Samsung Galaxy Note20 / Note20 Ultra

[RandomKamikaze]

Had a good amount of time with my N20U now and have the following observations:

• Battery life doesn't last the day, need to actually look at my SOT, but it needs charging by about 2000/2100 after coming off charge at 0800ish. Probably need to try and trim down permissions to try and remove things like background location
• I keep getting random reboots, normally 1 a day and only when I'm not using the phone. I haven't setup the reboot schedule
• Love the screen
• Love the S-Pen

I do generally really like the device and will be keeping it. Its super quick and I've got used to the size really quickly. Camera and photo wise its great, I've taken some great photos of people, animals and landscapes and they get a lot of positive comments

 

[maka344]

So, I've had the Ultra for a few days now and coming from my iPhone again, I cannot but help note just how great this phone is. The customisation and Live Wallpapers are just excellent.

However, I'm struggling with things like my WhatApp messages, I need to have them transferred, tried exporting a handful of chats but Whatapp doesn't see the export.

I also prefer how clean iMessage is compared to the Samsung offering.

Not sure whether to just keep the Ultra and get the best price for my iPhone 11 Pro Max and see what the 12 brings or just keep the iPhone and return the Note...

 

[StellarVixen]

I would seriously give Note 20 a chance if I didn’t live in Exynos area.


I won’t ever pay the same price for obviously inferior hardware.

 

[Ludatyk]

I also prefer how clean iMessage is compared to the Samsung offering.

Not sure whether to just keep the Ultra and get the best price for my iPhone 11 Pro Max and see what the 12 brings or just keep the iPhone and return the Note...

There's simply nothing that can come close to iMessage and that's what keep iPhone users from switching. I've dealt with it plenty times over the years. Every time I tried to switch from the iPhone, I always come back to it... but now I realize the pros outweigh the cons. And addition to that, I always have iMessage on the iPad.

Not to make this a battle between Android and iPhone, but the amount of customization and features keeps me from switching back to the iPhone. There's this vid by MrWhoseTheBoss on YT explaining how Apple is trying to attract Android users, acknowledging iOS 14 features like PiP on iPhone and widgets.

But Apple has only scratch the surface of what more than they can offer in terms of grabbing ideas from Android. The seamless experience between iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.. cannot be matched, but at this point... I’m enjoying the Android/Samsung experience.

 

[hajime]

How to connect the Note20Ultra to a computer for transferring large video files? Is the interface faster than the lightning connection from iPhone and usb3 connection from iPP?

 

[Fernandez21]

Besides the S Pen, what's some cool things you do with your Note that you can't do with an iPhone?

Now that xCloud won't be coming to iOS, I'm even more tempted to switch.

Split screen, dex, and emulators (love me some old school console gaming). Also, love the look of the Galaxy watch better than the apple watch,but get more functionality out of my apple watch.

I do carry around 2 phones, and my second phone is an iphone 11 pro.

 

[Ludatyk]

Besides the S Pen, what's some cool things you do with your Note that you can't do with an iPhone?

Now that xCloud won't be coming to iOS, I'm even more tempted to switch.

Like what @The Game 161 and @Fernandez21 explained with SplitScreen, Dex, Pop Up Windows. But me personally... especially if your interested in coming to iOS specifically for xCloud, Sound Assistant is awesome!

Because with iOS, your limited to one audio stream at a time. However, with Sound Assistant you can manage different audios from various apps. For example, you can game on xCloud and play music from Spotify/Apple Music.

 

[JagRunner]

I have an iPhone SE 2020 because I was wanting a smaller phone. Anyway, I went to play with the Note 20 Ultra at Best Buy and that thing is huge. It's really nice though.

I wouldn't mind the Note 20 Ultra, but as I get older I'm just simplifying my life. As long as I can text, make calls, take a pic here or there and look up something quickly on the internet I am good. My iPhone SE can do all of that just fine. I don't know if I would want the hassle of switching platforms at this point. And I think that is what keeps a lot of people on iphone.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I would seriously give Note 20 a chance if I didn’t live in Exynos area.


I won’t ever pay the same price for obviously inferior hardware.

