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The Samsung Galaxy Note series began with the original Galaxy Note in 2011 and ended as a branded smartphone line with the Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra in 2020. Its defining formula was a large display plus a pressure-sensitive S Pen stored inside the phone, a concept that later moved mainly into Galaxy S Ultra and Z Fold devices.
This history covers Samsung’s main Note smartphones and the important derivatives: the Note 3 Neo, Note Edge, Note FE and Note10 Lite. It does not attempt to list Note tablets, carrier model numbers, storage or color variants, or promotional editions such as Olympic and Star Wars phones.
Key takeaways
- The original Galaxy Note launched in 2011 with a 5.3-inch display and an integrated S Pen, an unusually large format that helped popularize big-screen smartphones.
- The Note7 launched in 2016 with USB Type-C, iris scanning and a 3,500mAh battery, but battery-related fires led to recalls and permanent withdrawal of the phone.
- The Galaxy Note FE was a reworked, limited-market Note7 with a smaller battery; it was not a new numbered generation and did not erase the Note7 safety episode.
- The Galaxy Note10 generation introduced standard and Plus models in 2019, while the Note20 and Note20 Ultra formed the final Note-branded smartphone generation in 2020.
- The Galaxy S21 Ultra supported an optional S Pen without an internal silo, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra brought back the built-in-pen concept under the S Ultra name.
- Galaxy Z Fold phones support compatible S Pens beginning with the Z Fold3, but the pen is separate and Fold-specific compatibility matters.
Every Samsung Galaxy Note phone at a glance
The Samsung Galaxy Note phone chronology runs from the 2011 Galaxy Note to the 2020 Galaxy Note20 family. The table separates mainline flagships from derivatives, experiments and lower-cost models so that every entry is not mistaken for an equal annual successor.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Note | 2011 | Original flagship | 5.3-inch display and integrated S Pen established the formula. | Large and unconventional by 2011 standards. |
| Galaxy Note II | 2012 | Mainline successor | Larger 5.5-inch screen and stronger multitasking and pen software. | Still bulky compared with ordinary phones of its era. |
| Galaxy Note 3 | 2013 | Mainline flagship | 5.7-inch 1080p-class display, faster hardware and improved pen tools. | Large faux-leather design was distinctive but divisive. |
| Galaxy Note 3 Neo | 2014 | Lower-cost derivative | Simplified Note 3 experience for selected markets. | Regional availability and reduced hardware. |
| Galaxy Note 4 | 2014 | Mainline flagship | Quad HD display, improved camera and metal-framed construction. | Less radically different from Note 3 than earlier upgrades. |
| Galaxy Note Edge | 2014 | Experimental sibling | Single curved side display with edge-specific software. | Not simply a Note 4 with a different screen. |
| Galaxy Note 5 | 2015 | Design-led flagship | Glass-and-metal construction, stronger performance and wireless charging. | Many markets lost microSD expansion; reversed S Pen insertion could damage the mechanism. |
| Galaxy Note7 | 2016 | Withdrawn flagship | Iris scanning, USB Type-C and a refined S Pen experience. | Battery-related fires led to recalls and withdrawal. |
| Galaxy Note FE | 2017 | Reworked derivative | Returned Note7 hardware with a smaller battery. | Limited-market release and niche used-phone appeal. |
| Galaxy Note8 | 2017 | Post-recall flagship | Dual cameras and a careful return to the market. | Conservative design reflected the Note7 crisis. |
| Galaxy Note9 | 2018 | Mature traditional Note | 4,000mAh battery and Bluetooth S Pen remote functions. | Software and batteries are now old. |
| Galaxy Note10 | 2019 | Smaller flagship | 6.3-inch display introduced the standard-size option in the split Note family. | No longer the same tier as the Plus model. |
| Galaxy Note10+ | 2019 | Larger premium flagship | 6.8-inch display, larger battery and more extensive hardware. | No microSD on some configurations and no headphone jack. |
| Galaxy Note10 Lite | 2020 | Lower-cost model | More affordable phone with the Note identity and an S Pen. | Not the direct successor to the Note10+. |
| Galaxy Note20 | 2020 | Standard final-generation model | 6.7-inch flat display and productivity-focused software. | Lower hardware and display positioning than the Ultra. |
| Galaxy Note20 Ultra | 2020 | Premium final Note | 6.9-inch display, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and 4,500mAh battery. | Large, expensive when new and increasingly old as a used phone. |
Why did the original Galaxy Note matter?
The original Galaxy Note mattered because Samsung combined a phone-sized mobile computer with a large display and a stylus that lived inside the body. According to the contemporary model history, the 2011 Galaxy Note used a 5.3-inch display and introduced the integrated S Pen that became the family’s signature feature. The original Galaxy Note specifications and launch history document how unusual that size was for its time.
