Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (2020) runs on the Samsung Exynos 990, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $1299 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads — 60/100 vs 57/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 108 MP vs 12 MP; the Sony Xperia 1 III is faster in AnTuTu (1,232,200 vs 918,508); the Sony Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter (186g vs 208g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Sony Xperia 1 III
What makes Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 108MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 15W vs 11W
- Better camera (49/100 vs 46/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1232200 vs 918508
- Better Geekbench Single: 1500 vs 1222
- Better Geekbench Multi: 3537 vs 3060
- Faster charging: 30W vs 25W
- Lighter: 186g vs 208g
- Higher performance (65/100 vs 58/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 88/100)
- Better portability (65/100 vs 53/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Sony Xperia 1 III scores 3 points higher (60/100 vs 57/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — 24/100, Sony Xperia 1 III — 30/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 58/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 III are nearly equal (49/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 42/100. In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 53/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 990 | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 918508 | 1232200 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1222 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3060 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.9" AMOLED | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 3088x1440 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 11W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 105 | |
| Main camera | 108 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 164.8×77.2×8.1 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 208 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 10MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- 6.9" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3088x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Sony Xperia 1 III leads Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra by 25.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 58/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 III are nearly equal (49/100 vs 46/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 42/100.
portability
In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 53/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Sony Xperia 1 III edges out the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 57/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 60/100.
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Sony Xperia 1 III leads on performance (65/100 vs 58/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.