Best Buy hands-on

[kolyan2k]

Yeah its a shame smaller note 20 has low specs....60hz panel killed it for me. But i am not sure i want such a huge phone as Ultra. Will stop by BB to check it out

I am not a huge pen user (only use it to sign docs and take pictures remotely), but when I need it, it's there and it's nice. This make it hard switching back to Pixel line.

Overall, pretty disappointed. 1000 bucks for ****ty N20 or whopping 1300 for Ultra that i dont really need that much (size, zoom, sd card)

 

[msm0511]

I don't suppose the rep mentioned a Best Buy Blue color did he? I love my Blue 10+

I wondered about that too. Isn't on Best Buy's site yet. I love my blue 10+ as well.

 

[hasasimo]

Do they have the Tab S7+ on display at Best Buy?

Was just there again today, and nope, no Tab S7+ on display at my local Best Buy.

I don't suppose the rep mentioned a Best Buy Blue color did he? I love my Blue 10+

He did not, but most of the mobile reps were only taking customers by appointment as it was pretty busy. Though I do wish I read this before I went again today. I would have asked specifically. But the one rep I spoke to briefly yesterday made no mention of that Best Buy blue coming to the Note20. It's worth mentioning that the little info tag next to each item (with the specs, pricing, etc.) only listed the bronze, black and white for the Note20 Ultra.

 

[hasasimo]

This might be an unpopular opinion, but in going back to Best Buy again today trying to decide if I want this phone, I kinda got the vibe that the matte finish to the bronze looked slightly cheap-ish (or maybe just less premium) from many angles. It looks a bit like when a car is spray-painted matte. The phones with the more reflected glass backs around just looked more premium to me, even though the Mystic Bronze itself is probably the nicest color. From many angles it just looks like a dull brown because of the matte finish.

I'm starting to think Mystic White might be the color to get, since the back isn't matte. The more reflective back panel just blends in better with the reflective camera housing and glossy metal chassis.

Anyway, here are some photos, including one of the more reflective S10 back panels sitting on the same kiosk as the Note20. You can let me know if I'm crazy. And if you've already ordered the phone in Mystic Bronze (which I still very well may do), I'm sure you'll let me know you disagree with my assessment lol.

 

[donm527]

I thought all the Note 20 Ultra colors were matte including Mystic White and Mystic Black.

I'm starting to think Mystic White might be the color to get, since the back isn't matte. The more reflective back panel just blends in better with the reflective camera housing and glossy metal chassis.

 

[hasasimo]

I thought all the Note 20 Ultra colors were matte including White.

Only the bronze is matte. The black and white options have reflective glass panels. All 3 have a polished metal chassis and reflective camera housing. This video does a good job comparing the colors, and it seems the person kinda shares my sentiments, that the Mystic Bronze is the nicest color, but might be a bit off-put by the matte/spray painty finish compared to the white.

 

[Nostromo79]

Sounds like the best way to go for you. People are hating on the smaller note, but Everything just ain't for everybody. I'm glad you got what works for you - and at a great price too!

Walked into Best Buy and the Samsung rep was there putting the phones up. Waited patiently for him before playing with the phones. Quick impressions:

Best Buy hands-on-20200806_132022.jpg
Best Buy hands-on-20200806_132008.jpg

Note20 Ultra feels physically indistinguishable in the hand from the Note10 Plus despite technically being slightly larger (same width, slightly thicker depth).
You can definitely tell the difference between the glass-backed Ultra and the plastic-backed standard Note20. It doesn't feel bad, just not particularly premium. Interestingly, the Nokia Lumia line killed it with design and build quality back in the day using polycarbonate, but this plastic-backed Note20 doesn't quite feel as solid as those devices.
Metal chassis is polished all the way through on the Ultra, but it's only polished on the sides on the standard Note20. The metal on the top and bottom of the standard Note20 has a brushed finished.
Despite what I've heard, you can definitely tell the difference in size between the two in-hand. The standard Note20 feels darn near perfect between the size, weight, and more rounded corners. It's really a shame Samsung gimped it so much. Last year's approach of 2 different sizes of pretty much the same device made a lot more sense. I guess the smaller Note10 was too popular for their liking and they wanted those sales going to the more expensive model.
Obviously, the difference between 120hz and 60hz was very noticeable. I've been using the S20 since release so the difference was immediate to my eyes when scrolling through the standard Note20.


