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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you, the Apple iPhone 12 provides slightly better photo and video performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra. On the other hand, if screen size is important, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra offers a larger display, which might be better for watching videos or gaming. For those needing longer battery life, the Note20 Ultra edges out with slightly more hours. If you prefer a stylus or extra features such as a high refresh rate display, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra would be the better choice, and it comes at a lower price than the iPhone 12. Alternatively, if you value the iOS ecosystem and are looking for higher storage options within a midrange price, the iPhone 12 is your go-to. Keep in mind that the iPhone 12 doesn't offer a high refresh rate or expandable storage, and it has a smaller display than the Note20 Ultra. 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
- The Apple iPhone 12 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12.
Key differences
Video Quality
7.2
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 provides a very good video experience with higher ratings in software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, ensuring smooth and crisp videos even in challenging conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a fair video performance, which may lead to less smoothness and quality in videos, particularly noticeable in software experience and low light conditions.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is 6.9 inches.
Cost
$600
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra costs $450.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.3
The Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra both have good overall cameras quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 is equipped with a superior selfie camera which is considered very important, and it also provides a software experience rated as the best, contributing to higher-quality photos. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra displays good selfie performance but falls short in software experience, and has lower ratings in key areas like photos software experience and photos dynamic range which are important for overall image quality.
Photo Quality
7.1
7.3
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Apple iPhone 12 both have good photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 takes better overall photos than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, largely because of its software, which offers an excellent photo-taking experience that boosts the overall picture quality, together with good dynamic range and low light performance.
Battery
6.2 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $450 | ||
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" | 6.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 496 | |
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 | 7.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4500 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" | 6.49" x 3.04" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 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 | 5.0 | 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 Black, White, Mystic Bronze | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
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 Ultra
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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 Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
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
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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.
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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.
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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