Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) vs Google Pixel XL (32GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Google Pixel XL 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
5.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2560
12.3
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Quad-core
3450
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!
31 Advantages 
6 Advantages | 23 Common items in both devices |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus |
| BSI sensor |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| Accelerometer |
| +16 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 XL (32GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Pixel XL (32GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - US Carriers | Verizon HTC Pixel XL, G-2PW2100, G-2PW2200, HTC Marlin |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 10/20/2016, Announced: 10/4/2016 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 8.58 millimeters (0.34 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 75.7 x 154.7 millimeters (2.98 x 6.09 in) |
| Weight | 194 grams (6.79 ounces) | 168 grams (5.88 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 | Water repellent nano-coating (don't immerse) |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 5.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~71.2% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1440x2560 pixels (16:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 534 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | Not supported |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 7.1 Nougat |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 10 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (MSM8996AB) (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) | Quad-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.15GHz Kryo (Dual-core) 2x 1.6GHz Kryo (Dual-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 530 (624MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | Basemark OS II: 2281 (v2) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 | 32GB (22GB available) UFS 2.0 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| 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 | 5000/1024 Mbps | 650/75 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Global version: UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 America version: UMTS 850/1700/1900/2100 |
| 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 Cat11 Global version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) America version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (41) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| 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 | 12.3 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4048x3036 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/2.0 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 28mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/2.3" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.55µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection 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 | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo only main camera |
| Camera extras | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@120fps (slow motion) 720p@240fps (slow motion) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| 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/2.4 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/3.2" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 1.4µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Mono sound (not stereo) |
| 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.264, H.263 |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.1 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 | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 3450 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 18W (9V/2A) Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 1.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | Not supported |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 32 hours (1.3 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | 552 hours (23 days) |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| 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: Black, Silver, Blue • Google Assistant • Daydream View VR • Live Case |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Google Pixel XL (32GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.78W/kg (head), 0.92W/kg (body) | 0.89W/kg (head), 0.56W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.25W/kg (head), 0.44W/kg (body) |