LG Wing 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra: A Clash of Innovation and Productivity

Released in a similar timeframe, the LG Wing 5G and Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra represent divergent approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Wing aimed to disrupt with its unique swivel form factor, while the Note20 Ultra doubled down on Samsung’s established S Pen-driven productivity experience. Now, with both devices available at significantly reduced prices, a direct comparison reveals which offers the better value proposition in 2024.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing productivity and a refined experience, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its brighter display, more powerful processor (particularly the Snapdragon variant), and integrated S Pen functionality outweigh the LG Wing 5G’s novelty swivel design. However, the Wing’s unique form factor and competitive battery life make it a compelling option for those seeking something different.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Wing 5G Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - USA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-N986U
5G bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 Sub6, mmWave - USA2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-N986U
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 41, 66, 71 Sub6 - SM-N986W
Launch
Announced2020, September 14. Released 2020, October 152020, August 05
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, August 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), stainless steel frame
Dimensions169.5 x 74.5 x 10.9 mm (6.67 x 2.93 x 0.43 in)164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight260 g (9.17 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
 IP54, dust and water resistant Water-repellent coating MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus, 9ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~496 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 116.7 cm2 (~91.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeRotating P-OLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on display Secondary display: G-OLED, 1080 x 1240 pixels, 3.9 inchesAlways-on display 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD refresh rate
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) - USA
GPUAdreno 620Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-3.15 MP
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/1.9, 117˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 50x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
ChargingWired, QC4 13W wireless25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora Gray, Illusion SkyMystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
ModelsLMF100N, LM-F100N, LM-F100V, LM-F100SM-N986B, SM-N986B/DS, SM-N986U, SM-N986U1, SM-N986W, SM-N9860, SM-N986N, SC-53A
PriceAbout 850 EUR€ 381.00 / $ 248.44
SAR1.13 W/kg (head)     1.06 W/kg (body)0.71 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.34 W/kg (head)     1.47 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 87h Endurance rating 88h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -30.9 LUFS (Below average) -27.8 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 315688 (v8) GeekBench: 7898 (v4.4), 1952 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) GeekBench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG Wing 5G

  • Unique swivel form factor for multitasking
  • Competitive battery life (87h endurance)
  • More affordable price point in 2024

  • Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 765G)
  • Dimmer display compared to Note20 Ultra
  • Less refined camera system

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

  • Brighter and more vibrant display (1024 nits)
  • More powerful processor (Exynos 990/Snapdragon 865 5G+)
  • Integrated S Pen for productivity
  • Faster charging speeds (25W wired)

  • Higher price (originally)
  • Potential for Exynos overheating (Global variant)
  • Larger and heavier design

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1024 nits compared to the LG Wing’s 586 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the Note20 Ultra’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. While the Wing’s swivel design adds a second screen, it doesn’t match the quality or usability of the Note20 Ultra’s primary panel. The Note20 Ultra’s larger screen real estate also benefits productivity tasks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the Note20 Ultra’s larger sensors and more advanced image processing give it an edge. While both capture photo and video, the Note20 Ultra’s ability to record 8K video and its superior low-light performance are significant advantages. The LG Wing 5G’s camera is competent, but it lacks the refinement and consistency of the Note20 Ultra’s system. The Note20 Ultra’s zoom capabilities are also superior, offering greater flexibility for capturing distant subjects. Ignoring the 2MP macro sensors on both devices, the main and ultrawide lenses are the key differentiators, favoring Samsung.

Performance

Performance is where the Note20 Ultra pulls ahead, though the specifics depend on the region. Global Note20 Ultra models utilize the Exynos 990, while US models receive the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G+. Both are octa-core processors, but the Snapdragon 865 5G+ offers superior GPU performance and thermal management. The LG Wing 5G, powered by the Snapdragon 765G, is a capable mid-range chip, but it can’t compete with the Note20 Ultra’s processing power, especially in demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. The Note20 Ultra’s potential for faster LPDDR5 RAM further enhances its multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

Battery endurance is surprisingly close, with the LG Wing 5G achieving an 87-hour rating and the Note20 Ultra scoring 88 hours. However, charging speeds differ significantly. The Note20 Ultra supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the Wing’s QC4-compatible wired charging. The Note20 Ultra also offers 15W wireless charging (Qi) and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Wing. While the Wing’s battery life is respectable, the Note20 Ultra’s faster charging and additional wireless features provide greater convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Wing 5G if you crave a genuinely different smartphone experience and value a unique form factor for multitasking or content consumption. Its swivel screen offers a novel way to interact with apps, and its endurance rating is respectable. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G if you prioritize productivity, a superior display, and a more polished software experience. The S Pen integration, coupled with the powerful processor and excellent camera system, makes it ideal for professionals and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 990 in the global Note20 Ultra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 990 variant of the Note20 Ultra is known to exhibit some thermal throttling during extended, demanding tasks like gaming. While not a complete deal-breaker, users may experience reduced performance after prolonged use. The Snapdragon 865 5G+ variant (available in the US) generally handles heat more effectively.
❓ Is the swivel mechanism on the LG Wing 5G durable and reliable?
Early reports indicated some concerns about the long-term durability of the LG Wing 5G’s swivel mechanism. However, with time, the mechanism has proven to be reasonably robust for typical use. While it’s not as inherently durable as a traditional smartphone design, most users haven’t reported significant issues with the swivel failing.
❓ How useful is the secondary screen on the LG Wing 5G in real-world scenarios?
The secondary screen on the LG Wing 5G is best suited for quick access to frequently used apps, controlling media playback, or displaying notifications while the main screen is in use. It’s not a replacement for true multitasking, but it can enhance productivity for specific workflows.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra's S Pen be used for precise photo editing?
Yes, the S Pen on the Note20 Ultra is incredibly useful for precise photo editing. It allows for detailed adjustments to exposure, contrast, and color, as well as selective editing of specific areas within an image. The Air Actions feature also provides convenient control over camera functions.