1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | Minimal difference. The A72 is slightly thicker, but unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Weight | 208g | 203g | Negligible difference in weight. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Note20 Ultra 5G has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.7" | The Note20 Ultra 5G offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1080x2400 | The Note20 Ultra 5G's higher resolution results in a significantly sharper and more detailed image. Text and images appear clearer. |
| PPI | 496 | 394 | Higher pixel density on the Note20 Ultra 5G translates to sharper images, especially noticeable with smaller text. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Note20 Ultra 5G's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 800 nits | The Note20 Ultra 5G is much easier to view outdoors in direct sunlight due to its significantly higher brightness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Global | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | The Note20 Ultra 5G's chipset offers significantly faster processing power, leading to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 285,000 | Demonstrates the Note20 Ultra 5G's substantial performance advantage in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 - Global | Adreno 618 | The Note20 Ultra 5G's GPU offers superior graphics performance, making it better suited for demanding games and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.8 | The Note20 Ultra 5G captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, especially in good lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/3.0, 1/3.4" | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" (Telephoto + portrait) | Both offer telephoto capabilities, but Note 20 Ultra's is dedicated and likely offers better zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/7.6" | 12MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.2 | The A72 captures higher-resolution selfies with more detail. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | Note20 Ultra offers potentially better depth sensing for portrait mode and AR applications. |
| Macro Lens | No | 5MP, f/2.4 | The A72 can take dedicated close-up macro shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The Note20 Ultra 5G offers significantly higher video resolution, suitable for professional video creation. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Not Tested | 92 | A72 scored 92 for camera capabilities |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 136 | Not Tested | Note 20 Ultra 5G scored 136 for selfie camera |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The A72 is likely to offer longer battery life due to its larger capacity, particularly during moderate usage. |
| Charging | 45W Fast Charging, Wireless charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Note20 Ultra 5G charges faster and also offers wireless charging capabilities. |
| Battery type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer has higher energy density and is more durable than Li-Ion |
Storage and Memory
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | The Note20 Ultra 5G offers a higher maximum storage option (512GB), suitable for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | The Note20 Ultra 5G, especially with 12GB of RAM, handles multitasking and demanding applications more smoothly. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Note20 Ultra 5G supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The Note20 Ultra 5G supports eSIM, providing more flexibility for managing multiple mobile plans. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness result in a sharper, smoother, and more visible display, especially outdoors.
- More Versatile Camera: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens, a ToF 3D sensor, and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Supports faster wired charging and convenient wireless charging.
- eSIM Support: Provides flexibility for using multiple mobile plans.
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides more protection
Practical Implications: The Note20 Ultra 5G is ideal for users who demand top-tier performance, a premium viewing experience, and advanced camera features.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life, especially for moderate users.
- Macro Lens: Allows for dedicated close-up photography.
- Newer Android OS at launch: Launched with Android 11 compared to Note 20 Ultra's Android 10.
Practical Implications: The A72 is a good choice for users who prioritize battery life and want a capable camera system with a macro lens at a more affordable price point.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the Note20 Ultra 5G means sacrificing battery life and macro lens capabilities for significantly better performance, display, and camera versatility.
- Choosing the A72 means accepting lower performance and a less impressive display in exchange for longer battery life and a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who frequently multitask, play demanding games, or use resource-intensive applications.
- Content Creators: Individuals who need high-quality video recording (up to 8K) and versatile camera features.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a display that remains visible in direct sunlight.
- Professionals: Users who benefit from the S Pen for productivity tasks.
Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: Provides a smoother and more immersive gaming experience due to its powerful processor, GPU, and high refresh rate display.
- Video Editing: Enables editing high-resolution video footage on the go.
- Photography: Captures stunning photos and videos in various conditions with its versatile camera system.
- Productivity: The S Pen functionality makes it easier to take notes, annotate documents, and perform other productivity tasks.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those who want a capable smartphone with a good camera and long battery life without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy taking close-up photos of small objects.
Use Cases:
- Everyday Use: Handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication with ease.
- Travel Photography: Captures decent photos and videos while traveling.
- Macro Photography: Allows for creative close-up photography of flowers, insects, and other small objects.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Note20 Ultra 5G offers excellent value for users who need top-tier performance and a premium experience.
- The A72 provides a good balance of features and price for budget-conscious consumers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance to you? If you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and games smoothly, the Note20 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- How much do you value display quality? The Note20 Ultra 5G has a significantly better display in terms of resolution, refresh rate, and brightness.
- Is battery life a top priority? The A72 is likely to offer longer battery life due to its larger capacity.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a mobile gamer who wants the best possible gaming experience: Choose the Note20 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 2: You're a photographer who wants a versatile camera system: Choose the Note20 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 3: You need a phone with long battery life for everyday use: Choose the Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 4: You want a good all-around phone at a more affordable price: Choose the Galaxy A72.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G.
Here's why:
- Performance: As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including some light gaming and photo editing, the superior performance of the Note20 Ultra 5G is a major advantage.
- Display: I value a great viewing experience, and the higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness of the Note20 Ultra 5G's display would make a noticeable difference in my daily usage.
- Camera: While the A72 has a macro lens, the overall camera system of the Note20 Ultra 5G is more versatile, especially with the dedicated telephoto lens and 8K video recording.
- Build Quality: The presence of Gorilla Glass Victus on the Note20 Ultra 5G provides better protection.
- S Pen: It is a fantastic feature to have that helps with productivity and other tasks.
While the A72's longer battery life is appealing, the improvements in performance, display, and camera on the Note20 Ultra 5G outweigh that advantage for my personal use case. While the A72 is newer, I value overall performance more than a more recent release date and a newer Android OS, given that the Note20 Ultra 5G will still receive software updates.
