Google Pixel 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Head to head

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Price$149$212
Our rating8/107/10
Battery4,080 mAh4,300 mAh
Wired charging18W25W
Storage (max)128 GB256 GB
Screen size6 in6.7 in
Refresh rate90 Hz—
Main camera16 MP64 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)151 g192 g
ReleasedOct 2020Aug 2020
Summary: Google Pixel 5 is ahead on our rating, weight (lower is lighter). Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is ahead on battery, wired charging, storage (max), screen size.
★ Which should you buy? Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs. If budget matters more than the extra capability, Google Pixel 5 is the cheaper option.

Display

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
TypeOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED Plus, HDR10+
Size6.0 inches, 85.9 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Refresh Rate—60Hz

Platform

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14—
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Global, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (7 nm+) - USA/Korea
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Global; Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 585) - USA/Korea
GPUAdreno 620Mali-G77 MP11 - Global; Adreno 650 - USA/Korea

Memory

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
RAM8GB LPDDR4x8GB
Internal Storage128GB UFS 2.1128GB, 256GB
Card slotNoNo

Main Camera

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS—
Ultrawide16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm—
FeaturesLED flash, Auto-HDR, panorama, Live HDR+LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; OIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, OIS, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Triple—12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 64 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x hybrid optical zoom; 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide)

Selfie Camera

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
FeaturesAuto-HDRDual video call, Auto-HDR
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps

Battery

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
TypeLi-Po 4080 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4300 mAh, non-removable
Charging18W wired, PD2.025W wired (50% in 30 min - advertised), 15W wireless (Qi/PMA), 4.5W reverse wireless

Body

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Dimensions144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in)161.6 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)192 g
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frame (100% recycled aluminum enclosure with bio-resin finish)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame
SIMNano-SIM and/or eSIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM and/or eSIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Water & Dust ResistanceIP68 (up to 1.5m for 30 min)—
IP Rating—IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS—
NFCYesYes
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
GPS—Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO

Launch

Google Pixel 5Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Announced2020, September 302020, August 5
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, October 15—
Released—2020, August 21
OS—Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Google Pixel 5 or Samsung Galaxy Note 20?

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 — 4,080 mAh for the Google Pixel 5 versus 4,300 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20.

Which is lighter, Google Pixel 5 or Samsung Galaxy Note 20?

Google Pixel 5 — 151 g for the Google Pixel 5 versus 192 g for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20.

Which is newer, Google Pixel 5 or Samsung Galaxy Note 20?

Google Pixel 5 — Oct 2020 for the Google Pixel 5 versus Aug 2020 for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20.

Is the Google Pixel 5 or the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 rated higher?

We rate the Google Pixel 5 8/10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 7/10.

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