When developing each Note, Samsung conducts countless polls, interviews, tests and trials, and scans hundreds of platforms for user feedback, all in an effort to identify ways to add exciting new facets to the smartphones’ user experience. The Galaxy Note20 series and its powerful innovations are the latest products of this comprehensive process.

Click on the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at how Samsung designers, developers and innovators optimised the newest Galaxy Notes to suit users’ lifestyles.

* The images shown are for illustration purposes only, and may differ from the actual product. Product specifications may vary by country, region, model, and carrier.

Just as Samsung’s flagship series has redefined the mobile experience as we know it, the S Pen has rewritten the rules for what a smartphone stylus can do. From jotting notes on the go to snapping group photos from afar, and from editing and sharing documents to controlling media, the S Pen allows users to do so much more with their mobile device, more comfortably and conveniently than ever before.

The Galaxy Note20’s S Pen – the series’ tenth – enriches the user experience even further by offering smoother, more intuitive note-taking and lifelike precision. Follow along as we commemorate this monumental release by taking a closer look at the S Pen’s evolution over the years.

The 2011 introduction of the Galaxy Note and the S Pen launched a new category of mobile device: the phablet. Combining the characteristics of a smartphone and a tablet, the Galaxy Note made waves around the world with its ground-breaking design and notepad-like functionality.

The S Pen equipping that initial release was capable of serving as a pen, pencil, brush and highlighter. It also introduced what would be the first of many shortcuts designed to help users get things done faster; double tapping the screen while pressing the S Pen’s button would automatically open the S Memo app.

Introduced the following year, the Galaxy Note2 featured a redesigned S Pen that was flattened on one side to offer a more ergonomic grip.

The most notable enhancement from the first to second model was in pressure sensitivity. While the previous version supported up to 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, the new model supported up to 1,024, or four times as much. The improvement enabled users to enjoy a more nuanced and natural writing experience. A brush menu and eye dropper tool, which made it easy to lift colours from within the Note (from an image, for instance), were also added.

The improvements in the Galaxy Note3’s S Pen went beyond refining the handwriting experience and drastically enhanced the stylus’s productivity features. The new Air Command menu allowed users to instantly access important features simply by ejecting the S Pen or by clicking its button. The addition of this handy feature simplified making calls, sending emails and messages, adding doodles and notes to captured images, and much more.

The Galaxy Note4’s S Pen enhancements were about fostering a more realistic writing experience and adding more productivity tools.

Samsung started by greatly improving the S Pen’s accuracy, doubling its pressure sensitivity from 1,024 levels to 2,048. A new feature, Smart select, was also added to make it easier for users to share a variety of content. With Smart select, users could use their S Pen to instantly select, share and save content on their screen – no matter the app – and then share it with others via email or message.

The Galaxy Note5’s Screen off memo function was added because you never quite know when inspiration will strike, and when it does, you want to be able to capture it as quickly as possible.

The ability to jot memos directly onto the smartphone’s screen – memos that would be instantly saved once the user put the S Pen back into the device – added a new level of convenience to the note-taking experience. To enhance that convenience even further, Samsung simplified how the S Pen was removed. Whereas previous S Pens needed to be pulled out manually via the notch at the end, the Note5’s S Pen ejected with a light press.

Since 2017, many of Samsung’s S Pen enhancements have focused on enabling users to express themselves in fun and meaningful ways.

Introduced with the Galaxy Note8, Live messages are a perfect example of meaningful communication. This feature allows users to use the S Pen to draw their own fun, animated GIFS which can be instantly shared with friends or on social media. Text, drawings and GIFs created with Live message, which offers a diverse range of brushes and pens for users to choose from, can be saved in the Gallery and reused whenever the user likes.

By the time the Galaxy Note9 was introduced, the S Pen had evolved into so much more than a stylus. Now, on top of offering a diverse array of note-taking and productivity tools, the S Pen would serve as a convenient remote control for a wide variety of functions.

