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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you want a larger screen with a higher resolution and refresh rate, which may result in smoother visuals and sharper images, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the superior option. It also has a glass back that might feel more premium than the plastic back of the Samsung Galaxy Note20. The S21 Ultra's camera system offers better overall quality, with higher megapixels in its main and telephoto cameras, and it even includes a periscope camera for improved zoom capabilities. However, the Galaxy Note20 provides a longer battery life, so it will last you longer on a single charge. It's also slightly lighter, which could make it more comfortable to carry and use. Both phones have the same manufacturer and operating system, but if budget is a main concern and you do not need the superior camera and display features, the Galaxy Note20 is the less expensive choice. 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
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a better camera experience than the Samsung Galaxy Note20, primarily due to a higher-performance software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. While both phones have cameras with a good range of versatility, the S21 Ultra stands out with a significantly improved selfie camera along with better overall photo and video quality.
Photo Quality
6.4
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes fair photos, primarily due to lower scores in photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contribute to overall photo quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, offering a better photos software experience, higher dynamic range and low light scores, and camera versatility, including a more capable telephoto lens and higher selfie quality.
Video Quality
5.9
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos partly due to its higher scores in video software experience and stabilization, improving video smoothness, along with better dynamic range and low light performance which enhance video quality in various conditions. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 is rated for fair videos, reflecting lower performance in these areas, notably with software experience and stabilization, which affects its ability to consistently produce high-quality videos across different shooting scenarios.
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$286
$423
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$286 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 393 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.2 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
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 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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
86,400
Recommendations made
48,960
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
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.
Seth Peoples
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.
Efthimis Kotanidis
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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