Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) vs Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) 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
5.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x1920
16
MP
MP
16mp
3GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N)
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!
25 Advantages 
8 Advantages | 22 Common items in both devices |
| Super AMOLED Plus / Super AMOLED |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / Autofocus |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| +15 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-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) |
| Other model names | 갤럭시 노트20 SM-N981N (Snapdragon) | Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F/Dual-Sim |
| Country or region available |  South Korea |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 1/13/2017 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 71.4 x 146.1 millimeters (2.81 x 5.75 in) |
| Weight | 192 grams (6.72 ounces) | 157 grams (5.5 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | 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 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 5.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~71.5% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1080x1920 pixels (16:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 424 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | Not supported |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 8.0 Oreo |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7880 (14nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.09GHz Kryo 585 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 585 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 585 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 1 processor: 8x 1.9GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Octa-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | ARM Mali-T830 MP3 |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 3GB LPDDR4 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0 | 64GB (52GB available) eMMC 5.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 256GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (dedicated slot) |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 300/50 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 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 | 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat6 (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28) TD-LTE (Bands 38, 40, 41) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (78) | Not supported |
| 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 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| 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 | 16 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4608x3456 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.9 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 27mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | feature not registered |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | Autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Not supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo only main camera |
| Camera extras | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 4608x3456 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.9 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/3.1" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 1µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Supported |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, WMV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Not supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 4.2 + A2DP |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 18W 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 | 16 hours |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder |
| 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: Black, Gold, Blue, Pink • Gorilla Glass on the back • Samsung Grace UX |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981N) | Galaxy A5 2017 (SM-A520F/DS 64GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.688W/kg (head), 1.18W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.522W/kg (head), 1.39W/kg (body) |