You don't you pay $150 more for the SD version with half the memory and not dual sim

Give me the storage and dual sim every time for $150 less

 

[SteveJUAE]

BTW With my N20 Ultra In addition to my bundled Buds Live, UV Sterilizer Case and wireless charger I got this freebie today :

 

[kp98077]

My experience thus far with the NU20 is its a very nice phone, excellent screen, love the spen, but as so many point out the iMessage and basic things you get used to on the iPhone become irritating to me at least. And the battery life doesn't seem impressive on the NU20. Also, not sure about the colors coming out of the camera either compared to iPhone seem rather unnatural. And most importantly, its more "laggy" than an iPhone for sure. I would rate NU20 as 8.5/10 and iPhone 11 Pro max as 9/10

 

[SteveJUAE]

My experience thus far with the NU20 is its a very nice phone, excellent screen, love the spen, but as so many point out the iMessage and basic things you get used to on the iPhone become irritating to me at least. And the battery life doesn't seem impressive on the NU20. Also, not sure about the colors coming out of the camera either compared to iPhone seem rather unnatural. And most importantly, its more "laggy" than an iPhone for sure. I would rate NU20 as 8.5/10 and iPhone 11 Pro max as 9/10

Whilst we can sympathize with your Imessage comment if your in the US, but largely irrelevant elsewhere in the world and colours are subjective but doubt your comment on laggy more like your use to the dampened and limited speed on Iphones to seem smooth opposed to almost unlimited

 

[maka344]

My experience thus far with the NU20 is its a very nice phone, excellent screen, love the spen, but as so many point out the iMessage and basic things you get used to on the iPhone become irritating to me at least. And the battery life doesn't seem impressive on the NU20. Also, not sure about the colors coming out of the camera either compared to iPhone seem rather unnatural. And most importantly, its more "laggy" than an iPhone for sure. I would rate NU20 as 8.5/10 and iPhone 11 Pro max as 9/10

Same boat re. iPhone to NU20. For example, the stock text message app and delivery reports, that is all that about?! I hate that I cannot transfer my WhatsApp across without 3rd party software (more an Apple fault). iPhone is cleaner is certain areas but the NU20 offers so much. It’s a difficult choice and gone of the days when we had clear winners. I don’t find it laggy though, even with the Exynos.
Fully, our American friends are iMessaging right now - they don’t use WhatsApp and I’m currently flipping between devices.

Then there’s Apple Watch

 

[kp98077]

Whilst we can sympathize with your Imessage comment if your in the US, but largely irrelevant elsewhere in the world and colours are subjective but doubt your comment on laggy more like your use to the dampened and limited speed on Iphones to seem smooth opposed to almost unlimited

Maybe what I mean by laggy is more having to do with "smooth" transition between apps, or I am not used to it, although I have had the note before... LOVE the shape! and light weight!!

 

[maka344]

Maybe what I mean by laggy is more having to do with "smooth" transition between apps, or I am not used to it, although I have had the note before... LOVE the shape! and light weight!!

It’s truly stunning. Design and style. Love the back of the phone.
Hate being in the middle of deciding what to do. Installed iOS 14 on my iPhone but it just isn’t anywhere near as good. Wish Apple would port iMessage like they did Apple Music and what’sapp would allow duel device use.

 

[mjschabow]

It’s truly stunning. Design and style. Love the back of the phone.
Hate being in the middle of deciding what to do. Installed iOS 14 on my iPhone but it just isn’t anywhere near as good. Wish Apple would port iMessage like they did Apple Music and what’sapp would allow duel device use.

iOS 14 is a complete mess, IMO. I can’t stand how the app library indexes certain apps into folders that don’t make sense. Also, and it could just be the beta, but I have actually hung up on people accidentally because the screen doesn’t turn off when it goes to my ear.

 

[SDColorado]

Same boat re. iPhone to NU20. For example, the stock text message app and delivery reports, that is all that about?! I hate that I cannot transfer my WhatsApp across without 3rd party software (more an Apple fault). iPhone is cleaner is certain areas but the NU20 offers so much. It’s a difficult choice and gone of the days when we had clear winners. I don’t find it laggy though, even with the Exynos.
Fully, our American friends are iMessaging right now - they don’t use WhatsApp and I’m currently flipping between devices.

Then there’s Apple Watch

I am not sure what you are asking about delivery reports, but if they are bugging you they can be turned off. I don't use WhatsApp though, so no idea what the workaround for that would be.

