The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra are packed with features that go far beyond basic calls, messages, and apps. Between the S Pen, advanced camera modes, Samsung DeX, Edge panels, multitasking tools, and deep customization settings, there are plenty of ways to make the phone faster, smarter, and more useful every day.
This guide focuses on practical s you can actually use, whether you just unboxed your Note 20 or have owned it for years. You’ll find S Pen shortcuts, camera tools, productivity tricks, battery settings, privacy options, and hidden One UI features that help you get more from Samsung’s powerful Note lineup.
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S Pen Tips and Air Actions You Should Try
The S Pen is the feature that still makes the Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra feel different from almost every other phone. Start by opening Settings > Advanced features > S Pen and reviewing the shortcuts there, because many of the best tricks are hidden behind one tap. You can adjust Air Actions, change what happens when you press and hold the S Pen button, enable alerts if you walk away without the pen, and decide whether a floating S Pen icon appears on screen.
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Use Screen Off Memo for instant notes
When the phone is locked, pull out the S Pen and start writing directly on the black screen. This is one of the fastest ways to capture a phone number, parking spot, shopping item, or meeting thought without unlocking the device. Tap Save to store it in Samsung s, or pin the memo to the Always On Display if you need to keep it visible. On the Note 20 Ultra especially, the low-latency writing feels close enough to paper for quick sketches and handwritten reminders.
#1 Best Overall
- The Galaxy Note20 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with Full HD+ resolution and HDR10+ support, offering bright, vibrant colors and sharp detail, making it perfect for productivity, streaming, and gaming.
Customize Air Command shortcuts
Remove the S Pen and tap the floating Air Command icon to access tools such as Create , Smart select, Screen write, Translate, and Live messages. To make this menu more useful, open Air Command, tap Add shortcuts, and replace features you rarely use with apps you open often. For example, you can add Samsung Notes, Calendar, Gallery, or a PDF reader so the pen becomes a launcher for writing, marking up files, and reviewing documents.
- Smart select: Capture a rectangle, oval, or animated GIF from part of the screen. Use it for saving order numbers, map snippets, receipts, or a short clip from a video.
- Screen write: Take a screenshot and immediately annotate it. This is useful for marking changes on webpages, design mockups, spreadsheets, or travel plans.
- Translate: Hover the S Pen over a word or sentence to translate it without copying text into another app.
- Magnify: Hover over small text, charts, or desktop-class webpages to enlarge details without changing the phone’s display settings.
Turn the S Pen button into a remote control
Air Actions let the S Pen work as a Bluetooth remote in supported apps. In the Camera app, press the S Pen button once to take a photo or start recording, which is perfect for group shots, tripod videos, and selfies without stretching your arm. You can also use gestures: hold the button and flick the pen left or right to switch modes, move up or down to change cameras, or make a circular motion to zoom, depending on your settings. Go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Air actions to see and customize the exact gestures for each app.
Air Actions are also handy in media and presentation apps. In Gallery, use the S Pen button to move through photos while the phone is on a stand. In PowerPoint, use it to advance slides when presenting from the phone or through DeX. In music and video apps, the button can pause playback or skip tracks, making it useful when the phone is across the room or connected to speakers.
The Tool Desk
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Samsung s is much more powerful on the Note 20 series than a basic note pad. Write naturally, then tap the handwriting-to-text option to convert your notes into typed text. Use Auto straighten to clean up slanted handwriting, import PDFs to sign or annotate documents, and organize notebooks by folders for work, school, travel, and personal projects. If you use a Samsung account or Microsoft OneNote sync, check your sync settings so important notes are backed up and available on other devices.
For everyday use, try combining several S Pen tools into one workflow: capture part of a webpage with Smart select, write comments with Screen write, save it to Samsung s, then convert any handwritten action items into text. Once you build the habit, the S Pen becomes less of a novelty and more like a pocket-sized scanner, remote, notebook, and markup tool built into the phone.
Camera and Video Features to Master
The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra have camera features that are easy to miss if you only use the shutter button. Open the Camera app and swipe through the main modes first: Photo, Video, Single Take, Pro, Pro Video, Night, and Portrait. If a mode is hidden, swipe to More, then tap the + or edit option to drag your favorite modes into the main camera carousel for faster access.
