The Galaxy Note 20 and iPhone 11 Pro Max both take amazing pictures
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes to this fight with three rear cameras, including a 108-megapixel main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and 50x Space Zoom. Samsung also includes a laser auto focus sensor along with a 10MP selfie shooter.
Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro Max answers back with a triple rear camera array consisting of 12MP wide camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera and 12MP telephoto lens that can achieve 2x optical and 10x digital zoom. And this phone has some special photo features of its own, including Deep Fusion for better detail and next-gen Smart HDR.
Note 20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – Night mode
The iPhone 11 Pro Max produces a brighter shot, as you can make out the basket more clearly as well as the fruit inside. The lemon and especially the apples down below are less visible in the Note 20 Ultra’s photo.
Note 20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – Produce
The Note 20 Ultra delivers punchier colors overall, especially in the the green, orange and red peppers. But once again the iPhone 11 Pro Max produces more natural-looking hues along with more detail when you zoom in. The wooden cases also look sharper with the iPhone’s camera.
Note 20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – Flower
The Note 20 Ultra starts out strong with this comparison of a flower taken outdoors. The red in the petals is closer to real life, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s shot introduces more violet. The white balance also looks a bit better in the Note’s shot. To the iPhone’s credit, the white area of the flower pops a bit more against the background, and the background is more in focus.
Note 20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – 10x zoom
This is where the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pulls ahead. It offers a 5x optical zoom and a 10x hybrid optical zoom that delivers a considerably sharper image. You can make out more detail in the tree that straddles this creek, as well as in the surrounding leaves and the pebbles in the foreground. The iPhone 11 Pro Max manages to not blow out some of the sunnier highlights, which the Note 20 Ultra does.
Note 20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – Portrait
The Live Focus mode on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is plenty capable, as it delivered a good bokeh effect on this portrait. The iPhone 11 Pro Max captured a warmer portrait with more even lighting overall. But the iPhone’s photo also looks a bit too warm.
Note 20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – Verdict
The iPhone tends to deliver more realistic colors, while the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra leans toward more saturated hues. So which you prefer may depend on your tastes. I personally like the iPhone 11 Pro for portraits and selfies, and its Night mode is more effective.
Where the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pulls ahead is with its 108MP sensor and especially its more powerful zoom. The iPhone 11 Pro Max simply can’t go as far as the Samsung. Although the upcoming iPhone 12 Pro could narrow that gap with a telephoto that cuts in closer.