120Hz displays are in, the headphone jack is out.
Every year sees a heap of various Android phones released into the market. Some are good, some are bad. Some are really exciting, whereas others are a bit boring. Among all of the handsets to come out during a given year, one release that's continually met with a lot of excitement and fanfare is Samsung's Galaxy S series.
One could argue that Galaxy S phones aren't always the most interesting, but there's no denying how much more attention they get compared to much of the competition.
For 2020, Samsung is launching a trio of phones with the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. These are very technically impressive gadgets with high prices to match, and if you can afford what Samsung is asking for the phones, they're bound to be some of the best the Android landscape sees all year.
From hands-on coverage, detailed specs, accessory recommendations, and so much more, here's absolutely everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S20 family.
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung's latest flagships have it all
Hoping to dominate the smartphone market in 2020, Samsung is doing so with three phones — the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. Each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz display, upgraded cameras, and expandable storage across the board. If you want a top-notch Android phone this year, these are worthy of your attention.
First thing's first, check out our full review
Before you dive too deep into this guide, a good place to start is by reading (or watching) our full review of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. We'll have reviews of the S20 and S20+ at a later date, but we wanted to kick things off with the biggest and baddest of the bunch.
As you'd probably expect, the S20 Ultra is a really good phone. Its 120Hz AMOLED display is a thing of beauty, Samsung's build quality is as good as ever, and the upgraded camera system is a lot of fun to shoot with. Samsung went all out with the phone, and the end result is a device that packs in just about every feature imaginable.
We don't blame you for wanting an S20 Ultra of your own this very second, but keep in mind that it is not a perfect phone. The 120Hz refresh rate is a massive drain on battery life, Samsung's in-screen fingerprint sensor is a pain to use, and there's no getting around the $1,400 asking price.
Samsung has three models — S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra
Speaking of the different models, let's take a closer look at what each one is bringing to the table.
At their core, the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra are very similar. All three phones have 120Hz displays, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor, expandable storage, water resistance, and wireless charging. However, similar to what we saw last year with the S10e, S10, and S10+, there are also clear differences between them.
While the S20 isn't cheap with a starting price of $1000, it is the lesser phone of the trio. It has the fewest cameras, smallest battery, and doesn't connect to mmWave 5G networks. Then again, it's the S20 version that'll put the smallest dent in your wallet and is a good choice if you prefer phones with smaller screen sizes.
In the middle of the bunch is the S20+, offering modest improvements in all of the areas where it differs from the regular S20. If you step all the way up to the S20 Ultra, you're getting the biggest and baddest S20 experience possible — though it is going to cost you.
These are all of the specs
Samsung doesn't mess around with specs for its Galaxy S phones, and that idea has carried over to the S20 lineup.
Whether we're talking about the S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra, these are flagship phones through and through. As such, you'll find flagship specs in just about every regard.
Here's a quick rundown of what they're packing.
If you want additional information about the phones, check out our complete spec sheet below.
Samsung's using 120Hz displays for the first time
High refresh rate smartphone displays have been rising in popularity over the past couple of years, and at long last, Samsung is joining the bandwagon with the S20.
Similar to what we've seen in other phones with fast refresh rates, the 120Hz panel on the S20 makes everything look faster compared to phones with traditional 60Hz displays. Whether you're scrolling through Twitter, playing a game, or just navigating your home screens, the added fluidity makes a big difference in daily use.
We're glad Samsung one-upped phones like the Pixel 4 and OnePlus 7T that use 90Hz panels, not to mention that the 120Hz tech is available on all three versions of the S20. No matter which one you buy, you're getting the same great experience.
There are also big upgrades in the camera department
Similar to the displays, the Galaxy S20 is also being used as a showcase for Samsung's improved camera tech. The Galaxy S9 and S10 had fine cameras, but compared to what's been offered by the rest of the competition, Samsung's efforts in this department have felt lukewarm.
