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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a smoother display, the OnePlus 9 offers a higher refresh rate, making it excellent for gaming and scrolling, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 offers a more modest refresh rate. The Note20, however, includes a telephoto camera and S Pen support, which can be very useful for photography enthusiasts and those who frequently take notes or draw on their device. Both phones have comparable camera systems, but the OnePlus 9's ultrawide camera has a higher megapixel count. The Note20 may offer slightly better battery life, and if you're looking for a stylus experience or a plastic back, which is more durable than glass, the Note20 is your choice. The OnePlus 9 is the way to go for a higher-quality screen display and faster performance due to its higher refresh rate. Both run on Android and have similar quality, performance, and price points, but these specific features and use cases might sway your decision. 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 OnePlus 9
- The OnePlus 9 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Note20.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Battery
6.9 Hours
8.2 Hours
The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$286
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The OnePlus 9 has a price of $399 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers OnePlus 9 to have good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The OnePlus 9 has a selfie camera that produces good photos, and despite fair performance in areas like photo dynamic range and low light, it offers a versatile camera experience. The Samsung Galaxy Note20, while also providing fair camera capabilities with slightly poorer dynamic range and low light performance, compensates with additional camera features like a telephoto lens for varied shooting options.
Photo Quality
6.7
6.4
The OnePlus 9 and Samsung Galaxy Note20 both have only fair photos.
The OnePlus 9 offers a respectable selfie experience and a useful software package for photography, but its dynamic range and low light performance are just average. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 also provides a satisfactory selfie camera but struggles with dynamic range while offering slightly better camera versatility and low light performance.
Video Quality
5.9
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and OnePlus 9 both have poor videos.
The OnePlus 9's video quality is hampered by poor mic quality and merely fair performance in video stabilization and dynamic range, although its video software experience is considered good. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20, while offering a good video software experience and stabilization, falls short with its fair dynamic range and mic quality, as well as a lower maximum frame rate for 8K video recording.
Screen Size
The OnePlus 9 has a screen size of 6.55 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
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How the OnePlus 9 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 26, 2021 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 402 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD865+ | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 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 | 6.29" x 2.92" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 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)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 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 | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
OnePlus 9
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
David Lumb | April 2021
"If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs the OnePlus 9 is worth considering. Courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9."
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 OnePlus 9 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
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
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Recommendations made
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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.
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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.
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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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