Use Single Take for moments with movement
Single Take is one of the most useful modes for kids, pets, travel scenes, and anything unpredictable. Select Single Take, press the shutter, and slowly move the phone around your subject for up to several seconds. The phone captures mulle outputs at once, such as short clips, filtered photos, cropped shots, and boomerang-style videos. Afterward, open the result in Gallery and swipe through the generated options to save or share the best one.
Rank #2
- 6.7", 2400 x 1080 (FHD+), Infinity-O Super AMOLED+ Display, 4300mAh Battery, Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7nm+), Octa-Core, Adreno 650
- Rear Camera: 12MP, f/1.8 + 64MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom + 12MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 10 MP, f/2.2
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: B1(2100),B2(1900),B3(1800),B4(AWS),B5(850),B7(2600),B8(900),B12(700),B13(700),B14(700),B18(800),B19(800),B20(800),B25(1900),B26(850),B28(700),B29(700),B30(2300),B38(2600),B39(1900),B40(2300),B41(2500),B46(5200),B66(AWS-3), 5G: 2/5/41/66/71/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Single SIM
- Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon and Sprint.
Dial in zoom, night shots, and high-resolution photos
On the 20 Ultra, the zoom system is especially powerful, but it works best when used deliberately. Tap the zoom shortcuts above the shutter, then steady the phone with two hands or rest it against a surface when going beyond moderate zoom. For distant subjects, tap the preview box to keep the subject framed. For detailed landscapes or product shots, switch to the high-resolution option from the aspect ratio menu, such as 108MP on the Note 20 Ultra where available. Use it in bright light and avoid it for fast-moving subjects, since file sizes are larger and processing takes longer.
- Night mode: Use it for city streets, dim restaurants, and indoor scenes. Hold still until the countdown finishes.
- Scene Optimizer: Turn it on from Camera settings if you want the phone to automatically tune color and contrast for food, plants, people, and landscapes.
- Shot suggestions: Enable it in Camera settings to get on-screen alignment guidance for straighter, better-composed photos.
- Grid lines: Turn them on to line up horizons, buildings, and flat-lay shots more accurately.
Get more control with Pro and Pro Video
Pro mode gives you manual control over ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus, and exposure. Lower ISO helps keep images cleaner in good light, while a slower shutter can brighten dark scenes if the phone is stable. Pro Video is even more useful for creators. You can adjust microphone direction, monitor audio levels, change frame rate, and lock exposure so brightness does not jump during recording. For a cinematic look, try recording at 4K 30fps; for sharper motion, use 60fps; for maximum detail, use 8K sparingly because it uses more storage and limits some features.
Small camera settings that make a big difference
Open Camera settings from the gear icon and customize the app before your next shoot. Enable Tracking auto-focus to keep moving subjects sharper. Turn on HEIF pictures and High efficiency videos if you want smaller files, but use standard formats when sharing with older devices or editing software. In Shooting methods, enable voice commands so you can say “smile,” “cheese,” “capture,” or “record video” to shoot hands-free. You can also use the S Pen as a remote shutter, which is perfect for group photos, tripod shots, and low-light scenes where tapping the screen might shake the phone.
Productivity Features for Multitasking and DeX
The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra are built for juggling apps, notes, files, calls, and messages without constantly returning to the home screen. Start with Multi Window: open your first app, swipe up to Recent apps, tap the app icon at the top of its card, then choose Open in split screen view. Select a second app and drag the divider to resize them. This is especially useful for keeping Samsung Notes beside Chrome, Calendar beside Messages, or YouTube beside a shopping list.
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Use pop-up windows for quick tasks
Split screen is not the only multitasking option. From the Recent apps screen, tap an app icon and choose Open in pop-up view. The app appears in a floating window that you can resize, minimize into a bubble, or move anywhere on screen. Try this with Calculator while reviewing a spreadsheet, Messages while watching a video, or Keep s while browsing. You can also enable Smart pop-up view by going to Settings > Advanced features > Smart pop-up view, then selecting supported messaging apps so conversations open as floating bubbles.
Samsung’s clipboard tools are another quiet productivity boost. Copy text or screenshots, then open the Edge panel > Clipboard to reuse recent items without switching back to the original app. If you use the Samsung Keyboard, long-press the input area and check the clipboard option there too. For cleaner research sessions, combine this with Smart Select from the S Pen Air Command menu to capture only the part of the screen you need, extract text, or pin a small screenshot on top while you work in another app.
