Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)

Share page: Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Share page:

Side by side comparison between Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

9/27/2020 8:42 PM, updated: 11/21/2022 8:02 AM

Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G X Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer 07Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.21"
AMOLED

1080x2248

12
MP

20mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

3000
mAh

(Non removable)

20Points Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) Compare Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.7"
AMOLED

1080x2400

12.2
MP

10mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4300
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/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!

7 Advantages Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	vs	20 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
+2.8GHz 64bit Octa-core3% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	2.73GHz 64bit Octa-core (7nm)
+177 grams (6.2 ounces)8% Lighter	vs	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
+7.6 millimeters (0.3 inches)9% Thinner	vs	8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)
+Aluminum frame, glass front/backAdvantage More resistant material	vs	Plastic body, glass front
+402 PPI2% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	393 PPI
+Dual-LED flashAdvantage The Dual-LED flash helps in dark places or in low light	vs	LED flash
+(front) 20MP98% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies	vs	(front) 10MP
8GB LPDDR4X	vs	+8GB LPDDR5Advantage This RAM type is better and more efficient.
128GB (110GB available)	vs	+256GB (221GB available)101% More internal storage for applications and files
UFS 2.1	vs	+UFS 3.0Advantage Fastest write and read storage.
HDR10	vs	+HDR10+Advantage The HDR10+ display provides vibrant colors and more details
1080x2248 pixels	vs	+1080x2400 pixels7% Higher resolution screen
6.21"	vs	+6.7"8% Larger screen
(dual camera) 12MP + 12MP	vs	+(triple camera) 12.2MP + 64MP + 12MP3 times Higher resolution main camera
1/2.55" inches	vs	+1/1.76" inches45% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
4K UHD (3840x2160)	vs	+8K UHD (7680x4320)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
(front) Full HD (1920x1080)	vs	+(front) 4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
Android 9.0 Pie	vs	+Android 13Advantage Android 13 is newer and safer
4G LTE-A	vs	+5G SA/NSAAdvantage The 5G SA/NSA network is newer and faster
(4G LTE-A) 1024 Mbps	vs	+(5G SA/NSA) 5000 Mbps4 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+ANT+Advantage Sensors help you use the device
3000 mAh	vs	+4300 mAh43% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
18W	vs	+25W39% More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.
Not supported	vs	+Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)Advantage Wireless charging is another way to charge the battery.
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]	vs	+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6]Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] is newer and faster
USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go	vs	+USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.
Not supported	vs	+IP68 certifiedAdvantage Protection against water allows you talk to your friends in the rain, for example

27 Common items in both devices

Super AMOLED / Super AMOLED Plus

60Hz

16 million

Digital and optical zoom

PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras

OIS (4-axis): Optical stabilization / OIS: Optical stabilization

HDR photo on both cameras / 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

📱 Model features
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Other model names	小米8 透明探索版, Xiaomi Mi8 Explorer 8GB RAM + 128GB	Galaxy Note20 SM-N981B/Dual-SIM (Exynos)
Country or region available	(Global, International), China, Hong Kong	(Global, International)
Brand	Xiaomi	Samsung
Release date	6/1/2018	8/21/2020, Announced: 8/5/2020
Depth	7.6 millimeters (0.3 inches)	8.3 millimeters (0.33 inches)
Size (width x height)	74.8 x 154.9 millimeters (2.94 x 6.1 in)	75.2 x 161.6 millimeters (2.96 x 6.36 in)
Weight	177 grams (6.2 ounces)	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
Build, materials	Aluminum frame, glass front/back	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Not supported	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant
📲 Display
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Display type	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED Plus
Screen size	6.21" inches	6.7" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~83.8% (screen-to-body ratio)	~89.2% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1080x2248 pixels	1080x2400 pixels (20:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	402 PPI	393 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 5	Gorilla Glass 5
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	600nits[typ] HDR10	HDR10+ Always-On Display
🤖 Operating System
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
System version	Android 8.1 Oreo	Android 10
Firmware update	Android 9.0 Pie	Android 13
User Interface	feature not registered	One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0
⚙️ Processor
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Chipset	64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 MSM8998 (10nm)	64bit: Samsung Exynos 990 (7nm)
CPU	Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.8GHz Kryo 385 Gold (Quad-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 385 Silver (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	Qualcomm Adreno 630 710Mhz	ARM Mali-G77 MP11 (800MHz)
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
RAM memory	8GB LPDDR4X	8GB LPDDR5
Internal storage	128GB (110GB available) UFS 2.1	256GB (221GB available) UFS 3.0
External storage	Not supported	Not supported
📶 Mobile networks
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Dual-SIM	Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card	Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card
SIM card	2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)	2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	1024/150 Mbps	5000/1024 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	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	CDMA 800, 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 Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) 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	Not supported	SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78)
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	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA
Secondary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	GPRS, EDGE	GPRS, EDGE
📷 Camera
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Back camera (main camera)	(dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.456mm1/3.4"1.0µmAF2x-optical-zoom	(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) 60 fps	8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps
Flash	Dual-LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/1.8 (aperture)	f/1.8 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	26mm lens
Sensor size	1/2.55" inches	1/1.76" inches
Pixel size	1.4µm pixel	1.8µm pixel
Autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	OIS (4-axis): 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	Not supported	Supported
HDR	HDR photo on both cameras	HDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extras	feature not registered	4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps
📸 Front camera
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Front camera (secondary)	20 megapixels	10 megapixels
Front camera resolution	5184x3840 pixels	3872x2592 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	Full HD (1920x1080)	4K UHD (3840x2160)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.0 (aperture)	f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	26mm lens
Sensor size	1/3" inches	1/3.2" inches
Pixel size	1.8µm pixel	1.22µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
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	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
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
USB	USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go	USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter	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 [wifi5] (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
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect 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
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
Battery type	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity	3000 mAh	4300 mAh
Charger, watts	18W Wired fast charging Quick Charge 4+	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
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/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: Black (transparent back) • MIUI 10 • Always-On Display • WiFi display	• 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
	Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer	Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	0.684W/kg (head), 1.368W/kg (body)