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- 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.
Before the Note, large phones were often treated as awkward hybrids. The press frequently called them “phablets,” a blend of phone and tablet, but the label is less important than what Samsung made useful: handwriting, drawing, screen navigation, annotations and precision editing without carrying a separate stylus.
The Note was not necessarily the first large-screen smartphone, and calling it the first “phablet” overstates the evidence. The more accurate historical claim is that the original Note was one of the most influential early large-screen smartphones and helped make large displays acceptable to mainstream buyers.
How did the S Pen evolve?
The S Pen evolved from a basic pressure-sensitive stylus into a hardware-and-software control system. Each Note generation added reasons to remove the pen from its silo rather than treating the S Pen as a replacement for a conventional capacitive stylus.
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|---|---|---|
| Note and Note II | Handwriting, drawing, navigation and pen-aware multitasking. | Established the idea that a stylus could be central to phone software rather than an optional accessory. |
| Note 3 | Air Command and faster access to pen tools. | Made pen shortcuts easier to discover and use. |
| Note 4 and Note Edge | More mature handwriting, screenshots and productivity tools. | Turned the S Pen into a practical capture and annotation tool. |
| Note 5 | Redesigned click-in pen mechanism. | Created a serious insertion-risk problem if the pen was put in backward. |
| Note7 and Note8 | Refined pen experience during and after the Note7 crisis. | Note8 restored confidence in the S Pen line after the withdrawal. |
| Note9 | Bluetooth-enabled S Pen with remote controls. | The pen could control functions such as camera operation without touching the screen. Samsung’s Note9 announcement describes the Bluetooth remote functionality. |
| Note10 | Air gestures and expanded remote-control features. | Extended the S Pen from a writing tool into a remote interface. |
| Note20 | Lower-latency writing and deeper Samsung Notes, Windows and DeX integration. | Presented the classic Note concept as a productivity platform at the end of the line. |
Bluetooth and remote features are not universal across S Pens. Samsung’s S Pen remote-function guidance distinguishes ordinary writing support from remote and Air Action support, so a replacement pen should be matched to the exact phone model and required features.
What changed in each main Galaxy Note generation?
Galaxy Note — 2011
The 2011 Galaxy Note was Samsung’s experiment in making a very large phone useful rather than merely oversized. Its 5.3-inch display provided more room for reading, browsing and writing, while the integrated S Pen added precision that fingers could not provide.
The original Note’s historical importance is greater than its modern buying value. Its software, battery and network compatibility are too old for most daily-driver recommendations, but collectors and Samsung historians should start here because every later Note inherited its basic proposition.
Galaxy Note II — 2012
The Galaxy Note II turned the original experiment into a recognizable product line. Samsung’s historical overview lists a 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel rear camera, 2GB of RAM, a 3,100mAh battery and Android 4.1 at launch. Samsung’s Galaxy Note series overview provides the generation’s historical specifications.
The important improvement was not one component alone. The Note II made the S Pen more useful for multitasking and pen-aware actions, giving the large screen a job beyond showing more content.
Galaxy Note 3 and Note 3 Neo — 2013–2014
The Galaxy Note 3 was a major productivity upgrade, moving to a 5.7-inch 1080p-class display and adding faster hardware, more capable pen tools and a faux-leather design direction. The Note 3 helped establish the annual Note flagship as a device for people who wanted the largest, most feature-heavy Samsung phone.
The Galaxy Note 3 Neo was not the next full generation. Samsung positioned the Note 3 Neo as a lower-cost or simplified derivative, and availability varied by region. A listing for a Note 3 Neo should therefore be assessed as a separate budget model based on Note 3 ideas, not as a “Note 4” or an equal replacement for the Note 3 flagship.
Rank #2
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Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge — 2014
The Galaxy Note 4 was the mainstream 2014 flagship. It brought a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, an improved camera and a metal-framed construction. Samsung’s historical comparison lists a 3,220mAh battery for the Note 4. The official Note series comparison places the Note 4 within the mainline progression from the Note 3.
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Galaxy Note 5 — 2015
The Galaxy Note 5 pushed the line toward a slimmer, more premium glass-and-metal design. Performance improved, wireless charging became part of the appeal and the phone looked more like Samsung’s polished flagship products.
The redesign also introduced meaningful compromises. Expandable storage was omitted in many markets, and the redesigned click-in S Pen created a well-known insertion hazard: placing the pen backward could damage the phone’s internal mechanism. Used buyers should test the pen silo and confirm that the original S Pen is present before paying a collector’s premium.
