Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.9"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3088
108
MP
MP
10mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB)
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 
11 Advantages | 40 Common items in both devices |
| 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| +33 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 Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 Ultra SM-N986B/Dual-SIM (Exynos) | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998B Single-SIM) |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  Australia |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.2 x 164.8 millimeters (3.04 x 6.49 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.9" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~92.5% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x3088 pixels | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 494 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display 120Hz@FHD 60Hz@QHD | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 990 (7nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) |
| CPU | 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) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core) 3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core) 4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G77 MP11 (800MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) Geekbench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8), 727634 (v9) Geekbench: 3457 (v5.2) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | 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 | 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 | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | 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 | 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 |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 108 megapixels 12MP periscope telephoto f/3.0120mm1.0µmPDAFOIS5x-optical-zoom50x-hybrid-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.2120°13mm1/2.55"1.4µm | (quad camera) 108 megapixels 10MP periscope telephoto f/4.9240mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS10x-optical-zoom 10MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1/2.55"1.4µmPDAFSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 12000x9000 pixels | 12000x9000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.33" inches | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.8µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | 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 | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 7296x5472 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| 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: Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic White • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor • Bixby • Samsung Wireless DeX • Samsung Pay (MST, NFC) • Stylus pen (Bluetooth integration) | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.24W/kg (head), 0.72W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.338W/kg (head), 1.47W/kg (body) | 0.714W/kg (head), 1.58W/kg (body) |