Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra review
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Deep-Dive Review: Is “Maximum Everything” Worth the Premium?
The Galaxy S20 Ultra represents Samsung’s most aggressive pursuit of hardware dominance. It’s an uncompromising device built around massive numbers: a giant screen, an unprecedented camera setup, and a price tag to match. While it pushes the boundaries of mobile tech, a few software quirks and inconsistent performance metrics prevent it from achieving absolute perfection.
The Verdict At a Glance
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is a behemoth in every sense. Packing a 108MP camera, 100x digital zoom, a fluid 120Hz display, and laptop-grade internal specs, it targets tech enthusiasts who want tomorrow’s features today. However, early software bugs and high pricing hold it back from being a slam-dump recommendation for the average consumer.
Pros:
- Phenomenal telephoto and hybrid zoom capabilities.
- Industry-leading, ultra-smooth 120Hz AMOLED display.
- Cutting-edge, future-proof 5G network compatibility.
Cons:
- Unreliable autofocus and inconsistent camera exposure.
- Prohibitive, market-straining launch price.
- Cumbrous ergonomics that make one-handed use difficult.
Price, Availability, and Value
Launching in March 2020, the Galaxy S20 Ultra set a new pricing ceiling for traditional, non-folding smartphones.
| Configuration | Launch Price (US / UK / AU) |
| 128GB Storage / 12GB RAM | $1,399 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 |
| 512GB Storage / 16GB RAM | $1,599 / £1,399 / AU$2,249 |
Note on Storage: While the lack of a middle-tier 256GB option is frustrating for videographers, all variants support microSD expansion up to 1TB. Combined with modern cloud storage solutions, the base 128GB model is sufficient for most users.
Context for Today’s Buyer: With subsequent generations like the S21 Ultra and later flagships on the market, the S20 Ultra can frequently be found at steep discounts on the refurbished or secondary market, though buying it new from retail channels is increasingly rare.
Design and Display: Pushing Ergonomic Limits
The 120Hz Visual Experience
The device centers around a massive 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen featuring a 20:9 aspect ratio. It is a exceptionally tall phone rather than a wide one, meaning you can still grip it, but reaching the upper corners requires two hands.
The headline feature is the 120Hz refresh rate, which makes UI animations and scrolling feel incredibly fluid. However, there is a catch:
- 120Hz Mode: Only available when downscaled to Full HD+ resolution.
- 60Hz Mode: Required if you want to use the full QHD+ (3200 x 1440) resolution.
Most users will prefer the fluid look of 120Hz at Full HD+ over the crisper, battery-intensive QHD+ setting.
Form Factor and Build
Constructed from premium glass and aluminum, the Ultra drops the deep screen curves of past generations for a flatter face. This change hasn’t entirely fixed palm-rejection issues; accidental edge-touches can still interrupt camera shutter activations.
Weighing in at 220g and measuring 8.8mm thick, it is a heavy, substantial piece of hardware. However, this extra real estate is put to good use housing the massive battery and advanced camera modules.
The Five-Camera Array: Hype vs. Reality
Samsung fundamentally redesigned its imaging pipeline for the Ultra, but the real-world results are a mixed bag.
[ Front Camera ] ──── 40MP Selfie (Binned to 10MP)
[ Rear Array ] ├─── 108MP Main Sensor (Nona-binning to 12MP)
├─── 48MP Telephoto (Periscope, 10x Hybrid / 100x Digital)
├─── 12MP Ultra-Wide
└─── DepthVision Sensor
High Megapixels, High Complexity
- The 108MP Mode: Designed for capturing extreme detail, it allows you to crop deeply into photos after shooting. However, these files hover around 20MB and utilize massive resolutions that some social media platforms reject entirely. Furthermore, the main sensor suffers from occasional autofocus hunting and a tendency to overexpose bright highlights.
- Low-Light Performance: By using nona-binning (merging 9 pixels into 1), the camera produces highly brightened 12MP night shots. While effective at reducing noise, Samsung’s processing can sometimes look overly processed and artificially smoothed.
- The Zoom Capabilities: The hyped “100x Space Zoom” is largely a gimmick, producing blurry, pixelated results. The real magic happens at 10x hybrid optical zoom, which delivers incredibly sharp, class-leading long-range images.
Video and Smart Features
The S20 Ultra introduces 8K video recording at 24fps. While it offers incredible editing latitude, you cannot use Samsung’s “Super Steady” stabilization while shooting in 8K or 4K—it remains locked to 1080p.
The standout software feature is Single-Take Mode. With one press of the shutter, the phone records a 10-second window using multiple lenses and modes, automatically generating a collection of photos, animations, and short video clips.
Hardware Performance, 5G, and Battery Endurance
Next-Gen Connectivity
The Ultra supports both Sub-6 and mmWave 5G technologies. In optimal line-of-sight conditions next to mmWave nodes, download speeds can surpass a staggering 1.9Gbps. However, real-world 5G rollout remains patchy; indoors or away from high-frequency nodes, standard 4G LTE networks often match or beat everyday 5G performance.
Internal Specifications
Depending on your region, the phone is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or Samsung Exynos 990 chipset. Paired with a baseline of 12GB of RAM, performance is flawless, handling heavy multitasking and high-end mobile gaming with ease. This generation also marks the official removal of the 3.5mm legacy headphone jack from the S-series flagships.
Battery Life and Charging
To feed the demanding 120Hz display and 5G modems, Samsung integrated a 5,000mAh battery.
- 60Hz Mode: Easily provides well over 24 hours of standard use.
- 120Hz Mode: Dramatically accelerates drain, shortening battery life by roughly 20-25%.
The device ships with a 25W fast charger capable of fueling the phone to 63% in half an hour, and it supports optional upgrades to 45W wired charging alongside 15W wireless capabilities.
The Final Assessment
Who It Is For
- Media Consumers: If you want a gigantic, bright, high-refresh-rate display for streaming movies and playing games.
- Early Tech Adopters: Those looking to experience top-tier 5G speeds and unique photographic tools like high-ratio zooming.
Who Should Skip It
Budget-Conscious Buyers: Anyone looking for maximum value-per-dollar; cheaper flagship alternatives provide 90% of this experience for much less.
Point-and-Shoot Photographers: Anyone wanting effortless, perfectly exposed photos out of the box without dealing with autofocus quirks.
Ergonomic Traditionalists: Users with smaller hands who prefer easy, one-handed mobile navigation.