iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
This is a classic rivalry: the iPhone 13 Pro Max against the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Apple against Samsung, both in flagship smartphone territory. There is a favorite. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra beats the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2 of 5 areas, and camera is its biggest advantage.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins
- Performance iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Camera Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 13 Pro Max wins
- Display4.2
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera1.0
- Display6.1
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera2.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has 5× optical zoom versus 3×
When it comes to optical zoom, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins comfortably with 5× against 3×. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 1.13 oz lighter build
It’s a lopsided result (7.34 oz for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, 8.47 oz for the iPhone 13 Pro Max) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera
The spread here is large: 108 MP on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra versus 12 MP on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Expect to notice it. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has 25% higher peak brightness
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra makes its strongest case: 1,500 nits against 1,200 nits. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
-
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
The iPhone 13 Pro Max clearly leads on max storage, and 1 TB versus 512 GB is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s bigger maximum.
Design & Size
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 6.33 in × 3.07 in × 0.30 in
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 6.49 in × 3.04 in × 0.32 in
There’s no meaningful size difference between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is 1.13 oz heavier than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is 0.02 in thinner than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.49 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 7.34 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Display
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra leads
In this area the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a lead the iPhone 13 Pro Max can’t close. Here the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra offers 25% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. If display is your priority, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the phone to pick.
Peak brightness
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 1,200 nits Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 1,500 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Pixel density
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 458 ppi Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 496 ppi Higher pixel density keeps text and fine detail crisper, although the benefit shrinks once both panels are already sharp at normal viewing distance.
Performance
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 13 Pro Max does a little better in the performance section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The iPhone 13 Pro Max stands out with a newer 5 nm chip process. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict. So if performance tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Process node
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 5 nm Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 7 nm A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life.
CPU cores
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6 Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 13 Pro Max leads
The memory & storage numbers lean toward the iPhone 13 Pro Max, not dramatically but consistently. In its favor, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra makes its case with a microSD slot. Net result: the iPhone 13 Pro Max leads this part of the comparison.
Max storage
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 1 TB Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 512 GB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
microSD slot
iPhone 13 Pro Max: no Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: yes Cards are handy for music, offline maps and backups, though apps usually run better from internal storage.
Camera
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra leads
Here the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra delivers 5× optical zoom versus 3×. Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from. The iPhone 13 Pro Max gives you a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. The takeaway: on camera, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the stronger phone.
Optical zoom
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 3× Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 5× Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
Main camera
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 12 MP Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 108 MP The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra match each other closely in this area. So battery & charging is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Software & Updates
There isn’t a number to compare on software & updates, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra differ.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 458 ppi | 496 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,500 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | Snapdragon 865+ (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm (winner) | 7 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | Yes (winner) |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 108 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 5× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,500 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 28 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 15 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.49 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 7.34 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 13 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,099 (winner) | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price is almost a tie, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max launching $201 below the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. For $201 more, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra adds 5× optical zoom versus 3× and a 1.13 oz lighter build. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2021. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max if…
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (5 nm vs 7 nm process node)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.30 in vs 0.32 in)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (12 MP vs 10 MP)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($201 less)
Choose the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra if…
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (5× vs 3× optical zoom)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.34 oz vs 8.47 oz)
- you like to crop into your photos (108 MP vs 12 MP main camera)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (1,500 nits vs 1,200 nits peak brightness)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
For most people, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the stronger choice, unless you need a bigger top storage option, which only the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers.
Which is larger, the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the edge in performance thanks to a newer 5 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 13 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering 5× optical zoom versus 3× and a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
Going by the numbers, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s screen comes out ahead: 25% higher peak brightness and 8.3% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the cheaper option, launching at $201 less than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (launch prices as of September 2021).
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra purely on what they offer. What tips it for me is that the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has 5× optical zoom versus 3×. Beyond that, a 1.13 oz lighter build gives the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra another edge. The iPhone 13 Pro Max isn’t without merit: a bigger top storage option is a real advantage.
Put simply, the iPhone 13 Pro Max suits people who care about performance, while the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra suits people who put display first.
My pick: the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the one I’d buy, unless what you want most is a bigger top storage option.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.