Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.9"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3088
108
MP
MP
10mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB)
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!
24 Advantages 
9 Advantages | 28 Common items in both devices |
| Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC |
| Dynamic AMOLED / Super AMOLED |
| 16 million |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +21 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 Ultra SM-N986B/Dual-SIM (Exynos) | Galaxy Note9 (Exynos) Dual-sim (6GB RAM), Samsung Crown |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |   (Europe), (Global, International), United Arab Emirates |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 8/24/2018, Announced: 8/9/2018 |
| Depth | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.2 x 164.8 millimeters (3.04 x 6.49 in) | 76.4 x 161.9 millimeters (3.01 x 6.37 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) | 201 grams (7.04 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.9" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~92.5% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~84% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x3088 pixels | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 494 PPI | 514 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display 120Hz@FHD 60Hz@QHD | HDR10 2.5D glass Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 990 (7nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 9810 (10nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 2x 2.73GHz Mongoose M5 (Dual-core) 2x 2.5GHz ARM Cortex-A76 (Dual-core) 4x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.7GHz Mongoose M3 (Quad-core) 4x 1.79GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G77 MP11 (800MHz) | ARM Mali-G72 MP18 (572MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) Geekbench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 249124 (v7), 316449 (v8) Geekbench: 9026 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (111GB available) UFS 2.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-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 | 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78) | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | 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 | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 108 megapixels 12MP periscope telephoto f/3.0120mm1.0µmPDAFOIS5x-optical-zoom50x-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 | 12000x9000 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 | 1/1.33" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.8µm 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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 | Not supported | 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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 Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic White • 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS 256GB) | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.338W/kg (head), 1.47W/kg (body) | 0.381W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) |