The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Made Me Ditch My Newer Phone

I’ve tried a lot of phones. Some look good. Some run fast. Most promise the world—and then struggle to keep up six months later. Every year, tech brands drop shiny new models with buzzwords like “next-gen processing” or “AI-enhanced photography.” Specs keep climbing, prices keep rising, and honestly, not all of them are worth the hype.

Then I picked up the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra again.

It’s not the newest phone on the shelf, but it still handles everything I throw at it like a pro. Big screen, fast performance, solid camera, and that S Pen? Still unbeatable.

Here’s why this older flagship made me ditch my newer phone.

Why I Still Trust the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Note 20 Ultra still looks and feels like a premium phone. Its build is solid with Gorilla Glass on both sides and stainless steel around the frame. I went with Mystic Black because it hides fingerprints better, but Mystic White is a sleek option too.

Even with its huge screen, the phone feels balanced. The S Pen tucks in neatly, and the IP68 rating gives me peace of mind when it’s raining or I’m around water.

The Display Is Still a Stunner

The screen is the first thing I noticed—again. It’s a 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 3088 x 1440 resolution and HDR10+ support. Colors are rich, blacks are deep, and the image clarity is amazing.

The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel smooth. Whether I’m watching videos, reading, or gaming, the display makes it all look better. The blue light filter also helps during long work sessions.

The Performance Still Holds Up

Even years after launch, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra still runs like a beast. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 865+ chip and has 12GB of RAM. Apps open fast, multitasking is smooth, and I haven’t hit any performance issues.

This 128GB Samsung phone gives me enough space for all my photos and files. And I can add more storage with a microSD card, which most newer phones don’t offer anymore.

I updated mine to Android 13, and Samsung’s One UI still feels sharp and responsive. DeX, Microsoft integration, and Bixby routines help streamline how I work.

The S Pen Keeps Me Productive

This stylus makes a difference. The S Pen on the Note 20 Ultra feels more like a real pen thanks to its 9ms latency. I use it daily—for taking notes, editing screenshots, highlighting PDFs, and navigating apps with Air Actions.

I also love features like handwriting-to-text, screen-off memos, and smart select. It adds way more value than I expected, even years after launch.

The Cameras Still Impress

I still get great shots from this camera setup:

• 108MP main lens for sharp, bright photos
• 12MP telephoto with 5x zoom and up to 50x hybrid
• 12MP ultra-wide for bigger scenes
• 10MP selfie camera that’s sharp and balanced

Low-light shots turn out better than I thought, and the 8K video feature gives me more creative options. Pro Video Mode is something I didn’t expect to use often, but now I rely on it for control and clarity.

Battery Life Still Gets Me Through the Day

The 4500mAh battery holds up surprisingly well. I get a full day on one charge. When I need to top up, it supports 25W fast charging and wireless charging.

There’s even reverse wireless charging, so I can juice up my earbuds or another phone in a pinch.

This Renewed Samsung Phone Feels Like New

I bought a renewed Samsung phone on Amazon for $305. It arrived in great condition—clean, solid battery, and smooth performance. I got the Mystic Black model, though Mystic White is just a few bucks more.

Being unlocked, it works with all the major carriers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T.

A 5G Android Phone That Still Has the Speed

Yes, this is a full 5G Android phone. It runs on both sub-6 and mmWave bands, so it’s future-proof for wherever 5G expands. You also get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC for tap payments and fast pairing.

I’ve used it to connect with SmartThings, my Windows PC, and Samsung Health. It all syncs well, and everything runs smoothly.

What Could Be Better in 2025

As much as I like the Note 20 Ultra, a few things feel behind the curve. The fingerprint scanner under the display can be slow or miss the first try. It works, but not like newer ones.

The camera zoom past 20x loses clarity. And the 8K video? It’s cool on paper but eats up storage fast, and honestly, most of us don’t need it.

Also, since I got the phone renewed, it didn’t come with a charger in the box. And that curved screen—while stylish—sometimes catches accidental touches.

These aren’t major flaws, but they’re worth knowing if you’re used to something newer. Still a solid phone, just not without quirks.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra made me realize I didn’t need the newest phone—I just needed the right one. The S Pen, big display, fast performance, and solid cameras still make it a strong choice. And for $305, it’s a steal compared to today’s flagship prices.

If you’re looking for a reliable phone that does it all, this one’s still got it.You can grab it renewed on Amazon and save big without giving up any major features.