Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Review: Attack of the Numbers!

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is framed as Samsung’s flagship effort to pack every notable spec into one device, a strategy MKBHD bluntly calls the Attack of the Numbers. The video opens with the rationale behind the Ultra’s design and price, noting that Samsung combines a Snapdragon 865, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage, a 108 MP main sensor, 100x space zoom, 8K video, a 5000 mAh battery, a 6.9 inch 120Hz display, and 5G into one device. The reviewer emphasizes that the phone’s size and premium materials aim to justify the lofty price by delivering top-tier performance across multiple domains. He also anticipates critical questions about whether specs translate into real-world value, promising a thorough look at battery life, display quality, camera performance, and software experience. Throughout, there is a balance of praise for the hardware prowess and caution about whether the numbers truly translate into practical superiority in everyday use. The segment ends with a reminder that large numbers do not automatically guarantee a perfect phone, and that the Ultra’s software and design choices will be tested against real-world needs. The second major portion delves into the display and usability, highlighting the 6.9 inch, 1440p panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling. MKBHD notes Samsung’s continued excellence in display quality, brightness, color accuracy, and viewing angles, rating the display highly and commending the reduction of edge curvature for better usability. He discusses the decision to ship with 1080p 60Hz as the out-of-box baseline, with options to upgrade to 120Hz or 1440p, and expresses a preference for 120Hz at a higher resolution, while also critiquing the omission of simultaneous 120Hz at 1440p as a software limitation rather than a hardware cap. Battery life is tested with a 5000 mAh cell in real-world scenarios, where the device typically delivers six-plus hours of screen-on time under heavy use, fulfilling expectations for a battery-capable flagship. The camera and sensor behavior are introduced as next, with a note that larger sensors can bring depth-of-field artifacts and autofocus quirks, setting up deeper exploration later. In the camera-focused discussion, the Ultra’s dual-aperture history is contrasted with a now-fully open f/1.8 main sensor, with a massive sensor size producing razor-thin depth of field and more pronounced bokeh, which can sometimes look unnatural on smartphone optics. He explains how the 108 MP mode and 12 MP binning affect image quality, and emphasizes how the 108 MP option adds detail but with trade-offs in file size and convenience. The critique extends to autofocus performance, which felt jumpy and occasionally unreliable, possibly tied to the sensor’s depth-of-field dynamics, with Samsung promising software updates to help mitigate issues. While the 100x space zoom is celebrated as a powerful demo feature, real-world use at extreme zoom is discouraged for everyday photography, and cropping a 30x shot often yields better results. The camera section culminates with a cautious verdict: the S20 Ultra remains solid but not decisively the best camera in smartphones, trailing behind top competitors in some scenarios while delivering strong performance in others. The review closes by considering software and everyday practicality: One UI remains familiar, with an emphasis on multitasking and the ability to pin apps in RAM to keep them instantly accessible. The 5G capability is acknowledged, but the reviewer cautions that real-world 5G experiences depend on carrier availability and network conditions. Overall, the S20 Ultra is described as an excellent, class-leading device in several respects, most notably its display and battery, but not flawless, with caveats around camera autofocus, high-resolution video behavior, and the premium price. The video ends on a balanced note: for tech enthusiasts who crave cutting-edge hardware and top-tier specs, the S20 Ultra pushes the industry forward; for most users, a phone with roughly half the price could satisfy the majority of daily needs. The final takeaway is that while the Ultra represents a peak in numbers, the practical decision should hinge on what you value most in daily use and whether you’re willing to pay for the bleeding edge."

Topics · technology · smartphones · reviews · gadgets · display · camera · battery · 5g