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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, being less costly, offers a larger screen and higher resolution, with a stylus and a microSD card slot for extra storage. It also has a higher peak brightness but a slightly lower typical battery life compared to the S23. The Samsung Galaxy S23, on the other hand, is newer with better overall performance, longer battery life, a more advanced processor, and potentially higher quality cameras for both photos and videos. If budget is your main concern and you need a larger screen or additional features like a stylus, the Note20 Ultra is a strong choice, but if you prioritize updated technology and camera capabilities, the Galaxy S23 warrants the higher 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 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 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 battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 features superior selfie capabilities and overall camera performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, including better photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance for both photos and videos. Additionally, the S23's camera offers greater versatility and improved microphone quality, making it a better choice if camera quality, especially for selfies, is a high priority.
Photo Quality
7.3
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has fair photo capabilities overall and good performance in selfie quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 takes excellent photos, bolstered by very good selfie quality, enhanced by a better photos software experience and more effective handling of various lighting conditions and resolution.
Video Quality
5.9
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra's video performance is compromised by its fair video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, coupled with just good resolution/framerate and mic quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 excels with very good ratings across video resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as exceptional mic quality.
Battery
6.4 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 6.4 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a screen size of 6.9 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$450
$700
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a price of $450 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 costs $700.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S23 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$450 | $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 | 6.9" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 496 | 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 | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.4 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 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 | 6.49" x 3.04" | 5.76" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.34 oz | 5.93 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 | 5.3 | |
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 Black, White, Mystic Bronze | Pink Gold, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Green, Lime, Graphite | |
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 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 Ultra 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
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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