Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)

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Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

9/27/2020 9:18 PM, updated: 11/21/2022 8:01 AM

Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 20 X Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB) 07Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.5"
AMOLED

1242x2688

12
MP

7.1mp

4GB
RAM

Hexa-core

3174
mAh

(Non removable)

20Points Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F) Compare Apple iPhone XS Max X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.7"
AMOLED

1080x2400

12.2
MP

10mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4300
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

7 Advantages Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)	vs	20 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
+256GB (244GB available)10% More internal storage for applications and files	vs	256GB (221GB available)
+NVMe (SSD)Advantage Fastest write and read storage.	vs	UFS 3.0
+7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)8% Thinner	vs	8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)
+Stainless steel body, glass front/backAdvantage More resistant material	vs	Plastic body, glass front
+1242x2688 pixels29% Higher resolution screen	vs	1080x2400 pixels
+456 PPI16% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	393 PPI
+Quad-LED flashAdvantage The Quad-LED flash helps in dark places or in low light	vs	LED flash
2.25GHz 64bit Hexa-core (7nm)	vs	+2.73GHz 64bit Octa-core (7nm)25% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
4GB LPDDR4X	vs	+8GB LPDDR5100% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
208 grams (7.28 ounces)	vs	+192 grams (6.72 ounces)8% Lighter
6.5"	vs	+6.7"3% Larger screen
(dual camera) 12MP + 12MP	vs	+(triple camera) 12.2MP + 64MP + 12MP3 times Higher resolution main camera
1/2.55" inches	vs	+1/1.76" inches45% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
(front) 7.1MP	vs	+(front) 10MP42% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
4K UHD (3840x2160)	vs	+8K UHD (7680x4320)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
(front) Full HD (1920x1080)	vs	+(front) 4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
2300000 apps (App Store)	vs	+3500000 apps (Google Play Store)52% More apps available to download and use
(4G LTE-A) 1024 Mbps	vs	+(4G LTE-A) 2000 Mbps95% Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+ANT+Advantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Fingerprint sensor (under display)Advantage Sensors help you use the device
3174 mAh	vs	+4300 mAh35% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
15W	vs	+25W67% More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.
proprietary audio output	vs	+Type-C reversible connectorAdvantage Best output for headset
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]	vs	+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6]Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] is newer and faster
Not supported	vs	+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.
USB 2.0 proprietary connector	vs	+USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.
USB 2.0 proprietary connector	vs	+Type-CAdvantage Reversible connector, you can stick in a USB-C cable any which way; either side is up.

28 Common items in both devices

Super AMOLED / Super AMOLED Plus

Dolby Vision/HDR10 / HDR10+

60Hz

16 million

Digital and optical zoom

PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras

OIS: Optical stabilization

+21 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Other model names	iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104	Galaxy Note20 4G-LTE SM-N980F Single-SIM (Exynos)
Country or region available	(Global, International)	(Latin America), New Zealand
Brand	Apple	Samsung
Release date	9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018	8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020
Depth	7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)	8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)
Size (width x height)	77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in)	75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in)
Weight	208 grams (7.28 ounces)	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
Build, materials	Stainless steel body, glass front/back	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant
📲 Display
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Display type	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED Plus
Screen size	6.5" inches	6.7" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio)	~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9)	1080x2400 pixels (20:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	456 PPI	393 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 5
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen	HDR10+ Always-On Display
🤖 Operating System
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
System version	iOS 12	Android 10
Firmware update	iOS 16	Android 13
User Interface	feature not registered	One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0
⚙️ Processor
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Chipset	64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm)	64bit: Samsung Exynos 990 (7nm)
CPU	Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core)	Octa-core, 3 processors: 2x 2.73GHz Mongoose M5 (Dual-core) 2x 2.5GHz ARM Cortex-A76 (Dual-core) 4x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controller	Apple GPU (4-Core)	ARM Mali-G77 MP11 (800MHz)
Performance (benchmark)	AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
RAM memory	4GB LPDDR4X	8GB LPDDR5
Internal storage	256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD)	256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0
External storage	Not supported	Not supported
📶 Mobile networks
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	1024/150 Mbps	2000/316 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000	UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1921/A2104 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2101 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2102 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46)	LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Back camera (main camera)	(dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm	(triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.027mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS3x-hybrid-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.2120°13mm1/2.55"1.4µm
Main camera resolution	4000x3000 pixels	4032x3024 pixels
Video recording (primary)	4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps	8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps
Flash	Quad-LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/1.8 (aperture)	f/1.8 (aperture)
Focal length	28mm lens	26mm lens
Sensor size	1/2.55" inches	1/1.76" inches
Pixel size	1.4µm pixel	1.8µm pixel
Autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	OIS: Optical stabilization	OIS: Optical stabilization
Zoom	Digital and optical zoom	Digital and optical zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Supported	Supported
HDR	HDR photo/video on both cameras	HDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extras	1080p@240fps	4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps
📸 Front camera
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Front camera (secondary)	7.1 megapixels	10 megapixels
Front camera resolution	3072x2304 pixels	3872x2592 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	Full HD (1920x1080)	4K UHD (3840x2160)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.2 (aperture)	f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length	32mm lens	26mm lens
Sensor size	feature not registered	1/3.2" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.22µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Loudspeaker	Stereo sound	Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	2 microphones or more
Radio	Not supported	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV	MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF	MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC
🔌 Connectivity
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
USB	USB 2.0 proprietary connector	USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	proprietary audio output	Type-C reversible connector
TV output	Proprietary TV-out	USB Type-C (reversible)
Bluetooth	5.0 + A2DP/LE	5.0 + A2DP/LE
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNA	Not supported	Supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
NFC	Supported	Supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity	3174 mAh	4300 mAh
Charger, watts	15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0	25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0
Inductive / wireless charging	Qi wireless charging	15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging
Talk time autonomy	25 hours (1 days)	feature not registered
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, HTML5	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Face ID • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Apple Pay • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Fast battery charging: 50% in 30min	• Colors: Mystic Gray, Mystic Green, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Blue • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor • Bixby • Samsung Wireless DeX • Samsung Pay (MST, NFC) • Stylus pen (Bluetooth integration)
☢️ Radiation rate
	iPhone XS Max (256GB)	Galaxy Note 20 (SM-N980F)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	0.359W/kg (head), 1.366W/kg (body)