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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera system is a priority for you, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max offers higher quality for both still photos and videos, which justifies its higher price. However, the Samsung Galaxy Note20, while more affordable, provides a solid camera experience as well. The iPhone 13 Pro Max also has a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling and motion, and slightly longer battery life. On the other hand, if storage expansion or using a stylus is important to you, the Galaxy Note20 includes an SD card slot and comes with a stylus. Both have a large 6.7-inch screen, but the iPhone uses iOS, whereas the Galaxy Note20 runs on Android, which might influence your decision based on your preferred ecosystem. 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 13 Pro Max
- Good for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
6.6
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a very good selfie camera quality, which implies better resolution, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility in its front-facing camera, essential for high-quality self-portraits. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair selfie camera quality, indicating its front-facing camera offers lower performance in the same aspects, despite its overall good camera versatility and video capabilities.
Photo Quality
7.8
6.4
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max delivers better selfie quality than the Samsung Galaxy Note20, partly due to its superior software experience for photography. While both phones have high-resolution cameras and provide good dynamic range and low-light performance, the Note20's camera versatility and low-light performance aren't on par with the iPhone 13 Pro Max's, which also contributes to its ability to take very good photos compared to the fair ones from the Note20.
Video Quality
8.6
5.9
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max produces very good videos overall with excellent mic quality, outperforming the Samsung Galaxy Note20 which has a lower ranking in video resolution/framerate and merely good mic quality. Additionally, the iPhone 13 Pro Max generally rates higher across video-related features like software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contribute to its superior video capabilities compared to the Galaxy Note20.
Battery
9.6 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has 9.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$639
$286
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a price of $639 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$639 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 24, 2021 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.6/10 | 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 | 9.6 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4352 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 | 6.33" x 3.07" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.47 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, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 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 | Alpine Green, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Gold, Silver | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
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Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | March 2023
"The iPhone 13 Pro Max is that rare phone that gets a 5-star rating from us. You get blistering performance and a very responsive 120Hz display. Plus, the battery life is among the best we’ve seen from a 5G flagship. Some may simply prefer the iPhone 13 Pro because it’s smaller and lighter, as there are no other functional differences between the two handsets. But if you prefer a bigger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the closest thing to perfect you can get in a phone."
Samsung Galaxy Note20
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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 13 Pro Max 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
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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