Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) vs Google Pixel 6a (GB17L)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Google Pixel 6a 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
6.1"
OLED
OLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4410
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)
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!
19 Advantages 
10 Advantages | 27 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (103GB available) |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| 1080x2400 pixels |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +20 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-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Pixel 6a (GB17L) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - US Carriers | Pixel 6a GB17L |
| Country or region available |  USA |  Japan |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 7/21/2022, Announced: 5/11/2022 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 71.8 x 152.2 millimeters (2.83 x 5.99 in) |
| Weight | 194 grams (6.79 ounces) | 178 grams (6.23 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| 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-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | OLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.1" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~82.2% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 431 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 | 505nits[typ], 876nits[peak] HDR8 Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 13 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Google Tensor (5nm) |
| 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, 3 processors: 2x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Dual-core) 2x 2.25GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Dual-core) 4x 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP20 |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 702380 (v9) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-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 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| 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 | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.217mm114°1.25µm |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 27mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.4µm 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 | 1080p@240fps Sony IMX363 sensor |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.0 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 24mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 1.12µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | 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-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.1 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 [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 4410 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 18W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| 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-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| 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: Charcoal black, Chalk white, Sage green • FeliCa |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel 6a (GB17L) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.78W/kg (head), 0.92W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.99W/kg (head), 1.31W/kg (body) |