What unique smartphone feature like the Global S20 Ultra can offer me? Samsung's largest screen model is now a true beast of precision, including its up to 100x camera zoom.
Most power is obviously reasonably priced, as we will see below. Although surprising in many ways, the camera configuration has some weaknesses that make the results inconsistent.
And the battery life in the international model, the variants with the Exynos processor, improved the independence times, despite the large size of the internal battery cells, due to the chip efficiency itself.
From Samsung they emphasize that the larger size, design, battery and price, is something you should be willing to overlook because of its impressive camera and camera specifications. It is a compensation that most people will never please. Let's see it.
Price and availability
As seems obvious, i Galaxy S20 Ultra Not the cheapest model for this series. Its basic configuration starts at € 1,359 in the case of the 128 storage model, while the 512 GB model jumps to 1, 1,99, the price exceeds that Galaxy Z Flip with 256 GB and 4G.
At the performance level, and based on the specification of the paper, it is clear that those S20 series are superior, but on the Galaxy Z Flip it will also pay for its new design in the design and segmentation of its wrap screen.
New species Global S20, S20 + and S20 Ultra They are already available in the United States, while in Europe and other countries of the world, their final availability is scheduled for March 13.
The price of the most economical model is the same as Global S20 90,909 at the time of its launch and the last 128 GB. Green S20 + with the same amount of memory, reaching € 1,009 in 4G mode. 5G is associated with a € 200 increase and is only available in a capacity of 512 GB.
With the current offer of active, pre-purchase of Samsung's website, this is associated with the offer of new headphones Galaxy Buds + its price is € 179. You can read our review of Galaxy Buds +.
Frankly, at this price, the phone should be nearly perfect or should be especially prominent in areas where others do not come, in order to allow it to be the opposite of your competitors.
Design and build quality
The first thing you should know about the Galaxy S20 Ultra is that it is large, very large. Years ago we saw models the phablet with stratospheric screens and this model is no less, with a 6.9 inches guide.
You might like big phones. You may be used for the S9 + or S10 +, or maybe the Note 10+ for the 6.8 inches. Yes, the S20 Ultra is much larger than the one mentioned, only interrupted by a now-focused focus camera.
It should be noted here that the black frames almost completely offset the edges of the frame, and the decision to lower the curves and back to the shiny edges makes the screen look amazing, and it powers its use.
The problem we find on the S20 Ultra is its large size. And make it difficult. It feels like a perfect fit in your hands, especially when you get the chance to be with the younger siblings the Galaxy S20 and S20 +.
We say that the weight imbalance of the camera module is located at one of its ends, meaning that when you hold it with your hand, you have to find the right position to measure its weight.
The camera module Quad Ultra, without the entry is still specified, is a reminder. It sits on a large rear portion of the mobile and exits the surface to install a Space Zoom 100x inside that requires its own movement.
For design purposes, we see that the decision to remove the giant jackphone is being kept, as well as the Bixby voice assist button, which has existed until then in previous generations of the Galaxy. Long pressing the power button replaces them.
The finish colors on which you will find the new Galaxy S20 Ultra are gray and black, although the cheapest models are available, maintaining a more sophisticated and smooth look that can be chosen by most company executives.
Camera set
Let's get fully involved in your skills as a camera. Samsung's entire approach to the S20 series seems to be entirely focused on the development of its sensors. And to be honest, this is where we find the biggest difference compared to their S20 and S20 + children.
As a main component you will get a larger aperture sensor up to 108 MP and f / 1.8 (leaving the sensor with the shifting input technology used by Samsung in recent years).
By default, the scan is not done in MP MP, but the phone uses a pixel combination to create nine pixels each (& # 39; no binning & # 39; in Samsung terminology) and thus produces sharp and detailed images. 12 MP with wide dynamic range.
Pictures, generally, are great. Between high pixel count and large sensor size, the Ultra model camera can produce amazing levels of detail and bright colors than before, without drifting too far from the satellite of tones that others might find on Huawei models.
If you prefer, you can convert the phone to 108 MP. In this mode, the images take a moment to process, with the encouragement that each camera will consume between 30 and 50 MB per image.
The biggest benefit of these photos with super-resolution is the freedom they provide to be able to cut surfaces without losing sharpness or full detail, something you may not need as much in your day to day life unless you are an expert.
Another thing to consider is that the dynamic range is worse for photos you take at 108 MP compared to the fact that it does so with the other capture modes provided by some of its sensors.
It is also covered by a 12 megapixels wide angle that sits comfortably in front of the main lens, as well as a depth sensor, and is the primary focus of the S20 Ultra sale; its 48 MP telephonic lens.
In many countries, as is the case in the United States, this may be the first smart phone to be sold with super zoom, because in some parts of the world such as Spain we are already able to enjoy the benefits of Huawei P30 Pro or Oppo Reno 10x Zoom.
