Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) vs Apple iPhone 12 (128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Apple iPhone 12 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
1170x2532
12
MP
MP
12mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
2815
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1)
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!
15 Advantages 
12 Advantages | 30 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (103GB available) / 128GB (111GB available) |
| Super AMOLED Plus / Super Retina XDR OLED |
| HDR10+ / Dolby Vision/HDR10 |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| +23 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-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - Unlocked | iPhone 12 A2172, A2402, A2403, A2404 |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Apple |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 10/13/2020 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 7.4 millimeters (0.29 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 71.5 x 146.7 millimeters (2.81 x 5.78 in) |
| Weight | 192 grams (6.72 ounces) | 164 grams (5.74 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 | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.1" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~87.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1170x2532 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 457 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Ceramic Shield |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | 625nits[typ], 1200nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Wide color gamut True-tone Oleophobic coating screen |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | iOS 14 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | iOS 16 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Apple A14 Bionic (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) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 3.1GHz Firestorm (Dual-core) 4x 1.8GHz Icestorm (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | Apple GPU MP4 |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 568674 (v8) Geekbench: 4067 (v5.1) GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (111GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| 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 | 5000/1024 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 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 Cat20 VoLTE A2172 version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) A2402 version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) A2403, A2404 versions: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) | A2172 version: Sub6/mmWave (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261) A2402, A2403, A2404 versions: Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | 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, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| 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-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (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 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.4120°13mm1/3.6" |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4000x3000 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/1.6 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | feature not registered |
| 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 |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | (dual front camera) 12 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 23mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos |
| 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 | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 proprietary connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | proprietary audio output |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Proprietary TV-out |
| 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/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Not 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-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| 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 Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 2815 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 20W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (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, White, Red, Green, Blue • Face ID • Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | iPhone 12 (128GB) | |
| 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), 0.99W/kg (body) |