Is the S20 Ultra a failure?

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

What if the display was only performing as good as a S3 and worse than most phones and had some added glitches that didn't exist before in prior gen phones like locking up and not registering touches under certain conditions? Would it be fair to let it off the hook and say that not everyone buys a phone for the display or should we all be in the same fight and hold the (flagship) device to the highest standards in every aspect? Especially in areas where it went backwards and degraded performance and usability.

If it was something that mattered to me, like the display would bother me, I would return it or get rid of it. I've done that already. The note 9 to me the display wasn't that great, I dumped the phone and got something else that I liked better. I didn't come on forums and complain about it over and over, and over. Side note here, I'm not referencing you here, it's everyone that just centers on that one thing, as I've said several times, if the camera is important to you, maybe the ultra isn't for you, or if someone wants professional pictures maybe a all in one device isn't the way to go.

To be fair, using a bad display to compare to the camera isn't the same. A bad display would effect everyone as we all use the display. Not everyone wants professional pictures from the phone, most just want to point and shoot and get good picture. I know 3 people personally that have the ultra and none of us are experiencing bad pictures. I know I've had my share of bad pictures from note 10+, S10+, and note 9. I've never expected perfect pictures from a all in one device. And on top of all this, people haven't given Samsung time to fix the camera issue.

Edit.. Sorry I was late to the party. I seen this was discussed, I was just replying without reading all the comments.

 

[chanchan05]

Sounds good but it's not only sold in Asian markets so I would think the have different focus groups in other markets. Also they are not the only device made in that part of the world. You can also turn the beauty mode off.

Actually what I was trying to say is that I am not sure they actually did enough focus groups in other places.

But like Throttlejohnny said, it could also be that the focus groups they got liked the beauty filters.

I don't mind it as default if that's what their research said, as long as they had given an option to turn it off.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Another overpriced piece of crap. That's my opinion.

For a minute I thought I was on the iPhone forum, but realized you're in the wrong forum.

 

[Morty2264]

I wouldn't call the S20 Ultra a failure - but then again, every smartphone can be improved upon in the next iteration. I think all phones have this type of criticism.

 

[donm527]

As a phone it's not a failure... Top spec'd Android of 2020... Latest processor, best screen available on ANY smartphone, "Top three camera."

It is probably the best Android phone you can buy right now.

It is a fail as a $1400 phone? If it's the best Android phone you "can" buy, is it the best Android phone "to buy?"

Is it the best phone to buy?? I think that's where the argument is.

Fast forward to the 10min mark on this recent video... MKBHD's pick of best phone... no allegiance to eco system, no budget... the latest and greatest and $1400 phone can't wrestle away the top recommendation from a 2019 phone.

I think for what corporate Samsung wanted this phone to be?? I won't say a fail but I don't think they see it as a win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Strjq-WZF7Y

I wouldn't call the S20 Ultra a failure - but then again, every smartphone can be improved upon in the next iteration. I think all phones have this type of criticism.

 

[Morty2264]

As a phone it's not a failure... Top spec'd Android of 2020... Latest processor, best screen available on ANY smartphone, "Top three camera."

It is probably the best Android phone you can buy right now.

It is a fail as a $1400 phone? If it's the best Android phone you "can" buy, is it the best Android phone "to buy?"

Is it the best phone to buy?? I think that's where the argument is.

Fast forward to the 10min mark on this recent video... MKBHD's pick of best phone... no allegiance to eco system, no budget... the latest and greatest and $1400 phone can't wrestle away the top recommendation from a 2019 phone.

I think for what corporate Samsung wanted this phone to be?? I won't say a fail but I don't think they see it as a win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Strjq-WZF7Y

That is a very interesting video. I like how they agreed that choosing the right smartphone "for you" is more akin to a journey. Not every answer will be right for everyone. Thank you for sharing!

I definitely think the S20 Ultra and the S20 line are impressive - it's a great lineup. I just wish they didn't cost you an arm and a leg!

Then again, the Pixel 4 wasn't inexpensive, either. That and only-having-Face-Unlock kept me away from it.

Phones are getting more and more expensive these days. Yes, they have top specs - but some of these price points as astronomical.