That changes with the S20 lineup, and it all starts with the S20 and S20+. Both phones still have a 12MP lens for the primary camera, but the big improvement is that the pixels are about 30% larger so that substantially more light can be let into a shot. The telephoto camera has also been upgraded, now featuring a 64MP sensor with 3x lossless zoom. If ultra-wide is more your thing, this year's sensor brings 40% larger pixels which should help in low-light scenarios.
Those are all worthwhile improvements, but where things get really interesting is when you look at the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
It offers a massive 108MP primary camera, using pixel binning to take pictures that come out as 12MP shots. There's also a 48MP telephoto camera, and because of the way it's positioned inside of the 20 Ultra, it's able to offer 10x lossless zoom and up to 100x digital zoom if you want to go all out.
Above, you'll see a selection of pictures we've taken with the S20 Ultra. The first article linked below has even more and dives into greater detail about our impressions, but the tl;dr is that photos look really, really good. With the main sensor, specifically, we're seeing significant improvements with detail and natural bokeh thanks to the huge sensor size. Samsung's processing still has a tendency to be too heavy-handed with things like HDR and highlights, but overall, we've been impressed.
As for how the S20 Ultra's 100x zoom works, a perfect example is seen in the above tweet from Nirave.
Zooming in all the way to 100x definitely comes with a drop in overall image quality, but the fact that you're able to get this close to subjects and still clearly make them out is seriously impressive.
Should you upgrade from an older Galaxy phone?
There's no denying that the S20 lineup is mighty impressive, but if you already have an older Galaxy phone, do you really need to upgrade?
Samsung builds its phones to last, so if you have an S10 or S9, chances are you can probably hold onto it for a little while longer and be just fine.
On the flip side, when you take into consideration all of the upgrades offered by the S20, there's also an argument to be made as to why you should upgrade. The 120Hz display is a big deal, the camera improvements are nothing to scoff at, and you get ample future-proofing with the Snapdragon 865, minimum of 12GB of RAM, etc.
How the S20 lineup compares to other handsets
In that same breath, it's also worth pitting the Galaxy S20 up against phones from other manufacturers.
Samsung is far from the only company making quality smartphones, meaning the S20 needs to make an argument as to why you should buy it over everything else being offered.
We're regularly stacking the entire S20 lineup against all sorts of other phones, so be sure to check back often for the latest comparisons.
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Galaxy S20+
Galaxy S20
Five colors are up for grabs this year
Samsung has been known to offer some truly great colors for its smartphones, and that's something we're seeing yet again with the S20.
There are five available colors this time around, including Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, and a Best Buy exclusive in the form of Aura Blue. There's nothing as extravagant as the Galaxy Note 10's Aura Glow, but the colors that are offered all look great.
Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink are have a pleasing pastel feeling that allows them to stand out without being overbearing, with Cosmic Grey and Cosmic Black existing for folks that like to keep things as simple as possible. Aura Blue is also a sight to behold, but it's not the easiest to get your hands on.
Speaking of Samsung, have you seen the Galaxy Z Flip?
The Galaxy S20 is the main reason you're reading through this article, but while we're talking about Samsung, we want to give a quick shoutout to the . It costs about the same as the S20 Ultra, but it's a substantially different phone.
In case you couldn't tell by the picture above, the Galaxy Z Flip is a folding phone that folds in half to become a tiny little square in the blink of an eye. Open it up, and you're treated to a traditional Android phone from Samsung.
The Z Flip is a really exciting device, but unless you're someone that has to live on the bleeding edge, the S20 is still a better buy. Even so, it is exciting that Samsung's mobile division has already gotten this good at foldables when the Z Flip is just the second folding phone we've seen from the company.
You'll want some accessories, and these are the best ones
The Galaxy S20 is a phenomenal phone on its own, but it's not something that should be used naked. A screen protector is a must to keep its jaw-dropping display intact, while a case will ensure the phone doesn't get ruined during a drop/fall.
There are also other types of accessories to consider for your shiny new phone, such as microSD cards, wireless chargers, and more.
If you want to make sure you get the most out of your S20, check out our roundups of the very best accessories below.