 

[Cryates]

I'm interested to see how Apple handles HRR (they'll surely go the adaptive/variable route), and the battery life impact. Personally, I'm going back and forth on whether or not the HRR is worth it with the battery life impact. It certainly makes the phone smoother and much more enjoyable to use. I've always been a person who wants to not charge their phone at any point during the day, or have to worry about it, but I'm thinking HRR makes it so enjoyable that I'm willing to throw it on a wireless charger periodically when I'm sitting at the desk during the day.

 

[Cryates]

iOS 14 is a complete mess, IMO. I can’t stand how the app library indexes certain apps into folders that don’t make sense. Also, and it could just be the beta, but I have actually hung up on people accidentally because the screen doesn’t turn off when it goes to my ear.

My wife (who is currently using the beta) HATES the App Library screen and even more so because it's automatically curated. They really need to give user control to that page because I found it hard to navigate and find apps when a) I can't sort them on my own and b) they switch constantly based on usage.

 

[mjschabow]

My wife (who is currently using the beta) HATES the App Library screen and even more so because it's automatically curated. They really need to give user control to that page because I found it hard to navigate and find apps when a) I can't sort them on my own and b) they switch constantly based on usage.

Exactly. I was all excited for this feature but it’s a huge flop, IMO.

 

[The Game 161]

App library isn't good as its a pain going just accessing it for me. I'm hoping widgets will be improved when developers get working as right now they are lacking

 

[Cryates]

What I gathered from the iOS widgets was, they're nice although they offer no functionality. They need to be interactive (play/pause/skip) for the music widget, as an example. I'm sure this is another case of limiting functionality in the present, so as to pave the path for a future software iteration adding widget interaction. I found myself not really caring about a widget being there, other than seeing the weather at a glance.

 

[Ludatyk]

Wish Apple would port iMessage like they did Apple Music

That's a pipe dream. Reason why Apple Music was ported because money is involved, that's the incentive driving that. I mean, money is involved in every Apple decision. But there's a subscription placed on Apple Music, it makes sense for them to port it to every major platform possible.

iOS 14 is a complete mess, IMO. I can’t stand how the app library indexes certain apps into folders that don’t make sense. Also, and it could just be the beta, but I have actually hung up on people accidentally because the screen doesn’t turn off when it goes to my ear.

iOS 14 a complete mess? I don't know about that. But the App Library is doing what it's supposed to do... index apps into folders. You can always customize it how you so fit on the HomeScreen. I understand, most people want it to act like Android.. and have a App Tray to customize however, but I think Apple wants to differentiate itself from that. At the end of the day, it's the ease of use that most people gravitate when favoring a iPhone. Apple organizing apps for you, kind of fits the iPhone personality.

 

[mjschabow]

That's a pipe dream. Reason why Apple Music was ported because money is involved, that's the incentive driving that. I mean, money is involved in every Apple decision. But there's a subscription placed on Apple Music, it makes sense for them to port it to every major platform possible.



iOS 14 a complete mess? I don't know about that. But the App Library is doing what it's supposed to do... index apps into folders. You can always customize it how you so fit on the HomeScreen. I understand, most people want it to act like Android.. and have a App Tray to customize however, but I think Apple wants to differentiate itself from that. At the end of the day, it's the ease of use that most people gravitate when favoring a iPhone. Apple organizing apps for you, kind of fits the iPhone personality.

That’s fair but then they could at least use better logic. Reddit is a social app, not a reference & reading app, just one of a few examples I disagree with. Or if We had the option to have the alphabetical list view by default, that would really improve things too.

 

[jamezr]

iOS 14 a complete mess? I don't know about that. But the App Library is doing what it's supposed to do... index apps into folders. You can always customize it how you so fit on the HomeScreen. I understand, most people want it to act like Android.. and have a App Tray to customize however, but I think Apple wants to differentiate itself from that. At the end of the day, it's the ease of use that most people gravitate when favoring a iPhone. Apple organizing apps for you, kind of fits the iPhone personality.

But you have to admit...have an app Library that is not arranged well is not easy to use. It would be better in my opinion to have the ability to sort the apps in alphabetical order or any order we see fit. Otherwise we get apps sorted into folders that do not fit each persons definition for that app. IOS 14 is a step in the right direction but the implementation of widgets on the home screen leaves a lot to be desired.