Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Galaxy S20 Ultra has the potential to become a high-end smartphone with its own set of frustrating experiences for users with plenty of patience. Without a doubt the S20 Ultra’s highlight is its camera. A large 108 MP sensor, 100x zoom, wide-angle lens, and more bling-bling than you can shake a stick at. And then, while taking photos, you suddenly realize that Samsung failed to implement a reliable autofocus.”
“There's little reason to buy a Galaxy S20. Samsung doesn't have any proprietary hardware or software that differentiates the device from the rest of the Android market.”
“Yes, the periscope telephoto is great and it's superior in every way to that other similar periscope telephoto that came a year earlier, but we are a year later now and that's expected. Yes, the Ultra's got a big-sensor primary camera which could probably do great things eventually but we didn't see magic over the past couple of weeks. Yes, it's the best display Samsung's put out, but why can't we get the refresh rate and the resolution all at the same time? Hmm... At the Ultra's asking price, you deserve to be spoiled, and you deserve to be getting magic.”
“The Galaxy S20 Ultra has the potential to become the best phone you can buy, but it's not worth $1,400 until Samsung fixes some major bugs.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Sitting at the top of Samsung’s 2020 high-end phone lineup, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra represents the best the company has to offer. But it also comes with one of the highest price tags in mobile history.
In many ways, the phone is simply a larger version of the Galaxy S20+ — which is, in turn, a larger version of the standard Galaxy S20.
When compared to the standard S20, the extra price on the S20 Ultra affords you:
- A larger 6.9-inch display
- Improved 5G support (mmWave)
- A larger 5,000mAh battery good for more than a day of usage with no problems
- A different camera array featuring a 108MP/48MP/12MP triple-lens arrangement
Reviewers found the upgraded camera the most noticeable difference. However, whether that was a good thing is debatable. While Samsung touts a massive 100x digital zoom on the phone, reviewers found anything over 30x nearly impossible to use without a tripod. More so, while the ultrawide sensor, time-of-flight sensor, and nine-pixel binning 108MP lens offered flexibility in creating interesting shots, reviewers weren’t sure it was worth the additional price over the standard S20 or improved S20+.
Otherwise, you’ll find identical specs and features in the smaller Galaxy S20. Be sure to check our Samsung Galaxy S20 review for more on what to expect with this new release.
What people actually want to know
When was the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra released?
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra was released on March 6, 2020.
How long does the battery last on the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra water resistant?
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra carries an IP68 rating.
Note: water resistance degrades over time and manufacturer warranties typically don't cover liquid damage.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra support wireless charging?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra supports wireless charging.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra does not have a headphone jack. You'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra support 5G?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra supports 5G connectivity.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra?
Visit Samsung's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra manual?
You can view and download the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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