The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is designed to be the ultimate big-screen phone — and it has a price to match at $1,299. But you shouldn’t overlook the $899 OnePlus 8 Pro, which delivers a lot for $400 less.
The Note 20 Ultra is all about versatility, from its dynamic 6.9-inch 120Hz display and S Pen upgrades to its wireless DeX mode and powerful 50x Space Zoom camera. But the OnePlus 8 Pro also boasts a 120Hz display along with very long battery life and faster charging.
Both of these big-screen handsets are among the best phones you can buy. But this Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro face-off will help you decide which phone is best for you.
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Price
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the more ultra-premium phone here, as it starts at $1,299 for 128GB and goes up to $1,449 for the 512GB model. Samsung’s phablet is available through all the major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon), as well as US Cellular.
Starting at $899 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB and going up to $999 for 12GB and 256GB of storage, the OnePlus 8 Pro is a lot more affordable than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. While you can’t purchase the OnePlus 8 Pro through any carrier, you can buy it unlocked on Amazon and through OnePlus.
48MP wide; 8MP telephoto; 48MP ultra-wide; 5MP color filter
Front camera
10MP
16MP
Zoom
5x optical/50x digital
3x optical/30x digital
Battery
4,500 mAh
4,510 mAh
Battery life (Hrs:Mins)
10:26 (60Hz) / 7:59 (120Hz)
11:05 (60Hz) / 9:02 (120Hz)
Charging
25W wired; 15W wireless
30W wired; 30W wirelss
OS
Android 10 with One UI 2.0
Android 10 with Oxygen OS
Colors
Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
Onyx Black, Ultramarine Blue, Glacial Green
Size
6.48 x 3.04 x 0.32 inches
6.5 x 2.9 x 0.33 inches
Weight
7.33 ounces
7 ounces
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Both the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and OnePlus 8 Pro have elegant designs, but the Note 20 Ultra has the edge.
The Note 20 Ultra sports squared-off top and bottom edges, making it easier to grip, while the OnePlus 8 Pro is curved on all sides. The curved display on the OnePlus 8 Pro also makes it too easy to accidentally tap the display, more so than the curved panel on the Note 20 Ultra based on our hands-on testing.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The main drawback of the Note 20 Ultra’s design is the huge camera bump on the back, which juts out and props up the phone when you place it on a table.
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes in three colors: Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White, while the OnePlus 8 Pro comes in Onyx Black, Ultramarine Blue and Glacial Green. The finishes on both models do a good job of resisting fingerprints.
At 7.3 ounces, the Note 20 Ultra is a bit heavier than the 7-ounce OnePlus 8 Pro, but both phones are too big to be used with one hand.
Winner: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Display
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Note Note 20 Ultra has a slightly larger display at 6.9 inches, compared to 6.78 inches for the OnePlus 8 Pro. And while both flagships have 120Hz displays, each one comes with its own pros and cons.
The OnePlus 8 Pro gives you the freedom to use the highest QHD+ resolution while also engaging the 120Hz mode. Unfortunately, the Note 20 Ultra forces you to scale resolution back to full HD+.
(Image credit: Future)
On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 120Hz panel is dynamic, thanks to LTPO technology. This allows the display to scale the Hz up or down depending on the content that’s being shown, which can help save battery life.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
While both OLED panels are colorful, we found the Note 20 Ultra’s display to be brighter outdoors. We turned the adaptive brightness on each phone and the Tom’s Guide website is easier to read on Samsung’s display.
Winner: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Cameras
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the more formidable camera phone in terms of specs, as it packs a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide camera and 12MP telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom and 50x Space Zoom.
The OnePlus 8 Pro comes to this battle with a 48MP wide camera, 8MP telephoto camera and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. You get a 3x hybrid zoom and up to 30x digital zoom.
We started on this close-up of a flower, and the OnePlus 8 Pro produced the better overall shot. There’s more contrast and detail in the petal, and the surrounding green plant pops more. The edges of the flower are a little fuzzier on the Note 20 Ultra’s shot.
The OnePlus 8 Pro struggled a bit with this photo of Halloween decorations. There’s a yellow tone to the shot that’s distracting, especially in the skeleton, and some areas of the pic get blown out by the sun. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s exposure better balanced.
If you’re going to zoom in, you’ll want to manage your expectations with the OnePlus 8 Pro. The Galaxy Note 20’s 5x optical zoom delivered much better results than the OnePlus in this shot of a waterfall. It looks like there’s an odd film over the OnePlus’ pic, while the Note 20’s photo is quite clear.
