Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 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
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
32mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 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!
6 Advantages 
11 Advantages | 39 Common items in both devices |
| 8GB LPDDR5 |
| 128GB (103GB available) / 128GB (97GB available) |
| Super AMOLED Plus / Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 16 million |
| 1080x2400 pixels |
| LED flash |
| +32 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-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981WZNAXAC (Snapdragon) | Galaxy S21 FE 5G SM-G9900 Dual-SIM (Exynos) |
| Country or region available |  Canada |  China |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 1/7/2022, Announced: 1/4/2022 |
| Depth | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) | 74.5 x 155.7 millimeters (2.93 x 6.13 in) |
| Weight | 192 grams (6.72 ounces) | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic 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-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED Plus | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.3% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 393 PPI | 411 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | One UI 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (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) | 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 controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (97GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| 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 | CDMA 800, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (41, 66, 71) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 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, 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 850/900/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 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-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 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 | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123°13mm1/3"1.12µm 8MP telephoto f/2.476mm1/4.5"1.0µmPDAFOIS3x-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 | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.8µm 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 | 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 | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240fps (slow motion) 720p@960fps (slow motion) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 32 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 6528x4896 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 | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/2.74" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| 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.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-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C reversible connector |
| 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/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | 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-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 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 Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging 4.5W Reverse 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-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 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: Graphite, White, Lavender, Olive |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981W) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G9900 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.85W/kg (head), 1.25W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.674W/kg (head), 1.501W/kg (body) |