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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer a more recent device with a higher refresh rate screen for smoother visuals, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a better option, and it also offers slightly better camera quality. On the other hand, if having a stylus is important to you for productivity tasks or creative work, then the Galaxy Note20 with its included S Pen could be the right choice. Both phones have similar battery life, screen size, and they lack a headphone jack and SD card slot. They are both made by Samsung, run on Android, and have similar storage options. The Galaxy Note20 is generally less expensive than the Galaxy S21+. 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 Samsung Galaxy Note20
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has better camera performance than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 due largely to its superior photos software experience and selfie quality, with the former being very good compared to the Note20's good, and the latter being good as opposed to the Note20's fair. These factors contribute to a more versatile camera system in the S21+, making it a good choice for users who prioritize photography, especially selfies, and are willing to pay for the enhancements.
Photo Quality
6.4
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a good selfie score, outperforming the fair selfie quality of the Samsung Galaxy Note20, due to its superior software experience and low-light performance. Additionally, the S21+'s versatility with various lighting conditions and scenarios gives it an edge over the Note20, resulting in better overall photo quality.
Video Quality
5.9
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ provides a better video software experience and stabilization, which means smoother footage and easier handling during recording than the Galaxy Note20. Additionally, the S21+ delivers superior video dynamic range and low light performance, resulting in more detailed videos with better quality in various lighting conditions, alongside having better microphone quality for audio capture.
Cost
$286
$340
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.2 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$286 | $340 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 21, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 393 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.2 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4800 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.36" x 2.96" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy Note20
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Mike Lowe | October 2020
"We think pretty much anyone picking up the Note 20 to take photos will be very happy with the sharpness and appearance of the shots. If you're looking for a phone with an integrated stylus then there's little better than the note-taking potential of this phone. Sure, its 'glasstic' rear and lack of higher refrsh-rate screen are little red marks against its specification, but you can buy the step-up Ultra model if you see that as a problem - although we prefer the smaller price and smaller camera lump of this 'entry' Note model."
Samsung Galaxy S21+
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Samsung Galaxy S21+
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
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Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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