Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G smartphones have a Night mode, which promises to deliver superior picture quality in very low light conditions!
Find out how to use Night Mode in the Samsung Galaxy Note20 family of smartphones!
When you take a photo using the Night Mode, it takes up to 30 photos in rapid succession, and intelligently combines them using multi-frame processing to produce one bright and clear photo.
Tap the Zoom icons if you want to get a closer shot.
Tap the Capture button when you are ready to take a photo!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Night Mode : How Effective Is It?
Here is a shot taken by the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G smartphone, with and without Night Mode.
We set up this scene, placing a dim and indirect light source at a distance on the right side. Perceptually, the picture on the left is close to what we see with our naked eye.
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The new Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G smartphones come with a brand new camera system, with larger high-resolution sensors, and improved Space Zoom technology!
Let’s take a look at the new camera technologies in the Samsung Galaxy Note20 family of smartphones!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Series Camera : Ultra-High Resolution
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 series smartphones come with new ultra-high resolution cameras :
the Galaxy Note20 has a 64MP telephoto camera, while
The ultra-high resolution photos they take allow you to zoom in, and crop a section you want, without losing any detail in that picture!
Samsung did not just increase the number of pixels on their sensors, they also greatly increased the sensor size. This increases the amount of light each pixel receives, so that they will deliver better image quality, even in low-light conditions.
Camera
Galaxy
Note10+
Galaxy
Note20
Galaxy
Note20 Ultra 5G
Main
(Wide Angle)
12 MP resolution 1/2.55-inch sensor
12 MP resolution 1/1.76-inch sensor
108 MP resolution 1/1.33-inch sensor
Ultra-Wide
16 MP resolution 1/3.1-inch sensor
12 MP resolution 1/2.55-inch sensor
12 MP resolution 1/2.55-inch sensor
Telephoto
12 MP resolution 1/3.6-inch sensor
64 MP resolution 1/1.72-inch sensor
12 MP resolution 1/3.6-inch sensor
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Camera : Nonacell Technology
The 108MP Samsung HM1 image sensor in the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G comes with Nonacell technology, which combines groups of nine pixels into much larger 2.4μm pixels.
This gives you a 12 MP picture instead of an 108 MP picture, but each pixel will receive 9X more light for much better clarity in low-light conditions!
In addition, Nonacell uses the Samsung ISOCELL Plus technology to dramatically reduce crosstalk, optical loss and light reflection that happens when pixels are combined.
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Series Camera : Space Zoom Technology
The Samsung Space Zoom Technology combines their improved Hybrid Optic Zoom (Note20) or Optical Zoom (Note20 Ultra 5G), with AI multi-frame processing enhancements to give you incredible zoom ranges.
The Galaxy Note20 offers 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom, with 30X Space Zoom.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, on the other hand, offers 5X Optical Zoom, with 50X Space Zoom!
In addition to their incredible zoom ranges, the improved Samsung Space Zoom features smooth transitions between presets, and a manual zoom mode.
They both allow for more professional videos, with greater creative options.
Samsung Galaxy Note20 : Where To Buy In Malaysia?
Samsung is offering these models with these specifications :
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They both come with a new triple camera system in the rear, but with different cameras.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G not only comes with a 108 MP main camera, it has a 5X optical zoom camera.
The Galaxy Note20, on the other hand, has a higher resolution 64 MP telephoto camera, with 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom.
Cameras
Galaxy Note20
Galaxy Note20
Ultra 5G
Main Camera
12 MP camera (f/1.8)
108 MP camera (f/1.8)
Ultra Wide Camera
12 MP camera (f/2.2)
12 MP camera (f/2.2)
Telephoto Camera
64 MP camera (f/2.0)
3X hybrid zoom
12 MP camera (f/3.0)
5X optical zoom
Laser AF System
NA
Laser Autofocus
Super Resolution Zoom
Both devices feature zoom cameras, but here is how they differ :
Galaxy Note20 offers 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom, with up to 30X Super Resolution Zoom.
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G gives you 5X Optical Zoom, with up to 50X Super Resolution Zoom.
Their advanced zoom capabilities also extend to video recording, albeit up to 20X zoom for the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, and 12X zoom for the Galaxy Note20.
The New S Pen
Both devices come with the new S Pen, which supports Air Actions and comes with a new lithium titanate battery that gives it 24 hours of standby time.
There is a difference that many people may not realise. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G’s S Pen has an ultra-low latency of just 9 ms, while the S Pen for the Galaxy Note20 has a 26 ms latency.
The almost-instantaneous response time will give you the feel of working with an actual pen or pencil – an experience that artists will greatly appreciate.
Battery Capacities
The Galaxy Note20 has a 4,300 mAh battery, while the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G comes with a slightly larger 4,500 mAh battery.
They both support 25 watt fast charging, and come with a 25 watt fast charger in the box.
Colour Options
Samsung is offering both devices in the signature Mystic Bronze colour, as well as two different colour options :
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We had the opportunity to try out the new Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for some time… and here is our in-depth review of Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone!
We will look at what’s new, and what it offers over the Galaxy Note10+ and the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Find out if this is the Galaxy Note you have been waiting for!
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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Key Features
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the larger version of the Galaxy Note 20, designed for “enthusiasts who want the most powerful Galaxy device” they can buy.
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X curved display, with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and a pixel density of 496 ppi.
This display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, but the higher refresh rate can only be activated with the Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2316 pixels. The maximum WQHD+ resolution can only run at 60 Hz.
But even at the 60 Hz refresh rate, the display has a 240 Hz touch rate and a maximum brightness of 1500 nits (very bright!), and supports HDR10+ colour.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is powered by the Samsung Exynos Octa 990 globally, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in the United States.
Exynos 990
Snapdragon 865+
Process
7 nm EUV
7 nm N7P
CPU Cores
2 x Exynos M5 (2.7 GHz)
2 x Cortex-A76 (2.5 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz)
1 x Kryo 585 Gold (3.1 GHz)
3 x Kryo 585 Gold (2.4 GHz)
4 x Kryo 585 Silver (1.8 GHz)
It is kept cool by the world’s slimmest vapour chamber, but while that may ensure great performance, the chassis will get pretty toasty while running at full load.
5G Connectivity
While Samsung offers a 4G variant for about $100 (RM 400) less, our unit came with 5G connectivity built-in, courtesy of the Samsung Exynos Modem 5123 multi-mode 5G modem.
This is a separate multi-mode 5G modem, which offers transfer rates of up to 7.35 Gbps in mmWave, and 5.1 Gbps in sub-6GHz.
The downside of using a separate chip (instead of an integrated modem) is its higher power consumption, and thermal output. But unless there is 5G connectivity where you live, it is really irrelevant.
Front Camera
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 10 MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, in a centrally-located punch hole.
Even though it doesn’t come with the 40 MP sensor like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, its Samsung ISOCELL SAK3J1 sensor is capable of recording 4K video at 60 fps.
Triple Camera System
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with a triple camera system that consists of :
a 108 MP main camera, with f/1.8 aperture
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
a 12 MP telephoto camera, with f/3.0 aperture
The 12MP telephoto camera supports 5X optical zoom, and up to 50X Space Zoom. And the 108MP main camera is paired with an Advanced Hybrid Laser Autofocus System.
It also supports up to 8K video recording at 24 fps, as well as 720p video recording at up to 120 Hz, and a new Pro Video Mode, which introduces :
adjustable zoom speed, for smoother and more dramatic zoom action
adjustable audio source, letting you focus audio recording in a specific direction
– default, front, rear, USB and Bluetooth (with Galaxy Buds Live)
Ultra-Wideband Technology (UWB)
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra supports Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which enables the newly-announced Google Nearby Share feature – letting you share files by pointing at compatible devices.
UWB technology also allows it to function as digital keys. And in the future, Samsung will introduce SmartThings, which lets you locate objects using AR (Augmented Reality).
Hybrid SIM Tray
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with a Hybrid SIM tray at the top. It allows you to either use two nano SIM cards, or one nano SIM card and a microSD card for additional storage.
Although our unit came with 256 GB of storage – more than enough for most users – we still recommend using a fast microSD card to store photos and videos recorded by its camera.
This ensures that your photos and videos can be retrieved even if you accidentally roll over the Galaxy Note 20 with a tank…
Improved S Pen
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with an improved S Pen with much lower latency (9 ms) than the Galaxy Note 20 (25 ms), and a lithium titanate battery that gives it 24 hour standby time.
The new S Pen will also support Anywhere actions – general Air actions that will work with any app :
Move Backwards
Home
Recent App
Smart Select
Screen Capture
Bigger Battery, Faster Charging
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with a 4,500 mAh battery, which is just a little larger than the Galaxy Note 10+‘s 4,300 mAh battery.
It supports 25W super fast charging, which lets it to recharge 50% of its battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
Wireless Samsung DeX
Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra supports Samsung DeX, which has been enhanced to support wireless projection. So yes, you no longer need a cable to use Dex!
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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Photo Samples
Like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra uses the Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 sensor, which is notable for its large 1/33-inch sensor size and ultra-high resolution of 108 MP.
But it defaults to 12 MP – combining nine pixels into one for better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
At the default 12 MP resolution using the new HEIC file format, each 4000 x 3000 pixel picture has a file size of only about 2-3 MB.
Even using the HEIC file format, the full 108 MP resolution of 2000 x 9000 pixels has a much larger file size of 10-20 MB!
Here are 10 high-resolution unedited samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
The pictures look really good at the default 12 MP, with great detail even if you blow them up 100%. You really don’t need to go full 108 MP.
The main camera has a very narrow depth-of-field, which makes for great background bokeh but can be very difficult to focus on the subject – a problem we noted with the Galaxy S20 Ultra camera.
However, the new laser autofocus system seems to greatly reduce the risk of getting out-of-focus pictures.
It lets the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra accurately determine the distance of objects at short distances, letting it better decide which object to focus on.
Even so, we recommend that you tap on the subject to ensure that the camera knows what you really want to focus on.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Video Samples
Like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is capable of recording 8K video from its 108 MP main camera.
But it no longer has the 5 minute limit, and even supports electronic image stabilisation, as well as optical image stabilisation provided by the lens.
It retains the ability to switch between cameras, and the Camera app now lets you smoothly zoom all the way to 20X at 30 fps, with six preset steps – 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 10x and 20x.
If you wish to record 60 fps videos (whether 1080p or 4K), then you are limited to a maximum zoom of 10x.
When you use the zoom presets, it no longer “jumps”, but transitions smoothly for a more professional effect.
However, the Camera app requires you to pinch to zoom before the zoom presets appear – a major hindrance that we hope they will soon correct.
Video Sample #1 : 20X Space Zoom
While you can zoom all the way to 50X for photos, Space Zoom is limited to 20X for videos.
The best image quality though is limited to 10X zoom. Beyond that, it starts to get blurry, and image stabilisation isn’t that good.
Video Sample #2 : 1080p vs 4K Space Zoom
In this video, we compare the 20X Space Zoom performance while recording at 1080p and 4K resolutions. At 8K, you are limited to just 6X zoom.
It seems to perform similarly well at both resolutions. Best image quality and stabilisation is seen at up to 10x zoom.