Galaxy S20
Galaxy S20+
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Miscellaneous
Pre-orders are open right now
Now that we've reached the end of this guide, it's time to talk about everyone's favorite subject — price.
The Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra have starting prices of $1000, $1200, and $1400, respectively. Pre-orders are currently live, with official sales beginning March 6.
You can pick up the S20 at most major carriers and retailers in the U.S., with many of them offering generous promotions and discounts to help you save some cash. Even Samsung itself is offering up to a $700 credit with an eligible trade-in, meaning you could get the S20 for as little as $300.
Outside of Samsung, . You can get $150 off the price of the S20+, and when adding a new line, you'll get a second one for free. You can also purchase an S20 Ultra and get another one for $1,050 off when adding a line.
If you rely on Sprint for your wireless service, you can effectively when trade in an eligible device and add a new line of service to your account. The S20 will technically be leased through Sprint Flex, but you'll pay $0/month for it.
Galaxy 2020
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung's latest flagships have it all
Hoping to dominate the smartphone market in 2020, Samsung is doing so with three phones — the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. Each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz display, upgraded cameras, and expandable storage across the board. If you want a top-notch Android phone this year, these are worthy of your attention.
Every year sees a heap of various Android phones released into the market. Some are good, some are bad. Some are really exciting, whereas others are a bit boring. Among all of the handsets to come out during a given year, one release that's continually met with a lot of excitement and fanfare is Samsung's Galaxy S series.
One could argue that Galaxy S phones aren't always the most interesting, but there's no denying how much more attention they get compared to much of the competition.
For 2020, Samsung is launching a trio of phones with the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. These are very technically impressive gadgets with high prices to match, and if you can afford what Samsung is asking for the phones, they're bound to be some of the best the Android landscape sees all year.
From hands-on coverage, detailed specs, accessory recommendations, and so much more, here's absolutely everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S20 family.
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung's latest flagships have it all
Hoping to dominate the smartphone market in 2020, Samsung is doing so with three phones — the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. Each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz display, upgraded cameras, and expandable storage across the board. If you want a top-notch Android phone this year, these are worthy of your attention.
First thing's first, check out our full review
Before you dive too deep into this guide, a good place to start is by reading (or watching) our full review of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. We'll have reviews of the S20 and S20+ at a later date, but we wanted to kick things off with the biggest and baddest of the bunch.
As you'd probably expect, the S20 Ultra is a really good phone. Its 120Hz AMOLED display is a thing of beauty, Samsung's build quality is as good as ever, and the upgraded camera system is a lot of fun to shoot with. Samsung went all out with the phone, and the end result is a device that packs in just about every feature imaginable.
We don't blame you for wanting an S20 Ultra of your own this very second, but keep in mind that it is not a perfect phone. The 120Hz refresh rate is a massive drain on battery life, Samsung's in-screen fingerprint sensor is a pain to use, and there's no getting around the $1,400 asking price.
Samsung has three models — S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra
Speaking of the different models, let's take a closer look at what each one is bringing to the table.
At their core, the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra are very similar. All three phones have 120Hz displays, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor, expandable storage, water resistance, and wireless charging. However, similar to what we saw last year with the S10e, S10, and S10+, there are also clear differences between them.
While the S20 isn't cheap with a starting price of $1000, it is the lesser phone of the trio. It has the fewest cameras, smallest battery, and doesn't connect to mmWave 5G networks. Then again, it's the S20 version that'll put the smallest dent in your wallet and is a good choice if you prefer phones with smaller screen sizes.
In the middle of the bunch is the S20+, offering modest improvements in all of the areas where it differs from the regular S20. If you step all the way up to the S20 Ultra, you're getting the biggest and baddest S20 experience possible — though it is going to cost you.
These are all of the specs
Samsung doesn't mess around with specs for its Galaxy S phones, and that idea has carried over to the S20 lineup.
Whether we're talking about the S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra, these are flagship phones through and through. As such, you'll find flagship specs in just about every regard.
