Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S23+ delivers superior value and modern performance compared to the aging Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Performance clearly favors the S23+ with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and Adreno 740 GPU, substantially outpacing the 865+ chipset from 2020. Display quality goes to the S23+ featuring 1750 nits peak brightness versus 1500 nits, though the Note 20 Ultra's 3088x1440 resolution edges out the S23+'s 2340x1080. Camera capabilities present interesting contrasts: the Note 20 Ultra boasts a distinctive 108MP main sensor with periscope 5x zoom, while the S23+ employs a more refined 50MP setup with improved AI processing and 3x optical zoom. Battery life favors the S23+ with its larger 4700mAh capacity and faster 45W charging. Software is decisively better on the S23+ running Android 13 with One UI 5.1 versus the Note 20 Ultra's dated Android 10. At $999 versus $1299, the Galaxy S23+ provides newer technology, better performance, superior display brightness, and faster charging. Recommend the Galaxy S23+ for most users seeking the best overall experience.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 208 g | 195 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, Gorilla Glass Victus | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS, laser AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Periscope | 12 MP, f/3.0, 5x optical zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3088 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1500 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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