Rank #3
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - Cellular Phone
- Connectivity Technology - Bluetooth
- Memory - 128. Gb
Turn your Note into a desktop with Samsung DeX
Samsung DeX gives the 20 series a desktop-style interface with resizable windows, a taskbar, keyboard shortcuts, and drag-and-drop file handling. Connect wirelessly to a compatible smart TV or monitor by opening Quick Settings, tapping DeX, and selecting the display. For a more stable setup, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a compatible hub, then connect a keyboard and mouse over Bluetooth or USB. Once DeX launches, your phone can become a touchpad, or you can keep using it separately while the desktop runs on the external screen.
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- Present without a laptop: Open PowerPoint, Gallery, or a PDF in DeX and control it from the phone.
- Manage files faster: Use My Files in windowed mode to move downloads, photos, and documents between folders or cloud storage.
- Work in browser tabs: Use Samsung Internet or Chrome with a desktop-like layout for email, dashboards, and web apps.
- Keep calls separate: Answer calls and messages on the phone while DeX stays open on the monitor.
For the smoothest DeX experience, place your most-used apps on the DeX desktop, set apps to open in resizable windows when supported, and use keyboard shortcuts such as Alt + Tab to switch between open apps. If an app looks stretched or limited, check DeX Labs in the DeX settings menu and enable experimental window resizing. It will not make every mobile app perfect on a monitor, but it can make productivity apps, messaging tools, and browsers far more flexible.
Display, Edge Panel, and Home Screen Customization
The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra give you a lot of control over how the phone looks and feels, and a few minutes in the display settings can make the device noticeably easier to use. Start in Settings > Display, where you can switch between Light and Dark mode, adjust brightness, and enable Adaptive brightness if you want the phone to learn your preferred levels over time. On the Note 20 Ultra, open Motion smoothness and choose the higher refresh rate option for smoother scrolling and animations, or select the standard option if you want to save battery.
If the screen colors look too intense or too muted, go to Settings > Display > Screen mode. Vivid makes colors pop and lets you tune the white balance, while Natural gives a more restrained look that can be better for reading and photo editing. For late-night use, turn on Eye comfort shield from the Quick Settings panel or from Display settings. You can set it to adapt automatically or run on a schedule so the screen shifts warmer in the evening.
Make the Edge Panel genuinely useful
The Edge Panel is one of the fastest ways to launch apps, tools, contacts, and app pairs without returning to the home screen. Enable it from Settings > Display > Edge panels, then swipe inward from the small handle on the side of the screen. Tap the gear icon to choose panels such as Apps, Smart select, Tasks, People, Weather, or Clipboard. The Apps panel is especially useful if you add your most-used apps and create split-screen app pairs, such as Samsung s with Chrome, Messages with Calendar, or YouTube with Samsung Internet.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Move the handle: In Edge panel settings, adjust the handle position, size, transparency, and color so it does not interfere with gestures or typing.
- Use Smart select: Capture a rectangle, oval, animation, or pinned screenshot from anywhere on the screen without taking a full screenshot.
- Add Tasks shortcuts: Create one-tap actions for composing a message, starting a voice recording, adding a calendar event, or taking a selfie.
- Pin useful info: Use Smart select to pin a tracking number, address, confirmation code, or reference image on top of other apps.
Clean up the home screen
Long-press an empty area of the home screen to access wallpapers, themes, widgets, and home screen settings. In Home screen settings, you can change the app grid and home screen grid to fit more icons or make everything easier to tap. If you prefer a cleaner layout, turn on the Apps screen button or use swipe-up access for the app drawer, then keep only essential apps on your main page. You can also enable Lock Home screen layout once everything is arranged, which prevents accidental icon moves and widget removals.
Widgets are worth revisiting on the 20 series because the large display makes them practical. Add a calendar month view, Samsung Notes shortcut, weather widget, battery widget, or music controls by long-pressing the home screen and selecting Widgets. For a more polished setup, use matching icon packs and wallpapers from Galaxy Themes, or keep Samsung’s default icons and simply group apps into folders such as Work, Media, Travel, and Finance. If you want the fastest access to settings, edit the Quick Settings panel by swiping down twice, tapping the three-dot menu, and rearranging tiles like Screen recorder, Wireless DeX, Eye comfort shield, Link to Windows, Power mode, and Secure Folder.
