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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a slightly better camera than the Galaxy S21. However, if you prefer a device that is more recent and might have longer support, the Galaxy S21 was released more recently. The Note20 Ultra comes with a stylus and a larger, curved screen which can enhance productivity and multimedia experience, but these features contribute to it being heavier and larger. The S21, on the other hand, is lighter and more compact, making it easier to carry around. Both phones have similar battery life, but the S21 lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage, unlike the Note20 Ultra. 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 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra.
Key differences
Video Quality
5.9
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra records fair videos due to its good video stabilization and dynamic range but only fair video software experience and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good videos because it provides good video stabilization and dynamic range, and it also offers a very good video software experience.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a screen size of 6.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$450
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a price of $450 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts a better camera experience overall, with notably higher selfie quality, which is a critical feature, and improved software for taking photos; it also has a smaller size and a slightly lower price point. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra offers a good camera system with versatile features and a built-in stylus for added functionality, but it is larger and more expensive.
Photo Quality
7.3
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has lower selfie quality, which is very important for selfie photos, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 is rated better in this aspect, indicating it can produce higher-quality selfie images. The S21 also has a higher photos software experience, which contributes to better overall photo quality, making it a better choice if selfies and software-related photography enhancements are priorities.
Battery
6.4 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$450 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 21, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.9" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 496 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.4 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4000 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 | 6.49" x 3.04" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.34 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | 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)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
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 Black, White, Mystic Bronze | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Matt Swider | July 2021
"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."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S21
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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