This morning, Samsung unveiled five new devices at its virtual Galaxy Unpacked August 2020 event, as well as a few surprises that we didn't know about before! We've known about these devices for a while now, but now we get to see them in their full glory. Let's dive in.
Where Can I Watch Galaxy Unpacked August 2020?
You can catch up on the Galaxy Unpacked August 2020 event in the livestream below.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Lineup
Samsung has finally confirmed the Galaxy Note 20 lineup with two new models that will be available. Samsung typically releases the latest additions to their Note series of phones months after the release of their new S series phones. In this case, that's the Galaxy S20 series, and we can see plenty of elements from those phones here in the new Note phones.
I'm using a Galaxy Note 9 right now as my daily driver, so these two cutting edge variants of the Note 20 are definitely making my mouth water. This is definitely a huge step up in technology.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20: The Starter Option
Although the Galaxy Note 20 might be the starting option for consumers, it certainly isn't a pushover. The Note 20 is packing a 6.7 inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, offering incredible smoothness never seen before on a Galaxy Note device.
The Galaxy Note 20 and the other variants are all offering the Snapdragon 865 Plus processor which gives each phone access to lightning fast 5G networks. Along with the base Note 20's 4,300 mAh battery, this is easily one of the most powerful phones currently available in 2020.
The base Note 20 has 8 GB of RAM. This phone is certainly a multitasking champion that you shouldn't miss out on for a price of $999.
As for the cameras, you'll get a 12 MP main, 64 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide cameras, as well as a time-of-flight sensor. However, maybe we can do better…
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: The Ultimate
If I ever held a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in my hand, I think I might feel so spoiled that I wouldn't want to use any other phone ever again. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has the highest specs of the three Note variants available, packing the same Space Zoom camera that's on the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
With a 6.9 inch display, you'll be able to make the most of that 120 Hz refresh rate.
With 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of internal storage, you'll be a multitasking champion with the Note 20 Ultra.
With 100x zoom and a 4,500 mAh battery, this is easily in the top three for the best smartphone of 2020, if not number one. You can pick this beast up for $1,299.
Microsoft & Samsung: Software Integration
Microsoft 365 apps, the Your Phone link to Windows app, and Xbox are all getting integration with the Samsung Galaxy Note 20, and I hope that the expansion of this integration will come to other Samsung devices too.
The signature S-Pen is a great option for annotating Microsoft 365 apps. However, you can also sync your Samsung Notes with OneDrive to make them more accessible from your Windows 10 device!
The Your Phone app, which allows you to connect your phone and see your phone's screen on your Windows 10 PC, is coming out with some fantastic new updates. You can now launch apps from the app on your PC and display them as separate windows. You can also use multiple apps from your phone at the same time this way!
Xbox is also getting integration into the Note 20, and you can use Xbox controllers with the phone as well!
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
I've been excited to see what Samsung has been planning for the next generation of folding phones for a while now. However, I have been disappointed in the past because of the poor durability of foldables. I don't think that Samsung has the capability to fix that problem right now, but they certainly have improved on the appearance, performance, and software of the original Galaxy Fold.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 Wins The Beauty Contest
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is an impressive looking device that finally matches the aesthetic of Samsung's other devices. The front cover has a larger screen, and the inside screen uses a hole punch camera to provide more screen real estate.
However, it's unfortunate that the hole punch camera is set off to the right side like that. The asymmetry is a bit jarring, but if you think about it they wouldn't have been able to put the camera in the center due to that hinge that allows the phone to fold.
Is It Durable?
Samsung claims that the phone is incorporating the same Ultra Thin Glass technology that they used on the Galaxy Z Flip. However, I am a bit skeptical. If you've seen JerryRigEverything's durability test of the Galaxy Z Flip, you'll see that the screen scratches just as easily as plastic despite being made out of that Ultra Thin Glass that Samsung talks about.
The hinge appears to be strengthened, and just like in the Z Flip, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has brushes in the hinge that help keep dust and other junk out of the way. This will definitely help the device survive everyday use.
The Big Picture
I'm interested to see how the Galaxy Z Fold 2 matches up with Microsoft's Surface Duo dual screen ‘phone'. However, for an absurd price, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is definitely the best foldable phone on the market right now.
Well…it's not exactly on the market yet. Samsung didn't seem to want to tell us much about the device, and they didn't even mention the price. I'm sure that it will be in a pretty inaccessible $2,000 price range.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Honestly, this was a missed opportunity to call them the Samsung Galaxy Beans because well, that's what they look like! These new true-wireless earbuds have a very unique design that helps them sit entirely inside of your ear.
With active noise cancellation capabilities finally making it onto earbuds from Samsung, it looks like they're stepping up their game to rival the Apple AirPods Pro.
They also will have improved microphones so that you can filter out background noise during calls. This will make your voice clearer when using them for calls.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
So, this is interesting. The original Galaxy Watch had a rotating bezel to navigate the menus of the smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 that I'm wearing right now as I write this has a digital rotating bezel rather than a physical one. At Samsung's Unpacked August 2020 event, they showed off the Galaxy Watch 3 with the return of the physical rotating bezel. I guess they can't make up their mind.
I can't say that there is much new in the smartwatch world. With a larger battery and the usual fitness tracking features like a heart rate monitor, ECG sensors, and a blood pressure monitor, you'll be ready to get in good shape while wearing the Galaxy Watch 3.
The Galaxy Watch 3 will be launching on August 6th.
Galaxy Tab S7 & Galaxy Tab S7+
Samsung announced their new Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7+ tablets. They remind me a lot of the Surface Pro series in form factor, much like the Tab S6.
With a detachable type cover keyboard, the Tab S7 series is a great productivity tool while on the go, and it pairs excellently within the Samsung ecosystem by allowing you to switch calls between devices.
The Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7+ will be launching on August 21st.
The Price Rocket: Where We're Going Next
If you're me, you're probably discouraged at just how expensive all these devices are at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2020 event. With the way Samsung has been going lately with product prices, these phones might as well be on the next rocket ship off-world.
Samsung clearly sees themselves as being a premium option for consumers. They have done everything they can to justify the extremely high prices of their devices. When you compare them against other Android phones, there are very few competitors that come close for a lower price.
More importantly, Apple is following a similar trend with its newer iPhones. The iPhone 11 and leaked information about the iPhone 12 both have very high launch prices compared to previous iPhones.
As cell phones become more and more advanced, they can last you longer periods of time. Upgrades are a major investment because the jump from one phone to another needs to be justified in performance and user experience, and that becomes justified with a high ‘luxury' price. I'm sure that this trend will only continue into the future until someone decides to step in and provide something new and innovative for a much lower price that upsets the market.
Galaxy Unpacked August 2020: Unpacked!
The products shown off at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2020 will be available very soon. I'm interested in hearing which ones you're interested in in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and please share this article with a friend!
