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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value a better camera system for both photos and videos, the Google Pixel 8 is a stronger choice than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra. However, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra offers a larger screen, which might appeal to those who prefer an expansive display for media consumption and productivity, but it's important to note that the overall screen quality is higher in the Google Pixel 8. As for battery life, the Pixel 8 outlasts the Note20 Ultra. Keep in mind that while the Note20 Ultra is more cost-effective, the Pixel 8, though pricier, comes with newer technology, being a more recent release. Both run on Android, but the Pixel 8 will likely receive more timely software updates. The Pixel 8 is lighter and also boasts a higher peak brightness. If budget is a significant concern, the Note20 Ultra may be more suitable, but for cutting-edge camera performance and enhanced screen quality, the Pixel 8 is the recommended option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 8
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.4
7.3
The Google Pixel 8 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 has a stronger camera performance due to its higher assessed scores in aspects such as software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and selfie quality, which contribute to its 'very good' rating across these areas. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra presents more modest capabilities in the same factors, with its selfie quality and dynamic range performance receiving a 'good' and 'fair' assessment, respectively, indicating more entry-level performance in those areas.
Photo Quality
8.5
7.3
The Google Pixel 8 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 8 takes excellent photos partly because it provides a very good selfie experience and excellent low light performance, important for sharp images in various lighting conditions. In comparison, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has overall good photo capabilities, it only offers a fair selfie experience, which is very important for front-facing photos, and does not excel in low light situations, generally resulting in less impressive images than the Pixel 8.
Video Quality
7.6
5.9
The Google Pixel 8 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 8 provides an overall better video capturing experience with very good performance across resolution, software, stabilization, dynamic range, low light, and microphone quality, delivering a consistently high-quality video experience. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, while offering the best video resolution and decent microphone quality, falls short in video stabilization and low light performance, leading to fair overall video quality.
Battery
7.3 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is 6.9 inches.
Cost
$699
$450
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 8 has a price of $699 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra costs $450.
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How the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 12, 2023 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 428 | 496 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4575 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 18 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.93" x 2.79" | 6.49" x 3.04" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 oz | 7.34 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | Mystic Black, White, Mystic Bronze | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 8
See more
Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Matt Swider | July 2021
"The Note 20 Ultra has it all – almost: a big screen, superb camera, high refresh rate, the S Pen, in-screen fingerprint sensor, super-fast specs, 5G speeds, a fancy curved display. This phone is built for power users who want everything but the fastest charging speeds."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 8 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
122,400
Recommendations made
69,360
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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