The addition of Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) technology meant that the Note9’s S Pen could be utilised to, for example, snap a group photo from afar by using the S Pen’s button as a shutter, and to remotely control slides in presentations. The S Pen would automatically start charging once it was placed back in the device, and offered up to 30 minutes of use (or around 200 clicks) once fully charged.

With the Galaxy Note10, the S Pen became more than a remote control; it became a magic wand of sorts.

The introduction of S Pen Air actions opened the door for users to remotely control their device using simple gestures. With a press of the S Pen’s button, the user could use these intuitive actions to switch between cameras and shooting modes, zoom in or out of a shot, and execute a variety of other convenient functions, all with customisable gestures. The smartphone also introduced enhancements designed to help users maximise productivity, including a feature that enables handwriting to be instantly converted to text and exported via a variety of formats.

In a rapidly digitising world, we can find ourselves missing the analogue days every now and then. For those who find themselves longing for that pen-and-paper feel, the Galaxy Note20’s S Pen offers the most true-to-life note-taking experience yet.

A bevy of enhancements, including AI technology that allows for more accurate coordinate prediction, as well as an improved gyro sensor and accelerometer, have combined to support the most realistic handwriting and drawing experiences possible. Those experiences are amplified by the new S Pen’s greatly reduced latency. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra’s latency has been reduced by nearly 80 percent compared to the Note10. Such responsiveness enables users to enjoy a more lifelike writing experience – one that feels like the real thing.

In addition, for the Galaxy Note20, Samsung has expanded Air actions’ gesture controls to offer users more convenience. New ‘Anywhere actions’ make navigating your phone fast and easy, no matter which app you’re using. Using them is simple. A gesture resembling a clamp pointing to the right (>) pulls up recently used apps; an upward clamp (^) brings you back to the home screen; a clamp pointing to the left (<) signifies a backward action; and a downward clamp (∨) runs Smart select. Lightly shaking the S Pen automatically activates Screen Write, which instantly captures a screenshot of your screen and displays the S Pen’s annotation tools.

The S Pen’s evolution over the last nine years has been guided by a desire to maximise the usefulness of having a stylus-equipped smartphone. The Galaxy Note20 and its advanced S Pen are the latest products of this unwavering commitment to convenience. Going forward, as we transition to the next normal, Samsung will continue to enrich Note users’ lives by making the S Pen more versatile, powerful and fun to use.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 19 February, 2020 – Samsung has collaborated with Vega Design School on a competition that gives young South African designers the opportunity to showcase their impressive design skills. The students were invited to create content that will be used as Samsung Galaxy themes that will be loaded on to the Galaxy Store. The winners, Dean Sartor, Kyle Sartor, Mohapi Polo and Liam Cuffley, will now have their artwork made available to an international audience. The aim of the Design Jam competition is to produce unique artwork designed by the creative vision of young Africans.

“We were proud to see the level of work submitted by the winning students and look forward to showcasing their work on a global stage. We believe that the country is rich in natural talent and look forward to promoting these new pioneers and mavericks. Their skills echo our own pursuit of excellence – design that brings the world to life in innovative ways, “says Cambridge Mokanyane, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung South Africa.

The winners were selected based on an online poll by fellow students as well as the public. Vega selected their second year students as the first group of designers to drive this initiative. Over 400 students across Vega’s 4 campuses (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban) were involved in the Design Jam competition that took place in 2019. The students worked in groups consisting of 3 to 4 people to design a full theme consisting of wallpapers, icons and Always On displays.

The Vega students had an open ended brief allowing them to create a “local is lekker” approach to themes over a variety of categories: sports, cars, lifestyle, nature, monuments and also illustrative designs. Students were encouraged to use a variety of crafting skills and tools such as photography, traditional and digital illustration and/or typography. The winning designed themes will be available on all Samsung devices ranging from entry level to premium including the A-Series, S-Series and Note devices.

