1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | Note20 Ultra is slightly taller and wider, while Magic4 Pro is thicker. The difference is minimal in hand. |
| Weight | 208g | 209g | Virtually identical; both feel substantial. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Note20 Ultra has superior scratch and drop resistance on the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.81" | Negligible difference; both offer immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1312x2848 | Note20 Ultra has a sharper display. Text and images are slightly clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 496 PPI | 460 PPI | Similar to resolution, Note20 Ultra is sharper, but most users won't notice the difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar visual quality; vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1000 nits | Note20 Ultra is significantly brighter, providing better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Magic4 Pro offers significantly faster processing speeds and better efficiency for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 945,832 | Magic4 Pro provides a smoother overall experience, especially with resource-intensive apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Adreno 730 | Magic4 Pro has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance in games and other visually demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Note20 Ultra captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, especially in good lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/3.0, 1/3.4" | 64MP (Telephoto + Portrait), f/2.0, 1/2" | Honor Magic4 Pro has a dedicated Telephoto + portrait camera, while the Note 20 Ultra has a telephoto lens. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/7.6" | 50MP (Wide Angle + Macro), f/2.2 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a wider lens, great for landscape photography and macro shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/2.4 | Both cameras produce good selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Note20 Ultra can record in 8K, offering higher resolution video for professional use. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 126 | N/A |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 136 | N/A | N/A |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Similar battery life; both should last a full day for moderate users. |
| Charging | 45W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Magic4 Pro charges significantly faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W, 9W Reverse | 100W Wireless | Honor Magic4 Pro has much faster wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10, Upgradable to 13 | Android 12 | Magic4 Pro has a more recent Android version out of the box. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Magic4 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially better performance and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Magic4 Pro supports more satellite systems, leading to more accurate GPS positioning, especially in urban areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Note20 Ultra supports eSIM, offering more flexibility for travel or using multiple numbers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 256/512GB | Ample storage for most users. No expandable storage on either phone. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8/12GB | Sufficient RAM for multitasking and demanding applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility for managing multiple phone numbers.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher resolution video for professional content creation.
- Wider Angle lens: Wider angle lens for landscape photography.
- S Pen: Inclusion of the S Pen and its associated software features for productivity and creativity.
Practical Implications: The Note20 Ultra 5G is a better choice for users who prioritize display brightness, need eSIM functionality, enjoy shooting high-resolution video, or want the S Pen.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Faster Chipset: Significantly better performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Telephoto + Portrait camera: Dedicated telephoto lens, great for portraits.
- More Accurate GPS: Superior GPS performance in challenging environments.
- Newer Android Version: More up-to-date software and potentially longer support.
Practical Implications: The Magic4 Pro is better suited for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and accurate GPS.
Trade-offs:
- The Note20 Ultra 5G has a slightly sharper display and offers 8K video recording, but the Magic4 Pro has a faster processor and charges much faster.
- The Note20 Ultra 5G provides eSIM support, but the Magic4 Pro offers more accurate GPS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who value a bright display, need eSIM support, and want the ability to shoot 8K video, and like to use the S Pen.
- Use Cases: Outdoor photography/videography, international travel (using eSIM), professional video content creation, note taking.
Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who values fast charging and accurate GPS.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, GPS navigation in urban environments, quickly charging the phone on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- How important is performance and charging speed to you? If these are high priorities, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the better choice.
- Do you need eSIM support or plan to shoot 8K video? If yes, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G is a better option.
- How important is a brighter display for outdoor use? The Note20 Ultra 5G excels in this area.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro for its superior performance and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: International Traveler: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G for its eSIM support.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G for its bright display.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a brighter display and eSIM support, the significantly faster chipset and charging speeds of the Magic4 Pro are more important to me. As someone who often uses their phone for demanding tasks and appreciates quick charging, the Magic4 Pro offers a better overall experience. The newer Android version and more accurate GPS are also attractive benefits. While the Note20 Ultra 5G's 8K video recording is impressive, I don't personally have a need for that level of resolution. Therefore, the Magic4 Pro's performance advantages outweigh the Note20 Ultra 5G's strengths for my specific use case.
