Home » Samsung Galaxy S20 series: Which one is for you?

Samsung Galaxy S20 series: Which one is for you?

Written By Justine Basco
Published • September 27th, 2020
ComparisonsMobile
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Just when you think Samsung is done with their S20 series, the brand just added another device to the family, and it’s the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition).

Expected to be priced around 30k, this toned-down version packs a few notable similarities to the other phones in the S20 line. So to guide you in deciding which S20 smartphone is for you, keep on reading.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE	Samsung Galaxy S20	Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus	Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O display, 407ppi, 120Hz refresh rate, TBA	6.2-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2.0 display, 563ppi, 120Hz, HDR10+	6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2.0 display, 525ppi, 120Hz, HDR10+	6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display, 511ppi, 120Hz, HDR10+
To be confirmed	Corning Gorilla Glass 6	Corning Gorilla Glass 6	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
2.73GHz octa-core CPU (7nm)	Samsung Exynos 990 octa-core 2.7GHz CPU	Samsung Exynos 990 octa-core 2.7GHz CPU	Samsung Exynos 990 octa-core 2.7GHz CPU
8GB LPDDR5 RAM	8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM	8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM	12GB, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
128GB storage	128GB storage	128GB/512GB storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB UFS 3.0 storage
Up to 1TB via MicroSD	Up to 1TB via MicroSD	Up to 1TB via MicroSD	Up to 1TB via MicroSD
Triple-rear cameras: 12MP F1.8 (main), 12MP F2.2 (ultrawide), 8MP F2.4 (telephoto)	Triple rear cameras: 12MP F1.8 (main) + 12MP F2.2 (ultra-wide), 64MP F2.0 (telephoto)	Quad rear cameras: 12MP F1.8 (main) + 12MP F2.2 (ultra-wide), 64MP F2.0 (telephoto) + Depth Vision	Quad rear cameras: 108MP F1.8 (main), 2MP F2.2 (ultra-wide), 48MP F3.5 (telephoto), Depth Vision
To be confirmed, Hybrid Optic Zoom up to 3X, Super-Resolution Zoom up to 30X, OIS	8K video recording, Space Zoom, Hybrid Optic Zoom 3X, Super-Resolution Zoom up to 30X	8K video recording, Space Zoom, Hybrid Optic Zoom 3X, Super Resolution Zoom up to 30X	8K video recording, 8K Video Snap, Space Zoom, Hybrid Optic Zoom 10X, Super-Resolution Zoom up to 100X
32MP F2.2 front camera	10MP F2.2 front camera	10MP F2.2 front camera	40MP F2.2 front camera
5G NSA, Sub6 (to be confirmed if local unit has 5G)	-	-	5G NSA, Sub6
4G LTE Cat.19	4G LTE Cat.20, 4×4 MIMO, up to 7CA	4G LTE Cat.20, 4×4 MIMO, up to 7CA	4G LTE Cat.20, 4×4 MIMO, up to 7CA
WiFi 6	WiFi	WiFi	WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
NFC	NFC	NFC	NFC
GPS	GPS	GPS	GPS
Optical in-display fingerprint scanner	Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner (under-display)	Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner (under-display)	Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner (under-display)
Face Recognition	Face Recognition	Face Recognition	Face Recognition
USB Type-C	USB Type-C	USB Type-C	USB Type-C
IP68 dust and water resistance	IP68 dust and water resistance	IP68 dust and water resistance	IP68 dust and water resistance
Samsung One UI 2.0 (Android 10)	Samsung One UI 2.0 (Android 10)	Samsung One UI 2.0 (Android 10)	Samsung One UI 2.0 (Android 10)
4,500mAh battery w/ 25W fast charging, PD 3.0 charging, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare	4,000mAh battery w/ 25W fast charging, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare	4,500mAh battery w/ 25W fast charging, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare	5,000mAh battery w/ 45W fast charging, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm	151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm	161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm	166.9 x 76 x 8.8 mm
190g	163 g	186 g	220 g

Advantages of each smartphone:

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Comes in 6 colors
Similar 4500mAh battery and charging to S20 Plus
120Hz refresh rate
Second highest front camera resolution