Over my career at Samsung, I’ve had the pleasure of leading the development of mobile devices with breakthroughs that have come to define the last decade of smartphone innovation, starting with the very first Galaxy S and more recently, the Galaxy Fold. Today, I’m excited to say that we believe we are at the dawn of an inspiring new decade filled with the promise of growth and change. The growth and change for the smartphone industry, and ecosystem as a whole. As a leading player within the mobile industry, we relish our responsibility to lead next decade, empowered by experience innovation, cutting-edge technologies, and most of all, compelling products.

Fifty years ago, Samsung Electronics was founded with a clear purpose: to use the power of technology to create a better world. Driven by our commitment to break down barriers and make what some thought impossible, possible.

In 2011, we recognised that consumers were doing even more on their devices. We responded and introduced a more powerful phone with a larger screen and an S Pen to give consumers ultimate productivity on the go—the Galaxy Note. With every new device, we continued to innovate and pioneer new display, camera, and performance technologies. Last year, we created a new category with a foldable device, the Galaxy Fold.

Now, here at the start of 2020, we are excited about the opportunity to define a new era. An era that is defined not simply for innovation’s sake but to truly enable experiences that are more personal, meaningful, private and secure; that will create more intelligent connections across devices, people, businesses, and communities. This will be enabled by key advancements in the three most important technologies of our time: 5G, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT). As the leading innovator of new mobile experiences, Samsung is proud to drive the convergence of these technologies across various smart devices, including Galaxy phones, wearables and PCs.

We’ve already started bringing these new experiences to life. Through open collaboration with industry leaders, such as Google and Microsoft, we are building the robust connected ecosystem in the world. And we are working with major carriers to expand 5G services, so hundreds of millions more consumers around the world can have access to next generation networks.

It’s our responsibility and opportunity to shape the next ten years of mobile innovation, starting right now at Unpacked. No company is better suited to take on this massive challenge than Samsung.

What an exciting time for Samsung, our industry and consumers.

There were some exciting examples of how we’re driving progress, changing the shape of the future and introducing new mobile experiences at Unpacked. I’m excited to flip the industry on its head.

“The Galaxy Note devices have met consumer demands around the world and has proven to be popular in South Africa. These devices represent our continuous effort to deliver industry leading innovations, from performance and power to intelligence and services,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “The Galaxy Note10 Lite, which will be released in South Africa in February, will introduce those distinct key premium features that make up a Galaxy Note experience at an affordable and unrivalled value.”

About Galaxy Note10 Lite

Galaxy Note10 Lite: Enhanced Productivity Anytime, Anywhere

Enjoy the premium Note experience and increase your productivity on the Galaxy Note10 Lite with the signature S Pen. Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) support means you can navigate a presentation, control your video content or take a picture, all with a simple click of the S Pen. Air Command will also give you quick and easy access to the signature S Pen features you need quickly and easily. The Samsung Notes app makes note taking faster and easier when on the go. And now, you can turn those handwritten notes into text for easy editing and sharing.

Galaxy Premium Features:

The Galaxy Note10 Lite will give even more people access to key premium Galaxy features:

Uninterrupted Display: Galaxy Note10 Lite offer edge-to-edge Infinity-O displays. With a 6.7-inch screen size, the display provides an expansive and immersive experience, allowing you to fully enjoy and get lost in your favorite multimedia content.

Larger and Long-Lasting Battery: The Galaxy Note10 Lite is packed with a large 4,500mAh battery and super-fast charging capabilities, so you can stay connected longer and spend more time doing the things you love.

Services and Security: The Galaxy Note10 Lite comes with Samsung’s ecosystem of apps and services, including Bixby, Samsung Pay and Samsung Health. As you would expect, this device is also protected with defense-grade security platform Samsung Knox.

The Galaxy Note10 Lite is available in Aura Glow and Aura Black. The recommended retail price is R 12,999 (recommended *tariff rate is R599).

*Disclaimer: Tarrif rate may vary per mobile carrier.

Samsung One UI with Android 10 features:

In addition, the Samsung One UI with Android 10 features announced in December 2019 (news.samsung.com/za/samsungs-one-ui-a-singular-smartphone-experience) will also be offered with the Galaxy Note10 Lite.

Galaxy Note10 Lite Specifications¹

¹ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa –  January 23, 2020 – Samsung South Africa has unveiled the Galaxy A71 and Galaxy A51, the latest additions to the popular Galaxy A Series, as well as the Galaxy Note10 Lite at a media event in Sandton, Johannesburg. This launch event, Samsung’s first of 2020, highlighted the company’s continued efforts to bring pioneering technology to all South Africans. At the venue, Truffles on the Park, Samsung ushered in a new decade of innovation. Attended by members of the media, influencers, as well as brand ambassador and hip hop star, Cassper Nyovest, the A Series launch event was a showcase of a brand with a purpose. Presenter and entrepreneur, Maps Maponyane introduced Samsung’s team on the day, Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility, Cambridge Mokanyane, Chief Marketing Officer and Kagiso Khaole, Samsung’s Head of Content and Services.

Justin Hume reiterated Samsung’s focus on innovation for all – “We are committed to bridging the gap between flagship features and affordability. I believe the Galaxy A Series offers the best value in its segment. Additionally, the power of the Note10 Lite and its famous S Pen is now accessible to more people in South Africa”.

The Galaxy A71 and Galaxy A51, the latest addition to the highly successful Galaxy A Series will be released in the country in February. The Galaxy Note10 Lite will also be released in February. Both devices include flagship features at an affordable price.

“We are proud to connect with a new generation of consumers from the value-seekers to the power users. We will continue to listen to the needs of the local market and bring innovation that empowers all,” says Cambridge Mokanyane.

Kagiso Khaole,highlighted the role of Samsung’s integrated ecosystem and the additional value it adds. This includes the safety and convenience of Samsung Pay, which has generated more than 1,4 million transactions since 2018 as well as the peace of mind that Samsung Care+ offers Galaxy A Series customers.

About the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71

Built to make meaningful innovations and awesome mobile experiences to everyone, the Galaxy A71 and A51 are packed with enhanced features: a longer-lasting battery to keep up with your busy lifestyle, a smarter camera to help capture the world as you see it and an Infinity-O display that gives an uninterrupted visual experience.

About Galaxy Note10 Lite

Enjoy the premium Note experience and increase your productivity on the Galaxy Note10 Lite smartphones’ standout specs, including spacious, 6.7-inch immersive displays, 4,500mAh batteries with Super Fast Charging and Samsung’s latest and greatest camera technologies. Together, these enhancements, along with the Galaxy Note10 Lite’s ever-versatile S Pen, make it easy for users to capture, create and share more moments, and enable them to experience whole new levels of productivity.

“The Galaxy Note devices have met consumer wants and demands around the world. These devices represent our continuous effort to deliver industry leading innovations, from performance and power to intelligence and services,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “The Galaxy Note10 Lite, which will be released in South Africa over the next few weeks, will introduce those distinct key premium features that make up a Galaxy Note experience.”

Galaxy Note10 Lite: Enhanced Productivity Anytime, Anywhere

Enjoy the premium Note experience and increase your productivity on the Galaxy Note10 Lite with the signature S Pen. Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) support means you can navigate a presentation, control your video content or take a picture, all with a simple click of the S Pen. Air Command will also give you quick and easy access to the signature S Pen features you need quickly and easily. The Samsung Notes app makes note taking faster and easier when on the go. And now, you can turn those handwritten notes into text for easy editing and sharing.

