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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a primary concern for you and you're willing to invest more, the Sony Xperia 1 III has a superior overall camera system with more detailed photos and higher resolution video capabilities compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option with a longer battery life and a slightly larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 may be more suitable. Both phones run on Android and have OLED displays, but the Xperia 1 III boasts a higher screen quality with a greater pixel density and a faster refresh rate for smoother visuals, which could be significant if you enjoy high-definition content or gaming. Conversely, the Note20 includes a stylus for productivity and creative tasks, which the Xperia does not offer. 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 Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Sony Xperia 1 III both have only fair overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20's camera experience is seen as good in software but has only fair results in critical areas like low light and dynamic range, and unlike the Sony Xperia 1 III, which has a very good photos software experience, it still just fares an average selfie quality, just like the Samsung. While the Sony Xperia offers more superior camera software, both struggle with dynamic range and low light performance, reflecting their fair camera designations.
Photo Quality
6.4
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 may not deliver the best image quality due to a fair rating in software experience, showing that using the camera might not feel as smooth or intuitive, and users may notice limited dynamic range and low light performance. In comparison, the Sony Xperia 1 III offers a better selfie camera experience but suffers similar drawbacks in dynamic range and low light performance in general photography, which might make it challenging to capture high-quality photos in varied lighting conditions.
Battery
8.2 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$286
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a price of $286 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.9
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 1 III to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Sony Xperia 1 III both offer fair video capabilities: the Note20 provides a high resolution and frame rate, with excellent stabilization and mic quality but has lower performance in software experience and dynamic range. On the other hand, the Xperia 1 III offers very good software experience and stabilization, with a resolution and frame rate that match the high standards, yet it also falls short in terms of dynamic range and low light performance.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$286 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 21, 2020 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 393 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 5.6 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) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.36" x 2.96" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
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)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy Note20
See more
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."
Sony Xperia 1 III
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | August 2021
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 or the Sony Xperia 1 III
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.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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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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Phones evaluated
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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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