Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20 test: they are still worth it in 2023 

Arun Maini, British high-tech assessor also known by the pseudo mrwhosetheboss, appointed his absolute winner in this phone war: the Galaxy S20. Launch the video

Galaxy S20 Reviews

For Brownlee brands, American high-tech assessor also known by the pseudo MKBHD, the Galaxy S20 checks all the boxes !

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For Brownlee brands, American high-tech assessor also known by the pseudo MKBHD, the Galaxy S20 checks all the boxes ! Launch the video

5 reasons to buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra

Lewis Hilserteger, also known as the UNBOXTHERAPY pseudo, explains why he loves the new S20 Ultra so much.

Lewis Hilserteger, also known as the UNBOXTHERAPY pseudo, explains why he loves the new S20 Ultra so much. Launch the video

The Galaxy S20 has it under the hood

Krystal Lora, an American high-tech evaluator, shows us what makes the Galaxy S20 ultra completely phew !

Krystal Lora, an American high-tech evaluator, shows us what makes the Galaxy S20 ultra completely phew ! Launch the video

The Galaxy S20 at the top of the podium

Arun Maini, British high-tech assessor also known by the pseudo mrwhosetheboss, appointed his absolute winner in this phone war: the Galaxy S20.

Arun Maini, British high-tech assessor also known by the pseudo mrwhosetheboss, appointed his absolute winner in this phone war: the Galaxy S20. Launch the video

Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20+ test: they are still worth it in 2023 ?

In 2020 Samsung launched the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra. Read our full test to find out if these smartphones are still worth it in 2023.

Posted on January 26, 2023 at 2:02 p.m

“Govern, it’s planning” said Emile de Girardin. “Providing is to design before the others” added the writer Jean-Paul Delfino in his novel For all the gold in Brazil. Samsung seems to apply these maxims to the letter to keep its place as a leader in the smartphone market. To convince us, we tested the Galaxy S20 and S20+, the two Korean flagships in 2020.

Heckled by Huawei on the premium segment, jostled by Chinese manufacturers on the middle of the range, the Korean giant must redouble their inventiveness to keep its number 1 place. Not to mention Apple who succeeded at the end of 2019 in returning to consumers’ hearts with iPhone 11, 11 pro and 11 pro max successful.

The Galaxy Fold and Z Flip, its folding smartphones, maintain the innovative character of the brand, but they are reserved for wealthy and/or passionate users. For the general public, Samsung sticks to more classic but also “affordable” format. The Galaxy S20 range is in this very strategy, if the 3 models presented in early February remain expensive.

If the Galaxy S20 Ultra is illustrated by its extraordinary characteristics, the Galaxy S20 and S20+, quite identical, are pulling their game with A more interesting techno-prix. Marketed below the 1,000 euros mark, they display many points in common with the ultra version… sold 1,349 euros ! I used the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20+ for several days to convince me. Below you will find my Galaxy S20 and S20 test+.

Galaxy S20+ at the best price basic price: € 1,009

What the design of the Galaxy S20 looks like ?

In addition to their size difference, the Galaxy S20 and S20+ are inspired by the design of the Galaxy S10 and note 10, Models welcomed for their impeccable aesthetics. Of their predecessors, they take up the elongated format, the rounded lines and the finesse. From the stylus model, they inherit central punch and the arrangement of the physical buttons, gathered here on the right border.

The Galaxy S20 and S20+ that I had in testing both wear a glass dress overlooked by a Gorilla 6 glass protective layer from Corning. The two phones obtained their IP68 sealing certificate (water and dust). On the other hand, Samsung (unfortunately) decided to Remove the 3.5 mm jack To leave only the USB-C and a speaker on the lower border. On the upper edge, the SIM card space can accommodate two nano SIM as well as a micro SD card.

This year Samsung plays the race for photo sensors and follows the aesthetic trends that result from it. The Galaxy S20 as the S20 version more wear two cooking plates (Fortunately at induction) positioned in the upper left corner of his back. Below in my Galaxy S20 test, the illustration of these elements.

This provision is reminiscent of that of the iPhone 11 pro and pro max widely mocked on social networks when they leave. If we got used to this protuberance on Apple smartphones, we don’t have to find it very pretty. Samsung could have shot the game by opting for another provision. Maybe the engineers have had no other choices.

Despite this unsightly element, the finesse of the design and the correctness of the finishes Make Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20+ Technology jewelry, All in class and elegance. The S20 will more seduce compact format lovers preferring to use their smartphone in one hand. The S20+, it should attract multimedia fonds, especially since Samsung has integrated (again) a screen, let’s say it, sublime. I go through my Galaxy S20 test on its screen and its (excellent) refreshment rate.

120 Hz screen

What differentiates the S20 screen from that of the S20+ ? If not the size (6.2 and 6.7 inches), nothing. Samsung adopts in both cases a Dynamic AMOLED Infinity-O (Central Punch) compatible HDR10+ And take the opportunity to say goodbye to the curved format. The two smartphones display content in WQHD+ or Full HD+. For the first time in its history, the South Korean offers a 120 Hz refreshment rate. On the other hand, you will have to choose between WQHD+ or 120 Hz. Damage.

Despite this limitation, I preferred to use the Galaxy S20 and S20+ with the 120 Hz cooling rate and a full HD definition+. The advantage of such a refresh rate is mainly felt at stake, with licenses with particularly worked graphics. I particularly appreciated the sessions of Call of Duty Mobile With this configuration. Daily use is also more pleasant thanks to much more fluid animations and transitions, especially to scroll through Twitter or Instagram feeds.

For the rest, Samsung makes Samsung. Its mastery of Amoled technology is no doubt and Korean Grows once again the limits of excellence. Not all superlatives will be enough to transcribe almost perfection of the Galaxy S20 and S20 screens+. I will therefore just highlight their excellent contrasts, their very good light and a mastered colorimetry. As for the depth of blacks, it surprises me year after year. These are points that are very positive in my Samsung Galaxy S20 test.

As if that were not enough, Samsung offers several display options In One UI settings. By default, our test models were calibrated on a neutral profile, which I appreciate for its naturalness. Others may prefer the lively mode which covers more the color beach but which tends to slightly saturate certain colors. Whether you choose one or the other, you will get full of it … the mirettes !

Are the Galaxy S20 powerful, including in 2022 ?

As on its previous models, Samsung relies on its homemade fleas in Europe, Here the exynos 990 engraved in 7 nm. It is accompanied by 8 or 12 GB of RAM but the Korean reserves the most efficient version for its 5G models. The Samsung Galaxy S20 like the S20+ embark 128 GB of storage storage up to 1.5 to via microSD.

Armed to the teeth, The Galaxy S20 and S20+ display high -flying performance, authorizing the multiplication of uses delicious in resources. From multitasking to the game via 8K photo or video, everything runs like a clock. Gaming even takes on a particular flavor thanks to the 120 Hz power/screen combo. It is still an argument in favor of the Korean in this test of the Galaxy S20.

However, The Galaxy S20 tends to heat when it is asked a little too much over time. A slightly long game session, a shooting in 8k more than a minute, a linger can lead it to overheating. Insofar as the Galaxy S20+ does not present this defect, I deduce that the problem comes from the more compact format and therefore a more limited space for heat dissipation.

Following the output of the Galaxy S21 then the S22, it is necessary to give a point of comparison on the side of the performance to replace these devices in the context of 2022. The Exynos 2100 chip of S21 offers a score of 687807 (against 511866 for the S20). The Exynos 2200 chip for S22 has a stratospheric antutu score of 891842. The device is therefore practically half less powerful, on date, than the S22s which have just been launched by Samsung.

One day one day, one ui forever

I will not go by four paths: One UI 2.0 is probably among the best Android interfaces that I have been given to test. After years in Pester against Touchwiz, I happily welcomed the new Samsung software in this Galaxy S20 test. Clearer, more fluid, more ergonomic, one UI also shines with its multitude of features.

Version 2.0, based on Android 10, does not make large aesthetic modifications but is expanding some welcome options. Among the most useful features I will cite audio settings and display options. Dark mode is still as effective And won’t be too much to save the battery.

What is the autonomy of the Galaxy S20 ?

The Galaxy S10 and S10+ did not shine by their autonomy. Has Samsung corrected the problem ? The answer is no. If with its 4500 mAh battery The S20+ is doing pretty well (a day and a half for versatile use with Full HD+ 120 Hz screen), the S20 (4000 mAh battery) will have to go through the recharge box before the end of the day.

A real fairly weak point in my opinion at a time when most competitors offer enduring models (two days of autonomy) with the exception of Google, always struggling on this criterion. This observation is all the more unfortunate that the 2 Korean models are full of energy -consuming features (camera but above all filming in 8K) still reducing the autonomy.

Total recharge

Samsung catches up with the multiplicity of charging systems. Like the Ultra S20, the S20 and S20+ inherit the winning trio fast recharging (25 W compatible Power Delivery), wireless (15 W) and inverted (9 W). Count 30 minutes of recharging in USB-C to go from 0 to 60% on the S20 (0 to 50% on the version more) and a little less than an hour for a full load (1h15 for the S20+). It’s good, but far from reaching the performance of the Super Vooc of Oppo which promises to recharge a battery of more than 4000 mAh in 30 minutes.

An induction recharge logically takes longer: approximately 1h20 for the S20, 1h45 for the S20+. The inverted load, it allows above all to give a few points of life to your wireless accessories (headphones, watches or connected bracelets). Next point of my S20 test: the photo offer.

The Galaxy S20 / S20+ are they good in photos ?

Four sensors for S20+, three for S20. The lack of space in the smallest format will have got the better of the TOF objective to improve the quality of the portraits. Apart from this difference, the S20 and the S20+ wear the same photographic equipment, namely:

• A wide angle: 26 mm f/1.8; 12 MP 1/1.76 ’’ sensor (photosites 1.8 um); Dual Pixel Pdaf; Optical stabilization
• A 3X telephoto lens: f/2; 64 MP sensor (photosites 0.8 UM); Pdaf; Optical stabilization
• An ultra-angle: 13 mm f/2.2; 12 MP sensor (photosites 1.4 UM)
• A TOF objective:f/1; 0.3 MP sensor (only for S20+)

No good camera without its small layer of artificial intelligence and the multiplication of shooting modes. This year, Samsung puts the package on the zoom which, once the “wow effect” has passed, is not necessarily the most used by the general public. Regardless, announceing an X30 zoom remains a very strong marketing message.

