Samsung unveils 5G-powered Note20 series and a new foldable mobile phone
Samsung unveiled two 5G-enabled phones under the Galaxy Note series and a new foldable model as it bids to win over premium customers amid a slowdown in global smartphone sales and as competition for 5G dominance heats up.
The new models – the Note20, the Note20 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold2 – were released at a Galaxy Unpacked event at the company’s headquarters in Seoul yesterday, which was held online this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Samsung said they come with batteries that last longer, improved deep-learning, a more fluid stylus, enhanced security, sophisticated gesture-control technology and better syncing across various devices.
“Never before have we relied on technology like we are today,” said T M Roh, president and head of the mobile communications business at Samsung. “Technology must make life easier, not more complex ... these devices are powerful tools to help you maximise work and play. They work together seamlessly, so you can spend your time focused on what matters most.”
With a 17.52-centimetre curved display, the Note20 Ultra has three rear cameras. Weighing only 208 grams, it is powered by a battery of 4,500 milliampere hours that promises enough power for about a full day. Its UAE starting price is Dh4,499.
The Note20 model has a 17.01 flat display and weigh 192 grams. Powered by a 4300mAh battery, its price starts at Dh3,549 in the UAE. Consumers can order the devices on the company’s website.
With a superfast charging feature in the Note20 and Note20 Ultra phones, the battery can be half-full within 30 minutes, the company said.
The new phones have a larger storage capacity – with random access memory between 8 gigabytes and 12GB while internal storage is between 128GB and 512GB.
Samsung said it expects the devices to drive smartphone sales in the third quarter.
The company shipped 54.2 million smartphones in the three months to June 30, a 28.9 per cent year on year decline, according to figures compiled by the International Data Corporation. Samsung’s premium devices such the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip, which were launched in February, are facing sales headwinds despite price reductions, IDC said.
The South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer is pinning its hopes on the Note20 series to boost its bottom line as this could be its last opportunity of the year to impress smartphone enthusiasts.
The operating income of the company’s mobile division grew by 25 per cent to $5.98 billion in the second quarter.
However, industry analysts said the new Note series did not have much to offer to users who already own the Note10+, which was launched in August last year.
“Not too exciting ... large screen, fast processor technology. Users have already experienced [these features] in previous phones such as S20 Ultra [launched in February],” Abbas Ali, managing editor of TechRadar Middle East, told
“This year, it is more of an iteration than a massive jump. Anybody who has the Note10+ has no reason to upgrade to Ultra. But for somebody with an older Note, the new phone is a fantastic option.”
Noting that the Note20 did not have as many features as the Note20 Ultra, Mr Ali said “the differences between the two are a lot more than last year’s Note series phones”.
Samsung said the new Note20 series phones will connect more effectively to Windows PC after joining hands with Microsoft last August to bridge the gap between smartphones and PCs.
Users can use mobile apps and receive notifications on their personal computer. They can easily copy-and-paste or drag-and-drop files between devices and create mobile app shortcuts on their PCs.
Analysts said an improved S Pen could be a major game-changer and noted that it is the “best stylus” offered so far by any smartphone maker.
Users can enjoy a faster and more fluid S Pen with reduced latency thanks to the 120Hz screen refresh rate. The S Pen’s functionality will be 80 per cent better in the Note20 Ultra, while it has been improved by 40 per cent in the Note20 compared with earlier models, the company said.
Samsung will also offer a digital key function on the new devices that allows users to unlock and start their cars.
The Note20 series phones will be available in select markets from August 21, the company said.
Samsung is hoping the Note20 series will boost its bottom line after its smartphone sales were affected by the pandemic