Galaxy Note7 and Note FE — 2016–2017
The Galaxy Note7 was ambitious hardware that became the defining crisis in Note history. Samsung’s launch specification included a 3,500mAh battery, USB Type-C, iris scanning and Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Samsung’s Note7 launch announcement records those original features.
Reports of overheating and fires led to an initial replacement program. Incidents involving replacement units followed, and Samsung ultimately withdrew the Note7 and conducted a further recall. The episode affected consumer trust, airline restrictions and Samsung’s quality-control process. The safety issue was a battery-related product failure that required a recall; it should not be simplified into a claim that every individual unit displayed the same symptom.
Samsung also skipped the expected name “Note 6.” The company used Note7 to align the Note numbering with the Galaxy S7 generation, so the apparent jump does not represent a missing Note 6 phone.
The Galaxy Note FE was a later, limited-market rework of returned Note7 hardware using a smaller battery. The Fan Edition was important because Samsung reused much of the Note7 design in a controlled relaunch, but the Note FE was not a wholly new generation and did not erase the original recall. A used Note FE should be treated as a niche collector or enthusiast purchase, with battery condition and regional availability checked carefully.
Galaxy Note8 — 2017
The Galaxy Note8 was Samsung’s post-recall comeback. Samsung returned to the integrated S Pen while taking a comparatively conservative approach to reliability and product messaging. The phone added a dual-camera system and refined S Pen software, giving the Note line a credible continuation after the Note7 withdrawal.
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Historically, the Note8 matters less for one breakthrough specification than for restoring the family. Samsung demonstrated that the Note name could return, although the Note7 crisis remained part of the product’s context.
Rank #3
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- 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
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Galaxy Note9 — 2018
The Galaxy Note9 was the mature version of the classic Note formula: a large premium phone, an internal S Pen and hardware aimed at power users. The phone included a 4,000mAh battery, IP68 water and dust resistance, Bluetooth remote functionality in the S Pen, and up to 512GB of internal storage in some versions alongside microSD support. Samsung’s Note9 announcement and specifications document those features.
For used buyers, the Note9 remains one of the most complete traditional Notes. It is particularly attractive to readers who want expandable storage, a headphone jack and the mature S Pen design. The trade-off is age: battery health, obsolete or limited software support, OLED wear and carrier compatibility matter more than the original specification sheet.
Galaxy Note10, Note10+ and Note10 Lite — 2019–2020
The Galaxy Note10 generation changed the line from one flagship size into a tiered family. The standard Note10 used a 6.3-inch display, while the Note10+ used a 6.8-inch display, a larger battery and a broader hardware package. Samsung’s Note10 announcement describes the smaller standard model and larger Plus model as distinct choices rather than simple regional variants.
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The Note10 Lite arrived in early 2020 as part of Samsung’s broader Lite strategy to bring Galaxy features to more people. The Note10 Lite retained the Note identity and S Pen but used a less premium platform. The model was not the direct successor to the Note10+ and should be evaluated as a lower-cost Note phone.
Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra — 2020
The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra were announced on August 5, 2020, and together formed the final Note-branded smartphone generation. The Note20 used a 6.7-inch flat display and a 4,300mAh battery, while the Note20 Ultra used a 6.9-inch display, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and a 4,500mAh battery. Samsung’s Note20 specification page and the Note20 series technical datasheet provide the model-specific figures.
The Note20 was the more affordable and less premium member of the family, with a flat display and lower positioning than the Ultra. The Note20 Ultra was the strongest conventional Note: it combined the largest screen, advanced camera hardware, high refresh rate and the integrated S Pen in one phone.
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The Note20 generation is historically significant because it was not merely another annual update. It closed the original large-screen phone-with-built-in-stylus format just as Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra line was beginning to absorb the same role.
Why did Samsung skip the Galaxy Note6 name?
Samsung skipped the Galaxy Note6 name and called the 2016 phone Galaxy Note7 to align the Note numbering with the Galaxy S7 generation. The naming jump indicates a branding decision, not a missing sixth-generation Note phone.
What happened to the Note7?
The Note7 was permanently withdrawn as a normal retail product after battery-related fires and problems involving replacement devices. The withdrawal followed an initial replacement program, so the Note7 story includes both the original phones and replacement units rather than a single isolated recall.
Rank #4
- 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.
The Note FE later reused returned Note7 hardware with a smaller battery in selected markets. The Note FE was a controlled continuation of the hardware, not proof that the original Note7 recall had been inconsequential. Collectors should distinguish historical interest from suitability as a daily phone: a Note7 should not be recommended as an ordinary used smartphone because of its recall history.
