1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm | Note20 Ultra is slightly wider, while OnePlus 12 is thicker, affecting in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 208g | 220g | OnePlus 12 is slightly heavier, potentially noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Victus 2 on OnePlus 12 provides slightly better drop resistance compared to the original Victus. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.82" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1440x3168 | Very similar sharpness and detail. |
| Pixel Density | 496 PPI | 510 PPI | Virtually indistinguishable sharpness to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12 has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is significantly faster and more power-efficient, resulting in smoother performance, better gaming, and longer battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 2,110,808 | The OnePlus 12 offers drastically improved performance for demanding tasks and future-proofing. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | Adreno 750 | Adreno 750 provides substantially better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Note20 Ultra captures more detail in well-lit conditions. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | OnePlus 12 gathers more light, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.43" | Note20 Ultra has slightly larger sensor size, which usually translates to better light gathering |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP | 64MP (Telephoto + Portrait) | OnePlus 12 has a dedicated telephoto lens with a higher resolution, thus better quality zoomed shots. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12.2MP | 48MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | OnePlus 12 has a better ultrawide, and it can also take macro shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP | 32MP | OnePlus 12 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar video recording capabilities, the Note20 Ultra offers OIS in more settings |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Laser Autofocus, RAW | Triple Camera, Flicker Sensor, Noise Reduction | Note20 Ultra offers RAW capture, potentially better for advanced photo editing; OnePlus 12 has flicker sensor for less banding when recording screens. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5400mAh | OnePlus 12 provides significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 45W | 100W | OnePlus 12 charges much faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | OnePlus 12 offers faster wireless charging. |
| Features | 9W Reverse Wireless Charging, Qi/PMA Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless Fast Charging | The OnePlus 12 has much faster wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 18) | OnePlus 12 offers a more modern Android experience and longer software support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 12 offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | OnePlus 12 offers more efficient power usage. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The OnePlus 12 offers better location tracking. |
Storage and Memory
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | OnePlus 12 offers a larger maximum storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16/24 GB | OnePlus 12 handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- S Pen Support: The Note20 Ultra has the S Pen.
- Wider Angle Lens: The Note20 Ultra has a dedicated ultrawide lens.
Practical Implications:
- The S Pen allows for enhanced productivity, note-taking, and creative tasks.
- The Note20 Ultra offers RAW capture, potentially better for advanced photo editing
OnePlus 12 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a huge performance leap.
- Superior Battery Life and Charging: Larger battery and much faster charging speeds.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Better Telephoto Camera: Higher-resolution telephoto lens.
- More Modern Software: Newer Android version and longer software support.
- Faster Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Practical Implications:
- Smoother gaming, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness.
- All-day battery life and quick top-ups.
- Clearer visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better quality zoomed photos.
- Access to the latest Android features and security updates.
Trade-offs:
- Note20 Ultra: Older hardware and software.
- OnePlus 12: No S Pen support and some might prefer the look of the Samsung.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal for users who heavily rely on the S Pen for productivity and creativity.
- Use Cases: Note-taking, drawing, editing documents, presentations.
- Price-to-Value: Only good if you can find one for significantly cheap.
OnePlus 12:
- Ideal for users who prioritize performance, battery life, and a modern Android experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, video streaming, photography, everyday productivity, and those who demand the latest technology.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value, offering flagship performance at a competitive price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is S Pen support to your workflow? If you heavily rely on the S Pen, the Note20 Ultra is the only option.
- How much do you value performance and battery life? The OnePlus 12 is a clear winner in these areas.
- Are you concerned about having the latest software updates and features? The OnePlus 12 will receive updates for longer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Power User: If you need the absolute best performance and longest battery life, choose the OnePlus 12.
- Creative Professional: If you absolutely need an S Pen and don't mind older hardware, the Note20 Ultra may suffice.
- Budget-Conscious Buyer: If you're on a tight budget, look for deals on the OnePlus 12, as the Note20 Ultra would not be worth its price.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the OnePlus 12.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is a massive upgrade over the Exynos 990 in the Note20 Ultra. This translates to a much smoother and more responsive experience in everyday tasks, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Battery Life: The larger 5400mAh battery in the OnePlus 12 offers significantly better battery life than the Note20 Ultra. I value having a phone that can easily last me through a full day of heavy use without needing to be recharged.
- Software Support: The OnePlus 12 has a much more modern operating system, so the phone will be relevant for a lot longer.
- Camera: While the Note20 Ultra's 108MP camera is impressive on paper, the OnePlus 12's updated camera system with a telephoto lens and a wide angle lens is more practical for my needs.
- Bright Display: I live in a sunny climate, so the brighter display of the OnePlus 12 would be a significant advantage for outdoor visibility.
- Charging Speed: The 100W charging on the OnePlus 12 is incredibly fast, allowing me to quickly top up the battery when needed.
While I appreciate the S Pen on the Note20 Ultra, I don't use it enough to justify the compromises in performance, battery life, and software support that come with choosing the older device. The OnePlus 12 offers a better overall experience for my needs and priorities.
