Dubai - Enhanced seamless integration with other devices, improved cameras to keep you busy wherever you are
Samsung Electronics on Wednesday formally introduced the latest iteration of its flagship Note line-up, packing more power into such devices that have been helping users go about their lives amid the unprecedented situation the global coronavirus pandemic has brought.
The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra - while retaining the aesthetics of the previous generation - were revealed at Samsung's first-ever virtual Unpacked event and come with a host of improvements to aid users further enhance productivity and creativity.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought somewhat unheard-of changes in the way people perform tasks - and even let time fly by. Research data provided by Samsung showed that more mobile data usage has been steadily growing, with over 50 per cent of people at home using more data.
Meanwhile, the figures also found out that 27 per cent spent time video-chatting, while 28 per cent say virtual activity would become the norm.
That said, Samsung believes that having robust technology in the palm of your hands will be an essential tool to navigate in this new and ever-changing world.
The Note series' signature tool, the S Pen, also received a number of upgrades, which include decreased latency for a more pen-to-paper feel, and Air Actions, which allows a user to navigate the device with gestures, from going back a screen or home to capturing a screenshot and using smart select.
"Never before have we relied on technology like we are today. It's how we are staying connected as we navigate the extraordinary challenges faced around the world," Dr TM Roh, Samsung Electronics' president and head of mobile communications business, said in a statement.
"Technology must make life easier, not more complex. That's why we have introduced five new power devices. Alone, these devices are powerful tools to help you maximize work and play. Together, as part of the Galaxy ecosystem, they work together seamlessly so you can spend your time focused on what matters most."
Productivity - a key trait of the Note series - also has its improvements. Samsung Notes will now have auto-syncing across other devices such as computers, tablets and other phones in 12 seconds; in the previous generation, this took over 40 seconds and a user had to save. Audio bookmarks and simultaneous recording and note-taking have also been introduced, as well as the ability to annotate PDF files.
The Note20 series will have seamless Microsoft integration, with syncing capabilities with apps such as Outlook; a drag-and-drop feature slated to be introduced later this year. The devices will also have a multi-window experience, with a user being able to open up to six Android apps on a PC.
DeX, Samsung's technology that allows its devices to extend their devices to a desktop-like experience, can now be used wirelessly; previously, the feature had to use a dongle, then a USB cable.
On the camera front - a key feature in today's generation of smartphones - Samsung retained a similar triple-lens setup found in last year's Note10, but with a significant upgrade: It has brought aboard the industry-first 108MP lens, which was first seen in the Galaxy S20 earlier this year.
The Note20 Ultra's camera - 12MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto lens complete the setup - also comes with an advanced hybrid laser auto-focus system.
Meanwhile, the Note20 also comes with three cameras, albeit its main sensor coming in at 64MP.
The camera tech on the Note20 series feature a number of professional-grade updates, including adjustable zoom speed, full manual controls when recording sound and the ability to produce cinema-grade video in a 21:9 standard.
Battery life has also been improved, with the Note20 promising up to 20 per cent more power. The Note20 Ultra, on the other hand, is pegged to last five per cent longer.
The Note20 series will come in 4G and 5G variants in the UAE, with both models for the Note20 coming in a RAM-storage combo of 8GB-256GB. The Note20 Ultra, meanwhile, will have 256GB and 512GB storage options for both, with RAM at 8GB and 12GB for the 4G and 5G models, respectively.
During the event, Samsung also unveiled more devices, including the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, which combine the power of a PC, the flexibility of a tablet and the connectivity of a smartphone.
They are 5G-capable, which would guarantee fast speeds to help user productivity in tasks such as video-conferencing, streaming and other intensive tasks.
Both the Note20 and Tab S7 line-up will be available in select markets from August 21, with pre-orders expected to begin very soon.
The Galaxy Watch3, meanwhile, is Samsung's latest wearable that gives even more focus on one's fitness and health. Built with premium materials, it has a slimmed-down version of its popular rotating bezel.
It has a blood oxygen feature, as well as the new Samsung Health Monitor app, which offers cuff-less blood pressure and ECG measurements in countries where these features are authorised.
On the audio front, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Buds Live, its latest truly-wireless earphones that comes with AKG technologies, a bigger 12mm speaker compared to the previous Galaxy Buds and improved active noise cancellation.
And Samsung wasn't done with the phone reveals: It also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold2, which comes with two edge-to-edge, almost bezel-less Infinity-O displays - 6.2 inches for its cover and 7.6 inches as its main screen, making it bigger than the previous Fold.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com
The 6.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note20 range during an exclusive preview in Dubai.
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