What replaced the Galaxy Note?
The Galaxy Note was not replaced by one identically named successor. Samsung distributed the Note’s defining ideas across Galaxy S Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold products, with the Galaxy S Ultra becoming the closest modern replacement for the self-contained Note experience.
| Modern line | S Pen arrangement | Closest match to the Note | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21 Ultra | Optional S Pen; no internal silo. | Large-screen S Pen support without a built-in pen. | A special case is needed for storage. Samsung confirms the S21 Ultra’s S Pen arrangement. |
| Galaxy S22 Ultra and later S Ultra models | Built-in S Pen on supported Ultra generations. | Closest modern equivalent to the traditional Note. | It is an S Ultra, not literally a Note, and features vary by generation. |
| Galaxy Z Fold3 and later Z Fold models | Compatible Fold Edition or S Pen Pro sold separately. | Large foldable writing and multitasking canvas. | No pen on the cover screen, higher complexity and accessory-specific compatibility. |
Samsung’s investor material describes the Galaxy S22 Ultra as combining the Ultra and Note concepts, which explains why many people casually call the S22 Ultra a “new Note.” Samsung’s investor-report description supports that product-positioning interpretation, but the official product name remains Galaxy S22 Ultra.
The Z Fold family takes a different path. Samsung introduced S Pen support for the foldable family beginning with the Z Fold3. Samsung’s stylus history overview describes the move to a larger foldable writing surface. A Z Fold is a better fit for readers who prioritize multitasking and a tablet-sized canvas than for readers seeking the compact, self-contained simplicity of a classic Note.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Galaxy Note is best to buy used?
The best used Galaxy Note depends on whether the priority is the classic design, the newest conventional hardware, expandable storage or collector value. No old Note should be judged only by its original specification sheet, because battery aging, software support, screen condition and network compatibility now determine the ownership experience.
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| Buying goal | Best fit | Why | What to accept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best final Note | Galaxy Note20 Ultra | Most advanced conventional Note hardware and the last premium Note generation. | Large size, aging battery and older software. |
| Best classic Note balance | Galaxy Note9 | 4,000mAh battery, mature S Pen, microSD support and headphone jack. | Older software, battery wear and weaker long-term network prospects. |
| Best premium older design | Galaxy Note10+ | Large display and polished glass-and-metal design. | No headphone jack and no microSD in some configurations. |
| Best lower-cost Note identity | Galaxy Note10 Lite | Retains the S Pen experience at a lower original product tier. | Less premium hardware and an older platform. |
| Best collector curiosity | Galaxy Note Edge or Note FE | Both represent unusual points in Note history: the curved-edge experiment or reworked Note7 hardware. | Limited practical value, regional availability and age. |
| Not recommended as a daily phone | Galaxy Note7 | Important historical artifact. | Recall history makes collector value the only sensible rationale. |
Readers who want the closest current experience should generally compare a modern Galaxy S Ultra against a used Note20 Ultra. A current S Ultra offers the built-in-pen concept on newer hardware, while a used Note20 Ultra preserves the actual Note branding and design language but carries the normal risks of an older phone.
What should you check before buying an old Galaxy Note?
- Battery: Ask about battery health, replacement history and abnormal heat. A replacement battery does not automatically prove that the phone is in good condition.
- S Pen: Confirm that the original pen is included, that the pen charges or stores correctly where applicable, and that writing works across the screen.
- Screen: Test for OLED burn-in, dead pixels, touch defects, cracks and edge damage.
- Water resistance: Treat water resistance as uncertain after repairs, opening or adhesive replacement. Do not rely on an old phone’s original rating.
- Charging: Inspect the charging port, cable fit and charging behavior.
- Network: Verify the exact model number, carrier compatibility and LTE or 5G bands for the buyer’s country.
- Software: Check the model’s current update status for its region and carrier. Samsung’s historical three-generation Android policy named Note20, Note10+, Note10 and Note10 Lite models, but current support is model-, region- and carrier-dependent. Samsung’s 2020 software-support announcement identifies the Note models covered by that policy.
- Account security: Make sure the seller removes Samsung and Google accounts, disables factory-reset protection and completes a factory reset in front of the buyer.
- Blacklist status: Check that the IMEI is not blocked or reported stolen.
- Storage: Confirm whether the exact configuration has microSD support and whether the internal storage is sufficient.
- Parts: Consider replacement-screen, battery and S Pen availability before buying a particularly old or regional model.
Buyers should use “refurbished Galaxy Note” listings carefully. Live inventory, battery policies, warranties and return terms change by seller and market, so a reputable refurbisher is preferable to an anonymous listing when the price difference is small.