Video Sample #3 : Image Stabilisation At 1080p
Image stabilisation at 1080p is very good, with gimbal-like performance. When we stopped walking at the end, the hand shake is almost imperceptible.
Handheld video recording is excellent at 1080p, even without turning on Super Steady mode!
Video Sample #4 : Image Stabilisation At 4K
At 4K, vertical image stabilisation is very good, which almost eradicates the up and down movement of walking. However, panning appears rather jerkier than at 1080p.
Turning on Super Steady mode will smoothen things out, but drops the resolution to 1080p.
Video Sample #5 : Image Stabilisation At 8K
At 8K, there does not appear to be any electronic image stabilisation, but fortunately, most of the jerkiness is smoothened out by the optical image stabilisation provided by the lens.
While not as gimbal-like smooth as 1080p or 4K, the image stabilisation at 8K is decent enough.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with a large 4,500 mAh battery. To test its battery life, we turned off Automatic Brightness, and set its display brightness to 50%.
Why 50%? That is actually slightly higher than the average indoor brightness level of 40% during the day, and is what we usually use in all our mobile battery life tests.
It is important to fix the brightness level, to make sure the screen brightness does not change as the ambient brightness changes.
We then ran the PCMark Work 2.0 battery life test until its battery capacity dropped to 20% several times, and this was the best result we obtained :
So there you have it – increasing the display refresh rate on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra from 60Hz to 120Hz will reduce its battery life by about 25% or roughly 2.5 hours.
This is why Samsung does not allow you to lock the display at 120 Hz, but set it to Adaptive mode which switches to 120 Hz only when it helps to deliver a better experience.
If battery life is important, you can set the display to Standard mode, which sets the display to 60 Hz, giving you 2.5 hours (34%) longer battery life!
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Recharging Speed
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with a 25 watt fast charger. Let’s find out just how fast it recharges its 4,500 mAh battery.
With the display set to 60 Hz, it has a pretty good battery life : recharging ratio of 9:1. A general rule of thumb – for one of hour battery life, you just need to charge it for 6.5 minutes.
But if you keep the display set to 120 Hz, its battery life : recharging ratio drops to just 7:1. That means for one of hour battery life, you will need to charge it for 9 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Memory + Storage
All Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphones come with 12 GB of LPDDR5 memory, of which 7 GB is free and available to use.
That’s really way more memory than you will ever need to use, since even high-end mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 use less than 1.2 GB of RAM!
Our review sample came with 256 GB of fast UFS 3.0 internal storage, of which just under 222 GB is free and available to use.
That’s enough to store some 70,000 photos, or 12 hours of 4K videos, or 6 hours of 8K videos. But should you run out of space, you can always add a microSD card for additional storage.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Work Performance : PC Mark
Note : We tested the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra against last year’s Galaxy Note10+ and Galaxy S10+ devices, as well as the two fastest Qualcomm devices we have in the lab. We will update this article when we are able to get our hands on faster Qualcomm devices.
We tested the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
That is quite a nice surprise, since Samsung Exynos has historically been rather poor at work performance.
However, the Snapdragon 865+ variant of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra should be about 17.3% faster than the Exynos 990 variant, based on our tests using the Galaxy Tab S7+.
But if you can get the Snapdragon 865+ variant, that would be even faster, by about 5% in OpenGL, and 13% in Vulkan, based on our tests using the Galaxy Tab S7+.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Performance : AnTuTu
We then tested the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra using AnTuTu, yielding these results :
But yet again, if you can get the Snapdragon 865+ variant, it would be faster by 2% (OpenGL Physics) to 21% (Vulkan Graphics), based on our tests using the Galaxy Tab S7+.
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Processor variant aside, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is an impressive, if evolutionary upgrade, to last year’s Galaxy Note10+.
It comes with a better Dynamic AMOLED 2X display which boasts an incredibly bright 1500 nits panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
In addition to a faster and more power-efficient processor, it comes with faster and more power-efficient LPDDR5 memory.
It also comes with a refined triple camera system using the same 108MP sensor from the Galaxy S20 Ultra, but with a better 5X optical zoom lens, and a laser autofocus system.
However, most of the improvements are not easily discerned from its spec sheet. Things like :
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology
Wireless Samsung DeX projection
Improved S Pen with much lower latency and Anywhere actions
Adjustable camera zoom speed and audio source
Hence, Samsung has been trying to shift the focus away from the hardware differences from the Galaxy Note10+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra, to what the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra can help users do.
That is true, of course – we use our smartphones to perform tasks, not run benchmarks. In that regard, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra offers capabilities that are simply not available in smartphones from other brands.
If you want a mini tablet-like work experience with a stylus, do you really have a better option than a Galaxy Note?
If you don’t need a stylus, but want a desktop-like work experience, your other choice is really the Galaxy S20 series.
But hardware still matters when we talk about its value proposition. As our Snapdragon 865+ vs Exynos 990 performance comparison shows, the Snapdragon 865+ is definitely a much faster mobile platform than the Exynos 990.
PCMark : +19.4% faster
Sling Shot Extreme (OpenGL) : +4.8% faster
Sling Shot Extreme (Vulkan) : +12.8% faster
Sling Shot : +8.2% faster
AnTuTu : +10.5% faster
Samsung appears to acknowledge this deficit by doubling the internal storage capacity of the Exynos 990 models.
Some have pointed out that while you can add storage via an microSD card, you can’t “add performance”.
But should this 10% average performance deficit really put you off the Exynos 990 variant of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
Frankly, the average user is unlikely to notice the performance difference between the Exynos 990 and Snapdragon 865+ variants, even if you compare them side-by-side.
Even the most strenuous games and apps are designed to run well on mid-range platforms. So the performance advantage of flagship platforms is really more about future-proofing these days.
Arguably, the faster Snapdragon variant will let you hold onto the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra a little longer than the Exynos 990 variant. Maybe one cycle longer?
That’s why we are giving the Exynos 990 variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra our Reviewer’s Choice Award.
We would love to give the Snapdragon 865+ variant our Editor’s Choice Award, but sadly, it’s not available here in Malaysia… 🙁
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Where To Buy?
Malaysia
Here are the direct online purchase links in Malaysia :
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Its custom Mongoose 5 (Exynos M5) cores are 20% faster than the Mongoose 4 (Exynos M4) cores used in the flagship-class Exynos 9825 that powered last year’s Galaxy Note 10 smartphones.
Its Arm Mali-G77 GPU uses the new Valhall architecture, which promises to offer a 20% boost in graphics performance or power efficiency.
Faster LPDDR5 Memory
The Exynos 990 is the first Samsung mobile platform to use the new LPDDR5 memory, which offers a 31% higher clock speed – increased from 2093 MHz to 2750 MHz.
This allows it to deliver up to 5,500 Mbps or 687.5 MB/s in memory bandwidth. It should also allow for lower power consumption.
Faster NPU + DSP
Its AI capabilities also received a big boost with a new dual-core NPU and improved digital signal processor (DSP) that can process over 10 trillion operations (TOPS) per second!
However, please note that the Snapdragon 865+ results are from the Galaxy Tab S7+ tablet, not a smartphone.
Work Performance : PCMark
We tested the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
Work 2.0
Galaxy
Tab
S7+
Galaxy
Note20
Ultra
Galaxy
Note10+
Black Shark
2 Pro
Galaxy
S10+
Mobile Platform
SD 865+
Exynos 990
Exynos 9825
SD 855+
Exynos 9820
Performance Score
(Average)
12348
10523
8981
8384
7846
Web Browsing
11864
8865
8293
6768
8583
Video Editing
7664
6232
9166
5948
5524
Writing
12659
11112
9579
9226
9076
Photo Editing
26230
30789
19376
17595
10710
Data Manipulation
9511
6825
6155
6339
6450
Samsung Exynos has historically been rather poor at work performance. But the Exynos 990 was significantly faster than the last-generation Exynos 9825 and Exynos 9820.
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The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels.
It comes with 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and a 4,500 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will come with laser focusing and support 8K video recording :
a 108 MP main camera,
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and
a 12 MP telephoto camera with 5X optical zoom and 50X Space Zoom
On top of that, it comes with an enhanced S Pen with a much faster 9 ms response time!
Samsung Malaysia lined up these awesome deals for every purchase of a Galaxy Note20 or Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G smartphone.
Deal #1 : Freebies With Every Purchase!
From 21 August onwards, you will receive these freebies worth RM 508 with every purchase, on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last :
Samsung UV Sterilizer with Wireless Charging (worth RM 299)
Samsung Wireless Charger (worth RM209)
Deal #2 : Discounts On Official Covers!
You will also get 20% off Galaxy Note20 | Note20 Ultra 5G covers from 6 August until 13 September 2020.
Deal #3 : Trade In And Save Up To RM4,005!
Samsung is offering up to RM4,005 off the Galaxy Note20 series smartphones by trading in your old device, from 17 August until 31 October 2020!
Deal #4 : Easy Instalment Plan
Samsung is offering an 0% Easy Instalment Plan (EIP) which can save you up to RM433.25, from now until 25 October 2020.
0% Easy Instalment Plan (12 Months)
Model
Galaxy Note20
Ultra 5G
Galaxy Note20
5G
Galaxy Note20
RRP
RM5,199
RM4,299
RM3,899
Instalment
RM397.15 / month
RM328.40 / month
RM297.84 / month
Savings
Save RM433.25!
Save RM358.25!
Save RM324.92!
Deal #5 : Free Protection Plus Worth Up To RM387
If you opt to purchase your Galaxy Note20 series smartphone from a Samsung Experience Store, you will receive FREE Samsung Protection Plus worth RM387.
It will extend your warranty for the Galaxy Note20 series smartphone by 1 year, and give you a 1 time screen protection warranty.
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On paper, this should give it a little more battery life than the Galaxy Note 10+. But the Note 20 Ultra is also the first Note to feature a 120 Hz display.
120 Hz Refresh Rate
A higher refresh rate will give you a smoother display, at the expense of higher power consumption and consequently, lower battery life.
That’s why Samsung doesn’t keep the display running at 120 Hz all the time. Instead, they offer an Adaptive option, doubling the refresh rate to 120 Hz only when it’s “necessary”.
WQHD+ Resolution
The other “trick” that Samsung uses to keep power consumption lower is to use a lower display resolution by default – FHD+ (1080 x 2316 pixels).
You can switch to the full WQHD+ resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels, but that will increase power consumption and reduce battery life, because the GPU has to process more pixels.
Note : The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra only supports 120 Hz at the FHD+ or HD+ resolutions. Switching to WQHD+ limits you to just 60 Hz.
Let’s find out exactly how much both display options affect the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra‘s battery life!
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Battery Life Comparison
To test the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra‘s battery life, we turned off Automatic Brightness, and set its display brightness to 50%.
Why 50%? That is actually slightly higher than the average indoor brightness level of 40% during the day, and is what we usually use in all our mobile battery life tests.
It is important to fix the brightness level, to make sure the screen brightness does not change as the ambient brightness changes.
We then ran the PCMark Work 2.0 battery life test until its battery capacity dropped to 20% several times, and picked the best result.
