Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 is Around the Corner – We’re in The Endgame Now!
The best Samsung phones typically rank as the crème de la crème of Android handset. In 2020, we’ve already seen the Samsung Galaxy S20 series take the market by storm—and Samsung seems to be prepping for another exciting release to shake the industry even further.
According to developing rumors and leaks, Samsung is scheduled to release the highly-anticipated Galaxy Note 20 series this fall (somewhere around August 2020). The big-screen phones are expected to deliver top-of-the-range performance and advanced features to rival any competitor—including the upcoming iPhone 12.
Here’s a breakdown of the relevant rumors and ‘word on the street’ about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20. What should you expect from the new stylus-packing flagship? Read on for more on the possible release date, noteworthy (*pun intended) features, and specs.
Disclaimer: Some of the rumored features might make you drool—so brace yourself!
First Things First – The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Release Date
The Samsung Galaxy Note lineup is typically launched in Fall (August/September) of every year. In line with tradition, several rumors point to a similar release date in August 2020—even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest and juiciest leak suggests that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will be released during the Samsung Unpacked event of August 5th. As reported by Daniel Petrov from PhoneArena, this rumor comes from a prolific leaker—Ice Universe—who has a somewhat good track record when it comes to offering sneak peeks of the latest Samsung flagships. As if this is not exciting enough, the rumor goes on to say that Samsung might also unveil the Galaxy Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Tab S7, and the Galaxy Watch 2 in the same event.
Although Samsung has not explicitly provided the release date, they hinted that two eagerly-awaited devices—the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2—will be launched during the second half of 2020. In an official statement, the company said, “Looking ahead to the second quarter … the company will continue to offer differentiated products in the premium segment with the launch of new foldable and Note models.”
But contrary to the norm, The Korean Herald reports that the unveiling is expected to take place online for the first time in 2020 for obvious reasons (…COVID-19). The same report goes on to suggest that release will still take place in August.
However, it’s safer to take all the ‘release date’ rumors with a pinch of salt. The global pandemic has already delayed several launch events—and it’s hard to predict the turn of events at Samsung, let alone your local tech store. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is only a few months away as expected.
Leaked Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Display and Design Specs
Most rumors point to the release of two models—the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus. But could there be a third entry in the name of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra? Well, possibly! According to Abid Iqbal from MySmartPrice, a Bluetooth SIG certification listing suggests that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is also in the works. Whether that’s the case or not, we’re excited to see how it all unfolds.
As for the screen size, differing reports place the Galaxy Note 20’s screen size between 6.4” and 6.7”. In an earlier post by Tom Bedford from TechRadar, he quoted tweets by Ross Young (a supply chain expert) who claimed that the Note 20 will have a 6.42” display and a resolution of 2345 x 1084. Young also said that the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will come with a 6.87” screen and a resolution of 3096 x 1444. He went further to suggest that the Galaxy Fold 2 will feature in place of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
There are also several leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus design. The most interesting one being a 360-degree video showing the device from all angles. As expected, most rumors claim that the Galaxy Note 20 series will boast of a 120Hz refresh rate.
Introducing…(drumroll)…The 3D Sonic Max Fingerprint Scanner!
Perhaps one of the most stand out features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 phones will be the incorporation of the 3D Sonic Max fingerprint scanner—making it the first handset to feature the sensor.
Essentially, it builds on the in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensors seen on the Samsung Galaxy S20—but with several noteworthy upgrades. Unlike its predecessor, the 3D Max fingerprint sensor by Qualcomm is significantly larger, easier to use, and more responsive.
If this rumor materializes come August 2020, it could allow users to unlock their phones with two fingers simultaneously. This not only provides an added layer of security, but it also comes at a time when Face ID isn’t as reliable due to facemasks (…COVID-19).
Sure, this biometric system sounds cool, secure, and convenient—but it can cause problems as far as screen protectors are concerned. Gaps between the display and the screen protector can interfere with the accuracy of the ultrasonic waves. This is why you should invest in high-quality screen protectors from reliable companies such as… you guessed it, Tech Armor!
Other Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Features – Camera, Battery, Processor, and Price
Calling all serial snappers! A leak from Ice Universe claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus will feature a 108 MP main camera, a 13MP periscope lens (seen in the S20 Ultra), 12MP ultra-wide lens, 50x digital zoom, and a laser focus system. Sure, this is not a lot to go by, but it’s juicy nonetheless.
To little surprise, the device is rumored to run on a Snapdragon 865 chipset. This makes sense since Samsung flagships typically come with the latest Snapdragon chipsets—case in point, the Samsung Galaxy S20 line. For regions that get devices fitted with Samsung’s Exynos processors, expect an Exynos 992 (or 990) chipset. Other leaks claim that a 4,000mAh and 4,500mAh battery will power the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus respectively.
As for the price, we don’t expect the Galaxy Note 20 to go for anything less than $1,000. This is based on the pricing of previous models—i.e., the Galaxy Note 10 ($949) and the Galaxy S20 ($999).
Are You Excited for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20?
With Fall 2020 approaching, this might be the right time to decide whether you’re ready to splash some cash for a Galaxy Note 20 upgrade. If the rumors are anything to by, this might be one of the best phones in 2020—and a glimmer of sunshine in an otherwise disaster-laden year.
If you decide this is the device of your dreams and you want it gracing your palms, consider protecting your investment with the help of Tech Armor. Think of our screen protectors as a low-cost insurance policy for your valuable handsets. Don’t watch over $1,000-worth of mobile ingenuity ‘crash-and-burn’ from a single slip—get some Tech Armor to take the fall.