Are old S Pens compatible with newer Galaxy phones?
Old S Pens are not universally cross-compatible with newer Galaxy phones. Writing support, Bluetooth remote functions and physical fit are separate questions, and Z Fold phones require particular attention because an incompatible pen can damage the foldable display.
Samsung’s S Pen Pro and Z Fold compatibility guidance distinguishes Fold Edition and Pro pens from ordinary Note and S Ultra pens. Samsung’s compatibility document also lists separate historical MSRP signals of $99.99 for the S Pen Pro, $49.99 for the S Pen Fold Edition, $39.99 for the S21 Ultra S Pen and Note20 S Pen, and $29.99 for the Note10 S Pen. Those are catalog figures from the document, not guaranteed August 2026 retail prices.
Do not buy a replacement S Pen by appearance alone. Match the exact phone model, confirm whether Bluetooth or Air Actions are required, and check whether the phone has an internal silo or needs a case.
Best Value
- Fast charging, long lasting intelligent power and super speed processing outlast whatever you throw at Note 10
- S pen’s newest Evolution gives you the power of air gestures, a remote shutter and playlist button and handwriting to text, all in One Magic wand
- With a full set of Pro lenses, super stabilization, live video bokeh and precision audio recording, Note 10 is a studio in your pocket
- Note 10’s nearly bezel less Infinity display gives an immersive, cinematic quality to whatever you’re viewing
- Internet usage time(LTE) (hours) up to 14. Internet usage time(wi fi) (hours) up to 14. Audio playback time (hours, wireless) up to 60. Talk time (4G LTE) (hours) up to 38. Video playback time (hours, wireless) up to 19
How many Galaxy Note phones were there?
Using the practical scope of distinct Note-branded smartphones, there were 16 entries in the chronology above: 12 mainline or family model names and four important derivatives or siblings—Note 3 Neo, Note Edge, Note FE and Note10 Lite. The count changes if a reader counts every 5G variant, carrier model, storage configuration, color or promotional edition separately.
The core numbered progression was Galaxy Note, Note II, Note 3, Note 4, Note 5, Note7, Note8, Note9, Note10 and Note20. Note7 skipped Note6 for branding alignment, while Note10 and Note20 each represented a family with standard and premium models.
Was the Galaxy Note series discontinued?
The Galaxy Note-branded smartphone line ended with the 2020 Galaxy Note20 generation, but the Note’s design and software legacy continued. Samsung’s support material now treats the Note series as a historical compatibility category while listing newer S Ultra and Z Fold families separately. Samsung’s S Pen compatibility guidance reflects that distinction.
For a built-in S Pen, the Galaxy S Ultra line is the closest successor. For a much larger writing and multitasking surface, the Z Fold line is the more ambitious alternative, but it uses separate compatible accessories and does not reproduce every part of the Note experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first Samsung Galaxy Note?
The first Samsung Galaxy Note was the original Galaxy Note, launched in 2011 with a 5.3-inch display and an integrated pressure-sensitive S Pen. The phone established the large-screen-plus-stylus formula used by later Note generations.
Why did Samsung skip Galaxy Note6?
Samsung called the 2016 phone Galaxy Note7 to align its numbering with the Galaxy S7 generation. There was no missing sixth-generation Note phone in the main retail sequence.
Was the Galaxy Note FE the same phone as the Note7?
The Galaxy Note FE was a reworked, limited-market version of Note7 hardware with a smaller battery. It was not a wholly new generation, and it did not erase the original Note7 recall and withdrawal.
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The last Note-branded smartphone generation was the Galaxy Note20 family, announced in 2020. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra was the final premium individual Note model.
Did Samsung replace the Galaxy Note with the Galaxy S Ultra?
Samsung moved the closest version of the Note’s built-in S Pen concept into the Galaxy S Ultra line. The Galaxy S21 Ultra supported an optional S Pen without an internal silo, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra integrated the pen into the phone, but neither phone was officially branded Galaxy Note.
Which Galaxy Note is best for a used-phone buyer?
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra is the strongest final-generation choice, while the Galaxy Note9 is the better classic Note choice for buyers who value microSD support and a headphone jack. Both are old phones, so battery health, software status, screen condition and network compatibility should be checked before purchase.
The Bottom Line
The Galaxy Note began as Samsung’s risky 2011 experiment in combining a 5.3-inch phone with a built-in stylus and ended with the Note20 and Note20 Ultra in 2020. The name disappeared, but the idea survived: choose a Galaxy S Ultra for the closest modern built-in-S Pen replacement, or choose a compatible Galaxy Z Fold when a much larger writing canvas matters more than the classic Note format.
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