at 120Hz, especially if you’re also running the screen at higher brightness levels. Users who prioritize battery life may want to stick to the 60Hz refresh rate or use the adaptive battery features in the software to extend usage time.
Charging Options
The S20 Ultra supports 45W wired fast charging, though it comes with a 25W charger in the box. With the 25W charger, the phone can go from 0% to 100% in just over an hour, which is impressive given the battery size. The optional 45W charger reduces the charging time slightly, but the difference is not as significant as one might expect.
The device also supports 15W fast wireless charging and 9W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices, like wireless earbuds or even another phone, by placing them on the back of the S20 Ultra. Wireless charging is convenient, though it’s slower than wired charging, and reverse wireless charging is more of a handy feature in a pinch rather than a primary charging method.
Software and User Experience
One UI 2.1 and Android 10
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra runs on Samsung’s One UI 2.1, which is based on Android 10. One UI 2.1 is a refinement of Samsung’s user interface, designed to be more user-friendly, with a focus on ease of use and one-handed operation. The interface is clean and intuitive, with plenty of customization options to tailor the experience to your liking.
Samsung’s software includes a host of features, such as Edge Panels for quick access to apps and tools, a customizable Always-On Display, and various gestures and shortcuts to enhance productivity. The Dark Mode is well-implemented, applying to both the system UI and supported apps, which is easier on the eyes and can also help conserve battery life.
Performance Enhancements
Samsung has included several performance-enhancing features in the software, such as Game Booster, which optimizes the phone’s performance during gaming sessions, and Device Care, which helps you manage storage, memory, and battery usage. The phone also includes Samsung DeX, which allows you to connect the S20 Ultra to a monitor or TV and use it as a desktop computer, complete with a mouse and keyboard.
Software Updates
Samsung has committed to providing three years of major Android updates and security patches for its flagship devices, including the S20 Ultra. This means that users can expect their phones to receive new Android versions and features for several years, which is a significant improvement over Samsung’s previous update policies.
Connectivity and 5G Support
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra was one of the first smartphones to offer comprehensive 5G support, including both Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G bands. This ensures that the device is compatible with a wide range of 5G networks globally, providing faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and improved network reliability compared to 4G LTE.
In real-world usage, the benefits of 5G depend on the availability and quality of 5G networks in your area. In areas with robust 5G coverage, users can experience significantly faster data speeds, making tasks like downloading large files, streaming high-definition content, and video conferencing smoother and more responsive. However, 5G networks were still in the early stages of deployment when the S20 Ultra was released, so the full potential of 5G may not be realized in all regions immediately.
In addition to 5G, the S20 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster speeds, better performance in crowded areas, and improved power efficiency compared to Wi-Fi 5. The phone also includes Bluetooth 5.0, NFC for mobile payments, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
Biometric Security
The S20 Ultra offers multiple biometric security options, including an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and facial recognition. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, while secure, is not as fast or reliable as some of the optical sensors found on other devices. It can occasionally struggle to recognize fingerprints, especially if the screen is dirty or your fingers are wet. However, it does offer better security since it uses 3D mapping to detect fingerprints.
Facial recognition on the S20 Ultra is fast and convenient, but it’s less secure than the fingerprint sensor since it relies on the front-facing camera rather than more advanced 3D facial scanning technology. It works well in good lighting but can struggle in low light or with certain angles.
Audio Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra features stereo speakers, with one speaker at the bottom and the other integrated into the earpiece at the top. The sound quality is excellent for a smartphone, with loud, clear audio and a good balance between treble and bass. While it’s not a substitute for high-quality external speakers, it’s more than sufficient for watching videos, playing games, and listening to music on the go.
Unfortunately, like many modern smartphones, the S20 Ultra does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. This may be a disappointment for users who prefer wired headphones, but Samsung does include a pair of USB-C AKG-tuned earbuds in the box, which offer decent sound quality.
Pricing and Value
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra launched with a premium price tag, reflecting its high-end features and cutting-edge technology. At the time of its release, the S20 Ultra was one of the most expensive smartphones on the market, competing directly with other flagship devices from Apple, Huawei, and others. The high price was a point of contention for some users, especially given the early software issues with the camera and autofocus, which Samsung addressed through updates.
In terms of value, the S20 Ultra offers a lot of advanced features that justify its price for certain users. The 108MP camera, 100x zoom, 8K video recording, and 120Hz display are features that are not found on many other devices, making the S20 Ultra a compelling option for tech enthusiasts and power users who want the latest and greatest technology.
However, for the average consumer, the S20 Ultra’s price may be difficult to justify, especially when there are other models in the S20 series, like the S20 and S20+, which offer many of the same features at a lower cost. The S20 Ultra is a phone that’s designed for users who want the absolute best in terms of specifications and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Defect
With a screen size of up to 6.9 Inches, just hearing it is enough to understand how large this phone is and it is certainly not comfortable and easy to use the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra with one hand. The good thing is that the body is designed quite sturdy, giving me a sense of peace of mind when holding as well as when putting the phone inside the pocket.
The front and back of the device use Gorilla Glass 6, S20 Ultra feels like this is a phone in the high-end segment. However, with the large size as well as the smooth glass surface, if you have a habit of using the phone while lying down, there is a risk that there will be at least 1 time the phone slips out of your hand and falls into your face. Samsung also doesn’t seem to provide an anti-fingerprint coating on the body, so at times the phone looks quite dirty.
In addition, due to the addition of many unique features, the price of the S20 Ultra also increased quite a lot compared to the S20 and S20 Plus.
where can you get a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra online
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, 128 GB, Black – Fully Unlocked (Renewed Premium): Buy it now
Samsung S20 Ultra 5G Factory Unlocked SM-G988U1 Grey 12GB Ram 128GB Storage (ATT, Verizon, Sprint and Tmobile) – US Warranty: Buy it now