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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera and are willing to pay extra, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice, as it has higher overall camera quality. In contrast, if staying within a budget is essential, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is more wallet-friendly and also offers a stylus for productivity. The Note20 features a larger screen which might be preferable if you enjoy a bigger display, but it has a lower refresh rate compared to the Pixel 7a, which could affect smoothness in visuals. Both phones offer ample storage and are quite recent, but the Pixel 7a is newer, which could mean better long-term support. 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 Google Pixel 7a
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
6.6
The Google Pixel 7a has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a has a very good selfie camera mainly because it delivers an excellent overall photo software experience and good camera versatility, which includes factors like dynamic range and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a fair selfie camera since it provides a fair photo software experience and is less versatile, with poorer dynamic range and fair low light performance.
Photo Quality
8.0
6.4
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good photos because it has the best software experience for photos and good performance in dynamic range and low light, along with good selfie quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20, while offering fair versatility and dynamic range, falls short with only fair selfie quality and poorer low light performance.
Video Quality
7.3
5.9
The Google Pixel 7a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 7a delivers better video quality than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 due to its higher scores in video resolution/frame rate, video software experience, video stabilization, video dynamic range, video low light performance, and microphone quality. These results indicate that users will experience crisper recordings, more reliable performance across various lighting conditions, and clearer audio with the Pixel 7a compared to the Note20.
Battery
6.9 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$499
$286
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
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How the Google Pixel 7a and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 10, 2023 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 64 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.98" x 2.87" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | 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, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (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, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sea, Snow, Coral, Charcoal | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7a
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
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."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 7a or the Samsung Galaxy Note20
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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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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
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About the phone team
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CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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