If a superior camera is important for you, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a higher quality camera system, including better video capabilities, such as 8K recording. It also offers a larger screen and a plastic back, which may be less prone to cracking than the glass back of the S10. The Note20 comes with a stylus, which is great for productivity tasks. However, if you prefer a smaller, more compact phone with a curved screen and a headphone jack, the Samsung Galaxy S10 would be the better choice. Additionally, the S10 is likely lighter on the wallet than the Note20. Keep in mind that while the Note20 offers 5G connectivity, this may only be a deciding factor if you are in an area with 5G coverage and want to future-proof your purchase. 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 S10
Very good display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6/10
5.4/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 boasts better selfie quality, dynamic range, low-light performance, and camera versatility compared to the Samsung Galaxy S10, which is reflected by their respective classifications as fair and poor in these categories. While the Note20's camera is overall graded as fair including selfie quality which is very important, the S10's camera, rated poor overall, lacks in these crucial aspects which significantly impacts its camera capabilities.
Photo Quality
6.4/10
5.4/10
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes fair photos due to a better balance in software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with a more versatile camera setup; its selfie quality is also fair, recognizing the importance given to selfie scores. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S10 captures poorer quality photos, with all related scores including software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility rated as poor, and its selfie quality is also poor, highlighting a significant difference in photo-taking capabilities between the two devices.
Battery
8.2 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S10 has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S10 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$286
$145
$0
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$200
$300
$400
$500
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Samsung Galaxy S10 costs $145.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Samsung Galaxy S10 both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 offers better video quality than the Samsung Galaxy S10, as it has superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and performs better in low light conditions. Both phones have good microphone quality, but the improvements in stabilization and dynamic range contribute significantly to the overall video quality of the Note20.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Samsung Galaxy S10 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 Galaxy S10 offers superfast performance and a beautiful display, with a less distracting camera cutout than on the larger, pricier S10 Plus. If all you're looking for is a well-rounded, well-crafted Android flagship that can do it all — including work with a pair of good old-fashioned wired headphones — for a price you can sleep easy at night spending, the Galaxy S10 remains an unbeatable proposition."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Samsung Galaxy S10
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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
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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.