1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | Note20 Ultra is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. S21+ is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 208g | 200g | S21+ is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Material | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), stainless steel frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame | The Note20 Ultra has a more premium feel with its stainless steel frame and glass back. S21+ is more prone to scratches due to its plastic back |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.7" | Note20 Ultra offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1080x2400 | Note20 Ultra's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, making it better for detailed content viewing. |
| PPI | 496 | 394 | Noticeably sharper display on the Note20 Ultra. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | Note20 Ultra is more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Global | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | S21+ offers faster performance, improved power efficiency, and better sustained performance under heavy loads. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 749,100 | S21+ is faster overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 - Global | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | S21+ has a better GPU, resulting in improved gaming and graphics-intensive application performance. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB | Note20 Ultra, with up to 12GB RAM, handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | Note20 Ultra captures more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. Larger sensor allows better low-light performance |
| Telephoto | 13MP, f/3.0 | 64MP, f/2.0 | S21+ has the advantage with its telephoto lens with better zoom capabilities due to its higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Ultrawide | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/7.6" | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | S21+ ultrawide camera offers a wider field of view and better low-light performance due to the larger sensor. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | Similar selfie performance. |
| Other | ToF 3D sensor | Note20 Ultra has improved depth sensing for AR applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | S21+ provides slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 45W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Note20 Ultra charges faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | Similar wireless charging capabilities. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | 4.5W | Note20 Ultra can charge other devices faster wirelessly. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Note20 Ultra offers a larger storage option for users with extensive media libraries. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper images and text, better for detailed content viewing.
- S Pen Support: Enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.
- Faster Charging: 45W charging gets you back up and running quicker.
- Larger Storage Option: 512GB option caters to users with extensive storage needs.
- Premium Build: Stainless steel frame and glass back provide a more luxurious feel.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Newer and Faster Processor: Exynos 2100 offers better performance and efficiency.
- Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger battery provides extended usage time.
- More Advanced Software Support: Launched with Android 11, offers more future updates.
- Better Ultrawide Lens: Offers a wider field of view with larger sensor
- Telephoto Camera: The S21+ has better zoom capabilities due to its higher resolution and wider aperture.
Trade-offs:
- Note20 Ultra trades performance and battery life for a higher resolution display, S Pen functionality and premium design.
- S21+ sacrifices display resolution and premium build materials for improved performance, battery life, and software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Professionals, creatives, and power users who prioritize display quality, note-taking capabilities, and a premium design.
- Use Cases:
- Taking detailed notes with the S Pen during meetings or lectures.
- Editing photos and videos on the go, leveraging the high-resolution display.
- Enjoying immersive media consumption with the larger, sharper screen.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: General users who value performance, battery life, and future-proof software.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games without performance throttling.
- Enjoying all-day battery life for work and leisure.
- Benefiting from the latest Android features and security updates.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you need S Pen support for productivity or creativity? If yes, the Note20 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Is having the latest and greatest performance and software a top priority? If yes, the S21+ is a better option.
- How important is battery life to your daily usage? If you need all-day battery without compromise, the S21+ is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Creative Professional: Choose the Note20 Ultra for its S Pen, higher resolution display, and premium design.
- For the Mobile Gamer: Choose the S21+ for its superior processor and sustained performance.
- For the Everyday User: Choose the S21+ for its balance of performance, battery life, and software support.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
While the Note20 Ultra has a slightly better display (resolution) and S-Pen the performance and future-proofness of the S21+ are more important to me. The Exynos 2100 chipset in the S21+ is a considerable upgrade that is hard to ignore. The better ultrawide lens is also a feature that I use often. Finally, the longer software support ensures the phone will remain secure and up-to-date for a longer period.
