Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) vs Samsung Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M23 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
6.6"
PLS
PLS
1080x2408
50
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
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!
26 Advantages 
7 Advantages | 23 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (103GB available) / 128GB (101GB available) |
| Plastic body, glass front |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras / HDR photo on both cameras |
| f/1.8 (aperture) |
| +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) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - US Carriers | Galaxy M23 5G SM-M236B/Dual-SIM (128GB+4GB RAM) |
| Country or region available |  USA |    (Latin America), (Europe), (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 4/8/2022, Announced: 3/4/2022 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 8.4 millimeters (0.33 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 77 x 165.5 millimeters (3.03 x 6.52 in) |
| Weight | 194 grams (6.79 ounces) | 198 grams (6.93 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Plastic body, glass front |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | Not supported |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | TFT PLS |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.6" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~82.3% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2408 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 400 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Not supported |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | Not supported |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 13 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | One UI 4.1 / 5.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (SM7225) (8nm) |
| 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, 2 processors: 2x 2.2GHz Kryo 570 (Dual-core) 6x 1.8GHz Kryo 570 (Hexa-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 619 (800MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (101GB available) eMMC 5.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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 | 2000/1024 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, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | SA/NSA (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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 8MP ultrawide f/2.2123°1/4"1.12µm 2MP 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 | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | feature not registered |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | PDAF: 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 on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | 1080p@30fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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/2.2 (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-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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 | FM (RDS) |
| 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) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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 | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + 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 [wifi5] (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-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Virtual ambient light sensor Virtual proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W 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 | 40 hours (1.7 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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: Deep Green, Light Blue, Orange Copper |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy M23 (SM-M236B/DS 128GB/4GB) | |
| 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 | 0.775W/kg (head), 1.091W/kg (body) |