Update: As per our suspicions, the leaked spec sheet contained a typo and the Galaxy Note 20 does not have a ToF 3D sensor. In fact, according to the same source, neither the Galaxy Note 20 nor the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will have a ToF sensor, but the latter model will apparently take advantage of laser autofocus.
Original story follows
A complete picture of the alleged Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra camera specifications has emerged on Twitter via WinFuture's @rquandt. The list of specs highlights the key differences and similarities between the two models' main camera configurations, and seemingly confirms that neither one of these upcoming S Pen models will be taking advantage of laser autofocus.
Instead, and contrary to what early rumors have claimed, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will reportedly feature a ToF (Time of Flight) 3D depth sensor. In fact, the source claims that the Galaxy Note 20 base model will have a ToF sensor as well, which is very odd considering all the recent high-res renders that have suggested otherwise. Perhaps we're dealing with a typo, so take this bit of information with a grain of salt.
Another similarity between the two models would be the 12MP wide-angle shooter which has a 120-degree field of view, an f/2.2 aperture, 1.4-micron pixels, and is backed by a 1/2.55″ sensor. Likewise, both smartphone models will be capable of recording 8K videos @ 24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, and super-slow motion 720p videos at 960fps. This is where the similarities end.
The Galaxy Note 20 follows the Galaxy S20 formula very closely
The standard Galaxy Note 20, which could have easily been called the Galaxy Note 20 Lite, is essentially equipped with the same camera configuration as the base Galaxy S20 model, with the exception of the aforementioned ToF sensor, if it exists to begin with.
The Galaxy Note 20 reportedly features a 12MP main camera with a 79-degree field of view, an f/1.8 aperture, 1.8-micron pixels, a 1/1.72″ sensor, optical image stabilization, and Dual Pixel autofocus. The setup is completed by the aforementioned 12MP ultra-wide unit and a 64MP 76-degrees telephoto camera with an f/2.0 aperture, a 1/1.76″ sensor, 0.8-micron pixels, OIS, and 3x optical zoom capabilities.
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra maintains Phase-Detection autofocus
If the Galaxy Note 20 borrows a page from the Galaxy S20 book then the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra was clearly inspired by the Galaxy S20 Ultra, and not necessarily in a good way. The flagship features a 108MP main camera backed by a 1/1.33 sensor with 0.8-micron pixels, OIS, a 79-degree field of view, and an f/1.8 aperture. But instead of Dual Pixel autofocus, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra employes the less-reliable Phase Detection autofocus technology.
The main shooter is coupled with the same 12MP ultra-wide sensor as mentioned above, as well as a 12MP telephoto lens with 20-degrees field of view, an f/3.0 aperture, a 1/3.6″ sensor with 1-micron pixels, and OIS.
Galaxy Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra camera – the takeaway
One of the biggest issues marring the camera experience offered by the Galaxy S20 Ultra was its unreliable autofocus, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra may not be much better because it maintains PDAF instead of adopting Dual Pixel autofocus. And if it has a ToF sensor, it likely won't boast a laser autofocus module. Only time will tell how the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra camera will perform and what benefits it will bring over the Galaxy S20 Ultra – if any – given that it also lacks 100x Space Zoom.
Meanwhile, the camera on the back of the base Galaxy Note 20 model is essentially the Galaxy S20's sans the ToF 3D sensor, whose inclusion remains very uncertain. But even if the Galaxy Note 20 will be equipped with this technology, it remains to be seen if it would make a huge difference. That's something that we'll have to determine once the phone is in our possession. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.
SamsungGalaxy Note 20