Here's a quick rundown of what they're packing.
| Category | Galaxy S20 | Galaxy S20+ | Galaxy S20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 One UI 2.0 | Android 10 One UI 2.0 | Android 10 One UI 2.0 |
| Display | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED Quad HD+ 563ppi 120Hz HDR10+ | 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED Quad HD+ 525ppi 120Hz HDR10+ | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED Quad HD+ 511ppi 120Hz HDR10+ |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| Memory | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB 512GB | 128GB 512GB |
| Expandable Storage | Up to 1TB | Up to 1TB | Up to 1TB |
| Rear Camera 1 | 12MP wide 1/1.76" 1.8um f/1.8 | 12MP wide 1/1.76" 1.8um f/1.8 | 108MP wide 1/1.33" 8um f/1.8 |
| Rear Camera 2 | 64MP telephoto 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom 30x Super Resolution Zoom 1/1.72" 0.8um f/2.0 | 64MP telephoto 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom 30x Super Resolution Zoom 1/1.72" 0.8um f/2.0 | 48MP telephoto 10x Hybrid Optic Zoom 100x Super Resolution Zoom 1/2.0" 0.8um f/3.5 |
| Rear Camera 3 | 12MP ultra-wide 1/2.55" 1.4um f/2.2 | 12MP ultra-wide 1/2.55" 1.4um f/2.2 | 12MP ultra-wide 1/2.55" 1.4um f/2.2 |
| Rear Camera 4 |  | Time-of-flight sensor | Time-of-flight sensor |
| Front Camera | 10MP 1.22um f/2.2 | 10MP 1.22um f/2.2 | 40MP 0.7um f/2.2 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
If you want additional information about the phones, check out our complete spec sheet below.
Samsung's using 120Hz displays for the first time
High refresh rate smartphone displays have been rising in popularity over the past couple of years, and at long last, Samsung is joining the bandwagon with the S20.
Similar to what we've seen in other phones with fast refresh rates, the 120Hz panel on the S20 makes everything look faster compared to phones with traditional 60Hz displays. Whether you're scrolling through Twitter, playing a game, or just navigating your home screens, the added fluidity makes a big difference in daily use.
We're glad Samsung one-upped phones like the Pixel 4 and OnePlus 7T that use 90Hz panels, not to mention that the 120Hz tech is available on all three versions of the S20. No matter which one you buy, you're getting the same great experience.
There are also big upgrades in the camera department
Similar to the displays, the Galaxy S20 is also being used as a showcase for Samsung's improved camera tech. The Galaxy S9 and S10 had fine cameras, but compared to what's been offered by the rest of the competition, Samsung's efforts in this department have felt lukewarm.
That changes with the S20 lineup, and it all starts with the S20 and S20+. Both phones still have a 12MP lens for the primary camera, but the big improvement is that the pixels are about 30% larger so that substantially more light can be let into a shot. The telephoto camera has also been upgraded, now featuring a 64MP sensor with 3x lossless zoom. If ultra-wide is more your thing, this year's sensor brings 40% larger pixels which should help in low-light scenarios.
Those are all worthwhile improvements, but where things get really interesting is when you look at the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
It offers a massive 108MP primary camera, using pixel binning to take pictures that come out as 12MP shots. There's also a 48MP telephoto camera, and because of the way it's positioned inside of the 20 Ultra, it's able to offer 10x lossless zoom and up to 100x digital zoom if you want to go all out.
Above, you'll see a selection of pictures we've taken with the S20 Ultra. The first article linked below has even more and dives into greater detail about our impressions, but the tl;dr is that photos look really, really good. With the main sensor, specifically, we're seeing significant improvements with detail and natural bokeh thanks to the huge sensor size. Samsung's processing still has a tendency to be too heavy-handed with things like HDR and highlights, but overall, we've been impressed.
As for how the S20 Ultra's 100x zoom works, a perfect example is seen in the above tweet from Nirave.
Zooming in all the way to 100x definitely comes with a drop in overall image quality, but the fact that you're able to get this close to subjects and still clearly make them out is seriously impressive.
Should you upgrade from an older Galaxy phone?
There's no denying that the S20 lineup is mighty impressive, but if you already have an older Galaxy phone, do you really need to upgrade?
Samsung builds its phones to last, so if you have an S10 or S9, chances are you can probably hold onto it for a little while longer and be just fine.
On the flip side, when you take into consideration all of the upgrades offered by the S20, there's also an argument to be made as to why you should upgrade. The 120Hz display is a big deal, the camera improvements are nothing to scoff at, and you get ample future-proofing with the Snapdragon 865, minimum of 12GB of RAM, etc.
How the S20 lineup compares to other handsets
In that same breath, it's also worth pitting the Galaxy S20 up against phones from other manufacturers.
Samsung is far from the only company making quality smartphones, meaning the S20 needs to make an argument as to why you should buy it over everything else being offered.
We're regularly stacking the entire S20 lineup against all sorts of other phones, so be sure to check back often for the latest comparisons.
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Galaxy S20+
Galaxy S20
Five colors are up for grabs this year
Samsung has been known to offer some truly great colors for its smartphones, and that's something we're seeing yet again with the S20.
There are five available colors this time around, including Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, and a Best Buy exclusive in the form of Aura Blue. There's nothing as extravagant as the Galaxy Note 10's Aura Glow, but the colors that are offered all look great.
Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink are have a pleasing pastel feeling that allows them to stand out without being overbearing, with Cosmic Grey and Cosmic Black existing for folks that like to keep things as simple as possible. Aura Blue is also a sight to behold, but it's not the easiest to get your hands on.
Speaking of Samsung, have you seen the Galaxy Z Flip?
The Galaxy S20 is the main reason you're reading through this article, but while we're talking about Samsung, we want to give a quick shoutout to the . It costs about the same as the S20 Ultra, but it's a substantially different phone.
In case you couldn't tell by the picture above, the Galaxy Z Flip is a folding phone that folds in half to become a tiny little square in the blink of an eye. Open it up, and you're treated to a traditional Android phone from Samsung.
The Z Flip is a really exciting device, but unless you're someone that has to live on the bleeding edge, the S20 is still a better buy. Even so, it is exciting that Samsung's mobile division has already gotten this good at foldables when the Z Flip is just the second folding phone we've seen from the company.
You'll want some accessories, and these are the best ones
The Galaxy S20 is a phenomenal phone on its own, but it's not something that should be used naked. A screen protector is a must to keep its jaw-dropping display intact, while a case will ensure the phone doesn't get ruined during a drop/fall.
There are also other types of accessories to consider for your shiny new phone, such as microSD cards, wireless chargers, and more.
If you want to make sure you get the most out of your S20, check out our roundups of the very best accessories below.
Galaxy S20
Galaxy S20+
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Miscellaneous
Pre-orders are open right now
Now that we've reached the end of this guide, it's time to talk about everyone's favorite subject — price.
The Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra have starting prices of $1000, $1200, and $1400, respectively. Pre-orders are currently live, with official sales beginning March 6.
You can pick up the S20 at most major carriers and retailers in the U.S., with many of them offering generous promotions and discounts to help you save some cash. Even Samsung itself is offering up to a $700 credit with an eligible trade-in, meaning you could get the S20 for as little as $300.
Outside of Samsung, . You can get $150 off the price of the S20+, and when adding a new line, you'll get a second one for free. You can also purchase an S20 Ultra and get another one for $1,050 off when adding a line.
If you rely on Sprint for your wireless service, you can effectively when trade in an eligible device and add a new line of service to your account. The S20 will technically be leased through Sprint Flex, but you'll pay $0/month for it.
Galaxy 2020
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung's latest flagships have it all
Hoping to dominate the smartphone market in 2020, Samsung is doing so with three phones — the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. Each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz display, upgraded cameras, and expandable storage across the board. If you want a top-notch Android phone this year, these are worthy of your attention.