T-Mobile brings eSIM to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with March security update

By Derrek Lee
last updated

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review (Image credit: Daniel Bader / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • T-Mobile has pushed the March security update to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
  • The update also adds official eSIM/Dual SIM Dual Standby capabilities.
  • Google Pixel phones were previously the only Android phones to support eSIM in the U.S.

The Note line may be on haitus this year, but Sone of the best Samsung phones of 2020 just became more relevant thanks to the latest update that's being pushed out. T-Mobile customers in the U.S. are receiving a new update to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra that brings the March security update along with the unexpected addition of eSIM support.

Additionally, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra also gets Dual SIM Dual Standby support, which allows the device to have two active phone numbers working simultaneously. Not only is this the first Samsung in the U.S. to support eSIM functionality, but it's also the first Android smartphone in the U.S. besides the Pixel smartphones like the Google Pixel 5 to support eSIM. Not even the newer Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones have been given official support yet.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Dual SIM isn't widely used in the United States, but bringing it to more popular devices like the Note 20 Ultra may help it take off eventually. It seems like that may be T-Mobile's angle lately, particularly since it announced that it was investing more in the Android ecosystem. The carrier is already pushing for Google Messages to become the default messaging system on its smartphones, which will be a huge step towards RCS becoming more commonplace.

It's not clear if this update is being pushed to the standard Samsung Galaxy Note 20, but this could signal that dual SIM support could reach more of the best Android phones in North America. The rollout may be gradual, so you'll have to keep checking your device for the new software.

Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee
News Editor

Derrek is a long-time Nokia and LG fanboy who loves astronomy, videography, and sci-fi movies. When he's not working, he's most likely working out or smoldering at the camera.

6 Comments
  • I have a T-Mobile Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (great phone, by the way) and as of this date, I still have not received the update and I still don't have eSIM support.
  • Now, this is a big deal!!!!! I always wondered why Samsung - and OnePlus - didn't offer dual SIM capabilities on their devices here in the U.S, like Google and Apple does. I travel internationally, I am a T-Mobile customer, and have been a Note user since 2011. The absence of a dual SIM setup meant that I traveled with either my Pixel 4XL or iPhone Xs, and not my Note device. I hope this eSIM enabling continues to be a trend with more devices that are carried by T-Mobile. Unfortunately, my time with Samsung may be over, and this news a little too late. The just announced Xperia 1 iii or the next high end Pixel may be my next device.
  • Hopefully Canadian devices won't be far behind. I'm getting tired of importing my phones from Hong Kong just to have dual SIM and Snapdragon in the same device.
  • Nobody cares about samsung
  • On the contrary, many people care about the world's largest smartphone vendor why do you think Samsung is the most popular OEM on Android? Because they have the best hardware and the best version of Android. Fact!
  • Why is it that carriers control updates in the US? Where as in the UK that's not the case, Samsung needs to take back control of updates on their carrier branded phones for updates, the Note 20 Ultra should not be on the March security patch.