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If you want a Samsung phone with an S Pen built into the handset, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the closest current alternative to the Galaxy Note 20. Its S Pen comes with the phone and stores in a dedicated slot, but it does not support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Air Actions. If a larger folding screen matters more than having the pen inside the phone, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is a conditional option: it supports a separate S Pen Fold Edition. The newer Galaxy Z Fold7 does not support S Pen.
Which Note 20 alternative should you choose?
| Option | Pen arrangement | Best fit | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | S Pen included and stored in the phone | Closest current Samsung phone setup to the Note 20’s built-in-pen convenience | The S26 Ultra S Pen lacks BLE and Air Actions. Samsung’s S26 Ultra product information and support guidance describe the pen. |
| Galaxy Z Fold6 | Compatible S Pen Fold Edition is separate | People who want a folding screen for writing and multitasking | Confirm the exact compatible pen and plan how to carry it. Samsung’s compatibility information covers the supported pen. |
| Galaxy Z Fold7 | No S Pen support | People who prioritize a foldable screen over stylus use | It is not an S Pen alternative. Samsung states that the Galaxy Z Fold7 does not support S Pen. |
| Older Galaxy S Ultra models | Samsung lists S21 Ultra and later S Ultra generations in its compatibility guidance; pen storage and included accessories vary by model | Buyers considering an older compatible phone | Check the specific model’s pen arrangement, condition, software-support runway, and local availability. Samsung’s pen guidance lists compatible models. |
Galaxy S26 Ultra: the closest current built-in S Pen replacement
For someone who carries a Note 20 because its pen is always close at hand, the S26 Ultra is the most direct fit among these choices. Samsung says its S Pen is included and pre-installed in the phone’s designated slot. Samsung Support US also says the pen does not rely on Bluetooth, so it does not need pairing or charging. See Samsung’s S26 Ultra bundle information and S Pen support page.
There is a meaningful feature difference for Note owners who used the stylus as a remote control. Samsung says the S26 Ultra S Pen does not have BLE or Air Actions, so it cannot provide those Bluetooth-based remote functions. If remote camera shutter or presentation controls are part of your routine, treat this as a change in how you use the pen, not just a specification difference. Basic convenience—having the pen stored in the phone—remains the main reason to consider this model.
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Samsung Electronics lists the S26 Ultra display at 6.9 inches and weight at 214 g in its 2026 interim report. Those figures offer a size reference, but do not show how the phone will feel compared with a Note 20 in hand or in a pocket.
#1 Best Overall
- The Galaxy Note20 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with Full HD+ resolution and HDR10+ support, offering bright, vibrant colors and sharp detail, making it perfect for productivity, streaming, and gaming.
Galaxy Z Fold6: choose it for the folding screen, not an integrated pen
The Z Fold6 supports the S Pen Fold Edition, but the pen is separate rather than stored in the phone. Samsung’s compatibility information lists Fold Edition support for the Z Fold3 through Z Fold6. Before choosing a Fold6, check that the exact stylus listing identifies the S Pen Fold Edition and decide how you will carry it with the phone.
This option makes sense if the folding display is itself a priority: it offers a larger screen for handwriting and multitasking than a conventional phone. It is less suitable if the reason you chose a Note was that the stylus was always tucked into the handset. Compatibility also does not guarantee that every S Pen feature works identically across devices; the pen model and host phone both matter.
Rank #2
- The Galaxy Note20 Ultra features a massive 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Quad HD+ resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and HDR10+ support, offering incredibly smooth visuals, vibrant colors, and precise touch response, perfect for gaming, media, and professional work.
Why the Galaxy Z Fold7 is not an S Pen alternative
Despite being a newer foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold7 does not support S Pen, according to Samsung. Choose it only if the foldable form factor matters more than pen input. It does not meet the core requirement for Note 20 owners looking for S Pen use on a phone.
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What to check before buying an older Galaxy S Ultra
Samsung’s pen guidance includes the S21 Ultra and later S Ultra generations among compatible phones, but that does not mean every model comes with a pen stored in the device. Pen storage and included accessories differ. Check the exact phone’s specifications and what is included with the particular unit rather than assuming it reproduces the Note 20 arrangement.
Rank #3
- 6.9 inch, 3088 x 1440 (Quad HD plus), Infinity-O Super AMOLED plus Display, 4500mAh Battery, Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0
- 128GB ROM, 12GB RAM, microSDXC Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G plus (7nm plus), Octa-Core, Adreno 650
- Rear Camera: 108MP, f/1.8 plus 12MP, f/3.0, 5x optical zoom, 50x hybrid zoom plus 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 10MP, f/2.2
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: B1(2100),B2(1900),B3(1800),B4(AWS),B5(850),B7(2600),B8(900),B12(700),B13(700),B14(700),B18(800),B19(800),B20(800),B25(1900),B26(850),B28(700),B29(700),B30(2300),B38(2600),B39(1900),B40(2300),B41(2500),B46(5200),B66(AWS-3), 5G: 2/5/41/66/71/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Single SIM
- Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT andT, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon and Sprint.
- Confirm that the exact model supports the S Pen and identify which pen it uses.
- Check whether a pen is included, stored in the phone, or must be bought and carried separately.
- For a used or refurbished device, verify condition, local availability, and remaining software support for your market; these can vary by unit and region.
- Compare the S Pen functions you rely on with the specific phone and pen combination. Compatibility alone does not establish feature parity.
Samsung’s guidance lists a range of compatible devices, including Note20 and S Ultra generations, but features depend on both the pen and host device. Consult Samsung’s S Pen guidance and its compatibility information for the exact combination you are considering.
How the Note 20’s original pen specifications fit the comparison
Samsung’s 2020 Note20 launch materials specify a 0.7 mm pen tip and 4,096 pressure levels (Samsung Note20 launch materials). These are product specifications, not a measure of comparative writing quality. They should not be used alone to predict how another phone’s pen will feel or perform.
Rank #4
- 6.7", 2400 x 1080 (FHD+), Infinity-O Super AMOLED+ Display, 4300mAh Battery, Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7nm+), Octa-Core, Adreno 650
- Rear Camera: 12MP, f/1.8 + 64MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom + 12MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 10 MP, f/2.2
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: B1(2100),B2(1900),B3(1800),B4(AWS),B5(850),B7(2600),B8(900),B12(700),B13(700),B14(700),B18(800),B19(800),B20(800),B25(1900),B26(850),B28(700),B29(700),B30(2300),B38(2600),B39(1900),B40(2300),B41(2500),B46(5200),B66(AWS-3), 5G: 2/5/41/66/71/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Single SIM
- Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon and Sprint.
Does a tablet or generic stylus solve the same need?
Not if the requirement is a pen-ready phone you can carry everywhere. A Samsung tablet with an S Pen can supplement a phone for longer writing sessions, but it is a separate, larger device. A generic capacitive stylus may interact with a touchscreen, but that does not establish Samsung S Pen digitizer compatibility or recreate the Note’s integrated stylus setup.
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Best Value
- This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors.
- This product is in "Excellent condition". The screen and body show no signs of cosmetic damage visible from 12 inches away.
- This product will have a battery that exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
