The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 line has been unveiled, and consumers have two choices: the baseline Galaxy Note 20 versus the top-specced (and top-priced) Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. So what’s the difference?
This simplifies things a bit, as either Note 20 option caters to a more specific consumer demographic than the three-phone Galaxy S20 line. Do you want a stylus-packing handset and won’t miss a few features to ensure a cheaper price? Go for the standard Note 20. Do you want an absolute top-of-the-line device with the best appearance? Pick up the Note 20 Ultra.
But it’s worth discretely comparing both options to understand what you’re giving up in the Note 20 and what you’re paying extra to get in the Note 20 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (Image credit: Future)
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 price and release date
Both the Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra were announced on August 5, 2020, and will be available around the world on August 21.
The 5G Note 20 starts at £949 / AU$1,649 in the UK and Australia with 256GB of storage, while the baseline version in the US costs $999 and packs 128GB of space. The Note 20 is also available in a 4G-only version for £849 / AU$1,499, but will only be sold in the UK and Australia.
As the lower-cost model, the Note 20 gets the more fun colors, including the experimental flagship hue of this cycle, Mystic Bronze, along with Mystic Green and Mystic Grey.
The 5G Note 20 Ultra is notably pricier, starting at $1,299 / £1,179 / AU$1,849 for the baseline model – which gets you 128GB of storage in the US and 256GB of storage in the UK and Australia (and 12GB of RAM in all regions). Bumping the space to 512GB ups the price to $1,449 / £1,279 / AU$2,199. Finally, Australians have the option of buying a cheaper 4G-only option for AU$1,849, but that model isn’t available elsewhere.
The Note 20 Ultra comes in a more premium color set of Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (Image credit: TechRadar)
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 design
The Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra may look very similar, but they surprisingly diverge in material quality.
The base Note 20, for instance, has a flat front display and a polycarbonate back cover, making it the first flagship in years that lacks a glass rear. The material has a brushed effect, which Samsung calls ‘glasstic,’ which gives it a ceramic feel.
The Note 20 Ultra is glass front-and-back, with the curved ‘Infinity’ display that’s characteristic of Samsung flagships. It’s the larger of the two phones by a few millimeters in length and width, nearly matching the older Note 10 Plus in size, with a colossal 6.9-inch display. The phone is just a hair shorter and thinner than the S20 Ultra.
In both models, the S Pen has been moved to the left side of the bottom edge, but pops out in the usual manner. The pen has improved latency from 45ms in the Note 10 down to 9ms in the Note 20 phones.
The USB-C port is in the center of the bottom edge of both phones, with a speaker on the left side and microphone on the right.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 display
Given that both phones diverge in build quality, it’s not surprising that the displays differ, too.
The Note 20’s 6.7-inch display is only Full HD (2400 x 1080), which shouldn’t surprise anyone – we saw the same corner-cutting when Samsung dropped the resolution on the base Galaxy Note 10 model. The screen also has a maximum 60Hz refresh rate, which is lower than most other flagship phones on the market but the iPhone 11 Pro series.
Samsung saved the prestige touches for the Note 20 Ultra, but they’re essentially the same as those on the Note 10 Plus, save for a 0.1-inch increase for a WQHD Plus resolution (3088 x 1440).
This makes it a slightly odd 19.3:9 ratio, unlike its predecessor’s 19:9 format. The Note 20 Ultra does pack a 120Hz refresh rate display, which is an upgrade on the Note 10 Plus.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 cameras
The differences between the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra’s camera arrays match those on the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Ultra, respectively, at least in megapixel count. There are a few differences and improvements.
The baseline Note 20 packs a 12MP main shooter with a 1/1.76-inch sensor size, a 64MP telephoto lens with a 3x hybrid optical zoom that reaches a maximum 30x digital zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. There’s also a front-facing 10MP camera located in a centered punch-hole at the top end of the display. Again, these cameras aren’t much different than those in the Galaxy S20.
Likewise, the Note 20 Ultra inherits the S20 Ultra’s photo hardware: a 108MP main shooter with a 1/1.33-inch sensor size, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. It also has a 10MP front-facing camera.
The Note 20 Ultra phone has two big differences from the previous Ultra phone – first, that its digital zoom only goes up to 50x, which isn’t a huge loss as we weren’t using the S20 Ultra’s 100x ‘Space Zoom’ at its blurry maximum anyway, and a new laser autofocus that Samsung claims allows the camera to swiftly switch focus between depth levels.
Both phones shoot 8K video at 24fps, as did the S20 line – but now they can shoot it in 16:9 or a more cinematic 21:9 format.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (Image credit: TechRadar)
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20 performance and battery
Both phones pack the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset in the US or Exynos 990 chipset elsewhere.
The difference lies in RAM and storage: the Note 20 has 8GB of RAM and only comes in one storage configuration per region (128GB in the US, 256GB in the UK and Australia) that is not expandable – like the Note 10, it doesn’t have a microSD slot.
The S20 Ultra has 12GB of RAM and a similar region-different baseline storage level (128GB in the US, 256GB in the UK and Australia), along with an option for 512GB at a higher price. But unlike the standard Note 20, the Ultra storage is expandable via microSD.
Both phones run Android 10 out of the box and Samsung’s OneUI, which is expected to get an upgrade alongside Android 11 when that’s released later this year. In most regions, only the 5G-capable versions of both phones are on sale – and thankfully, they connect to a variety of 5G frequency ranges, including mmWave and sub-6.
Battery is another divide between the phones, but not by much, with the Note 20 packing 4,300mAh capacity and the Note 20 Ultra having 4,500mAh. Curiously, both phones max out at 25W charging speeds, though they also have wireless charging and wireless power share.
The Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra are different enough in their features and offerings to appeal to different consumer niches.
Those who are willing to forgo some flagship creature comforts like 120Hz display will find the Note 20 suitable, with all the same S Pen stylus features as the phone’s pricier sibling. While the phone is more affordable 5G than its pricier sibling, Samsung cut some surprising corners to get the cost down, including the plastic back and lack of microSD slot – features appearing in nearly all mid-range Android phones.
Consumers who want the absolute best, and are willing to pay for it, will get a handful of premium touches like extra RAM, a curved waterfall display, and other perks. We’re especially excited about the laser focus fixture on the main camera, which could seriously help casual photography.
In other words, your decision will probably come down to cost rather than feature set – and thankfully, the most important perks of the Note 20 Ultra are preserved in the standard Note 20. If you’ve been waiting for the next generation of stylus flagship phones, you’ve got two strong options to choose from.
OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.
In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.
“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.
“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”
The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.
In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.
However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.
The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.
“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
