Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.9"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3088
108
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS)
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!
9 Advantages 
11 Advantages | 38 Common items in both devices |
| 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| +31 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 S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Change model | ||
| Model | Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S21 5G SM-G991B/DS | Galaxy Note20 Ultra 4G-LTE SM-N985F/Dual-SIM (Exynos) |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 |
| Depth | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71.2 x 151.7 millimeters (2.8 x 5.97 in) | 77.2 x 164.8 millimeters (3.04 x 6.49 in) |
| Weight | 169 grams (5.92 ounces) | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic 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 S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.2" inches | 6.9" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~92.5% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1440x3088 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 424 PPI | 494 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display 120Hz@FHD 60Hz@QHD |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | Android 13 |
| User Interface | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 990 (7nm) |
| CPU | 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) | 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) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) | ARM Mali-G77 MP11 (800MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.1 | 256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | 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) + e-SIM | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1920 Mbps | 2000/316 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE | 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 |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 () | Not supported |
| Primary data network | 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 | 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 Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE | 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 |
| 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 S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom3x-hybrid-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmSuper-Steady-video | (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 |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 12000x9000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 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 | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| 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@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 3872x2592 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 | 1/3.24" inches | 1/3.2" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| 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 S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| 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 (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/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 S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| 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: Phantom Gray, White, Violet, Pink • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX | • Colors: Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic White • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor • Bixby • Samsung DeX • Samsung Pay (MST, NFC) • Stylus pen (Bluetooth integration) |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (SM-N985F/DS) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.456W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) | 0.315W/kg (head), 1.47W/kg (body) |