Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1)
Side by side comparison between Sony Xperia 5 II vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.1"
OLED
OLED
1080x2520
12
MP
MP
8mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.7"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4300
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1)
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!
12 Advantages 
15 Advantages | 28 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (110GB available) / 128GB (103GB available) |
| UFS 3.0 |
| HDR10+ |
| LED flash |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| +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 | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Model | Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) |
| Other model names | ソニーXperia 5 Mark II SO-52A (NTT DoCoMo) 5G | Galaxy Note20 SM-N981U (Snapdragon) - Unlocked |
| Country or region available |  Japan |  USA |
| Brand | Sony | Samsung |
| Release date | 9/17/2020 | 8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020 |
| Depth | 8 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 68 x 158 millimeters (2.68 x 6.22 in) | 75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in) |
| Weight | 163 grams (5.71 ounces) | 192 grams (6.72 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Plastic body, glass front |
| 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 | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Display type | OLED | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Screen size | 6.1" inches | 6.7" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~80.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2520 pixels (21:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 449 PPI | 393 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ | HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Firmware update | Android 11 | Android 13 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (SM8250) (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (SM8250-AB) (7nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 585 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 585 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 585 (Quad-core) | 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) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-587MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-646MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (110GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 3.0 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| 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 | 2000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1024 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat18/13 (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21, 28, 30, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA (1, 77, 78, 79) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, 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 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 12 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.4"1.0µmPDAF3x-optical-zoomOIS 12MP ultrawide f/2.2124°16mm1/2.55"PDAF | (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 |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 120 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | 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 | feature not registered | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 3872x2592 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.0 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/4" inches | 1/3.2" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Loudspeaker | Supported | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| 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, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 + 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, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 21W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | 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 | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| 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: Black, Grey, Blue, Pink • Cameras with ZEISS optics • Dolby Atmos • 24-bit/192kHz audio • Dynamic vibration system • PS4 Remote Play • DUALSHOCK 4 compatibility | • 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) |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Sony Xperia 5 II (SO-52A) | Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981U1) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.78W/kg (head), 0.92W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |