1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.6 × 75.2 × 8.3 mm | 157.6 × 74.3 × 8 mm | Note20 5G is slightly larger and thicker, Pura 70 is more compact. |
| Weight | 192g | 207g | Note20 5G is lighter, potentially more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Note20 5G offers known, potentially better, screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Marginally larger viewing area on the Note20 5G. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1256x2760 | Pura 70 has a sharper, more detailed display. |
| PPI | 393 | 460 | Pura 70 has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality, vibrant displays on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Kirin 9000S1 | Pura 70's Kirin chipset is newer and more powerful, offering potentially better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 515,090 | 768,000 | Pura 70 offers faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Maleoon 910 | Pura 70's GPU likely provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | Pura 70 handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 0.9µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.2µm | Pura 70 captures more detail and performs better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/3.4 | Note20 5G has higher resolution telephoto, but Pura 70's performance is unknown without sensor details. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | Similar ultrawide performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Slightly better detail in Pura 70 selfies, Note20 5G might perform slightly better in low light. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K | Note20 5G captures higher resolution video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 4900mAh | Pura 70 offers longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W wired, 9W wireless | 65W wired, 50W wireless | Pura 70 charges significantly faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Unknown | Note20 5G has a known Android upgrade path. Pura 70 OS is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Pura 70 uses a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Pura 70 supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Note20 5G offers eSIM support for flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Pura 70 offers significantly more storage options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have Dolby Atmos; Pura 70 has stereo speakers for better audio output. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Similar fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Note20 5G includes a barometer. Pura 70 includes a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G Advantages:
- eSIM Support: Offers flexibility in choosing carriers and managing multiple phone numbers.
- Practical Impact: Useful for travelers or those who want separate work and personal lines.
- Known Software Support: Guaranteed Android updates up to version 13 provide a more predictable software experience.
- Practical Impact: Ensures access to the latest features and security patches for a longer period.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of capturing very high-resolution video.
- Practical Impact: Ideal for users who need the highest possible video quality for professional or creative projects.
- Barometer: Measures atmospheric pressure.
- Practical Impact: Can be used for weather forecasting or altitude tracking in hiking/outdoor activities.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: 2500 nits brightness.
- Practical Impact: Excellent outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate.
- Practical Impact: Noticeably smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience.
- Faster Charging: 65W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Practical Impact: Significantly reduces charging time, providing greater convenience.
- Larger Battery: 4900mAh capacity.
- Practical Impact: Longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- More Storage Options: Up to 1TB internal storage.
- Practical Impact: Ample storage for photos, videos, and apps, especially for users who don't want to rely on cloud storage.
- Potentially Superior Main Camera: Larger sensor and wider aperture.
- Practical Impact: Better low-light performance and image quality.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2
- Practical Impact: More efficient power consumption and faster data transfer speeds.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G: Older hardware and software compared to the Pura 70. Display is not as bright or smooth.
- Huawei Pura 70: Unknown OS support and availability of Google Services could be a major drawback for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G:
- Ideal User: Someone who values a well-established Android ecosystem with guaranteed software updates, eSIM support, and doesn't need the absolute best in display or camera technology.
- Use Cases:
- Reliable daily driver for calls, emails, and social media.
- Users who need 8K video recording for specific projects.
- Travelers who benefit from eSIM functionality.
Huawei Pura 70:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes display quality, battery life, and charging speed, and is willing to work around potential software limitations (depending on the specific OS and Google services availability).
- Use Cases:
- Outdoor use where screen visibility is crucial.
- Gaming and multimedia consumption due to the smooth display.
- Photography enthusiasts looking for potentially better image quality from the main camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Pura 70's superior brightness is a major advantage.
- What is your storage needs? The Pura 70 offers much larger storage options (up to 1TB), which is important if you don't rely on cloud storage.
- How important is Google Services/Android Support? You should find out which Android version the Huawei Pura 70 uses. If it doesn't include Google Services, that could be a dealbreaker for some users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Huawei Pura 70 for its brighter screen and potentially better battery life.
- Scenario 2: Photography/Videography Focus: If video quality matters more than display quality, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G with its 8K video. If photo quality matters more, I would lean towards the Huawei Pura 70 due to the bigger sensor.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: Depending on pricing, the older Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G might offer better value if the Pura 70 is significantly more expensive, and if the user can live with the older hardware.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei Pura 70.
Reasoning:
The Pura 70 offers significant improvements in key areas that are important to me:
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness would make a noticeable difference in my daily use, especially when browsing, watching videos, and using the phone outdoors.
- Battery and Charging: The larger battery and significantly faster charging would provide more convenience and reduce battery anxiety.
- Camera: While I appreciate the 8k video recording of the Note 20, I believe the bigger sensor of the Pura 70 will give it the edge in the photo department.
While the older Android version of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G might sound more reassuring, I am also willing to take my chances and use the Huawei Pura 70 without full Android support. I am confident the benefits of the bigger sensor, faster charging, longer battery life, and amazing display outweigh the cost.
