Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) vs Apple iPhone XS (64GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G vs Apple iPhone XS 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
1125x2436
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
2658
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB)
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!
27 Advantages 
4 Advantages | 27 Common items in both devices |
| Stainless steel body, glass front/back |
| Dynamic AMOLED / Super AMOLED |
| HDR10+ / Dolby Vision/HDR10 |
| 16 million |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| +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-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note20 Ultra SM-N986U (Snapdragon) - US Carriers | iPhone Xs A1920, A2097, A2098, A2100 |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Apple |
| Release date | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 |
| Depth | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.2 x 164.8 millimeters (3.04 x 6.49 in) | 70.9 x 143.6 millimeters (2.79 x 5.65 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | Stainless steel body, 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-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.9" inches | 5.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~92.5% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~81.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x3088 pixels | 1125x2436 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 494 PPI | 463 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display 120Hz@FHD 60Hz@QHD | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | iOS 12 |
| 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) |
| 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 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) | Apple GPU (4-Core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) Geekbench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 346379 (v7) Geekbench: 11472 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 512GB (458GB available) UFS 3.0 | 64GB (54GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| 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 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2100 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46) VoLTE | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1920/A2100 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2097 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19, 20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2098 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | 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 |
| 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-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| 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 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm |
| Main camera resolution | 12000x9000 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 28mm 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: 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 | 1080p@240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 7.1 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 3072x2304 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 32mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound |
| 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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| 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 [wifi5] (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 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| 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 Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 2658 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 20 hours |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| 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: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Face IDAirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Apple Pay • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Fast battery charging: 50% in 30min |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986U 512GB) | iPhone XS (64GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.83W/kg (head), 1.04W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |