The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 lineup was introduced in August 2020, and the lineup includes the Galaxy Note 20 5G and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G. The Note 20 is the smaller model, and the Note 20 Ultra is the bigger model, but if you’re buying a gently used model you will also need to consider the specific model number to make sure it will be compatible with your wireless carrier. While that may seem like an unwanted level of confusion, you don’t have to worry because we’re going to break it all down in this post.
- Which model Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G should I buy?
- Which model Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G should I buy?
- Find your gently used Galaxy Note 20 5G or Note 20 Ultra 5G on Swappa
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G model numbers
The base model number for the Galaxy Note 20 is SM-N98x. The Galaxy Note 20 5G is the SM-N981 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G is the SM-N986. Simple enough so far, but each of these models has several variants, which break down as follows:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G: SM-N981U, SM-N981U1, SM-N981W, SM-N981B
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G: SM-N986U, SM-N986U1, SM-N986W, SM-N986B, SM-986N, SM-9860
Ten different variants in all — but if you are buying a Galaxy Note 20 5G or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G to use in the United States, this list can immediately be cut down to two variants — the U and the U1 versions.
Essentially, you just need to decide whether you want the Note 20 5G or the Note 20 Ultra 5G and whether you want a carrier-specific version or a factory unlocked version. The carrier-specific “U” version is locked for use with one specific wireless carrier, and the factory unlocked “U1” version is unlocked for use with different wireless carriers.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G network compatibility guide
The carrier-specific version of the Galaxy Note 20 5G is the SM-N981U and the factory unlocked version of the Galaxy Note 20 5G is the SM-N981U1. If you plan to use your Galaxy Note 20 5G with a specific carrier you will need to buy the SM-N981U. And, if you think you may switch carriers in the future (and don’t want to buy a different phone when you switch), you will need to buy the SM-N981U1.
You can find the Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SM-N981U versions of the Galaxy Note 20 5G using the following links, or tap the widget below to find a factory unlocked SM-N981U1 Galaxy Note 20 5G.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G network compatibility guide
Similar to the Galaxy Note 20 5G, the two variants of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G that are best for use with a US-based wireless carrier include the “U” and the “U1” variants. The SM-N986U is the carrier-specific version of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, and the SM-N986U1 is the factory unlocked version of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G.
You should pick the SM-N986U if you plan to use your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G with a single wireless carrier. The SM-G986U1 is the model you will need if you want the flexibility to switch carriers, say from Verizon to AT&T or T-Mobile, or vice versa, without having to buy a new phone.
You can view the current listings for the carrier-specific SM-N986U by tapping any of the three following links, or skip below and tap the widget to view the current listings for the factory unlocked SM-N986U1.
- Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
- AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
- T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
Swappa’s Buyer’s Guide for the Galaxy Note 20 5G and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G can be found using the following link:
Find your gently used Galaxy Note 20 5G or Note 20 Ultra 5G on Swappa
You’ve now completed your research, and know the correct Galaxy Note 20 5G or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G model number for your wireless carrier. Or, alternatively, you may have decided to go with an unlocked model in case you switch carriers down the road. But regardless of which model works best for you — you can begin your search by tapping the widgets below. You can also take comfort in knowing that Swappa has a wide selection of gently used Galaxy Note 20 5G and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G smartphones available — and at great prices. You can shop safely and save big in the Swappa marketplace.