Zoom x2, x3, x10 and x30

In practice, this zoom remains unusable as the quality of the clichés is poor. An observation that we already made with the Huawei P30 Pro X50 zoom last year but also more recently with the X100 zoom of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

On the other hand, up to an X10 zoom, the shots are surprisingly good. The X2 optical zoom is even excellent, the very good X3 hybrid zoom. The Galaxy S20 and S20+ have nothing to envy to the Huawei P30 Pro. Ah yes, perhaps one thing: Huawei’s smartphone is almost a year old which demonstrates the advance of the Chinese giant in the field of photography.

Samsung slightly changes its photo interface: I enjoyed being able to switch from one mode to the other directly on the screen as on the latest iPhone. The pop-up window that appears when you zoom in so as not to get lost in the frame is undoubtedly one of the best ideas in recent years.

Excellence according to Samsung

By day, I have nothing to blame the new smartphones from Samsung, quite the contrary. The shots shine by their excellent bitter, good contrasts and more natural colors than on previous models. A good point since Samsung always tends to saturate the colors a little too much.

The South Korean also improves the quality of all night photos. More detailed, they no longer fall into the halos of light. The engineers managed to correct this particularly disturbing point for the photos in town. Like its competitors, Samsung adopts a night mode Very effective in very dark environments (validated during this Galaxy S20 test), much less if the frame includes a light source. A defect that the ultra big angle also presents, very good day but unusable in low light.

Finally, I noted a Slight quality difference between the portraits of the Galaxy S20 and the S20+. With the big model the bokeh seems more natural. This is undoubtedly explained by the presence of the TOF lens, absent from the Galaxy S20.

At the front, the 10 megapixel sensor (lens f/2.2) is effective in good light conditions, much less in low light or in counter -day. The self -portrait mode present on all the Galaxy S20 is very correct even if the Bokeh is an aggressive hair.

8K videos

We would have thought that Samsung would reserve this functionality from the ultra model, it is not. The Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20+ can also film up to 8K to 30 Im/s. This talent impresses more on a product as small as the S20 but the results are the same on all models. Finally, I suppose it. Because it is currently impossible to verify the quality or fluidity of an 8K video since the supply of 8K screens is to date.

Rest assured, The Galaxy S20 and S20+ can also film in 4K at 60 IM/S with convincing results. However, I recommend opting for a Full HD recording, definition with which you can enjoy a Optical stabilization Super Steady very well done. Until now, only the iPhone 11 Pro has been able to reach such a level.

Finally, I could not conclude this test without mentioning the function Single Take. From a video of a few seconds, artificial intelligence gives off a series of pictures including portraits. Formidably effective.

Galaxy S20 at the best price basic price: € 909

Galaxy S20 reviews: Is this worth buying it in 2022 ?

When we had written the first version of this test in 2020 we were seduced by Samsung’s proposal, whatever the model. But do the Galaxy S20s are still worth it in 2022 ? First, even if it begins to appear a little dated, the device keeps a fresh and modern design which does not swear with the latest very high -end smartphones on the market. From this generation of features that are until today the red thread of the range.

For example, the 6.2 ″ screen is already a “Dynamic AMOLED 2X” with 120 Hz ultra-fluid refreshment. Its exynos chip engraved in 7 nm+ remains efficient. Although it is noted almost practically a doubling of performance on the S22 generation compared to the Galaxy S20. The photo part remains completely decent with a triple 12 + 12 + 64 MP sensor at the rear and a Selfie 10 Mp sensor at the front.

We have a fingerprint sensor under the screen, the wireless DEX mode, and a fairly capable 4000 mAh battery with 25 W fast recharge (yes, that has not changed for two generations …) 15 W wireless recharge and Reverse recharge for your 4.5 W Galaxy Buds. However, the device has some limits to know before buying. For example, it is no longer supported for major Android updates. You must therefore be ready to settle for Android 11 throughout the lifespan of the smartphone.

It has only 128 GB of internal storage – no other option is available for purchase. Which can be limiting for certain users. Note, however, that a microSD port is present. UFS 3 storage.0 is a little slower than the UFS 3.1 more recent generations. And the Galaxy S20 is obviously not compatible with 5G networks. The fact remains that in our opinion the Galaxy S20 is really not expensive in 2023 which makes it a good plan in some cases.

It is indeed very easily found significantly below € 400, which places the proposal very favorably in front of many mid-range smartphones released recently-the photo part, in particular, will necessarily be better with this smartphone than a real medium phone range. Suddenly we can recommend in our opinion the Galaxy S20 if you are looking for a good mid -range smartphone at a reasonable price … provided you do not be interested in 5G connectivity – you will also do the savings on your mobile invoice without suffering from a real handicap in France, in 2023.