1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Note20 Ultra is larger and wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. Edge 50 Ultra is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 208g | 197g | Edge 50 Ultra is slightly lighter, which can be noticeable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.7" | Note20 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1220x2712 | Note20 Ultra has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and crisper text. |
| PPI | 496 | 446 | Note20 Ultra offers higher pixel density, leading to a visibly sharper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, negligible difference in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 50 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | Edge 50 Ultra offers significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Similar scratch and drop resistance. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Edge 50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is significantly faster and more efficient, resulting in smoother performance in demanding tasks and better battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 1,523,879 | Edge 50 Ultra provides much faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Adreno 735 | Edge 50 Ultra's Adreno 735 offers better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | Edge 50 Ultra has more RAM, which means smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Note20 Ultra's higher resolution allows for more detailed photos, but Edge 50 Ultra's larger sensor and wider aperture can improve low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | Edge 50 Ultra lets more light in, improving low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.3" | Edge 50 Ultra's sensor captures more light, improving image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 50MP | Edge 50 Ultra captures much more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 13MP | 64MP | Edge 50 Ultra's telephoto lens captures much more detailed zoomed in photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 12.2MP | 50MP | Edge 50 Ultra captures much more detailed wide angle photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Note20 Ultra supports higher resolution video, suitable for professional-grade content creation. |
| TOF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | Note20 Ultra has better depth sensing for portrait mode and AR applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 45W | 125W | Edge 50 Ultra charges much faster, significantly reducing charging time. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Edge 50 Ultra offers faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | 10W | Similar reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals.
- 8K Video Recording: Ability to record higher resolution video.
- TOF 3D Sensor: Better depth sensing capabilities.
Practical Implications:
- The higher resolution display provides a better viewing experience for detailed content.
- 8K video recording provides more flexibility in post-production editing.
- The TOF sensor can improve the quality of portrait mode photos and AR experiences.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Chipset: Smoother performance, better multitasking, and improved gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Higher Brightness Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Much Faster Charging: Significantly reduced charging time.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Much more detailed selfies.
- More RAM: Better for heavy multitasking and demanding games.
- Newer Software: Android 14.
Practical Implications:
- The faster chipset ensures a more responsive and fluid user experience.
- The higher refresh rate display makes scrolling and animations feel smoother.
- The higher brightness display makes the phone easier to use in direct sunlight.
- Faster charging means less time waiting for the phone to charge.
- The high-resolution front camera provides more detailed selfies.
- More RAM offers better performance when running multiple apps.
- Newer software provides the latest features and security updates.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the Note20 Ultra means sacrificing performance and faster charging for a higher resolution display and 8K video recording, a trade-off that heavily favors media creators or those prioritizing display resolution above all else.
- Choosing the Edge 50 Ultra means prioritizing performance, faster charging, and a brighter display over the Note20 Ultra's higher resolution screen and 8K video.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display resolution and video recording capabilities above all else.
- Use Cases:
- Users who frequently watch high-resolution videos.
- Photographers who value higher resolution photos and depth sensing capabilities.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, battery charging speed, and outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers who need smooth performance.
- Professionals who need fast charging and reliable performance.
- Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors and needs a bright display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display resolution and 8K video recording to you? If it's a top priority, the Note20 Ultra might be a better choice.
- How important is performance, fast charging, and outdoor visibility? If these are critical, the Edge 50 Ultra is the better option.
- Are you comfortable using an older operating system? The Note20 Ultra is running an older version of Android.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For gamers: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the better choice due to its superior performance and faster refresh rate.
- For outdoor enthusiasts: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is recommended due to its higher brightness display.
- For professional photographers and videographers: The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G is the better choice because of 8K video.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a slightly better display, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers a much smoother and more responsive experience. Faster charging is also a huge convenience. While the 8K video on the Note 20 Ultra is nice, I rarely record in 8K and the Edge 50 Ultra camera is better in almost every way.
