The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra offers a larger, higher-resolution and curved screen with a higher refresh rate, which could make for a more immersive and smoother visual experience compared to the standard Note20. If camera performance is a priority, the Ultra has a more advanced camera setup with a higher main camera megapixel count, offering potentially better photo and video quality. However, if battery life is more important to you, the Note20 has a slightly longer battery life. Both have similar build quality, storage space, and operate on Android with 5G capabilities, but only the Ultra has an expandable SD card slot and a glass back compared to the plastic back of the standard Note20. If these additional features on the Ultra justify the price difference for you, it might be the better choice. 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 Samsung Galaxy Note20
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Good for taking photos
Poor for recording videos
Very good display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6/10
7.3/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 offers a fair camera experience, with satisfactory results in areas like selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance, but doesn't excel in photo software features. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra also provides fair cameras, maintaining a similar level of photo software experience and dynamic range, but enhances camera versatility with features like a telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, which could be a decisive factor for customers looking for more advanced photography capabilities.
Photo Quality
6.4/10
7.3/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes fair photos mainly due to its good camera versatility and good selfies, but it is held back by fair dynamic range and low light performance. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 also captures fair photos, with its main drawback being poor dynamic range, which affects its overall photo quality, despite a fair selfie camera, similar to the Ultra's performance.
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$286
$450
$100
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The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra costs $450.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Galaxy Note20 Ultra both record videos with good mic quality, but their video stabilization and software experience are just fair, with no significant differences between them. However, while both phones have limitations in video dynamic range and low light performance, the Note20 Ultra's higher screen resolution and refresh rate suggest a more robust hardware base, potentially offering a slightly better video recording experience overall, despite similar video quality outcomes.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is 6.9 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra compare to other phones
"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."
"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 Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
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.
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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Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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Phones Expert
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