Galaxy Premium Features: 

The Galaxy Note10 Lite will give even more people access to key premium Galaxy features:

Uninterrupted Display: Galaxy Note10 Lite offer edge-to-edge Infinity-O displays. With a 6.7-inch screen size, the display provides an expansive and immersive experience, allowing you to fully enjoy and get lost in your favorite multimedia content.

Larger and Long-Lasting Battery: The Galaxy Note10 Lite is packed with a large 4,500mAh battery and super-fast charging capabilities, so you can stay connected longer and spend more time doing the things you love.

Services and Security: The Galaxy Note10 Lite comes with Samsung’s ecosystem of apps and services, including Bixby, Samsung Pay and Samsung Health. As you would expect, this device is also protected with defense-grade security platform Samsung Knox.

Galaxy Note10 Lite Specifications¹

Samsung One UI with Android 10 features:

In addition, the Samsung One UI with Android 10 features announced in December 2019 (ews.samsung.com/za/samsungs-one-ui-a-singular-smartphone-experience) will also be offered with the Galaxy Note10 Lite.

The Galaxy Note10 Lite will be available in Aura Glow and Aura Black. It is currently on display at the CES 2020 in Las Vegas. Pricing and additional information about the latest Galaxy devices will be available in the coming weeks in South Africa.

¹ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

“Samsung continuously supports South African artists and we believe that the country is rich in natural talent and look forward to promoting the work of these creative problem solvers and mavericks. Their skills echo our own pursuit of excellence – design that brings the world to life in innovative ways, “says Cambridge Mokanyane, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung South Africa.

Vega selected their second year graphic design, copywriting and digital design students to form collaborate teams across disciplines to apply disruptive design-thinking techniques. Over 400 students across Vega’s 4 campuses (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban) were involved in the Design Jam competition that took place on the 31st July 2019 and each team comprising of 3 to 4 students designed a full theme consisting of wallpapers, icons and Always On displays.

The three group finalists have now been selected:

Team Afronauts (Vega Johannesburg) comprising the following members:

• Dean Sartor
• Kyle Sartor
• Mohapi Polo
• Liam Cuffley

Team Fantastic 5 (Vega Durban) comprising the following members:

• Caitlin Robinson
• Abigail Gilbert
• Kirsten Small
• Zanele Biyela
• Chantal Jonker

Team Bessick and Smit (Vega Cape Town) comprising the following members:

• Bradley Smit
• Cody Bessick

The Vega students had an open ended brief allowing them to create a “local is lekker” approach to themes over a variety of categories: sports, cars, lifestyle, nature, monuments and also illustrative designs. The brief allowed students to be creative in their approach and apply their design skills with a clear end goal in mind, to ensure their designs stood out. Students were encouraged to use a variety of crafting skills and tools such as photography, traditional and digital illustration and/or typography. The Design Jam competition will allow new locally designed themes to be loaded to the Galaxy Store. This content will therefore be more relevant and accessible in various African territories. The designed themes will be available on all Samsung devices ranging from entry level to premium (A-Series, S-Series and Note) devices.

Samsung is now inviting the public to be a part of the selection of the overall winner, by visiting https://www.samsung.com/za/offer/vega-competition
Voters will stand a chance to win R1000 worth of shopping vouchers. Voting is from 9 to 13 December 2019. Once all votes have been counted, the winner will be announced by 20 December 2019.

Competition Terms and Conditions apply: https://www.samsung.com/za/offer/vega-competition-terms/

With just a small, centered cutout for the front camera, the Galaxy Note10 ’s edge-to-edge design offers a truly immersive viewing experience. Galaxy Note10 with HDR10+ certification and its Dynamic Tone Mapping delivers rich, vivid contrast and color for unmatched video quality. Nowhere do these features come together better than on the Galaxy Note10+, described by DisplayMate as the most innovative and high-performance smartphone display they have ever lab tested. Whether you are watching the latest TV shows or playing your favorite game, images and graphics come alive on the Galaxy Note10’s best-in-class display. Check out the infographic below to learn more.