Both are really fine looking phones overall, but the differences both externally and internally between the two are too stark to justify the standard Note20's steep asking price.

Yes. I ordered one pink and one Mystic Black.

 

[akuma13]

This might be an unpopular opinion, but in going back to Best Buy again today trying to decide if I want this phone, I kinda got the vibe that the matte finish to the bronze looked slightly cheap-ish (or maybe just less premium) from many angles. It looks a bit like when a car is spray-painted matte. The phones with the more reflected glass backs around just looked more premium to me, even though the Mystic Bronze itself is probably the nicest color. From many angles it just looks like a dull brown because of the matte finish.

I'm starting to think Mystic White might be the color to get, since the back isn't matte. The more reflective back panel just blends in better with the reflective camera housing and glossy metal chassis.

Anyway, here are some photos, including one of the more reflective S10 back panels sitting on the same kiosk as the Note20. You can let me know if I'm crazy. And if you've already ordered the phone in Mystic Bronze (which I still very well may do), I'm sure you'll let me know you disagree with my assessment lol.

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Totally agree with you on the colors. The mystic bronze is just another iteration of the “rose gold” which I never liked (looked sorta garish). The last time I had a white galaxy note 5. Plus i think It was the last time a white Note appeared? To me the white Note 20 ultra looks more classy, so it’s the one I got.

 

[Katrina White1]

A clear case makes sandpaper look glossy so I'm good with the bronze.

 

[donm527]

Thanks for the vid... I didn't know. I already ordered the Mystic White but I'm happy with it gloss or matte. But a matte Mystic White or even Mystic Black would have been really nice too and the fact it would hide fingerprints. Gloss black is just too blah for me after owning the Note 8 in Black the last 3 years. The Mystic Bronze does look really nice and especially in matte... I don't think I would like it in gloss. Really nice but all the vids for me make it look Rose Gold but think it'd get old for me after a couple of years... Mystic White for me!

Only the bronze is matte. The black and white options have reflective glass panels. All 3 have a polished metal chassis and reflective camera housing. This video does a good job comparing the colors, and it seems the person kinda shares my sentiments, that the Mystic Bronze is the nicest color, but might be a bit off-put by the matte/spray painty finish compared to the white.

 

[ihbsbA]

Checked out both models, played for a bit - super snappy, camera is great and the s-pen was noticably improved.

I LOVE the flat screen and rounded corners on the Note 20, I can't stand the design of the Ultra and previous Notes with the curved glass and super square corners UGH.

I also LOVE the matte finish, why the hell it took this long for that, I have no idea. Glass phones are stupid.

They almost have it right.

Next year, rounded corners, flat screen, matte finish on the ULTRA.

I have already pre-ordered the ULTRA but the form factor of the non-ultra (what are we calling this one?) was way more appealing to me.

 

[ladiinay]

Walked into Best Buy and the Samsung rep was there putting the phones up. Waited patiently for him before playing with the phones. Quick impressions:

