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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)

Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

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Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra X Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) 03Points
6.7"
AMOLED

1080x2400

12.2
MP

10mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4300
mAh

(Non removable)

vs
16Points Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G X
6.8"
AMOLED

1440x3200

108
MP

40mp

12GB
RAM

Octa-core

5000
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)

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!

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)} 3 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U) vs Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)} 16 Advantages Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
+194 grams (6.79 ounces)17%
Lighter
vs227 grams (7.95 ounces)
+8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)7%
Thinner
vs8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches)
+ANT+Advantage
Sensors help you use the device
vsNot supported
3.09GHz 64bit Octa-core (7nm)vs+2.9GHz 64bit Octa-core (5nm)1%
More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
8GB LPDDR5vs+12GB LPDDR550%
More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
UFS 3.0vs+UFS 3.1Advantage
Fastest write and read storage.
Plastic body, glass frontvs+Aluminum frame, glass front/backAdvantage
More resistant material
60Hzvs+120Hz100%
The display reproduces more frames per second because the frequency (Hertz) is higher, improves fluidity and tires your eyes less.
1080x2400 pixelsvs+1440x3200 pixels78%
Higher resolution screen
393 PPIvs+516 PPI31%
Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
6.7"vs+6.8"1%
Larger screen
(triple camera) 12.2MP + 64MP + 12MPvs+(quad camera) 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP59%
Higher resolution main camera
1/1.76" inchesvs+1/1.33" inches32%
The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
(front) 10MPvs+(front) 40MP3 times
Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
Android 13vs+Android 14Advantage
Android 14 is newer and safer
Not supportedvs+UWB (Ultra Wideband)Advantage
Sensors help you use the device
4300 mAhvs+5000 mAh16%
Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
1 slot (Single-SIM)vs+2 slots (Dual-SIM) + e-SIM (Eletronic)Advantage
You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.
5.0 + A2DP/LEvs+5.2 + A2DP/LEAdvantage
Bluetooth 5.2 + A2DP/LE is newer and faster

38 Common items in both devices
128GB (103GB available) / 128GB (101GB available)
Super AMOLED Plus / Dynamic AMOLED
HDR10+
16 million
LED flash
Digital and optical zoom
PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras
+31 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 S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
ModelGalaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Other model namesGalaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - US CarriersGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998B/Dual-SIM)
Country or region availableUSA
USA
(Global, International)
(Global, International)
BrandSamsungSamsung
Release date8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/20201/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021
Depth8.3 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)75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in)
Weight194 grams (6.79 ounces)227 grams (7.95 ounces)
Build, materialsPlastic body, glass frontAluminum frame, glass front/back
Protection against water and othersIP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistantIP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant

📲 Display

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Display typeSuper AMOLED PlusDynamic AMOLED
Screen size6.7" inches6.8" inches
Screen-to-body ratio~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio)~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution1080x2400 pixels (20:9)1440x3200 pixels (20:9)
TouchscreenCapacitive Multitouch 10-pointsCapacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)393 PPI516 PPI
Colors16 million16 million
Scratch-resistant glassGorilla Glass 5Gorilla Glass Victus
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Display featuresHDR10+
Always-On Display
1500nits[peak]
HDR10+
Always-On Display

🤖 Operating System

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
System versionAndroid 10Android 11
Firmware updateAndroid 13Android 14
User InterfaceOne UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0

⚙️ Processor

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Chipset64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm)64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm)
CPUOcta-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:
1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core)
3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core)
4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controllerQualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz)ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz)
Performance (benchmark)feature not registeredAnTuTu: 657150 (v8), 727634 (v9)
Geekbench: 3457 (v5.2)
GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

💽 Memory and storage

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
RAM memory8GB LPDDR512GB LPDDR5
Internal storage128GB (103GB available)
UFS 3.0
128GB (101GB available)
UFS 3.1
External storageNot supportedNot supported

📶 Mobile networks

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Dual-SIMNot supportedDual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card
SIM card1 slot (Single-SIM)
nano-SIM (4FF)
2 slots (Dual-SIM)
nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM
Maximum Download / Upload5000/1024 Mbps5000/1920 Mbps
Network technology2G, 3G, 4G, 5G2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
Frequency, bands Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz bandQuad-Band 850/900/1800/1900Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G networkGSM 850/900/1800/1900GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G networkUMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G networkLTE 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 Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
VoLTE
Primary 5G networkSA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71)
mmWave (260, 261)
SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78)
Primary data networkGPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA
Secondary 2G networkNot supportedGSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G networkNot supportedUMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Secondary 4G networkNot supportedLTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
VoLTE
Secondary data networkNot supportedGPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA

