Samsung Galaxy Note 20 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's flagship evolution is evident comparing these two generations. Galaxy Note 20 delivers a capable 60Hz Super AMOLED display with solid Snapdragon 865+ performance and a versatile camera system featuring 8K recording at 24fps. Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a significant leap with its 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (2600 nits brightness), massively upgraded 200MP main camera with 8K@30fps capability, dual telephoto lenses (5x periscope + 3x), and the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Battery capacity increases from 4300mAh to 5000mAh with faster 45W charging. Build quality improves with titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2. While Note 20 remains competent for everyday use at $999, S25 Ultra's superior display refresh rate, computational photography, thermal performance, and camera versatility justify its $1300 premium. For users seeking cutting-edge performance and imaging, S25 Ultra is the clear choice; budget-conscious buyers accepting older specs find reasonable value in Note 20.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 if…
- →S Pen productivity features
- →5G connectivity
- →Samsung DeX support
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- →Class-leading 200 MP main camera with 5x periscope zoom
- →Built-in S Pen for note-taking and productivity
- →Bright 2600-nit display with Gorilla Glass Armor 2
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros
- Class-leading 200 MP main camera with 5x periscope zoom
- Built-in S Pen for note-taking and productivity
- Bright 2600-nit display with Gorilla Glass Armor 2
- Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top-tier performance
- 7 years of OS and security updates
Cons
- Very expensive at $1299 starting price
- S Pen lost Bluetooth remote features
- Charging speed still capped at 45W
- Large and heavy for one-handed use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Note 20 | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 192 g | 218 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 (Glasstic back) | Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Armor 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom | 50 MP 5x periscope + 10 MP 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 50 MP, f/1.9 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED Plus | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 |
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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