Samsung Galaxy Note N981U Mystic Green 128GB

The Note20 5G's camera ranks at 87th percentile, making it one of the best shooters in its class, with a 64MP telephoto and 3x optical zoom. But the 60Hz display and 39th percentile build quality drag it down. At USD 194 to USD 500 depending on vendor, it's a great deal at the low end and a tough sell at the high end.

The Snapdragon 865+ SM8250-AB is an 8-core chip clocked at 3.00GHz, and it still holds up fine for everyday use. Our performance ranking puts it at 63rd percentile, which means it's solid but no longer a chart-topper. The Adreno 650 GPU handles games without breaking a sweat, and 8GB of RAM keeps app switching smooth. You won't feel like you're using an old phone, but you also won't be winning any benchmark races against the Pixel 10 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro.

The camera is where this thing shines. At 87th percentile, it's one of the best on the market for its class. The 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS is the star, letting you pull off shots that most phones in this price bracket can't touch. The 12MP ultrawide and 12MP main round out a versatile triple setup. Video tops out at 8K@30fps, which is still impressive even by today's standards. But the 10MP front camera is just okay, nothing special.

Stacked against the current field, the Note20 5G is a mixed bag. The Google Pixel 10 Pro and Apple iPhone 15 Pro outclass it on display, build, and performance, no contest. But the Note20's camera at 87th percentile holds its own surprisingly well against phones that cost three times as much. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 and Nothing Phone 4a Pro are more modern designs with better displays, but neither matches the Note20's telephoto reach. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is probably the closest competitor in spirit, a mid-range phone punching above its weight on camera, but the Note20's Snapdragon 865+ still has more raw horsepower than most mid-range chips from that era.

Pricing on this thing is all over the place. We're seeing USD listings ranging from USD 194 to USD 500 across three vendors, which is a USD 306 spread. That's a huge gap for the same phone. The Newegg refurbished T-Mobile-only unit is the budget pick, while the fully unlocked Best Buy listing commands the higher end. At USD 194, this is a steal for the camera alone. At USD 500, you're competing with newer phones that beat it on display and build. The affordability ranking sits at 46th percentile, so it's not a screaming deal on average, but if you can snag it at the low end of that range, the value proposition flips completely.

The Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G lands in a weird spot in our database. Its camera sits at the 87th percentile, which is a standout for a phone from this generation, but the display is stuck at 54th, dead middle of the pack. You get a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel at 1080 x 2400, but it's locked to 60Hz, which feels dated next to the 120Hz screens on newer mid-rangers. The Snapdragon 865+ with 8GB of RAM still has plenty of muscle for daily tasks, though our performance ranking puts it at 63rd percentile, solid but not exciting anymore.

The real story here is the camera system. A 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS, paired with a 12MP main and 12MP ultrawide, gives this thing serious photography chops. The 4300mAh battery ranks at 71st percentile, which is above average but not going to blow anyone away. And at 142g, it's surprisingly light for a phone with this much glass and silicon inside.

Skip this if you care about display smoothness or build quality. The 60Hz panel ranks at 54th percentile, and once you've used a 120Hz screen, going back feels like wading through molasses. Build quality is even worse at 39th percentile, below average for its class. And with only 4 customer reviews putting social proof at 32nd percentile, you're taking a bit of a gamble on long-term reliability. If you want a phone that feels premium in hand or scrolls buttery smooth, the Pixel 10 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro are worth the extra cash.

The Note20 5G is a camera-first phone that still makes sense in 2025 if you can find it at the right price. The 87th percentile camera ranking is the headline, and the 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom is genuinely useful hardware that most budget phones skip. But the 60Hz display, 39th percentile build quality, and weak social proof mean you're making real trade-offs. If photography is your priority and you can grab this under USD 300, it's a solid buy. If you care about smooth scrolling or premium feel, look elsewhere.