IFixit: Not all Galaxy Note 20 models have the same cooling

Samsung uses different cooling methods in its Galaxy Note 20 smartphones. That is the conclusion of iFixit after disassembling the phones. Some models have a vapor chamber and copper heat pipe, while others thermal pads using graphite.

When dismantling the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G and Note 20 Ultra 5G, iFixit found a cooling system in both devices that uses graphite thermal pads. This is striking, because Samsung usually uses a vapor chamber and copper heat pipes in such devices. Teardowns from others show that Samsung also does the same with the Note 20 models.

According to iFixit, it is not clear which cooling is in which device and there are variants of both Note 20 models on the market with both cooling methods. It does not seem to be a difference between European models with an Exynos soc and other models with a Snapdragon soc, because both cooling systems have also been identified with the Snapdragon versions.

It is not known why Samsung uses the two different cooling methods alternately in its new smartphones. Whether there is a difference in performance between the two methods is also not clear. This could be evident from comparative benchmarks.

Furthermore, iFixit notes that the Note 20 5G and Note 20 Ultra 5G only have two mmWave modules on board. The Note 10+ 5G and S20 Ultra have three of those antennas for 5g on high frequencies. At 5g over mmWave, line-of-sight is important. One less antenna could affect performance.