Rank #4
- S Pen & Samsung Notes: Pen accuracy meets PC power with S Pen and Samsung Notes; So responsive, it feels like you're using a real pen; sketch notes, ideas and then convert into Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, save and sync across all your Galaxy devices
- SMART BATTERY & SUPER FAST CHARGING - Adaptive power meets your needs with an all-day smart battery that learns from how you work and play to optimize battery life; Plus, super fast charging boosts your battery in just minutes
- Games: Bring the ultimate Galaxy mobile gaming experience in the palm of your hand; With an impressive screen refresh rate, almost infinite display, Galaxy 5G support, and an advanced processor, you get a smooth gaming experience with virtually no lags
- HyperFast Processor - Multitasking with Samsung fastest note processor yet; Hyperfast process speeds transform your game and attraction with less interruption; Capture every idea, knockout work, big mark and share all your moments without slowing down
- Link to Windows: Manage mobile and Windows apps directly on your PC screen with seamless multitasking integration; easily share files between your phone and PC with a simple drag and drop
Battery, Performance, and Charging Tips
The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra have plenty of power, but a few settings can make the phone last longer between charges and feel smoother day to day. Start in Settings > Battery and device care > Battery, where Samsung groups the most useful controls for power saving, app background usage, charging behavior, and usage history. If your battery is draining faster than expected, check the graph here first to see which apps are active for too long.
Use the right power mode for your day
For normal use, keep the phone on Optimized so it balances speed and battery life automatically. When you know you will be away from a charger, turn on Power saving mode from Quick Settings or from the Battery menu. You can customize it by limiting CPU speed, reducing brightness, turning off Always On Display, and limiting background network use. On the 20 Ultra, another big battery saver is switching from the smoother high refresh rate mode to a standard refresh rate when you need maximum endurance.
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- Put unused apps to sleep: Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits and enable sleeping apps for apps you rarely open.
- Use Deep sleeping apps carefully: Add apps that do not need notifications, such as games, shopping apps, or travel apps you only open manually.
- Check adaptive battery: Keep adaptive battery enabled so the phone can reduce activity from apps you use less often.
- Lower screen timeout: A 30-second or 1-minute timeout saves more battery than leaving the display awake for several minutes.
Charge faster and protect battery health
The 20 series supports fast wired charging, fast wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare. To confirm fast charging is enabled, open Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > More battery settings, then turn on Fast charging and Fast wireless charging. Use a quality USB-C Power Delivery charger and a compatible cable for the best wired speeds. If your phone is warm, charging may slow down until the temperature drops, so avoid placing it under a pillow, in direct sun, or on a hot dashboard while charging.
Wireless PowerShare is handy for topping up Galaxy Buds, a Galaxy Watch, or another Qi-compatible phone. Pull down Quick Settings, tap Wireless PowerShare, then place the accessory on the center of the phone’s back. For best results, remove thick cases and keep both devices still. You can also set a battery limit so the stops sharing power before it gets too low.
Keep performance smooth without draining power
If the phone feels sluggish, use Battery and device care to check memory, storage, and background activity. Tap Optimize now for a quick cleanup, then review apps you no longer use. Removing old games, duplicate media, and apps with constant background services can improve both storage space and standby battery life. Restarting the phone once every week or two also helps clear temporary issues; you can schedule this under Settings > Battery and device care > Auto optimization on supported software versions.
| Setting | Best used for |
|---|---|
| Power saving mode | Long travel days, low battery, or limited charger access |
| Sleeping apps | Reducing drain from apps you rarely open |
| Fast charging | Quick top-ups before leaving home or work |
| Wireless PowerShare | Charging earbuds, watches, or another phone in a pinch |
Security, Privacy, and Everyday Convenience Tricks
The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra include several security and convenience tools that are easy to miss if you only use the default setup. Start with biometrics: go to Settings > Biometrics and security and register both your fingerprint and face. The ultrasonic fingerprint reader works best when you scan the same thumb twice from slightly different angles, especially if you use a screen protector. Face recognition is faster for quick unlocks, while fingerprint unlock is better for banking apps, Samsung Pay, and locked folders.