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• Note20 Ultra feels physically indistinguishable in the hand from the Note10 Plus despite technically being slightly larger (same width, slightly thicker depth).
• You can definitely tell the difference between the glass-backed Ultra and the plastic-backed standard Note20. It doesn't feel bad, just not particularly premium. Interestingly, the Nokia Lumia line killed it with design and build quality back in the day using polycarbonate, but this plastic-backed Note20 doesn't quite feel as solid as those devices.
• Metal chassis is polished all the way through on the Ultra, but it's only polished on the sides on the standard Note20. The metal on the top and bottom of the standard Note20 has a brushed finished.
• Despite what I've heard, you can definitely tell the difference in size between the two in-hand. The standard Note20 feels darn near perfect between the size, weight, and more rounded corners. It's really a shame Samsung gimped it so much. Last year's approach of 2 different sizes of pretty much the same device made a lot more sense. I guess the smaller Note10 was too popular for their liking and they wanted those sales going to the more expensive model.
• Obviously, the difference between 120hz and 60hz was very noticeable. I've been using the S20 since release so the difference was immediate to my eyes when scrolling through the standard Note20.

Both are really fine looking phones overall, but the differences both externally and internally between the two are too stark to justify the standard Note20's steep asking price.

That green is so pretty. I probably would have gotten the green if it were available for the Ultra.

 

[EMGSM]

Walked into Best Buy and the Samsung rep was there putting the phones up. Waited patiently for him before playing with the phones. Quick impressions:

View attachment 323347
View attachment 323348

• Note20 Ultra feels physically indistinguishable in the hand from the Note10 Plus despite technically being slightly larger (same width, slightly thicker depth).
• You can definitely tell the difference between the glass-backed Ultra and the plastic-backed standard Note20. It doesn't feel bad, just not particularly premium. Interestingly, the Nokia Lumia line killed it with design and build quality back in the day using polycarbonate, but this plastic-backed Note20 doesn't quite feel as solid as those devices.
• Metal chassis is polished all the way through on the Ultra, but it's only polished on the sides on the standard Note20. The metal on the top and bottom of the standard Note20 has a brushed finished.
• Despite what I've heard, you can definitely tell the difference in size between the two in-hand. The standard Note20 feels darn near perfect between the size, weight, and more rounded corners. It's really a shame Samsung gimped it so much. Last year's approach of 2 different sizes of pretty much the same device made a lot more sense. I guess the smaller Note10 was too popular for their liking and they wanted those sales going to the more expensive model.
• Obviously, the difference between 120hz and 60hz was very noticeable. I've been using the S20 since release so the difference was immediate to my eyes when scrolling through the standard Note20.

Both are really fine looking phones overall, but the differences both externally and internally between the two are too stark to justify the standard Note20's steep asking price.

Thanks for posting the photos. The green one looks real nice.

 

[EMGSM]

Checked out both models, played for a bit - super snappy, camera is great and the s-pen was noticably improved.

I LOVE the flat screen and rounded corners on the Note 20, I can't stand the design of the Ultra and previous Notes with the curved glass and super square corners UGH.

I also LOVE the matte finish, why the hell it took this long for that, I have no idea. Glass phones are stupid.

They almost have it right.

Next year, rounded corners, flat screen, matte finish on the ULTRA.

I have already pre-ordered the ULTRA but the form factor of the non-ultra (what are we calling this one?) was way more appealing to me.

I'm with you. I'm done with the curved screen.

 

[msm0511]

Next year, rounded corners, flat screen, matte finish on the ULTRA.

I hope they never stop with the boxy square shape. That's one of the reasons I love the Note so much.

 

[smooth4lyfe]

Yes. I ordered one pink and one Mystic Black.

Pink? I never saw a pink color

 

[Nostromo79]

Pink? I never saw a pink color

Faux Bronze then. It's in the eye of the beholder. I'm not the only one to have mentioned it.

 

[hasasimo]

Faux Bronze then. It's in the eye of the beholder. I'm not the only one to have mentioned it.

There is a pink (Note20) in some international markets. There's also a bronze. They look completely different.

 

[mustang7757]

I hope they never stop with the boxy square shape. That's one of the reasons I love the Note so much.

I agree

 

[mustang7757]

There is a pink (Note20) in some international markets. There's also a bronze. They look completely different.

There's pink also , wow !