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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a slightly smaller screen but a higher pixel density, making for a sharper display. It has a newer processor and more RAM than the Note20 Ultra, potentially offering better performance. It also has longer battery life and a higher overall camera quality, with a more versatile camera setup that includes a higher-resolution telephoto and a periscope camera for superior zoom capabilities. However, if you desire functionalities like a stylus or a lower price point, the Note20 Ultra could be more suitable, albeit with a slightly lesser camera and battery performance compared to the S21 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra both have good overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a better camera experience than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, as it has a higher selfie quality, which is very important, and its overall photos software experience is superior. Additionally, the S21 Ultra shows advantages in camera versatility and low light performance, both important aspects of photography, further distinguishing its camera capabilities from the Note20 Ultra.
Photo Quality
7.3
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra both have good photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra outshines the Note20 Ultra in selfie quality and the software involved in producing photos; this contributes to overall better photographic performance. Additionally, the S21 Ultra boasts greater camera versatility, importantly offering enhanced capabilities in dynamic range and low light scenarios, hence yielding more finely detailed photos.
Video Quality
5.9
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra outperforms the Note20 Ultra in video recording due to better software experience and stabilization features, as well as superior dynamic range and low light performance, enhancing overall video quality even in challenging conditions. Additionally, while both devices have quality microphones, the S21 Ultra edges out with clearer audio capture, making it a better option for video enthusiasts looking for more professional results.
Cost
$450
$423
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a price of $450 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.4 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a screen size of 6.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$450 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 496 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.4 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.34 oz | 8.01 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
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)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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
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 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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
144,900
Recommendations made
82,110
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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