Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20
The Verdict
iPhone 15 Plus delivers superior display technology with its 2000-nit Super Retina XDR OLED screen and modern A16 Bionic chip, offering snappier performance and iOS 17's refined ecosystem. Samsung Galaxy Note 20, while $100 pricier and nearly 4 years older, features a more versatile camera system with 64MP telephoto and 8K video capability, plus faster 25W charging. Display resolution favors Samsung (2400x1080 vs 2796x1290), though Apple's OLED brightness and color accuracy excel. Battery capacity is nearly identical at ~4300mAh. Software updates strongly favor iPhone 15 Plus with current iOS support versus Note 20's dated Android 10 foundation. Consider the iPhone 15 Plus for longevity, everyday performance, and display quality, or the Note 20 only if camera versatility and stylus functionality (if available in your variant) justify the older chipset and software.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 if…
- →S Pen productivity features
- →5G connectivity
- →Samsung DeX support
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Pros
- S Pen productivity features
- 5G connectivity
- Samsung DeX support
- Good performance with Snapdragon 865+
- Lighter than Note 20 Ultra
Cons
- Plastic (Glasstic) back at $999
- 60Hz display — no 120Hz
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- Flat display lacked premium feel of Ultra
- Significant compromises versus Ultra model
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy Note 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 10, One UI 2.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 (Glasstic back) |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 161.6 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 650 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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