📷 Camera

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 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
(quad camera)
108 megapixels
10MP periscope telephoto f/4.9240mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS10x-optical-zoom
10MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom
12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1/2.55"1.4µmPDAFSuper-Steady-video
Main camera resolution4032x3024 pixels12000x9000 pixels
Video recording (primary)8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps
FlashLED flashLED flash
Focal aperturef/1.8 (aperture)f/1.8 (aperture)
Focal length26mm lens26mm lens
Sensor size1/1.76" inches1/1.33" inches
Pixel size1.8µm pixel1.8µm pixel
AutofocusPDAF: phase detection autofocus on both camerasPDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras
Touch focusSupportedSupported
Image stabilizationOIS: Optical stabilizationOIS: Optical stabilization
ZoomDigital and optical zoomDigital and optical zoom
Face/smile detectionFace detection, Smile detectionFace detection, Smile detection
BSI sensorSupportedSupported
HDRHDR photo/video on both camerasHDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extras4K@60fps
1080p@240fps
720p@960fps
4K@60fps
1080p@240fps
720p@960fps

📸 Front camera

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Front camera (secondary)10 megapixels40 megapixels
Front camera resolution3872x2592 pixels7296x5472 pixels
Video recording (secondary)4K UHD (3840x2160)4K UHD (3840x2160)
Front flashNot supportedNot supported
Focal aperturef/2.2 (aperture)f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length26mm lens26mm lens
Sensor size1/3.2" inches1/2.8" inches
Pixel size1.22µm pixel0.7µm pixel

🔉 Sound and multimedia

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
LoudspeakerStereo sound
32-bit/384kHz
Dolby Atmos
Tuned by AKG
Stereo sound
32-bit/384kHz
Dolby Atmos
Tuned by AKG
Active noise cancellation2 microphones or more2 microphones or more
RadioFMFM
TVNot supportedNot supported
Video formatsMP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKVMP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV
Audio formatsMP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLACMP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC

🔌 Connectivity

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
USBUSB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoUSB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio outputType-C reversible connectorType-C reversible connector
TV outputUSB Type-C (reversible)USB Type-C (reversible)
Bluetooth5.0 + A2DP/LE5.2 + A2DP/LE
WiFi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO
WiFi Direct, hotspot
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO
WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNASupportedSupported
GPSA-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDouA-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
NFCSupportedSupported
Infrared portNot supportedNot supported

🧭 Sensors

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
SensorsAccelerometer
Ambient light sensor
ANT+
Barometer
Compass
Face unlock
Fingerprint sensor (under display)
Gyroscope
Hall effect
Proximity sensor
Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Barometer
Compass
Face unlock
Fingerprint sensor (under display)
Gesture
Gyroscope
Hall effect
Proximity sensor
UWB (Ultra Wideband)
Vibrating alertSupportedSupported

🔋 Battery

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Battery typeLi-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity4300 mAh5000 mAh
Charger, watts25W Wired fast charging
USB Power Delivery 3.0
25W Wired fast charging
USB Power Delivery 3.0
Inductive / wireless charging15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)
4.5W Reverse wireless charging
15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)
4.5W Reverse wireless charging
Talk time autonomyfeature not registeredfeature not registered
Standbyfeature not registeredfeature not registered

➕ Other features

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Call controlVoice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commandsVoice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
MessagingSMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mailSMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free callingSupportedSupported
Video callingSupportedSupported
RingtonesPolyphonic and customizedPolyphonic and customized
Web browserHTML, XHTML, HTML5HTML, XHTML, HTML5
AntennaInternal antennaInternal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboardNot supportedNot 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: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown
• Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard)
• Samsung DeX
• Stylus pen support

☢️ Radiation rate

Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U)Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)0.78W/kg (head), 0.92W/kg (body)0.24W/kg (head), 0.72W/kg (body)
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)feature not registered0.714W/kg (head), 1.58W/kg (body)
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