smartphonesshop.com.au - It’s been an interesting year for Samsung. With the launch of their flagship Galaxy S20 Range which makes us doubt if the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 12, and now a plethora of reveals from its Unpacked event have truly shown that nobody can innovate like Samsung. It’s all guns out now for Samsung as we’ve previously said, they’re trying to make your Galaxy S20 obsolete. Read on to see why the reveals in this year’s Unpacked event are perhaps the best news so far in this pandemic!
Note It Down
The most anticipated reveals of the Unpacked event, plus the ones that have been leaked to oblivion are the Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra. We’ve been extremely impressed with Samsung’s range of Galaxy phablets, and it seems that this year will certainly continue that trend. Before we go into why you’ll be more than blown away, Digital Trends have compiled a handy spec comparison for both models:
Model | Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra |
Size |
75.2 x 161.6 x 8.3 mm |
77.2 x 164.8 x 8.1 mm |
Weight |
192g |
208g |
Screen size |
6.7-inch |
6.9-inch |
Screen resolution |
Full HD+ |
WQHD+ |
Operating system |
Android 10 |
Android 10 |
Storage space |
256GB |
256GB / 512GB |
MicroSD card slot |
No |
Yes |
NFC |
Yes |
Yes |
Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus |
RAM |
8GB |
12GB |
Camera |
Triple lens rear (12MP main, 64MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide), 10MP front |
Triple lens rear (108MP main, 12MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide), 10MP front |
Video |
Up to 8K at 24 fps |
Up to 8K at 24 fps |
Bluetooth version |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
Ports |
USB-C |
USB-C |
Fingerprint sensor |
Yes, in-display |
Yes, in-display |
Water resistance |
IP68 |
IP68 |
Battery |
4,300mAh |
4,500mAh |
App marketplace |
Google Play |
Google Play |
Network support |
LTE / 5G |
LTE / 5G |
Price |
$1,000 |
$1,300 |
While both tablets look to blow us away, as expected the Note20 Ultra is the clear winner here. So, what’s so “Ultra” about the Note20’s sexier sibling and how does it compare? As we know with Samsung, when they say Plus or Ultra, they damn well mean it. Either way, you’re in for a great time regardless of which model you pick up.
Through The Looking Glass
You’ll be spending quite a bit of time with your Note20 phablet, and we certainly don’t blame you (our families were dreading the announcement). You’ll be pleased to know that the Galaxy Note20 Ultra has an eye-watering beautiful 6.9 Dynamic AMOLED 2X edge display at 3088x1440 Pixels, with the Note 20 coming in with a 6.7 inch, Super AMOLED Plus Infinity-O display at 2,400 x 1080 pixels. Samsung is touting it’s Note20 Ultra’s processor as the “fastest Galaxy processor ever” which should make switching between apps smoother than ever.
Love taking pictures? Of course, you do. With the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, you’ll get 5x Optical Zoom and a staggering 50x Super-resolution Zoom. The Note 20 offers a solid 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom and a respectable 30x Super-Resolution Zoom. But what really takes the cake here though, is the Note20 Ultra’s beastly 108MP main camera, compared to the 12MP main camera on the Note20. Another clear advantage of the Note20 Ultra is the inclusion of a 120HZ refresh rate, and we dare you to go back to 60HZ after you’ve experienced its butter-smoothness. Both models will also come with laser autofocus for the kind of precision that photographers dream about, while also offering crystal clear 8K video which will show all your perfections (and imperfections)!
Guerillas In Tha Mist
How about the most important features? We’re happy to say that the Note20 series will easily accommodate your streaming and social media addictions with an all-day intelligent battery which will get you more than 50% charge in 30 minutes! Also when it comes to durability, Samsung has shown once again how well they understand human clumsiness, as the Note20 Ultra will have the toughest gorilla glass on a smartphone, and for those coffee spills or drops in water, you’ve got the strength of IP68 water and dust resistance, which will protect your sleek Note20 Ultra from splashes and drips, withstanding 1.5 metres underwater for up to 30 minutes. Perhaps another noteworthy feature is that with the Note20 Ultra’s massive 6.9-inch screen suited for two hands, it may finally end the epidemic of toilet browsing (we’re all guilty of it).
Share The Love
Have you ever wanted the notes on your phone to be easily exported to your PC? Ever felt jealous that iPhone users have had the convenience of Airdrop? Well, Samsung's partnerships with Google and Microsoft have given us some features that have truly surprised us. Finally, Android will get Nearby Share, it’s Airdrop competitor which will be coming to the Note20, Note20 Ultra as well as Pixel phones according to XDA Developers, offering quick and easy file sharing between nearby devices.
It’s not just Google that Samsung has been chasing, it has even partnered with Microsoft to offer the ability to easily export your notes made in your Note 20 into a word document or PowerPoint in the OneNote App alongside linking all your phone apps to your Windows PC! It doesn’t just end there, as head of Microsoft’s Xbox division Phil Spencer surprised us during the Unpacked conference to announce that their game streaming service Xbox Game pass Ultimate, that is set to rival Google Stadia, is finally available on Samsung Devices! The Verge reports that Samsung will be offering a bundle for the Note 20 models that includes 3 months subscription to the service and even a MOGA XP5-X Plus controller. It looks like we’ll finally be able to shake that Candy Crush addiction with something much more enjoyable.
Put It On My Tab
We’ve seen new phones and new phablets from Samsung, but what about tablets? Well, Samsung wants to take you away from your iPad with their newly revealed Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, which are reported to be the first 5G compatible tablets in the US according to Engadget. The sleek new tablets from Samsung will come in 11 inches and 12.4 inches. The wizards at Tom’s hardware have compiled a convenient comparison of specs:
Model | Galaxy Tab S7 | Galaxy Tab S7+ |
Display | 11-inch 2560 x 1600-pixel TFT panel (up to 120Hz) | 12.4-inch 2800 x 1752-pixel Super AMOLED panel (up to 120Hz) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus |
Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
Memory | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB |
Cameras | Rear: 13MP & 5MP (Ultra Wide). Front 8MP | Rear: 13MP & 5MP (Ultra Wide). Front 8MP |
Security | Facial recognition, fingerprint reader on side key | Facial recognition, fingerprint reader on display |
Connectivity | 5G (optional), LTE (optional), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | 5G (optional), LTE (optional), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery | 8,000 mAh | 10,090 mAh |
Size | 10 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches | 11.2 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches |
Weight | 1.1 pounds | 1.3 pounds |
The Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ remain mystical with their mystic colour range that includes black, bronze and silver, combined with a starting price of $649 US for the Tab S7 and $849 for the Tab S7+. Courtesy of Samsung, expect a silky smooth 120HZ refresh rate, and with the Super AMOLED display of the Tab S7+, a jaw-dropping experience that shows Apple will really need to step up their game with the next iPad.
Buds and Beans
If you love your Galaxy Buds as much as we do, you’re going to go insane over the newly announced Galaxy Buds Live. In their reveal, Samsung noted how they’ll include 6 hours of non-stop listening, with the charging case providing up to 21 hours of back-up charge. They’ll also come with a Bass duct and a 12mm speaker for unrivalled audio clarity, alongside active noise cancellation with not one, or two but three microphones and voice pickup unit! Expect crystal clear audio quality when making calls and your playlist to sound better than ever. At $169 US, it’s probably the closest you'll get to hear your favourite band perform live in this pandemic.
Who Watches the Watchmen?
To further show that we just can’t escape from screens, Samsung has unveiled their new Galaxy Watch3. In comparison to previous models, Samsung reports that it will be 14% thinner, 8% smaller, 15 % lighter with a bigger screen compared to the previous Galaxy Watch 46mm. Expect features such as 120 home workout programs to keep you fit during the lockdown as well as fall detection and the ability to send an SOS to an emergency contact, while even including the ability to check your blood oxygen level. Currently, it can check blood pressure and ECG in Korea, with the feature rolling out into other countries soon. It’ll look stylishly on your wrist as it comes in the colours Mystic silver, bronze and even a black super-premium titanium model. The LTE version will set you back $499 US, the Bluetooth only version at $399 US, with the Titanium versions going for $479 US for the LTE versions alongside $429 for the Bluetooth versions, available from August 6. Checking the time will never be the same again.
Flippin and Foldin Good
While still set for a September 1st reveal, Samsung has finally shared details about their long-rumoured Galaxy Z Fold2. After the problems with their first foldable smartphone, Samsung is promoting their new device’s strengths which include a reengineered hinge, a tougher, reinforced build and smaller gaps in between the screens. The front screen will sport a 6.2-inch display and once unfolded, will stretch over 7.6 inches. Expect an all-day, dual intelligent 4500 mAh battery with the usual Mystic black and bronze colours. Stay tuned to our Smart Blogs for a full reveal!
This year hasn't been the kindest to us, but this year's Unpacked event has put a big smile on our face and made us somewhat forget how difficult those pandemic has been. For all the juicy info plus reviews on everything Samsung, stay tuned to our blogs!
Leave a comment