Smartphones are now more popular than ever before, and manufacturers have treated us to some state-of-the-art new handsets this year. However, two flagship models are drawing the most attention, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and OnePlus’s OnePlus 8 Pro.
Both models are each manufacturer’s most expensive phone yet, starting at $1300 and $899, respectively. So, with some top of the range specs on offer, how do the two phones compare? Let’s take a look.
Overview
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has ambitions to be the ultimate big-screen phone with its whopping 6.9-inch, 120hz display. It’s a versatile device, with its wireless DeX mode, powerful zoom camera, and S Pen upgrades.
The OnePlus 8, meanwhile, is redefining the concept of a flagship with its relatively affordable price point. It’s high performance too, with a Snapdragon 865 chipset and 12GB RAM, and happens to be currently the cheapest 5G phone in several global markets.
Specifications
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – O/S: Android 10 (with One UI 2.0) CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus RAM: 12GB Storage: 128GB-512GB Display: 6.9-inch AMOLED Cameras: 108MP wide, 12MP telephoto 5x optical zoom, 12MP ultrawide (Rear) 10MP (front) Battery: 4,500 mAh with 10 hr 26 min lifespan Weight: 7.33 ounces
OnePlus 8 Pro – O/S: Android 10 (with OxygenOS) CPU: Snapdragon 865 RAM: 8GB/12GB Storage: 128GB-256GB Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED Cameras: 48MP, 16MP ultrawide angle, 2MP macro (Rear) 16MP (Front) Battery: 4,300 mAH with 10 hr 33 min lifespan Weight: 6.3 ounces
Suitability for Gaming
According to industry statistics, the vast majority of smartphone users today play games on their devices. Gaming habits can range from occasionally playing a mobile poker app to competing in mobile eSports tournaments, so how do these two models hold up as gaming phones?
The OnePlus 8 holds its ground against some high-end gaming-specific phones with its Snapdragon 865 processor, bright and bold AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1440p output. However, the Note 20 Ultra has the slight edge here with its Snapdragon 865 Plus processer.
It also features the Samsung Edge display, effectively wrapping visual content around the very edges of the phone and delivering a resolution of 3088 x 1440. This makes certain games run like liquid and that extra kick of power from the Snapdragon 865 Plus chip means that the Note 20 Ultra performs particularly well when cloud gaming over 5G.
Special Features
Both flagships feature the best displays yet from their respective manufacturers, delivering bright, punchy, and color-accurate content. But what kind of special features does each phone possess and do any of them justify the higher price tags?
It’s easily the OnePlus 8 Pro’s screen that sets it apart from other similar priced phones; 6.78 inches of Fluid Display with a 120Hz refresh rate, backed by HDR10+ support and QHD resolution make for a gorgeously immersive display. The 8 Pro also features wireless charging, which will take the battery from 0% to 50% in less than half an hour. The huge battery is long-lasting too and should withstand a full day’s use on just a single charge.
As far as the number of special features goes, however, once again the Note 20 Ultra pulls ahead – no surprises, really, given its elevated price tag. Its rear camera offers a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens, the new and improved S Pen is super-smooth with its 9ms response rate, and the new wireless DeX mode allows users to stream content on Miracast TVs.
Conclusion
Both the OnePlus 8 Pro and the Galaxy Note Ultra 20 are standout smartphones of the year. As far as which is the overall winner, however, depends on how much you’re prepared to spend.
Yes, the Note Ultra 20 is packed with special features, but whether that justifies the whopping $1300 price tag is entirely down to personal preference. The 8 Pro, on the other hand, may well be the underdog, but it delivers more on the value for money front and is still an exceptional flagship phone.
