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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you’re looking for a better camera, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a higher quality camera system overall, which includes features like HDR10+ video recording. On the other hand, if you prioritize battery life, the Google Pixel 7a offers slightly longer use between charges. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra boasts a larger and curvier screen which might provide a more immersive viewing experience, and it also has a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals. However, it's also a bit heavier than the Pixel 7a. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra has wireless charging and expandable storage via an SD card slot, which the Pixel 7a lacks. If you prefer a newer model, the Pixel 7a is more recent. Both phones run on Android; the choice may come down to which brand's features and price point align better with your preferences, as the Pixel 7a is typically the more expensive option. 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 Ultra
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.3
The Google Pixel 7a has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a boasts exceptional software enhancements such as "Magic Eraser," and has a higher quality selfie camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra's selfie camera is decent but less impressive. Although the Note20 Ultra includes a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom adding to camera versatility, it doesn't match the Pixel 7a's overall photo software experience, dynamic range, or low light performance.
Photo Quality
8.0
7.3
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 7a offers a superior selfie camera experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, as indicated by its higher selfie quality evaluation. Additionally, the Pixel 7a benefits from Google's advanced camera software which significantly enhances its dynamic range and low light performance compared to the Note20 Ultra, justifying its higher photo-taking capability.
Video Quality
7.3
5.9
The Google Pixel 7a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides an excellent video software experience and very good video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contributes to its high-quality video capture. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, while offering good stabilization and dynamic range, has just fair video software experience and low light performance, which may limit the video quality compared to the Pixel 7a.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is 6.9 inches.
Cost
$499
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra costs $450.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 7a and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $450 | ||
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" | 6.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 496 | |
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 | 7.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 64 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 mAh | 4500 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" | 6.49" x 3.04" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 7.34 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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 Black, White, Mystic Bronze | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
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 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 Google Pixel 7a or the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
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
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
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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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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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