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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is important to you, the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a notably better overall camera quality, including still photo and video capabilities. However, if you're looking to save money and need a phone with a larger screen and a slightly longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is a cost-effective choice with a solid camera system that still delivers good quality. Keep in mind that the S23 has a newer processor, which could translate into smoother performance overall. Both phones have similar offerings in terms of storage, and neither has a headphone jack, but the Note20 includes a stylus which the S23 lacks. 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
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has fair cameras with a lower software experience and versatility compared to the S23, which features very good ratings in these areas. Additionally, the S23 boasts excellent selfie capabilities, surpassing the Note20's fair performance, which is a deciding factor given the high importance of selfie quality.
Photo Quality
6.4
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes excellent photos partly because it provides a very good photo software experience, which includes enhancing features such as resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes fair photos and has lower selfie quality and a less advanced photo software experience overall.
Video Quality
5.9
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 provides a significantly better video recording experience than the Samsung Galaxy Note20, with superior performance across factors including video resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low-light capabilities, and microphone quality. While the Note20 delivers fair results, the S23 excels in providing clear, stable, visually dynamic videos with better sound capture, especially in low-light situations.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$286
$700
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 costs $700.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.2 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 has 8 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$286 | $700 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 21, 2020 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 393 | 422 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.2 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4300 mAh | 3900 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" | 5.76" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
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)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 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 | Pink Gold, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Green, Lime, Graphite | |
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 S23
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch S23 is the best reasonably sized Android phone on the market in the US, partly because almost every other Android phone sold here is gigantic. But it’s also a really good device, with a battery that gets through a full day more comfortably than its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset responsible for some of that battery performance improvement is slightly different — and slightly faster — than the 8 Gen 2 in other Android flagships."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Samsung Galaxy S23
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
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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