Due to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic on public and social gatherings, Note 20 devices were unveiled virtually at Samsung's newsroom in Suwon, South Korea.

[11][12] The Galaxy Note 20 series also include a number of new software features, which include performance optimization for mobile gaming, wireless sync with desktop and laptop PCs, and improved DeX features for remotely connected to compatible devices.

For the Note 20, Aura Red is exclusive to SK Telecom with 256 GB of storage, replacing Mystic Green in South Korea; Prism Blue will be sold in India.

The settings have two options, 60 Hz and Adaptive, the latter of which uses a variable refresh rate that can adjust based on the content being displayed,[19] enabled by a more energy efficient LTPO backplane.

[21] On April 14, 2021, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G T-Mobile updated software to support eSIM and dual SIM (DSDS).

Other carriers still do not enable the two features even though the Galaxy Note20 Ultra already supports eSIM out of the box.

Single Take, introduced on the S20 series, allows users to capture photos or videos simultaneously with different sensors automatically.

Additionally, it gains five new Air gestures that work across the UI by utilizing the accelerometers and gyroscope, as well as 'AI-based point prediction'.

[30] On August 18, 2020, the Note 20 series along with a selection of other Samsung Galaxy devices, were announced to receive three generations of Android software update support.

Reviews from various technology websites, such as TechRadar and The Verge, praised the Note 20 series for its redesigned S-Pen and camera performance.

However, the baseline Note 20 was criticized for its lower quality display and plastic back panel despite the high starting price point.

[34][35] Writing for TechRadar, James Peckham said in his verdict, "the Galaxy Note 20 is Samsung's new entry-level stylus-included smartphone for 2020, but it's one that doesn't seem particularly exciting for the usual Note-loving crowd.

It highlights some more affordable features compared to its more exciting Ultra sibling but it may well be just as good for those who don't want to spend top dollar.