Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G SM-G988B 128GB

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Cosmic Grey 128GB 5G SM-G988BZADNZO review

A few camera niggles at launch and breathtaking price that limits mainstream appeal, but still outmuscles just about any other Android phone you care to name. One for spec junkies with deep pockets

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G review

As a device purpose-built to prove Samsung still rules the roost when it comes to Android handsets, the S20 Ultra certainly gets the job done. It shows you don't need a fancy folding screen to stake a claim as the most impressive phone in the world right now, too. Impressive, yes - but not perfect. The high refresh rate screen saps battery, and the 100x zoom isn't all that useful. At launch, image quality is a bit inconsistent, especially when it comes to face detection. Oh, and it's eye-wateringly expensive. Samsung's more mainstream models have identical performance, 5G connectivity and an equally gorgeous display, but cost significantly less cash. The Galaxy S20 and S20+ might arrive with reduced camera hardware, but are still sure to deliver flagship-level photo quality, and so should be more than enough phone for most people. Still, for anyone that simply has to have the best, the S20 Ultra is as good as it gets.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G review review

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G review review

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Cosmic Grey 128GB 5G SM-G988BZADNZO review

“You might've thought the camera would be the best feature. Right now, it's not.”

Galaxy S20 Ultra review: Camera is amazing but battery life and design aren't

Excellent camera features aren't quite enough to overcome an awkward design, questionable battery performance and a sky-high price. Cheaper Galaxy S20 models will have broader appeal. There's no denying that the Galaxy S20 Ultra is something bold. Something special. It exists to show off its camera features. There's the 108-megapixel sensor, capturing scenes for detailed crop-ins that invariably make you say "wow!" Then there's the 100x zoom lens that reveals lettering, faces and architectural details you can't see from afar with the naked eye. And the beautiful 40-megapixel selfie camera that won't spare your feelings when you turn off beauty mode.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Cosmic Grey 128GB 5G SM-G988BZADNZO review

The Galaxy S20 Ultra is a technically superior phone with an incredible camera, but its size, price, and overkill make it hard to recommend.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Cosmic Grey 128GB 5G SM-G988BZADNZO review

The gimmicks are back

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Cosmic Grey 128GB 5G SM-G988BZADNZO review

When Huawei launched the P30 Pro, it created a stir in the industry that a smartphone can achieve a shooting range of 50x zoom. When the Mate 30 Pro was announced, Huawei seemed to take a step back and limited to 30x zoom.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G review: Speaking the language of overkill

As far as flagships go, Samsung’s latest stands tall but it doesn’t stand alone. Even if it falls short of being the iPhone 11 Pro-inspired paradigm shift that it so obviously aspires towards, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is still a spec-beast of a phone that shows Samsung still has what it takes to be competitive in the high-end Android smartphone arena.