The Samsung Space Zoom 100x called Samsung Space Zoom 100x is actually based on the x5 telephonic lens, which can be activated up to 100x thanks to the extra digital zoom. This is a trick that will allow you to view sequences or pictures at great distances, but without any obvious effects.
In fact, if you want to get great images by treating the x100's zoom with its high resolution, you'll need to use an extra tripod in which you position your phone to eliminate any movement that your hands can produce.
We noticed that there was some loss of durability and depth of color in this kind of photography, as expected with the f / 3.5 effect setting. Apart from this, the screen of your S20 Ultra will show details that your vision can reach.
Another common problem was the automated system, where their behavior was inconsistent and varied. At first, the autofocus was slow, so I only needed a few seconds to get the focus point.
With the updates submitted by Samsung, we have been able to accelerate the process and now gradually, in phases that we can consider on average. However, this does not prevent the effects in macro mode from moving to desired.
This problem is due to a 108 MP wide sensor switch, which introduces a natural bokeh effect. The depth of field is very low, making photos of nearby topics often look smooth compared to the standard focus of the apartment at other terminals.
The problem is not limited to very close macro photos, because even taking pictures with Instagram feed paint often leaves its parts intact and other parts blurry.
Night mode is improving, using a larger sensor, but we should note that Samsung's algorithm game is still a bit behind what could be done with the latest generation iPhones, Pixel or Mate Pro.
This is especially noticeable when handling light sources from different sources. The results are good but they are not the best yet despite new features being introduced on their Hardware, especially when it comes to white balance.
The One Take function allows you to capture a special moment with both photos and videos simultaneously. Use multiple cameras to capture the top 10 images and four video clips, suggesting some editing and effects.
It works great even though you have to remember that it adds powerful music to the video scenes you capture, so it can interrupt any sound or conversation you really want to capture.
Speaking of video, the S20 Ultra records at 4K and 60 fps, and you can even reach 8K at 30 fps. The amount of storage required is very high, but knowing that the phone is capable of doing so is amazing compared to the more advanced features.
However, we cannot show you the results because even YouTube does not allow us to upload a video sample of this 8K quality, further evidence that the tech world is not ready to handle this content.
The Camera Display now lets you toggle between the front and the back camera while recording a video, allowing you to properly jump between recording yourself and what you see around you. Perfect for vloggers.
As for the selfie camera, this time we only have 40 MP and f / 2.2 (a big jump when looking at 10 MP in the other S20). Samsung allows using the app to make a regular or extended selfie, but it's a cutting-edge game.
In any case, the gun looks great. There is a range of colors smaller than the rear lenses, but the details reach impressive levels, however we reach the high ceiling of what the cameras can do. selfie.
Extra large screen
If the cameras are one of the major attractions of the S20 Ultra, the screen isn't too far behind. We've talked about its larger size, 6.9 inches, but it's the screen that enhances that of the Note 10+.
We say it loud and clear, that you may be facing a smart terminal with the best screen you can buy, at least at the beginning of the year. Its Super AMOLED panel supports 3,200 x 1,440 pixels and is compatible with HDR10 + which supports a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
If you're not sure what it means for the 120 Hz rate, then how fast the screen loads new images. Faster refresh rate means smoother scrolling, more fluid animation and more fps handling in games.
Most phones have 60 Hz ads, and some, like the latest OnePlus model, have 90 Hz. Samsung was not the first to install 120 Hz (that was a Razer phone) but it was the first to install it on a standard model.
The results speak for themselves, and the S20 Ultra overflows with a good view at any angle you think of its screen. Also, the panel is light and clear, with great contrast, excellent viewing and 120 Hz benefits.
Well now First of all, you can get the same panel, albeit smaller, on a standard S20 or S20 + (with the same solution, so you should get a higher pixel size with smaller wires). No matter how good this screen is, you won't need the Ultra model to take advantage of it.
Another caveat is that the high resolution of 3,200 x 1,440 is not compatible with the 120 Hz rate so you can't set both at the same time. Obviously, this is because of the battery control that the terminal can do.
If you increase the refresh rate to the full, you will have to reduce the resolution to a minimum of 2,400 x 1,080, the opposite. You will have to choose between soft, or high resolution images.
Battery and autonomy
Despite the generous capacity provided by its cells, which reaches a value of 5,000 mAh, it does not seem to be sufficient to enable a screen of this type and a set of high-quality components.
We must say that we were updating the model based on the Samsung Exynos 990 processor. It is a fix that will be sold in many parts of the world.
Some specific markets are getting S20 phones with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, and when talking to American media, they seem to confirm that these models can enjoy longer periods of time due to their high performance.
As for the Exynos-powered model, we have seen that time offers to overcome all-day use, but not much, far from what we are used to seeing with Notter 10+, the phone that has been used as the main daily.
