1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | Motorola Moto G24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.6 × 75.2 × 8.3 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Note20 is slightly wider and thicker, while the G24 is slightly taller. Differences are minor and unlikely to be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 192g | 181g | G24 is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Note20's screen is significantly more resistant to scratches and cracks. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | Motorola Moto G24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.56" | Note20 has a slightly larger screen, providing a marginally more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Note20's display is significantly sharper, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 393 | 269 | Note20 offers a noticeably sharper display, particularly for reading and detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Note20's AMOLED display delivers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making media consumption more enjoyable. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | G24's 90Hz display provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, though the difference may not be noticeable to all users. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 500 nits | G24's display is much brighter, resulting in significantly better outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | Motorola Moto G24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Note20's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 515,090 | 266,894 | Note20 offers a dramatically faster and more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Note20 has a much more powerful GPU. This translates to better graphics performance in games and other graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB or 8 GB | Both phones are good for multitasking and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | Motorola Moto G24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | G24's main camera has a higher megapixel count, but Note20's larger sensor size and pixel size may result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Note20's front camera offers slightly better resolution and potentially better image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | Note20 offers optical zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects with greater detail. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Note20 has a much better ultrawide lens, good for landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | G24 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Note20 supports significantly higher video resolutions and frame rates, offering more professional-grade video capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G | Motorola Moto G24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 5000mAh | G24's larger battery likely provides longer battery life, especially for moderate usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Note20 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | No | Note20 supports wireless charging for convenient charging without cables. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | No | Note20 can wirelessly charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution and PPI, resulting in a sharper, more vibrant, and immersive viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens, higher-quality ultrawide lens, and support for up to 8K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 25W wired charging and support for wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 screen protection.
- More Comprehensive Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 support.
Motorola Moto G24 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Likely provides longer battery life.
- Higher Display Refresh Rate: 90Hz display for smoother scrolling and animations (though the difference may be subtle).
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: For close-up photography.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Significant Trade-offs:
- Note20: Older phone with potentially limited software update support remaining.
- G24: Significantly lower performance, lower-quality display, and less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize display quality for media consumption and gaming.
- Users who need a powerful phone for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Users who value a versatile camera system with zoom capabilities.
- Users who want wireless charging and faster wired charging.
- Users who want better build quality and screen protection.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on a vibrant, high-resolution display.
- Playing graphics-intensive games smoothly.
- Taking photos and videos in various situations, including zoomed-in shots.
- Quickly charging the phone and wirelessly charging accessories.
Motorola Moto G24 Ideal Users:
- Users on a tight budget who need a phone with decent battery life.
- Users who prioritize outdoor visibility.
- Users who want the latest Android version.
- Users who occasionally want to take close-up macro photos.
Use Cases:
- Basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and browsing.
- Using the phone outdoors in sunny conditions.
- Taking close-up photos of small objects.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? The G24 will be significantly cheaper, being a budget smartphone
- How important is display quality? If you value a sharp, vibrant display for media consumption, the Note20 is the better choice.
- How much performance do I need? If you need a phone for demanding apps and gaming, the Note20 is the only reasonable option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is tight, primary need is battery life. Choose the Motorola Moto G24.
- Scenario 2: Need a good all-around phone for everyday use and media consumption. Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G.
- Scenario 3: Need a high-performance phone for gaming and demanding apps. Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G.
Which phone I would choose and why!
Given the significant performance and display advantages, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G. While it's an older phone, the superior AMOLED display, significantly faster processor, and more versatile camera system outweigh the benefits of the G24's larger battery and higher refresh rate display, especially for my usage which involves a lot of media consumption, occasional gaming, and photography. The better build quality of the Note20 is also a factor, since I don't use phone cases.
I would also consider the state of the battery. Since it is an older phone the battery may have degraded, so it would be something I would want to know before purchasing.
