A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a high-quality camera and have the budget, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers superior photo and video quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a solid camera and additional features like a stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 could be appealing. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also has a brighter and more dynamic display with a higher refresh rate, which might enhance your viewing experience. Keep in mind the iPhone runs on iOS, while the Galaxy Note20 uses Android, which can impact your choice based on the ecosystem you're comfortable with or already invested in. As for battery life, both phones offer a full day of use, but the iPhone has a slightly longer battery life. 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 15 Pro Max
- Best in class for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
10.0
6.6
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the best cameras because it offers a superior photos software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and greater camera versatility. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has fair cameras with a lower quality photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance which is important for clear, vibrant images across various shooting conditions.
Photo Quality
10.0
6.4
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers superior photo quality, including in selfies, due to its higher dynamic range, low light performance, and software optimization; whereas, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 shows fair photo performance because of its lower scores in these areas and more basic camera software experience. This reflects in part why the iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera system is considered best in class, with a significant gap over the Galaxy Note20's fair photo capabilities.
Video Quality
10.0
5.9
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max provides a best-in-class video experience with superior video resolution/framerate, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance; additionally, it has a high mic quality score which enhances audio capture. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 offers a fair video experience with lower ratings for these attributes and hence might not deliver the same level of video and audio quality as the iPhone.
Battery
9.8 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,100
$286
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a price of $1,100 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 10/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 10/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.8 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4441 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 | 6.3" x 3.02" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.80 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 | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 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 Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful flagship phone that delivers upgrade-worthy features, including a lighter and more compact titanium design, a bigger 5x zoom and a useful Action button. The A17 Pro chip is the fastest around and enables console-quality gameplay, while the battery lasts an epic 14 hours."
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 15 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Sony Xperia 1 V
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy Note20 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy Note20 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note10+
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy Note20 vs. Samsung Galaxy A25
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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
152,100
Recommendations made
86,190
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.
Featured in