Resolution + Refresh Rate Comparison
First, we started with a resolution and refresh rate comparison. The
Work 2.0
FHD+ (60 Hz)
WQHD+ (60 Hz)
FHD+ (120 Hz)
Battery Capacity
4,500 mAh
4,500 mAh
4,500 mAh
Battery Life
10 hrs 9 mins
9 hrs 17 mins
7 hrs 34 mins
Battery Utilisation
5.91 mAh / min.
6.46 mAh / min.
7.93 mAh / min.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has pretty good battery life of just over 10 hours, but only if you keep it at the default FHD+ resolution and use the standard 60 Hz refresh rate.
Increasing the display resolution to WQHD+ reduced battery life by 52 minutes, or about 8.5%. Not too bad, since you still get 9+ hours.
Switching to Adaptive mode though will drastically reduce battery life by a whopping 155 minutes, which is a full quarter less than its maximum battery life!
When we increased the resolution to WQHD+, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra had a full hour shorter battery life than the Galaxy S10+, which has a 10% smaller battery.
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra : 5X Hybrid Optic Zoom with 50X Super Resolution Zoom
Galaxy Note20 : 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom with 30X Super Resolution Zoom
Mobile Gaming
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 devices will come with a free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription in select countries, giving you access to 100+ specially selected games.
On top of that, Samsung is giving it serious gaming chops, with an AI Game Booster feature, a high-resolution display with 120 Hz refresh rate and 240 Hz touch rate.
In addition, they also reduced the Bluetooth audio response time, to reduce audio lag.
Improved S Pen
They will both come with a lithium titanate battery that gives it 24 hour standby time. However, the S Pen for the Galaxy Note 20 has a 25 ms response time, while the S Pen for the Note 20 Ultra has a 9 ms response time.
The new S Pen will also support Anywhere actions – general Air actions that will work with any app :
Move Backwards
Home
Recent App
Smart Select
Screen Capture
Battery Capacities
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will come with a slightly larger battery than the “regular” Note 20 :
Galaxy Note20 Ultra : 4,500 mAh
Galaxy Note20 : 4,300 mAh
They will both support wireless charging with reverse charging capability, of course.
New Colours
Samsung will offer three colour options per model :
Galaxy Note20 Ultra : Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
Rumours have it that Samsung will also introduce Mint and Purple colour options, even a BTS Limited Edition… eventually.
Ultra-Wideband Technology (UWB)
Both devices will support Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which enables the newly-announced Google Nearby Share feature – letting you share files by pointing at compatible devices.
UWB technology also allows the Galaxy Note20 devices to function as digital keys. And in the future, Samsung will introduce SmartThings, which lets you locate objects using AR (Augmented Reality).
Samsung DeX
Naturally, the Galaxy Note20 devices support Samsung DeX, which has been enhanced to support wireless projection. So yes, you no longer need a cable to use Dex!
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Ever wondered how the Samsung design team came up with the design and colour choices for the Galaxy Note 20 smartphones?
Jung-taek Lee and Yunjin Kim, both Senior Designers who helped create the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, gives us an inside look into the team’s design decisions in this video.
Question : The Note20’s new signature colour, Mystic Bronze, is very impressive. What was the inspiration behind this colour?
Senior Designer Jung-taek Lee
The most important thing to consider when selecting the main colour is if a greater value can be given to consumers.
While the previous Note10 showed the energetic aspect with an aura colour containing the principles of light and prism, Note20 will focus on comfort and subtle luxury with calm and neutral colours
The theme of the Note20 design is premium and timeless, and in line with the theme, we wanted to choose a colour that is more comfortable and reliable; the more you look at it.
Through various colour research and trend analysis, we chose a special bronze colour that gives such a feeling, while adding some purple to complete a timeless yet sophisticated tone.
On the CMF aspect, we wanted to blend in the soft texture of Haze Finishing to create a comfortable and luxurious combination of touch and colour.
Question : What’s the most important design aspect?
Senior Designer Yunjin Kim
Based on the overall theme of premium and timeless, we wanted to pursue a design that can sustain the value of the Note for a long time paired with a simple and well-defined core.
In terms of shape, we wanted to develop a form and shape that is unique to the Note while making sure it still resembles the Note – bold and robust details that show a clear identity of ‘Extrusion, Geometric’ while being minimal and increasing completeness.
In particular, we wanted to increase the degree of completeness in the camera detail in the belief that revealing the high-performance aspect with confidence would be the “most camera-like”.
We developed this as a key element in the Note’s design, by improving the completeness with the depth and refinement of finely-machined details like optical instruments.
The most attractive feature of the Note20 design is that it has the most premium features with bold design, but also gives the new and timeless value with neutral colours that transcend fashion and trend.
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Samsung just launched the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphones, and here are their official price list and pre-order deals for Malaysia!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Note20 Ultra : A Quick Primer!
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra are the next-generation phablets featuring an improved S Pen.
They are both powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in the United States, and the Samsung Exynos 990 globally.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels.
It comes with 12 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, and a 4,500 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will come with laser focusing and support 8K video recording :
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Samsung sent us the new Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphone, in a special edition gift box!
Take a look at our unboxing videos for an exclusive look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Special Edition!
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : What Special Edition?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the larger version of the Galaxy Note 20, designed for “enthusiasts who want the most powerful Galaxy device” they can buy.
There is literally nothing more powerful than it. So what’s so special about the Special Edition? Take a look…
Basically, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Special Edition consists of :
a regular Galaxy Note 20 Ultra box
a Galaxy Unpacked Special Edition gift box
an Alto Design Snap-X1 Bluetooth selfie stick
a clip-on LED ring light
The Special Edition gift set is more than just fancy packaging. Once you remove the contents, it doubles as a photo and video backdrop.
