On the left is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and on the right is the Note 20 Ultra.
Richard Peterson/CNET
In a virtual event on Wednesday, Samsung released a little army of new products, including an extensive tease of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 total with an appearance by the group BTS. But its the brand-new Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra that truly caught my eye. As Samsung rattled off the small book of brand-new features for each phone, I longed to see some of them pertain to the next iPhone aka the heavily reported iPhone 12.
I wish to state this upfront, that the design and hardware features for the next iPhone have actually most likely been locked in months earlier. But that does not imply we cant question how nice it would be to see some of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features on the iPhone 12 and even an iPhone 13– prematurely?
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The iPhone 12 needs a real telephoto cam
In February, Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, which has 13x optical zoom and 100x Space Zoom (aka digital zoom). The brand-new Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 5x optical zoom with 50x digital zoom. The iPhone 11 Pro has 2x optical zoom. Im not saying that the iPhone 12 needs Space Zoom– no phone does, actually. But having a 3x or 4x optical zoom on the next iPhone would be invited.
This is the massive cam bump on the back of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Richard Peterson/CNET
Currently, Apple offers the best overall cam system for images and videos on any phone. Nevertheless, many high-end Android phones use a better zoom range.
But who knows if Apple would solely count on hardware to offer the iPhone 12 a better zoom range? It might follow in Googles steps and carry out a software-based zoom that utilizes machine learning to enhance the results like on the Google Pixel 4.
Gorilla Glass Victus for much better sturdiness
Every time a brand-new iPhone is launched, our group of specialist droppers tests the new gadgets to see how resilient they are. The iPhone 11 Pro showed to be one of the most resilient iPhones CNET has ever checked.
Those drop tests were conducted prior to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and its Gorilla Glass Victus body came out. The new Gorilla Glass is twice as scratch-resistant as Gorilla Glass 6 and can survive drops from 2 meters versus 1.6 meters. When youre holding it up to your ear on a call, in theory this implies a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra could survive a drop.
For years, Apple worked with Corning, the manufacturer of Gorilla Glass, on a custom-made version of Gorilla Glass for the iPhone. And Im hopeful well see a version of Gorilla Glass Victus for the iPhone 12
There are five functions in specific that I think Apple ought to think about adopting. That stated, we know that Samsung enjoys to cram in as numerous new features as possible into its phones. Apple presents new features to fix an issue or enhance your experience utilizing an iPhone. That distinction is substantial, and I doubt Apple would include any of these functions simply to include them.
Apple Pencil support for the iPhone 12.
Obviously the Galaxy Note 20 Ultras most significant function is the stylus aka the S-Pen. The most current S-Pen when utilized on the Note 20 Ultra has a latency of 9 milliseconds.
The iPad Pro has Apple Pencil support and it would be great to have it on the iPhone 12, particularly a bigger screen version.
Sarah Tew/CNET
One dream many of us hope for is to be able to use the Apple Pencil on an iPhone, particularly the larger Max variation. My fingers are crossed, hoping that Apple Pencil support will come with the iPhone 12.
The S-Pen being utilized on the Galaxy Note 20.
CNET
And who understands, perhaps Apple would make an Apple Pencil Mini thats approximately the size of a golf pencil?
The iPhone 12 needs a smaller sized notch
When it comes to making the most of screen real estate and making space for the front-facing video camera, I believe Samsung has the finest method. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra sports a hole-punch screen that is both attractive and useful.
The iPhone 12 needs to discover a way to revamp the iPhone notch, which seems big by todays requirements. While I d love to see a hole-punch screen on the iPhone 12, I dont believe its possible.
Considering that the iPhone X, the notch on FaceID iPhones has remained unchanged. I hope its smaller sized on the iPhone 12.
Josh Miller/CNET
If Apple discovered a way to make the notch smaller sized on the iPhone 12, that would be a considerable visual improvement.
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First Look: Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra
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Apple requires to add a high refresh rate screen
The Note 20 Ultra screen also has a high refresh rate. As opposed to the screen refreshing 60 times a 2nd, the Note 20 Ultra can refreshing its display 120 times a second. Likewise, the iPad Pro has a Pro Motion display screen with 120Hz. Its time to see such a screen on the iPhone. Even if it was 90Hz, the iPhone 12 ought to have a high refresh rate. Apple Arcade video games would look remarkable. Animations in iOS would look extremely smooth. And if the iPhone 12 gets Apple Pencil support, that high refresh rate would be a must.
Samsungs brand-new Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra come in a striking bronze shade
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As Samsung rattled off the small novel of new functions for each phone, I longed to see some of them come to the next iPhone aka the greatly reported iPhone 12.
Apple presents new functions to resolve an issue or enhance your experience using an iPhone. My fingers are crossed, hoping that Apple Pencil assistance will come with the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 requirements to discover a way to revamp the iPhone notch, which appears large by todays standards. And if the iPhone 12 gets Apple Pencil assistance, that high refresh rate would be a must.
For more about the Samsung occasion and the items revealed, read Samsung Unpacked: Everything revealed.