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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera system and prefer iOS, the iPhone 12 would suit you, offering a high-quality camera and the familiar Apple ecosystem. However, the Samsung Galaxy Note20, while also having a high-quality camera, offers a larger screen and a bigger battery, which could mean longer usage between charges. It also comes with an integrated stylus which can be helpful for productivity tasks and creative uses. Note that the Note20 is built with a plastic back, compared to the glass back of the iPhone 12, which might affect durability and feel. The choice between the two may also hinge on your preference for either iOS or Android, as this influences your experience with the device and compatibility with other devices you may own. 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 Apple iPhone 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
6.6
The Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 boasts superior selfie capabilities, more consistent photo performance across various lighting conditions, and a more versatile camera system compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20, which offers good video qualities but falls short in photo resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Specifically, the iPhone 12 has been praised for its photo software experience as well as its high selfie quality, while the Note20's selfie score is lower, and it experiences challenges with photo dynamic range and low-light scenarios.
Photo Quality
7.1
6.4
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 captures better selfies than the Samsung Galaxy Note20, as evaluated by selfie quality. While the iPhone boasts a higher selfie quality, the Note20's selfie capabilities are considered merely fair understandably impacting the overall photo-taking experience for users who prioritize front-facing camera performance.
Video Quality
7.2
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos partly because it offers superior video stabilization and dynamic range, which help produce smooth and visually balanced footage even in varying lighting conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20's fair video performance is due to weaker stabilization and dynamic range, making its footage less stable and consistent in appearance, especially in challenging light scenarios.
Battery
6.2 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$600
$286
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
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)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Samsung Galaxy Note20
See more
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."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
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
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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.
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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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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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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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