That’s why Samsung designed it to look like a stage, with speakers at the side. There is even a small stage floor you can pull out.
This Special Edition gift box was apparently made exclusively for the Galaxy Unpacked event, and is not available for sale.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra : Unboxed
To be sure, we unboxed the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra inside the Special Edition gift box.
Here is a list of the items inside the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra box :
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphone
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Quick Start Guide
25W Super Fast Charging adapter
USB Type C to USB Type C cable
AKG USB Type C earphones
SIM tray pin
We believe there are some minor differences between this unit and the actual retail unit, which should have these items too :
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If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with the new Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra smartphone.
Join us for our hands-on experience, and find out what the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra offers!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra : Hands-On Preview!
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is the larger version of the Galaxy Note 20, designed for “enthusiasts who want the most powerful Galaxy device” they can buy.
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X curved display, with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and a pixel density of 496 ppi.
This display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, with 240 Hz touch rate, and support for HDR10+ colour.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is powered by the Samsung Exynos Octa 990 globally, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in the United States.
To ensure optimal performance in any condition, it is kept cool by the world’s slimmest vapour chamber.
It comes with 12 GB of LPDDR5 memory, which is not only 50% faster but also uses 20% less power.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra comes with a triple camera system that consists of :
a 108 MP main camera, with f/1.8 aperture
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
a 12 MP telephoto camera, with f/3.0 aperture
The 12MP telephoto camera supports 5X Hybrid Optic Zoom, and up to 50X Super Resolution Zoom. And they are supported by an Advanced Hybrid Laser Autofocus System.
It also supports up to 8K video recording at 24 fps, as well as 720p video recording at up to 120 Hz, and a new Pro Video Mode, which introduces :
adjustable zoom speed, for smoother and more dramatic zoom action
adjustable audio source, letting you focus audio recording in a specific direction
– default, front, rear, USB and Bluetooth (with Galaxy Buds Live)
Ultra-Wideband Technology (UWB)
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra supports Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which enables the newly-announced Google Nearby Share feature – letting you share files by pointing at compatible devices.
UWB technology also allows it to function as digital keys. And in the future, Samsung will introduce SmartThings, which lets you locate objects using AR (Augmented Reality).
Samsung DeX
Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra supports Samsung DeX, which has been enhanced to support wireless projection. So yes, you no longer need a cable to use Dex!
Improved S Pen
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with an improved S Pen with much lower latency (9 ms), and a lithium titanate battery that gives it 24 hour standby time.
The new S Pen will also support Anywhere actions – general Air actions that will work with any app :
Move Backwards
Home
Recent App
Smart Select
Screen Capture
Bigger Battery, Faster Charging
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with a 4,500 mAh battery, which is just a little larger than the Galaxy Note 10+‘s 4,300 mAh battery.
It supports super fast charging, which lets it to recharge 50% of its battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with a triple camera system that consists of :
a 12 MP main camera, with f/1.8 aperture
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
a 64 MP telephoto camera, with f/2.0 aperture
The 64MP telephoto camera supports 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom, and up to 30X Super Resolution Zoom.
It also supports up to 8K video recording at 24 fps, as well as 720p video recording at up to 120 Hz, and a new Pro Video Mode, which introduces :
adjustable zoom speed, for smoother and more dramatic zoom action
adjustable audio source, letting you focus audio recording in a specific direction
– default, front, rear, USB and Bluetooth (with Galaxy Buds Live)
Ultra-Wideband Technology (UWB)
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 supports Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which enables the newly-announced Google Nearby Share feature – letting you share files by pointing at compatible devices.
UWB technology also allows it to function as digital keys. And in the future, Samsung will introduce SmartThings, which lets you locate objects using AR (Augmented Reality).
Samsung DeX
Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 supports Samsung DeX, which has been enhanced to support wireless projection. So yes, you no longer need a cable to use Dex!
Improved S Pen
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with an improved S Pen with much lower latency (9 ms), and a lithium titanate battery that gives it 24 hour standby time.
The new S Pen will also support Anywhere actions – general Air actions that will work with any app :
Move Backwards
Home
Recent App
Smart Select
Screen Capture
Bigger Battery, Faster Charging
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with a 4,300 mAh battery, which is the same as the Galaxy Note 10+, and much bigger than the Galaxy Note 10‘s 3,500 mAh battery.
It also supports super fast charging, allowing it to recharge 50% of its battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Specifications
Specifications
Galaxy Note20 (US)
Galaxy Note20 (Global)
Display
6.7-inch Infinity-O Display
Super AMOLED+ Panel
Display Features
HDR10+, 60 Hz refresh rate
Display Resolution
1080 x 2400 pixels, 393 ppi
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, IP68
Operating System
One UI 2.0 (Android Q)
Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Samsung Exynos 990
Processor
1 x Kryo 585 Prime core (3.0 GHz)
3 x Kryo 585 Gold cores (2.4 GHz)
4 x Kryo 585 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
2 x Mongoose 5 cores (2.7 GHz)
2 x Cortex-A76 cores (2.5 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 cores (2.0 GHz)
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 650 (660 MHz)
ARM Mali-G77 MP11
Memory
8 GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage
256 GB
External Storage
Hybrid MicroSD Slot (up to 512 GB)
Front Camera
10 MP camera (f/2.2)
Main Cameras
12 MP main camera (f/1.8)
12 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
64 MP 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom camera (f/2.0)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.1
WiFi-AX
USB 2.0 Type C
S Pen
Yes, 9 ms response time, 4096 levels
Lithium Titanate battery (24 hours standby)
Fingerprint Sensor
3D Sonic Max
Battery
4,300 mAh
Dimensions
75.2 mm wide
161.6 mm tall
8.3 mm thick
Weight
192 g
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Price List + Pre-Order Deals
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will be available in three colour options – Mystic Bronze, Mystic Gray and Mystic Green.
