Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra: Which one to get?

Now that Samsung has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones. And just like last year, they released three variants. We have the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra. All three are impressive devices, and choosing the right one can be a challenge. Let us help you with that comparing their specs below.

Display

As the model names suggest, the three devices also differ in sizes which can be attributed to the screen size. The S20 is the smallest and packs a 6.2-inch screen, while the S20 Ultra is the largest at 6.9-inches. The S20+ sits in the middle at 6.7-inches. All three, however, sport a Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with Quad HD+ resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and certified for HDR10+. Although they vary in pixel density, the differences are negligible and all three can still provide you with an excellent viewing experience.

Storage

Let me start by saying that the variants coming to the Philippines only has 128GB of storage, which is more than enough for most users. But if you can get units in other regions, the S20+ offers a 512GB variant, while the S20 Ultra has a 256GB and 512GB variants. All three also support microSD cards of up to 1TB capacity.

If you’re a casual user, meaning you don’t plan to store plenty of files on your phone and you use the cloud, the 128GB S20 will suffice. But if you’re going to take a lot of photos and 8K videos, you’re better off getting the higher storage options offered by the S20+ and the S20 Ultra.

Cameras

The S20 and S20+ are pretty much equal when it comes to camera specs. They even have the same 10MP selfie cameras. The only difference is that the latter has a TOF camera for depth sensing. They have the same features, including 8K video recording, Space Zoom, Hybrid Optic Zoom, and Super Resolution Zoom up to 30X.

But if you want to best cameras out there, then you should get the S20 Ultra. This one has an impressive 108MP primary shooter and a 40MP selfie camera. It even has better zoom capabilities with a Hybrid Optic Zoom 10X and a Super Resolution Zoom of up to 100X. Just make sure to get the 256GB or 512GB model to make sure you have enough room for those hi-res photos and videos.

Chipset and RAM

The S20 series is powered by either a Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 chipset depending on the region. Like with previous Galaxy releases, we’re most likely to get the latter in the Philippines. The RAM capacity is different, though, as the S20 and S20+ come in 8GB only in the Philippines, while the S20 Ultra is at 12GB only. But if you can get units in other regions, the S20 and S20+ have 12GB RAM variants, while the S20 Ultra has a 16GB RAM variant.

You wouldn’t notice the difference in performance between these devices. However, the large RAM in the S20 Ultra might be necessary for a smooth utilization of its features, especially in the camera department.

5G and 4G connectivity

The Galaxy S20 series support 5G connectivity. However, for units arriving in the Philippines, only the S20 Ultra will support it and will be enabled in the future once 5G networks have rolled out in the country. The S20 and S20+, on the other hand, will only support 4G.

Battery

Samsung went for big battery capacities on the S20 series with the S20 sporting a 4,000mAh battery, followed by the S20+ with 4,500mAh, then the S20 Ultra with 5,000mAh. The last two even exceeded the battery capacity of the Galaxy Note 10+. This is good news as the devices can last longer with heavy use, considering the hardware features mentioned above. As for fast charging, the S20 and S20+ support 25W fast charging, while the S20 Ultra gets a better 45W fast charge. All three support Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare to charge other devices.

Which one is for you?

The base S20 is already sufficient and is an easy recommendation for casual users who don’t need 5G. However, if you want to really feel the best from Samsung to date, and if your budget allows, go for the S20 Ultra. You won’t regret the large screen, super hi-res cameras, massive battery, and 5G connectivity that will serve you well in the future.

But for those who can’t seem to choose between the two, there’s the S20+. Compared to the S20, it has a Depth Vision camera and a slightly larger capacity. There’s no 5G, though, but it’s no big deal as of the moment as the new standard is yet to roll out fully.

Check out our Unpacked 2020 stories here:

1. Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra now official
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip officially unveiled
3. Watch: Samsung Galaxy S20 & S20 Plus Hands-On
4. Watch: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Hands-On Review
5. Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20+ Hands-on
6. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Hands-on
7. Samsung Galaxy Buds+ now official
8. Best Features of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Series
9. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G Specs Comparison
10. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 10+ Specs Comparison
11. Samsung Galaxy S20+ vs Samsung Galaxy S10+: What’s Changed?
12. Samsung Galaxy S20 vs Samsung Galaxy S10: What’s Changed?
13. Samsung Galaxy S20+ vs Huawei Mate 30 specs comparison
14. WATCH: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Hands-On Review
15. Watch: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra VS Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G Comparison Review