06/02 Update below. This post was originally published on May 31
Samsung has already made subtle suggestions about its next flagship smartphones as well as giving us a tantalising glimpse of the future. But now the company just got a lot more specific.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus render based on multiple leaks
In the first official documentation we have seen, Samsung has submitted the Galaxy Note 20 Plus for China’s Compulsory Certificate mark (known as CCC) – a public process – and, with it, confirmed both the phone itself, its model number, next-generation connectivity and charging capabilities.
Spotted by MyFixGuide, Samsung’s CCC documentation reveals the Galaxy Note 20 Plus has the model number SM-N986 (the Note 10 Plus is SM-N975), while its accompanying datasheet officially states the phone will have upgraded 5G connectivity and support for both 25W and 45W fast charging. With only Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra supporting 45W this year and an Ultra version of the Note 20 unlikely, there was concern the range could drop down to 25W like the Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus.
Moreover, 45W charging may prove a lot more useful this year. While it was supported on the Note 10 Plus, it was not officially certified for Programmable Power Supply (PPS) and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.0 standards by the USB Implementers Forum and Samsung. What PD 3.0 and PPS enable is smartphones and compatible chargers to communicate and provide maximum current, something the Note 10 Plus often missed out on even when using > 45W chargers (details here). Given the entire S20 range is PD 3.0 and PPS certified, 45W charging on the Note 20 Plus should be a lot more flexible and it will cost significantly less than the S20 Ultra.
(Edit: the midrange Galaxy S10 Lite also has 45W charging)
06/02 Update: information about Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 has also now been garnered from the CCC process. Spotted by SamMobile, Samsung has stated that the entry-level Note 20 will have a 4,300mAh cell (4,170mAh rated capacity) and the battery uses the model number EB-BN980ABY. The move to 5G will consume more power, but this is a big upgrade given the Note 10 has a 3500 mAh battery and the Note 20+ has just a 4500 mAh cell (rated 4,370 mAh). Given the Note 20+ has a larger, higher resolution display, the Note 20 may well match it for battery life, if not exceed it at a lower price point. This is great news for buyers on a budget doesn’t make the great case or Note fans to upgrade to the flagship model.
Galaxy Note 20 Plus will deliver S20 Ultra features for a much lower price
In addition to this, we also know the Galaxy Note 20 line-up will deliver superior biometrics, a more power-efficient display, additional RAM as standard and much faster storage than the all the Galaxy S20 phones, as well as taking the flagship camera hardware from the Galaxy S20 Ultra while fixing its broken autofocus. Both the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Plus designs look pretty good too.
My only concern? Samsung might just change the game in 2021.
___
Follow Gordon on Facebook
More On Forbes
Samsung Galaxy Note 20: Everything We Know So Far
Galaxy S20 Vs Galaxy S20+ Vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: What’s The Difference?
