Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
Starting at
£299.00
iPhone 12
Starting at
£170.00£649.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G and iPhone 12?
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 starts at £170, £129 less than the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G.
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- The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
- The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch.
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 specs
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G and the iPhone 12, both released in 2020, offer distinct experiences suited to different users. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G provides a larger and higher resolution screen with a faster refresh rate, more RAM, and a higher capacity battery. It also supports microSDXC cards for expandable storage. It offers fewer cameras but a higher front camera resolution. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise screen size, battery, and storage expansion or prefer a device with ongoing software updates and a compact design.
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 price
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, operating system, and software updates, important for everyday reliability. These two phones differ notably in battery size and software compatibility, which can influence how long they stay useful and how you use them daily.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, which tends to support longer use between charges, making it suitable for heavy users or those often away from power sources. The iPhone 12 has a 2815 mAh battery, which suits users with lighter daily usage or those who prefer a smaller device.
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 performance
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 screen
Screen quality affects your viewing experience for videos, gaming, and reading. Both phones use high-quality OLED technology but differ in size, resolution, and refresh rate, shaping who they best suit.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G offers a large 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3088, providing a very spacious and detailed display. This suits users who prefer watching videos or multitasking on a bigger screen. The iPhone 12 has a smaller 6.1 inch screen with a resolution of 1170 x 2532, making it more compact and easy to handle while still delivering sharp images.
Refresh Rate
With a 120 Hz refresh rate, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G provides smoother motion, which benefits gaming and scrolling. The iPhone 12 has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is standard for everyday use and suits users satisfied with a steady, responsive display without the need for extra smoothness.
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 camera
Camera and front camera specs influence photo quality and video calls. These two phones differ in camera count and megapixels, which affects detail and versatility for photography.
Main Camera Resolution and Setup
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G features a triple main camera setup with a 108 megapixel primary sensor, which is well suited for users who want detailed photos and a variety of lens options for different scenes. The iPhone 12 has two main cameras with a 12 megapixel primary sensor, offering simplicity and strong performance for everyday photography.
Front Camera Resolution
The iPhone 12 has a 12 megapixel front camera, which is ideal for users who take many selfies or use video calls frequently and want clearer images. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a 10 megapixel front camera, which is still good for video calls and selfies but with slightly less resolution.
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 size and design
Other features such as connectivity, physical dimensions, and storage options also influence your experience. These differences help identify which phone fits better with your daily needs and preferences.
Storage Options and Expandability
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB and supports microSDXC cards, allowing you to expand storage further. This suits users who need a lot of space for apps, photos, and files. The iPhone 12 comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB variants but does not support expandable storage, which fits users who prefer fixed storage sizes.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G is larger and heavier, measuring 164.8 mm tall, 77.2 mm wide, 8.1 mm deep, and weighing 208 g. It suits those who prioritise a bigger screen and don't mind extra bulk. The iPhone 12 is smaller and lighter at 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, 7.4 mm deep, and 164 g, making it easier to carry and use with one hand.
Connector Type
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G uses a USB-C connector, a common standard for charging and data transfer on many devices. The iPhone 12 uses Apple's Lightning connector, which suits users who already own accessories compatible with this port.
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Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G or iPhone 12: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch)
Buy the iPhone 12 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £170, £129 less than the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 10 megapixels)
- you want longer software support (supported, up to iOS 27 vs ended Sep 2025)
What our customers say
Customers of the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G highlight its large screen and spacious storage, with some mentioning models having 512GB and appreciating the device's performance. Many say the phone looks and works well, though some note the battery can drain quickly and that cosmetic marks are sometimes present. Overall, users enjoy the phone's size and capabilities, with a few valuing the extra memory for multitasking.
Users of the iPhone 12 praise its clean condition and smooth performance. Many mention the phone feels like new, with sharp screens and good battery life, especially when a new battery is included. The device's size is appreciated for being manageable, and users find the camera quality suitable for everyday use. The iPhone 12 is noted for running the latest iOS update, which keeps it current.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G suits buyers who want a large, high-resolution screen with expandable storage and higher RAM. The iPhone 12 fits those who prefer a smaller device with ongoing software updates, solid front camera quality, and a lightweight design.
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 FAQs
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The iPhone 12 is cheaper refurbished, from £170 compared with £299 for the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G ended in Sep 2025. The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 12 in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
