Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G vs Huawei nova 11 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 21, 2020 April 27, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 100.86 cm³ 96.57 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.49 "/g 3.61 "/g
Weight 192 g 188 g
Height 161.6 mm 164.3 mm
Width 75.2 mm 74.4 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 7.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Mystic Green
  • Mystic Bronze
  • Mystic Gray
  • Mystic Red
  • Mystic Blue
  • Gold
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1200 x 2652
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.2 % 91.1 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 429 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 95.79 mAh/in² 97.89 mAh/in²
Battery Density 42.63 mAh/cm³ 46.6 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Global Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Global Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Mali-G77 MP11 - Global Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 10 N/A
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy Note20 5GHuawei nova 11 ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions161.6 × 75.2 × 8.3 mm, 192g164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm, 188gNova 11 Pro is slightly taller and thinner, Note20 5G is slightly heavier. Small difference in hand feel.
Build QualityCorning Gorilla Glass 6 (screen)Unknown (screen)Note20 5G offers better screen protection against scratches and drops.
Display
Size6.7"6.78"Negligible size difference; visually almost identical.
Resolution1080x2400 (393 PPI)1200x2652 (429 PPI)Nova 11 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in slightly crisper images and text.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzNova 11 Pro provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience.
Brightness0 nits950 nitsNova 11 Pro has dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDSimilar display technologies; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 990 (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Nova 11 Pro's Snapdragon offers slightly better performance and efficiency, but lacks 5G.
AnTuTu Score515,090592,297Nova 11 Pro scores higher, indicating better overall performance.
GPUMali-G77 MP11Adreno 642LDifferent GPUs; performance varies depending on the specific game or application.
Camera
Main Camera12MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX555, 0.90µm50MP, f/1.9Nova 11 Pro captures more detailed images in good lighting; Note20 5G may perform better in low light due to wider aperture and larger pixel size.
Ultrawide Camera12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K2LA, 1.40 µmNoneNote20 5G offers ultrawide photos, capturing more of the scene.
Telephoto Camera64MP, f/2.0, Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 0.80 µmNoneNote20 5G provides optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects.
Selfie Camera10MP, f/2.0, Sony IMX374, 1.22 µm60MP, f/2.4, Omnivision OV60A, 0.61 µmNova 11 Pro captures significantly more detailed selfies.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@24fps, HDR, OIS, EISUp to 720p@960fps, EISNote20 5G records higher quality videos, especially in 8K.
Battery
Capacity4300mAh4500mAhNova 11 Pro may offer slightly longer battery life.
Charging25W fast charging, 15W wireless, 9W reverse wireless100W fast chargingNova 11 Pro charges much faster. Note20 5G offers convenient wireless charging.
Software
OSAndroid 10 (upgradable to 13)Note20 5G has a more modern and feature-rich operating system.
Connectivity
5GYesNoNote20 5G supports 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds.
Bluetooth5.05.2Nova 11 Pro has slightly improved Bluetooth efficiency and features.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5)...Nova 11 Pro offers more accurate positioning with additional satellite systems.
Storage
Internal128GB/256GB128GB/256GB/512GBNova 11 Pro offers more storage options, especially for users with large media libraries.
RAM8GB6GB/8GB/12GBNova 11 Pro (12GB variant) handles multitasking and demanding applications better.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone allows for storage expansion.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G Advantages:

  • 5G Connectivity: Supports faster mobile data speeds where available.
  • Versatile Camera System: Includes ultrawide and telephoto lenses for diverse shooting scenarios.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
  • Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for enhanced durability.
  • Software Support: Guaranteed Android updates.

Practical Implications:

  • Future-Proofing: 5G ensures faster downloads and smoother streaming in areas with 5G coverage.
  • Photography: The ultrawide lens is great for landscapes, while the telephoto is ideal for zooming in on distant subjects.
  • Convenience: Wireless charging simplifies charging at home or in the office.
  • Durability: Less worry of screen damage.

Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:

  • Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Higher Resolution Display: Offers a slightly sharper viewing experience.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: Provides smoother scrolling and gaming.
  • Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed selfies.
  • More RAM (depending on configuration): Better multitasking.

Practical Implications:

  • Time-Saving: 100W charging allows for quick power-ups, ideal for users on the go.
  • Visual Experience: The sharper display and smoother refresh rate enhance overall viewing and gaming enjoyment.
  • Selfie Quality: Great for social media enthusiasts.
  • Multitasking: Less lag when switching between apps.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Note20 5G: Older chipset, slower charging, lacks high refresh rate display.
  • Nova 11 Pro: No 5G connectivity, less versatile camera system, unknown screen protection.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G Ideal Users:

  • Users who prioritize 5G connectivity for fast mobile data.
  • Photography enthusiasts who need a versatile camera system with ultrawide and telephoto lenses.
  • Users who value wireless charging convenience.
  • Users who are concerned about screen durability.

Use Cases:

  • Downloading large files or streaming high-resolution video on the go.
  • Capturing a wide variety of photos and videos in different scenarios.
  • Charging the phone wirelessly at home or in the office.

Huawei nova 11 Pro Ideal Users:

  • Users who prioritize fast charging above all else.
  • Selfie enthusiasts who want the best possible front-facing camera quality.
  • Users who value a smooth and responsive display.
  • Users who do not need 5G connectivity.

Use Cases:

  • Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
  • Taking high-quality selfies for social media.
  • Enjoying smooth scrolling and gaming experiences.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Note20 5G might offer better value for users who need 5G and a more versatile camera, especially if found at a discounted price due to its age.
  • The Nova 11 Pro is more appealing for users who specifically prioritize fast charging and selfie quality, especially if the price is competitive.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Is 5G connectivity important to you? If yes, the Galaxy Note20 5G is the better choice.
  2. How much do you value fast charging and selfie quality? If these are high priorities, the Huawei nova 11 Pro is more suitable.
  3. Do you need a versatile camera system with ultrawide and telephoto lenses? If so, the Galaxy Note20 5G is a better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: If you travel frequently and need to quickly charge your phone, the Huawei nova 11 Pro's 100W charging is a significant advantage.
  • Scenario 2: Social Media Influencer: If you prioritize high-quality selfies for social media, the Huawei nova 11 Pro's 60MP front camera is a better choice.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you enjoy taking a variety of photos, including landscapes and zoomed-in shots, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G's versatile camera system is more suitable.
  • Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: Check current prices. If the Note20 5G is significantly cheaper and 5G is desired, it might be a better value, despite being an older device.

My Choice

I would choose the Huawei Nova 11 Pro.

Here's why:

  • Faster Charging: The 100W charging is a game-changer for me. I often find myself needing to quickly top up my phone battery, and this feature would be incredibly convenient.
  • Slightly Newer Tech: Despite the lack of 5G (which isn't a huge deal for me right now), the Nova 11 Pro benefits from more recent technology in some areas, like display refresh rate and Bluetooth version.
  • Selfie Camera: While I'm not a professional influencer, I do take selfies occasionally, and a high-quality front camera is always appreciated.
  • Performance: Although the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G has 5G connectivity, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro offers a slightly better performance with the chip and higher AnTuTu score.
  • Price: Considering the age of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G and the overall features that the Huawei Nova 11 Pro offers, the Nova 11 Pro gives more value for the money.
Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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