The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the big new phone on the market, and it’s making a splash already. But should you buy it or the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Like last year, Samsung has launched two new Galaxy Note phones. And this year, the Note 20 is joined by the Note 20 Ultra. Samsung’s new and gorgeous phablet is aimed at anyone who wants a high-powered phone with all the mod cons, including the S Pen, the powerful Snapdragon 865 Plus, and an extremely capable triple-lens camera module. It’s not the only big and powerful phone with a grandiose name out there, though. The big iPhone of the moment is the iPhone 11 Pro Max, and Apple’s massive beast is a triumph of engineering, with a stunning design, sumptuous display, and more power than you can shake a stick at. Both of these devices have starting prices well above $1,000, so it’s unlikely you can own both. Which one should you spend your money on, and why? We found out. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a stunning design, especially in the Mystic Bronze color. The massive 6.9-inch AMOLED display stretches from edge to edge with barely any bezel, and there’s a front-facing camera neatly hidden inside a punch-hole in the center of the display. The edges curve gently, and the buttons and S Pen dock have been moved to make using the phone more ergonomic. The iPhone takes a different approach to design, and while it has a similarly slim bezel, the chunky notch at the top of the screen is far more noticeable than the Note 20 Ultra’s punch-hole. It’s not bad looking as a result, though, and the new matte texture on the back feels and looks great. Each phone has a big OLED display, too, so you’re getting a big screen with a crisp resolution either way. The Note 20 Ultra’s display has an edge in crispness, but you’ll probably have to put your face right up next to the phones to see the difference. You’ll definitely feel the difference between the refresh rates, however. The Note 20 Ultra has a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which means it refreshes twice as often as the iPhone’s 60Hz display. That means the Note feels more responsive and looks smoother. Durability-wise, there’s less to separate the two. Both have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and both have sleek glass bodies. The iPhone has a stainless steel frame, though, which makes it heavier and more durable than the Note 20 Ultra’s aluminum frame — but we think a protective case is warranted for either phone, so it shouldn’t matter too much. Both of these phones look incredible, but it’s the 120Hz display that gives the Note 20 Ultra an edge the iPhone just can’t match.