Most of the days I have used the S20 Ultra have settled to 20% of its power during sleep, after 3 hours to 5 hours of screen time. That's fine, but it's actually the minimum size of a new phone, and we're worried that after a year of use, it will no longer reach these numbers.
This is because using a 120 Hz refresh rate for most of the day, and switching to 60 Hz (while leaving the solution in FHD +, not max) seems to help, although not as much as you might think.
According to our calculations, we can save about 10% or more on a full day of use. That reinforces the feeling that the problem here isn't so much on the screen, and more on Exset's chipset that it consumes real, something we've already seen on the S10 with an Exynos chip.
Of course, you'd think that if you care for the battery, you should lower the refresh rate, lower the resolution, turn off 5G and more. Those actions may be worth it, but don't buy the S20 Ultra model.
5G connection
5G connectivity ensures that you get the terminal with a vision for the future. At the end of the day, technically it's the complete name of the phone, or I'm still puzzled to see that 5G is a weighty excuse for what you're reluctant to upgrade your S10.
Our Exynos model only supports low-frequency frequencies, the type currently used in European infrastructure, although US Snapdragon models also support mmWave, making them more attractive in years to come.
I have been testing the S20 Ultra with the Vodafone 5G connectivity, and although the speed of 5G is impressive, the coverage of the ground has not spread far enough, even in areas between cities such as Madrid, where our office is always a challenge.
That will improve, of course, the main argument is to get a 5G phone now to get ready for the next 2 or 3 years. It will be when the deployment of 5G networks has improved.
Specification and performance
As for the other details, it's still pretty amazing. On the aforementioned Exynos 990 (or Snapdragon 865), it is complemented by 12 GB or 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM faster, with the possibility of choosing either 128 GB or 512 GB of storage.
The phone is fast and meets the speed of any program you throw. That is also reflected in our test scores bench which we use as a reference, are among the fastest we've tested.
The phone comes in one SIM variant or two SIM models, and each supports up to MicroSD cards of up to 1 TB. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC connectivity eliminates communication features.
From the security point of view, you get the unveiling of a face like an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner set under the mirror introduced by Samsung flags last year. If something works well, why change it.
Software and UI one
As logical as it may seem, the S20 Ultra comes with Android 10, the latest version of Google and Samsung & # 39; s One UI 2 layer for customization. The company has been a bit more conservative from the point of view software this year
Therefore, the main installation is focused on providing functional functions to facilitate sharing of any content, as well as improving the feeling when interacting with other Samsung Galaxy phone users.
The fastest share, for example, is actually AirDrop for Galaxy phones, while Music Sharing allows friends to connect a Bluetooth speaker to your phone without having to worry about pairing processes.
Both of these functions are exclusive to Samsung's latest devices, so they will only be useful if all your partner or friends have the latest generation of products.
Advanced users will enjoy work that allows up to three (or five, on a high-RAM model) applications that are widely used, in the place where you left them, something enjoyed in the context of social networking.
The only significant other of software Spotify's integration into Bixby channels, which is good news for those who have remained loyal to Samsung's voice assistant, is a few that appear when the statistics are not revealed.
The final decision
In conclusion, the S20 Ultra is not a phone to be bought by many people. The price is high for many deaths, too big and heavy to carry, and the independence that left us in doubt.
Still, it is a phone full of technological achievements, especially on the camera, which is in the best possible shape, able to win all competing flags, even though it has behaved somewhat in certain cases of initials.
The 120 Hz refresh rate is unique to what may be the best screen on the phone yet, but the impact on battery life makes it a bittersitter, an issue that is mounting on Exynos chipset models when compared to using Snapdragon.
So, if the camera is a factor to consider when buying a phone, the S20 Ultra is a compelling case for its purchase, but for all other users, additional upgrades are expensive and the Global S10 still retains its attractiveness.
Details
- An Android 10 app that uses One UI 2
- 6.9-inch Wide Quad HD + Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel
- Solution 3,200 x 1,440 dpi y) 120 Hz power
- Exynos 990 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 basic eight chip
- 12 or 16 GB of RAM (depending on model)
- 128 or 512 GB of storage (depending on model)
- MicroSD slot card (up to 1 TB)
- 108 Mp front sensor, f / 1.8, OIS + 12 Mp rear camera, wide wide angle, f / 2.2 + 48 Mp Tele, depth sensor f / 3.5 +
- Front selfie camera 40 Mp f / 2.2
- Built-in fingerprint scanner
- 2D face recognition
- 11ax dual band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX
- GPS NFC and 5G NSA / SA / DSS on Sub-6 or Sub-6 and mmWave (Snapdragon only)
- USB-C connection
- 5000 mAh battery
- 45 W cable charging (included with 25 W charger)
- 2.0 wireless charging
- IP68 certification against dust and water
- Dimensions 166.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm
- Weight 222 grams
Product photos taken by: Dominik Tomaszewski
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