Lock private files and apps with Secure Folder
Secure Folder is one of the most useful Samsung privacy features on the 20 series. Open Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder, sign in with your Samsung account, then choose a separate PIN, password, or biometric lock. You can move photos, documents, voice recordings, and apps into this protected space. For example, you can run a second copy of WhatsApp, Gallery, Notes, or Chrome inside Secure Folder, completely separate from your regular apps. In Secure Folder settings, change the icon name and appearance if you want it to look less obvious on your app screen.
Best Value
- The Galaxy Note20 Ultra features a massive 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Quad HD+ resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and HDR10+ support, offering incredibly smooth visuals, vibrant colors, and precise touch response, perfect for gaming, media, and professional work.
Use privacy controls before sharing photos and files
Before sending pictures, open the photo in Gallery, tap Share, then look for Remove location data when available. This strips GPS information from the file, which is useful when sharing pictures taken at home, work, or a private location. You can also review app permissions under Settings > Privacy > Permission manager. Check Camera, Microphone, Location, Contacts, and Files access, then remove permissions from apps that do not need them. For location, choose Allow only while using the app where possible instead of always-on access.
Make unlocking and daily use faster
- Smart Lock: Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock to keep the phone unlocked in trusted places, near trusted Bluetooth devices, or while it is on your body.
- Lock screen shortcuts: Open Settings > Lock screen > Shortcuts and replace the default Phone and Camera shortcuts with apps you actually use, such as Samsung Notes, Flashlight, or Secure Folder.
- Always On Display: Under Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display, choose tap-to-show or scheduled mode to view time, battery, and notifications without fully waking the phone.
- Find My Mobile: Enable Settings > Biometrics and security > Find My Mobile. Turn on remote unlock, send last location, and offline finding so you have more recovery options if the phone is lost.
For payments and passwords, set up Samsung Wallet or your preferred payment app, then protect it with fingerprint authentication. Samsung Pass can store website and app sign-ins, but if you already use a password manager, make it your autofill service under Settings > General management > Passwords and autofill. This makes logging in faster while keeping credentials behind biometric verification.
Finally, create a more comfortable everyday setup with Modes and Routines if available on your software version, or Bixby Routines on older builds. You can automatically silence notifications at work, turn on Wi-Fi when you arrive home, enable power saving overnight, or rotate the screen only when specific video apps are open. Combined with Secure Folder, careful permissions, Find My Mobile, and smarter lock screen shortcuts, these settings make the 20 feel quicker, safer, and better tuned to your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these tips work on both the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra?
Most s work on both models because they share the same core One UI features, S Pen tools, DeX support, Edge panels, and security settings. Some camera and display features differ, especially on the Note 20 Ultra, which has the higher-end camera system, 120Hz display option, and microSD card support.
How do I make the S Pen more useful day to day?
Start by customizing Air Actions, Screen off memo, and the Air Command shortcuts from the S Pen settings menu. You can set quick access to tools like Smart Select, Translate, Screen Write, and Samsung s so the S Pen feels less like a novelty and more like a daily productivity shortcut.
What camera settings should I change first on the Note 20 Ultra?
Turn on Scene Optimizer, grid lines, tracking autofocus, and HEIF/HEVC only if you are comfortable with newer file formats. For more control, use Pro or Pro Video mode, where you can manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, focus, white balance, microphone direction, and frame rate.
How can I improve battery life on the Galaxy Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra?
Use Adaptive Battery, put rarely used apps into deep sleep, lower screen brightness, and switch from 120Hz to 60Hz if you need longer runtime on the 20 Ultra. You can also use Power saving mode, disable Always On Display when unnecessary, and review battery usage by app in Device Care.
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Yes, especially if you want a desktop-like workspace for email, documents, web browsing, and multitasking. You can use DeX wirelessly with compatible TVs or monitors, or connect with USB-C for a more stable setup with a keyboard and mouse.
Bottom Line
The Galaxy 20 and Note 20 Ultra still offer a deep toolbox for productivity, creativity, and everyday convenience—especially once you customize the S Pen, camera, display, battery, and security settings to fit how you actually use your phone. Start with the features you’ll use daily, like Air Actions, Edge panels, DeX, camera Pro modes, and battery optimization, then build from there.
If you’re new to the series, try a few tips at a time so the phone feels more personal instead of overwhelming. Experienced users should revisit the hidden settings and advanced tools regularly, since small tweaks can make the Note 20 feel faster, smarter, and more useful for years to come.
Quick Recap
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