1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 6 is taller and thicker, making it less pocketable and potentially harder to hold for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 208g | 239g | Note20 Ultra is noticeably lighter, offering better comfort during extended use. |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), stainless steel frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame | Both offer premium builds, but Note20 Ultra's stainless steel frame could feel more premium. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.78" | Slightly larger screen on Note20 Ultra provides a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1080x2448 | Note20 Ultra's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, especially noticeable when viewing detailed content. |
| Pixel Density | 496 ppi | 395 ppi | Note20 Ultra has a sharper display, leading to better clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks inherent to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 6 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially beneficial in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | Note20 Ultra offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 6's newer chipset offers significantly faster processing speeds, better efficiency, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 1,203,000 | ROG Phone 6 offers much better performance in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 in the ROG Phone 6 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | ROG Phone 6 with 16GB RAM handles multitasking and demanding apps more efficiently. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Sensor | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Note20 Ultra's higher resolution sensor captures more detail and performs better in low light. |
| Ultrawide | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Similar ultrawide cameras. |
| Telephoto | 13MP, f/3.0 | None | Note20 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed-in photos. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.0 | ROG Phone 6's selfie camera might perform slightly better in low light due to the wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | ROG Phone 6 has macro lens for close up details. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer high-resolution video recording. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 6 offers significantly longer battery life, especially during gaming. |
| Charging | 45W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 6 charges faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging 10W | Note20 Ultra offers more convenient wireless charging, while ROG Phone 6 offers bypass charging which allows you to use the phone while plugged in without charging the battery and thus generating less heat. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | ROG Phone 6 has a more modern Bluetooth version for potentially faster and more reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 6 supports more satellite systems for increased location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Note20 Ultra supports eSIM for flexible carrier options. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | ROG Phone 6 launches with a more recent Android version. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choosing the right internal storage is crucial. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | DTS:X | Different audio enhancement technologies; subjective preference applies. ROG Phone 6 boasts a noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls and a headphone jack. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a more detailed viewing experience.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: Higher brightness makes it easier to see the screen in sunlight.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom for better quality zoomed-in photos.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- eSIM Support: Allows for more flexible carrier options.
- Premium feel: Stainless steel frame is more durable.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset and more RAM provide superior performance in demanding applications and games.
- Smoother Display: Higher refresh rate offers smoother animations and scrolling.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery provides significantly more usage time.
- Faster Charging: Charges faster with 65W charging.
- Better Audio: Enhanced surround sound, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, superior voice capture.
- Bypass Charging: Gamers may appreciate this feature to bypass the battery while charging.
Trade-offs:
- The Note20 Ultra has a better camera system on paper with a dedicated telephoto lens and higher megapixel count on the main sensor, however it uses older hardware and has a weaker processor.
- The ROG Phone 6 sacrifices camera versatility and screen resolution for raw processing power and battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Business professionals, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize display quality and a premium feel.
- Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various scenarios.
- Enjoying visually rich content on a sharp and bright display.
- Using wireless charging for convenience.
- Utilizing eSIM for international travel or multiple phone lines.
- Taking notes with the S-Pen.
- Price-to-Value: Due to its age, the Note20 Ultra 5G can be found at a lower price, offering good value if camera quality and display sharpness are top priorities and performance is not as important.
Asus ROG Phone 6:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, power users, anyone who prioritizes performance and battery life above all else.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games at high frame rates for extended periods.
- Multitasking between multiple apps without lag.
- Using the phone all day without needing to recharge.
- Taking advantage of the advanced gaming features.
- Price-to-Value: ROG Phone 6 offers excellent value for gamers and power users who want top-tier performance and battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, productivity, general use)
- How important is battery life? (Do you need all-day battery or more?)
- What is your budget? (Consider the price difference between the two phones)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a hardcore mobile gamer who needs the best performance and longest battery life. Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 6
- Scenario 2: You prioritize camera quality, display sharpness, and wireless charging, and don't mind sacrificing some performance. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
- Scenario 3: You need a balance between performance, battery life, and camera quality, and are on a tighter budget. Recommendation: Consider other options that may offer a better compromise, as these two phones lean heavily towards specific use cases.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 6. While the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a sharper display and a more versatile camera system on paper, the ROG Phone 6's superior performance and significantly longer battery life are more crucial for my typical usage. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and the larger battery capacity give the ROG Phone 6 a substantial edge in terms of responsiveness and longevity, which are essential for both gaming and everyday tasks. Although the Note20 Ultra's display is sharper, the ROG Phone 6's 165Hz refresh rate provides a smoother and more enjoyable experience overall.
