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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking an affordable option with a good camera and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 may be appealing, and it includes a stylus for productivity. However, if you're looking for a phone with a newer processor, better overall performance, and a higher refresh rate screen for smoother visuals, the Galaxy S21 FE would be the better choice, albeit at a higher cost. Both phones offer similar screen quality, have the same operating system, and lack a headphone jack, but the S21 FE has a more robust selfie camera. Consider how much these differences matter to you compared to the price. 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 S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Note20.
Key differences
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$286
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 FE to have good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE boasts a higher-grade selfie camera, and superior photos software that enhances the overall camera experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20, which offers decent versatility but falls short in low light performance and dynamic range for both photos and selfies. While the Note20 provides a fair selfie experience, the S21 FE's camera system, especially for selfies, is designed to deliver more vivid and clearer images, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
6.4
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung Galaxy Note20 both have only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes better selfies than the Samsung Galaxy Note20, which is very important for overall photo quality. Additionally, the S21 FE offers a more satisfying photos software experience and higher resolution, contributing to its good overall photo capabilities in comparison to the Note20's fair performance.
Video Quality
5.9
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20's video capabilities are considered fair because, while it supports HDR10+ and has a good Photos Software experience, its Video Software experience and Video Stabilization are just fair. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is rated as having good video capabilities, offering both HDR10+ and a very good Video Software experience, suggesting that its overall video-taking experience, including stabilization and software features, is higher quality.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$286 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 21, 2020 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 393 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.2 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.36" x 2.96" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 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/mmWave)2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
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."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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FAQs
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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
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
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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.
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