Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) vs Samsung Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A56 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.7"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4300
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.7"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2340
50
MP
MP
12mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
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!
14 Advantages 
12 Advantages | 34 Common items in both devices |
| 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Super AMOLED Plus / Super AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 16 million |
| 6.7" |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| +27 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 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981B/Dual-SIM (Exynos) | Galaxy A56 5G SM-A566B/Dual-SIM |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  (Europe), (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 3/10/2025, Announced: 3/2/2025 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 7.4 millimeters (0.29 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 77.5 x 162.2 millimeters (3.05 x 6.39 in) |
| Weight | 192 grams (6.72 ounces) | 198 grams (6.93 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP67 certified: dust proof and waterproof over 1 meter and 30min |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.7" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~87.7% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2340 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 385 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | 1900nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 15 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | feature not registered |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | One UI 7.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 990 (7nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 1580 (4nm) |
| 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-A720 (Single-core) 3x 2.6GHz ARM Cortex-A720 (Triple-core) 4x 1.95GHz ARM Cortex-A520 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G77 MP11 (800MHz) | Samsung Xclipse 540 (1.3Ghz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 908692 (v10) Geekbench: 3899 (v6) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (109GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 3000/1024 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 Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 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, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (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 | (triple camera) 50 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123°1/3.06"1.12µm 5MP macro f/2.4 |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 8160x6120 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/1.56" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital 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@30fps 1080p@30/60fps 720p@240fps (slow motion) 10-bit HDR |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 4000x3000 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) | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 3 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| 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 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 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 | 5.3 + 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 | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Virtual proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 45W Wired fast charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | Not supported |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| 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 Gray, Mystic Green, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Blue • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor • Bixby • Samsung Wireless DeX • Samsung Pay (MST, NFC) • Stylus pen (Bluetooth integration) | • Colors: Graphite, Lightgray, Pink, Olive |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) | Galaxy A56 (SM-A566B/DS 128GB/8GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.684W/kg (head), 1.368W/kg (body) | 0.61W/kg (head), 1.051W/kg (body) |