 

[felloffthetruck]

Bottom line, Yes, the phone is a failure. Bring on the Note 20 please !

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I can't believe we are still talking about this. It's simple.. Just like any other one.. You like it or don't like it, decide in 13 days so you can return it if you don't. Simple as that, easy peasy.

For the ones that weren't smart enough to decide in the return window, I wouldn't keep bashing the phone, making it harder to sell it.

 

[daswooski]

I can't believe we are still talking about this. It's simple.. Just like any other one.. You like it or don't like it, decide in 13 days so you can return it if you don't. Simple as that, easy peasy.

For the ones that weren't smart enough to decide in the return window, I wouldn't keep bashing the phone, making it harder to sell it.

Agree, many are happy with this device, If you have expressed your negative opinion once, then that is all that is needed. Go buy another phone if your unhappy but please give it a rest

 

[Morty2264]

Agree, many are happy with this device, If you have expressed your negative opinion once, then that is all that is needed. Go buy another phone if your unhappy but please give it a rest

Most users and reviewers are more likely to post negative reviews or opinions/ask for help on devices and/or products than they are to post praise reports. It's unfortunate that we are seeing a lot of negative things than positive ones - but at least we know that doesn't mean that there are lots of satisfied users out there... They're just not posting because they don't need help!

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Most users and reviewers are more likely to post negative reviews or opinions/ask for help on devices and/or products than they are to post praise reports. It's unfortunate that we are seeing a lot of negative things than positive ones - but at least we know that doesn't mean that there are lots of satisfied users out there... They're just not posting because they don't need help!

Exactly, we always hear from the complainers, lol. Seriously though, you never hear from the one that is happy with it. So it's probably a good thing there's only a few people complaining. What someone's complaint isn't everyone's complaint

 

[Peter Scooze]

Bottom line, Yes, the phone is a failure. Bring on the Note 20 please !

Rumor is note 20 will be same camera.

 

[rdrive41071]

Bottom line, Yes, the phone is a failure. Bring on the Note 20 please !

The Note series will be lucky to last another year after the 20. There has been rumors that the line will be discontinued. idk why people think the Note is so great - it is basically a galaxy with a pen with each release. The Galaxy series is Samsung's flagship.

 

[nuangel2]

To each their own
But to me the ultra is in no way a failure. I have had notes since note 4.still have my note 10+. But I am enjoying my ultra. I am very happy with it.

 

[Mike Dee]

Bottom line, Yes, the phone is a failure. Bring on the Note 20 please !

I thought you liked the device

 

[felloffthetruck]

I thought you liked the device

I do like it but I'm not wetting my pants over it. It's a fine device if you can overlook the flawed camera system.

 

[Mike Dee]

I do like it but I'm not wetting my pants over it. It's a fine device if you can overlook the flawed camera system.

Neither am Iol....I am waiting to see what the Note 20 brings but I'm not anticipating anything spectacular.

 

[bhatech]

Neither am Iol....I am waiting to see what the Note 20 brings but I'm not anticipating anything spectacular.

Yeah the Note 20 will be just a little better S20, but mostly for who didn't buy S20 because of the S Pen. But they may also take the feedback from the Ultra camera and incorporate that into Note 20. Especially interesting to see if they will still with the in-house camera sensor or go with the tried and tested Sony one. I do hope they stick with their own since Ultra does take amazing pics majority time.

 

[msm0511]

The Note series will be lucky to last another year after the 20. There has been rumors that the line will be discontinued. idk why people think the Note is so great - it is basically a galaxy with a pen with each release. The Galaxy series is Samsung's flagship.

Those rumors have been around at least since the Note 7 debacle. If anything they'll just merge the top of the line S with a Note's SPen and call it a day. People think the Note line is so great b/c of the SPen. Personally I also like the boxier design better on the Note as well.

 

[bhatech]

Those rumors have been around at least since the Note 7 debacle. If anything they'll just merge the top of the line S with a Note's SPen and call it a day. People think the Note line is so great b/c of the SPen. Personally I also like the boxier design better on the Note as well.

Yeah I also like the boxier design than the round ones. Not that big of a deal but if someone says prefer one I'll go with the Note's boxier design.