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Samsung just launched the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphones, and here are their official price list and pre-order deals for Singapore!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Note20 Ultra : A Quick Primer!
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra are the next-generation phablets featuring an improved S Pen.
They are both powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in the United States, and the Samsung Exynos 990 globally.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels.
It comes with 12 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, and a 4,500 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will come with laser focusing and support 8K video recording :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display, with a Full HD+ resolution.
It will come with 8 GB of RAM, up to 256 GB of storage, and a 4,300 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will support 8K video recording :
a 12 MP main camera,
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and
a 64 MP telephoto camera with 30X Space Zoom
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with a 2K+ resolution.
It will come with 12 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, and a 4,500 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will come with laser focusing and support 8K video recording :
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We had the exclusive opportunity to get our hands on all three colour options for the Galaxy Note20 Ultra smartphones!
Take a look at the three Galaxy Note20 Ultra colour options, and tell us – which colour do you prefer?
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra : A Quick Primer!
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with a 2K+ resolution.
It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in the United States, and the Samsung Exynos 990 globally.
It will come with 12 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, and a 4,500 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will come with laser focusing and support 8K video recording :
a 108 MP main camera,
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and
a 12 MP telephoto camera with 50X Space Zoom
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra : Colour Comparison
We had the exclusive opportunity to get our hands on all three colour options for the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra smartphones!
Check out all three colour options for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, including their matching S Pens…
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra : Colour Options
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra will come in these three colour options – Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Just before the official launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 smartphones, an AT&T video leaked…
Take a look at the leaked video… and check out the key features and specifications of the Note20 and Note20 Ultra smartphones!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Galaxy Note20 Ultra Video Leaked!
This AT&T video of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra smartphones leaked ahead of the official launch, confirming earlier leaked information.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
The US market will receive the super-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in their Galaxy Note20 / Note20 Ultra devices.
The Plus version offers a faster Prime core (3.1 GHz, instead of 2.84 GHz), and a 10% faster Adreno 650 GPU.
The Snapdragon 865+ also adds Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 capability, although it’s likely that Samsung may lock it at regular Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for “consistency”.
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Price leaks from Korea and Vietnam show that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be slightly cheaper! Here are the details!
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Price Leaks!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that Samsung will introduce the Galaxy Note 20 series with slightly lower prices in Korea :
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display, with a Full HD+ resolution.
It will come with 8 GB of RAM, up to 256 GB of storage, and a 4,300 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will support 8K video recording :
a 12 MP main camera,
a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and
a 64 MP telephoto camera with 30X Space Zoom
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with a 2K+ resolution.
It will come with 12 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, and a 4,500 mAh battery. Its triple camera system will come with laser focusing and support 8K video recording :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Samsung will soon unveil the Galaxy Note20 smartphones, and their new visual teaser has a liquid clue!
Take a look at their latest Galaxy Note20 teaser campaign, and see if you can figure out what it means!
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Visual Teaser : A Liquid Clue!
Just over a week ago, Samsung published a series of videos featuring a liquid symbol that continuously changes shape.
These visual clues will now feature on the façades of iconic landmarks around the world, giving us a taste of what’s to come.
The installation will make its debut at the COEX building in Seoul on July 23, followed by appearances at Times Square in New York, FNAC in Madrid, Piccadilly and Waterloo in London, and Central Railway Station in Warsaw.
“As the world faces unprecedented times, connections with people and access to information are more important than ever. As a leading brand, we have a responsibility to help society move forward,” said Stephanie Choi, Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.
“Our first virtual Galaxy Unpacked will be broadcasting from Korea, where we will be revealing new products focused on meaningful innovations that make this promise possible, and this campaign is designed to give our consumers an early glimpse. We encourage you to join us on August 5th to learn more.”
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We took the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ for a photography trip to Macau, where we took the opportunity to test it out at the Golden Reel at night!
Check out these Galaxy Note 10+ sample photos which will show you what you can expect from the Golden Reel at night!
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : A Quick Primer
The Galaxy Note 10+ is the latest Samsung Note device. Think of it as an improved Galaxy S10+, with an S Pen stylus!
In addition to a flagship-class processor and a ton of memory and storage, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) boasts a quad-camera system.
12 MP Dual Aperture Camera (f/1.5 and f/2.4) :77°, Dual Pixel, OIS
16 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (f/2.2) :123°, 0.5X optical zoom
12 MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4) :45°, 2X optical zoom, OIS
3D DepthVision Camera : ToF emitter and sensor with VGA (320 x 240 pixels) resolution
The 3D DepthVision camera is actually a pair of ToF (Time of Flight) emitter and sensor that provide 3D data to the main camera for features like Video Bokeh and 3D scanning. It doesn’t take any photos.
Macau’s Golden Reel, the centrepiece attraction of Studio City, opened in October 2015. Towering 130 metres (427 feet) off the ground between the two Studio City towers, it is the highest Ferris wheel in Asia, and the world’s first to feature a figure-eight design.
Although everyone believes that the figure-eight design was an obvious nod to the Chinese belief that the number 8 brings good luck, Melco Crown (which runs Studio City) claims that it is based on “an epic Hollywood-inspired tale of two asteroids careering through Studio City’s two Art Deco hotel towers”
To get there, you can take a taxi, a public bus, or the free Studio City shuttle bus that goes from the Macau-Zhuhai Border Gate, Macau Ferry Terminal, Macau International Airport, Taipa Ferry Terminal, Macau Peninsula and Macau Tower.
