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).

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.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Performance 58
Display 88
Camera 49
Battery 42
Portability 53
Value for money 22
Sony Xperia 1 III
Performance 65
Display 90
Camera 46
Battery 42
Portability 65
Value for money 28
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: 1488 vs 1222
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3373 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 — 22/100, Sony Xperia 1 III — 28/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. 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).

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a better fit for everyday use.
Sony Xperia 1 III: The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Sony Xperia 1 III
Processor Samsung Exynos 990 Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 918508 1232200
Geekbench Single 1222 1488
Geekbench Multi 3060 3373
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
49
camera
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • Main: 12MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 12MP
  • Front: 8MP
46
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • 6.9" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 3088x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
88
display
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • 6.5" OLED
  • Resolution: 1644x3840
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
90
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
42
battery
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 30W
  • Wireless: 11W
42
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Samsung Exynos 990
57/100
918508 AnTuTu
Sony Xperia 1 III Snapdragon 888
60/100 +25.5%
1232200 AnTuTu

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
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
$1299
Sony Xperia 1 III
$1299

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 Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a better fit for everyday use. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.