We then tried a 30x digital zoom shot on both phones, and it was no contest. The Galaxy Note 20’s photo is much more in focus and sharper, as evidenced by the tree trunk and hanging plant. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s pic is a blurry mess by comparison.
The OnePlus 8 Pro comes roaring back in this round with a night mode photo that looks way better than what the Note 20 Ultra captures. While Samsung’s shot is brighter and lets you see the mulch on the right side, overall it looks more washed out.
Unfortunately, the OnePlus 8 Pro had a hard time compensating for the sunlight behind me in this selfie. The coloring on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra on my face is closer to real life, and the grass in the background is a more vibrant green.
Winner: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has an advantage in this round because it sports a newer Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, which provides a performance boost over the standard Snapdragon 865 powering the OnePlus 8 Pro.
On Geekbench 5, for example, which measures overall performance, the Note 20 Ultra scored 3,294 on the multi-core portion of the test and 985 on the single-core test. The OnePlus 8 Pro scored a lower 906 on the single-core section but a slightly higher 3,379 on the multi-core.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
However, on our real-word video editing test using Adobe Premiere Rush, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra beat the OnePlus 8 Pro by a fairly wide margin. Samsung’s phone took only 1 minute and 16 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p, while the OnePlus 8 Pro took 1:43.
The Note 20 Ultra also pulled ahead of the OnePlus 8 Pro on the GFXBench graphics test. Samsung’s handset notched 1,466 frames on the Aztec Ruins Vulkan test (1440p, offscreen), compared to 1,113 frames for the OnePlus. That’s not a surprise, given the Snapdragon 865 Plus features faster graphics rendering.
Winner: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Special features
(Image credit: Future)
You might want to look away if you’re a OnePlus fan. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a ton of special features, starting with an improved S Pen. This stylus offers a 9ms response rate, which makes it feel super smooth when taking notes or drawing. Other enhancements include the ability to sync your notes with voice recordings and new air gestures that let you perform various shortcuts.
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra also boasts a new wireless DeX mode that lets you beam a desktop-like interface to TVs that support Miracast. You can then do everything from showing off your photos to running multiple Android apps on the big screen at once.
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra also benefits from supporting both mmWave and sub-6Hz 5G networks. The OnePlus 8 Pro is limited to the latter, so you won’t be able to enjoy the fastest possible speeds.
The good news is that both the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and OnePlus 8 Pro can stream Xbox games over the cloud via the Xbox Game Pass app. The bad news is that the OnePlus 8 Pro does not yet support Link to Windows, which lets you make calls and texts from your PC, as well as mirror your screen and run Android apps on the desktop.
Winner: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
The OnePlus 8 Pro easily wins this round, as it lasted an excellent 11 hours and 5 minutes on the Tom’s Guide battery test. This involves continuous web surfing over 5G (T-Mobile’s network in both cases) at 150 nits of screen brightness. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra mustered 10:26. Both of these results were in 60Hz mode.
When we flipped on the 120Hz display setting for both phones, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s endurance dropped to 9:02, while the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra endured for only 7:59.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
If you want to charge up your phone quickly, the OnePlus 8 Pro is also the better option, as it reached 63% in 30 minutes with its included fast charger. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra got to 56% in the same amount of time. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s optional wireless charger is almost as fast as the Note 20 Ultra’s wired charger, reaching 55% in 30 minutes.
Winner: OnePlus 8 Pro
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Overall winner
After comparing the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and OnePlus 8 Pro side by side and reviewing the specs and test results, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes out on top. But it’s not a landslide victory, which you would expect given the $400 price delta between these two phones.
100 points
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
OnePlus 8 Pro
Price and value (15)
10
14
Design (10)
9
8
Display (15)
15
14
Cameras (20)
18
15
Performance (15)
14
13
Special features (10)
9
5
Battery Life (15)
12
14
Overall
87
83
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins the design and display rounds but it really pulls ahead when it comes to its camera capabilities and its more powerful Zoom feature. Samsung’s phablet also offers better special features, including its S Pen and wireless DeX mode.
However, the OnePlus 8 Pro is the better value, delivering a stellar 120Hz display and longer battery life for a lot less money. If it were my money, I’d go with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but the OnePlus 8 Pro is a great option for those looking for something more affordable.
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.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