Samsung Galaxy S20
Smallest and lightest variant
Corning Gorilla Glass 6
120Hz refresh rate

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
Highest pixel density
Corning Gorilla Glass 6
120Hz refresh rate
Quad rear cameras

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Largest display size
Corning Gorilla Glass 6
120Hz refresh rate
Highest RAM and internal storage configuration
Quad rear cameras
Highest front camera resolution
100x Space Zoom
5G availability
WiFi 6
Biggest battery capacity
Fastest charging support

Starting with the display, Samsung outfitted the S20 series devices with screens that match. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has the largest of the four, measuring 6.9 inches with a QHD+ resolution, followed by the Galaxy S20 Plus which measures 6.7 inches with a QHD+ resolution as well. The newest S20 FE has a 6.5-inch FHD+ screen, while the S20 has the smallest QHD+ screen measuring 6.2-inches.

All three S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra all come with a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2.0 display with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection. On the other hand, the S20 FE also has a 120Hz option but with an AMOLED panel. All phones have HDR10+ support.

Under the hood, all variants of the Galaxy S20 are powered by a Samsung Exynos 990 CPU. In terms of RAM and storage, the S20 Ultra is equipped with 12GB/16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of UFS3.0 storage. Meanwhile, locally the Galaxy S20 Plus, S20, and S20 FE all pack 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Users can also expand the storage of all variants by up to 1TB via MicroSD card.

When it comes to cameras, the S20 has a triple setup composed of a 12MP main, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP telephoto. The S20 Plus shares the same triple cameras like the S20 with an additional Depth Vision lens. Both also share the same 10MP selfie shooter. As for the S20 FE, its triple rear cameras consist of a 12MP main, a 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto. For selfies, it has a 32MP front camera.

You can expect the best of the best in the series on the S20 Ultra. At the back, it has a 108MP primary lens, a 2MP ultra-wide, a 48MP telephoto, and a Depth Vision. While on its notch is a 40MP front camera.

As for the batteries, the S20 Ultra has the most capacity at 5,000mAh followed by the S20 Plus and S20 FE with a 4,500mAh capacity. With a small size, the S20 is equipped with a 4000mAh battery.

When it comes to charging, the S20 Ultra is capable of up to 45W wired fast charging, while the other three are capable of up to 25W. All four devices use USB Type-C for charging, and all support Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare.

All three devices have the same biometrics features, face-unlock, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and an IP68 rating. As for the OS, all comes with One UI 2.0 based on Android 10 out of the box.

Here are the official prices of each device:

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
TBA

Samsung Galaxy S20
8GB + 128GB – PHP 49,990

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
8GB + 128GB – PHP 55,990

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
12GB + 128GB – PHP 69,990

The Galaxy S20 FE is probably the last addition to the S20 line, and it surely gives an affordable option to experience the flagship offerings of its three higher-end siblings. For almost half the price of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, you get the same flagship chipset, a bigger display, and battery compared to the S20, better front camera, and almost all the features that are present on the rest of the S20 series. For most consumers, the S20 FE should be enough to handle all their day-to-day tasks.

The standard S20 may be smaller than the S20 FE, but it still proves to be more premium with a Dynamic AMOLED 2.0 display, a 64MP lens, 8K video recording, and Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection. If you’re into smaller smartphones but packs all the important high-end features and performance of the series, then the S20 might be for you. Plus, it comes in pink color too.

As for the S20 Plus, its size sits in the middle between the S20 Ultra and S20 FE. It has a similar display and protection to the S20 Ultra and standard S20 but with a higher pixel density. It has quad rear cameras that are also capable of 8K video recording and space zoom. You can treat this as a closer toned-down version to the Ultra and an upgrade from the S20 and S20 FE. It’s kind of a safe choice if you want almost all the best features with a trimmed price.

Now if you want the all-out, best of the best, then say no more, it’s the Galaxy S20 Ultra. For a higher price tag, it boasts more features including 5G connectivity and WiFi 6 capabilities. It has the best display, most RAM, most internal storage, best rear cameras, biggest battery capacity, and the fastest charging as well.

So which of the S20 series smartphones caught your eye? Let us know in the comments.