Then you need to head up to the third floor to purchase your ticket, and ride up to the 23rd floor to hop into one of the Golden Reel’s 17 Steampunk-inspired cabins.
Golden Reel : Our Recommendations
Each Golden Reel cabin is air-conditioned, and seats up to 10 people. Every ride lasts about 15 minutes, and costs MOP 100 / HKD 100 per person, which works out to about RM 53 / S$ 17 / US$13 / £10 / A$18.
But if you are going in a group of 5 or more, it might make more sense to opt for their Private Cabin offer. For MOP 750 (HKD 750 / RM395 / S$130 / US$96 / £73 / A$137, you get :
the entire cabin to yourself (up to 10 people)
unlimited rides for 1 hour, which is 4 rounds
a free souvenir photo for the group
free cardboard binoculars for everyone in your group
People may call Macau the Las Vegas of the East, but the Cotai Strip is still not as extravagantly built-up as Las Vegas. So the best time to view is :
at night, if you are only going for a single ride, or
at sunset, if you opted for the Private Cabin and have one full hour to watch the Cotai Strip transition from evening to night.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : Golden Reel At Night!
As we did in our Senado Square night photography session, we used only the Auto mode, with no manual adjustments – because this is precisely how the vast majority of smartphone users take their photos!
And in case you are wondering, the Golden Wheel cabin does not actually go in a figure eight. It’s like two semi-circular Ferris wheels combined.
As the cabin lights are turned off once it leaves the platform, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) does a pretty good job of capturing the scenery with minimal reflections off the windows and glass floor.
Just make sure you don’t use any flash because it will not only blind your subjects, it will turn out really badly in your photos.
As long as you are focusing on the brightly-lit scenery below, you should be able to take some nice photos. The cabin moves rather slowly, so you won’t get too many blurry shots.
But it’s still way too dark inside the cabin to take good shots with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (US | UK | AU | SG | MY). And you should NOT use your smartphone’s flash.
Instead, use an LED video camera light or another smartphone’s torchlight feature, to cast enough light on the subjects and not drown out the background.
Generally, you will want to hold the LED light / other smartphone high above your head so that the light casts downwards at your subjects.
This will help prevent the light from reflecting off the glass in the back, which you can see in the picture above but not this one below. You can also try bouncing the light off the low ceiling, for a more subtle glow.
For most people, the Golden Reel will be just something to check off the list while visiting Macau. It offers a nice view of the Cotai Strip at night, but I doubt people will want to revisit it.
But if you are there in a group, we highly recommend taking the Private Cabin option, because it buys you time and four rounds of this Ferris wheel to take some nice photos.
Just remember to use a source of extra lighting when taking photos inside the cabin. This will ensure that the faces of your subjects will be well-lit, without blow out the background.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : Where To Buy?
Here are the online purchase options in various countries :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We took the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ for a photography trip to Macau, where we took some shots of the picturesque Senado Square at night.
Check out these sample photos which will show you what you can expect from the Galaxy Note 10+ at night!
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : A Quick Primer
The Galaxy Note 10+ is the latest Samsung Note device. Think of it as an improved Galaxy S10+, with an S Pen stylus!
In addition to a flagship-class processor and a ton of memory and storage, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) boasts a quad-camera system.
12 MP Dual Aperture Camera (f/1.5 and f/2.4) :77°, Dual Pixel, OIS
16 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (f/2.2) :123°, 0.5X optical zoom
12 MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4) :45°, 2X optical zoom, OIS
3D DepthVision Camera : ToF emitter and sensor with VGA (320 x 240 pixels) resolution
The 3D DepthVision camera is actually a pair of ToF (Time of Flight) emitter and sensor that provide 3D data to the main camera for features like Video Bokeh and 3D scanning. It doesn’t take any photos.
Senado Square, also known as the Senate Square, is a famous landmark in Macau featuring beautiful Portuguese pavements. It is part of the Macau World Heritage Site.
Senado Square is always crowded during weekends, but it was especially crowded at night when we arrived as residents and tourists come to revel in the Christmas spirit.
It is also a popular start for many tourists, as the Portuguese pavements lead you past the Leal Senado Building, and the St. Dominic’s Church, on the way to the Ruins of St. Paul and the Monte Fort.
Much of this “trail” has been renovated, with brand new stores replacing old shops. But there is still plenty of great sights here, making it a must-see location for all visitors to Macau.
While the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has three cameras, we found ourselves using its 12 MP dual-aperture main camera and its 16 MP ultra-wide camera for all of these sample shots.
Its ultra-wide angle camera, which has a viewing angle of 123°, was really useful in taking in the expansive architecture as well as crowds of people.
Try to avoid placing people at the corners though – they end up looking really distorted!
What impressed us about the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is how the shots turned out with any fancy manual adjustments.
In our photography samples, we believe in using Auto with no manual adjustments – because this is precisely how the vast majority of smartphone users take their photos!
In this shot of St. Dominic’s Church, note how it accurately captured the yellow facade and green doors in the limited light, while maintaining the proper exposure with a pitch black sky in the background!
With enough street lighting, you can capture decent photos of a fast moving crowd at night without excessive blurring, as this sample shot of nearby Rua de Sao Paulo demonstrates.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+‘s ability to capture great shots like this, with virtually no preparation, is why it is our favourite smartphone for our personal photos.
Just whip it out for a quick shot, and in almost all cases, you end up with a great shot!
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : Where To Buy?
Here are the online purchase options in various countries :
