Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) vs Samsung Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S8 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
5.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N)
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 
8 Advantages | 27 Common items in both devices |
| Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC |
| Dynamic AMOLED / Super AMOLED |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +20 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-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) |
| Other model names | 갤럭시 노트20 Ultra SM-N986N (Snapdragon) | Galaxy S8 SM-G950S (SKT), SM-G950K (KT), SM-G950L (LG U+) |
| Country or region available |  South Korea | South Korea |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 4/21/2017, Announced: 3/29/2017 |
| Depth | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 8 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.2 x 164.8 millimeters (3.04 x 6.49 in) | 68.1 x 148.9 millimeters (2.68 x 5.86 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) | 155 grams (5.43 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.9" inches | 5.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~92.5% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~84.2% (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 | 568 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 |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 9.0 Pie |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 8895 (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 2.3GHz M2 Mongoose (Quad-core) 4x 1.7GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | ARM Mali-G71 MP20 (546MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) Geekbench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 204469 (v7) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0 | 64GB (51GB available) UFS 2.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 1024/150 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 | Tri-Band 900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat16 (1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,17,18,19,20,25,26,28) TD-LTE (38,39,40,41) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (78) | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| 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 | 12.2 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 12000x9000 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.7 (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 | 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 | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| 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-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Supported |
| 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, DivX, XviD |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| 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 (reversible) |
| 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 | 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-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| 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-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 15W (9V/1.67A) Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2 |
| 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 | 29 hours (1.2 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | 326 hours (13.6 days) |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| 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, Silver, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Curved edge screen • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel • Samsung Gear VR compatible • Samsung Pay • 32bit/192kHz audio |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986N) | Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.546W/kg (head), 0.616W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |