1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | The Note20 Ultra is slightly larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. Pura 70 Ultra is thicker, but the difference is marginal. |
| Weight | 208g | 226g | The Note20 Ultra is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Note20 Ultra offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. Pura 70 Ultra screen protection is unknown, making it a riskier choice in terms of durability. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.8" | Minimal difference, both provide ample screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1260x2844 | The Note20 Ultra has a sharper display, resulting in slightly crisper images and text. |
| PPI | 496 | 460 | The Note20 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, but the difference may not be noticeable to all users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70 Ultra has significantly better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | The Pura 70 Ultra's Kirin 9010 offers better performance for demanding tasks and gaming, based on benchmark scores. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 869,707 | The Pura 70 Ultra is faster, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Maleoon 910 | The Pura 70 Ultra offers better graphics processing, resulting in smoother gaming and video editing. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 16 GB | The Pura 70 Ultra has more RAM, allowing for better multitasking and handling of memory-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | The Note20 Ultra captures more detailed photos in good lighting. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1" | The Pura 70 Ultra has a larger sensor, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | The Pura 70 Ultra's wider aperture allows more light in, further improving low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 13MP | 50MP | The Pura 70 Ultra captures much more detailed zoomed-in photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 12.2MP | 40MP | The Pura 70 Ultra captures much more detailed wide-angle photos. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 13MP | The Pura 70 Ultra captures slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | The Note20 Ultra's wider aperture allows for slightly better low-light selfies. |
| ToF 3D sensor | Yes | No | Note20 Ultra offers enhanced depth sensing for AR applications and potentially improved portrait mode. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Not tested | 163 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a high DxOMark score indicating excellent camera performance. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 136 | Not tested | The Note20 Ultra has a solid DxOMark score, suggesting good selfie camera performance. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps | 4K | The Note20 Ultra can record in higher resolution, useful for professional video creation. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | The Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging Speed | 45W | 100W | The Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster, allowing you to quickly top up the battery. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 80W | The Pura 70 Ultra charges wirelessly at a much faster rate. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | 20W | The Pura 70 Ultra can wirelessly charge other devices faster. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Unknown | The Note20 Ultra offers the familiar Android experience with Google services. The OS of the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is unknown, which affects app availability and user experience. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly more modern Bluetooth version, potentially offering better connectivity and efficiency. |
| 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) | The Pura 70 Ultra supports more satellite systems, offering potentially more accurate and reliable location tracking, especially in urban environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | The Note20 Ultra supports eSIM, offering more flexibility for managing multiple mobile plans. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 512/1024 GB | The Pura 70 Ultra offers a higher maximum storage option (1TB), ideal for users with large media libraries. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility with mobile plans.
- Known Software Ecosystem (Android): Access to Google services and a wide range of apps.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher resolution video capabilities.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Enhanced depth sensing for AR and portrait mode.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages
- Significantly Better Battery Life: Reduces the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging (Wired & Wireless): Quicker battery top-ups.
- Superior Low-Light Camera Performance: Larger sensor and wider aperture.
- Higher Telephoto and Wide-Angle Lens Resolution: More detailed zoomed-in and wide-angle shots.
- Higher Performance Chipset and More RAM: Smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location tracking.
Trade-offs
- Note20 Ultra: Lighter and familiar Android experience but older chipset and weaker camera system.
- Pura 70 Ultra: Heavier and OS is unknown, but offers superior performance, camera, and battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Someone deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem who values a familiar Android experience, a lighter device, and the convenience of eSIM. Still capable of taking great images and videos.
- Use Cases: General productivity, media consumption within the Google ecosystem, taking 8K videos.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Ideal User: A photography enthusiast or power user who prioritizes camera quality, battery life, and performance above all else.
- Use Cases: Professional photography and videography, gaming, outdoor use in bright sunlight, long travel days where battery life is crucial.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need all-day battery, the Pura 70 Ultra is the better choice.
- How important is access to Google services and Android's app ecosystem? If you need those Google services, then the Note20 Ultra is the obvious choice.
- How important is camera performance, especially in low light and zoomed shots? The Pura 70 Ultra is the clear winner in terms of camera capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Frequent Traveler: Pura 70 Ultra (superior battery life, camera, and GPS).
- Mobile Gamer: Pura 70 Ultra (better performance, more RAM).
- Outdoor Photographer: Pura 70 Ultra (superior camera, brighter display).
- Google Ecosystem User: Note20 Ultra (familiar Android experience, access to Google services).
What I would choose and why
Given the information, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
Reasons:
- Camera: As a photography enthusiast, the superior camera performance, especially in low-light conditions and with the telephoto lens, is a significant advantage. The larger sensor size, wider aperture, and higher telephoto resolution would make a noticeable difference in my everyday photography.
- Battery: The longer battery life is a huge plus. I hate having to charge my phone multiple times a day, and the Pura 70 Ultra's larger battery would alleviate that issue.
- Performance: The newer chipset and additional RAM would ensure a smoother and more responsive user experience, which is important for multitasking and running demanding applications.
- Brighter Display: Since I work outside frequently, a brighter display is something that is a must have.
While the lack of information about the OS and the potential loss of Google Services is a concern, the other compelling advantages outweigh this risk.
