Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
The Verdict
iPhone 15 delivers a modern, efficient flagship experience with Apple's A16 Bionic chip, stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display at 2000 nits peak brightness, and solid 48MP main camera with 4K Dolby Vision recording. Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, while $500 pricier and showing its age from 2020, impresses with a larger 6.9-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED panel, superior 108MP main camera with laser autofocus and 5x periscope zoom, plus 8K video capability and stylus integration. iPhone 15's newer processor ensures better performance and efficiency, though Note 20 Ultra still holds respectable power. Battery-wise, Note's 4500mAh advantage versus iPhone's 3349mAh is notable, yet iPhone's optimization often matches or exceeds real-world endurance. For most users seeking current-generation reliability, camera consistency, and value, iPhone 15 is the superior choice. Note 20 Ultra appeals primarily to stylus enthusiasts and those wanting maximum zoom range, but its age and price point work against it.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if…
- →Dynamic Island brought to base model
- →48 MP main camera upgrade
- →Switched to USB-C port
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra if…
- →S Pen with ultra-low 9ms latency
- →120Hz adaptive QHD+ display
- →108 MP camera with 50x Space Zoom
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15
Pros
- Dynamic Island brought to base model
- 48 MP main camera upgrade
- Switched to USB-C port
- Strong A16 Bionic performance
- Comfortable lightweight design
Cons
- Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Pros
- S Pen with ultra-low 9ms latency
- 120Hz adaptive QHD+ display
- 108 MP camera with 50x Space Zoom
- 5x optical periscope telephoto
- Samsung DeX for desktop-like experience
Cons
- Slow 25W charging for a $1299 device
- No charger in the box in some regions
- Large and heavy
- S Pen silo location changed
- microSD slot removed
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 10, One UI 2.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 171 g | 208 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Stainless steel frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS, laser AF |
| 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 |
| Periscope | — | 12 MP, f/3.0, 5x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3349 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1500 |
| 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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