Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 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
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
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!
20 Advantages 
11 Advantages | 29 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (103GB available) / 128GB (111GB available) |
| Super AMOLED Plus / Super AMOLED |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| +22 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 Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - US Carriers | Galaxy Note9 (Qualcomm) SM-G9600/DS (6GB RAM), Samsung Crown |
| Country or region available |  USA |    (Latin America), Brazil, China |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 8/24/2018, Announced: 8/9/2018 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 76.4 x 161.9 millimeters (3.01 x 6.37 in) |
| Weight | 194 grams (6.79 ounces) | 201 grams (7.04 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~84% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 514 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | HDR10 2.5D glass Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 10 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | One UI 2.0 / 2.5 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) (10nm) |
| 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: 4x 2.8GHz Kryo 385 Gold (Quad-core) 4x 1.7GHz Kryo 385 Silver (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 630 (710MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 249124 (v7), 316449 (v8) Geekbench: 9026 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (111GB available) UFS 2.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 1200/150 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 TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 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 Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 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, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| 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 Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| 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 telephoto f/2.41/3.4"52mm1.0µmAFOIS2x-optical-zoom |
| 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/1.5 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm 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 on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Digital and optical 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 | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 25mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz |
| 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, DivX, XviD |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| 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 | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C SlimPort® |
| 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 |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| 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 Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2 |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 15W Wired fast charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| 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, Copper, Purple, Blue • S Pen Stylus (Bluetooth) • Samsung Pay • Samsung DeX |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N9600 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.78W/kg (head), 0.92W/kg (body) | 0.96W/kg (head), 0.92W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |