Samsung Galaxy S20 review

Just like its bigger and pricier brothers, the Galaxy S20 ($999) gives you a fluid 120Hz display, powerful new camera system with improved zoom and 5G speeds. However, the battery life isn't the best, and you can't get this phone on Verizon yet.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 SPECS

OS: Android 10
Screen size: 6.2 inches
Screen resolution: QHD+ (563 ppi)
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Processor: Snapdragon 865
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 128GB + microSD
Battery: 4,000 mAh
Battery life: 9 hours 31 mins
Rear cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 64MP telephoto
Video: Up to 8K resolution at 24 fps
Front cameras: 10MP
Size: 5.9 x 3 x 0.31 inches
Weight: 5.7 ounces

Overall, we really like the Galaxy S20 because of what it packs into such a sleek package. 

Samsung Galaxy S20 review: Design

 

The Samsung Galaxy S20 doesn’t look radically different from the Galaxy S10, but there are some welcome refinements. The cutout for the front camera is smaller this time around, and it’s placed in the top center of the display instead of on the right side, so it’s less of a distraction. In addition, the display has less of a curve to it, which I appreciate because there’s less of a chance of accidental touches when you’re just shifting the phone in your hands.

I feel like it’s not a huge deal at this stage, but it’s definitely notable that the Samsung Galaxy S20 does not include a headphone jack. This is the first Galaxy S flagship phone missing this feature, so you’ll probably want check out some wireless earbuds. If you want to keep it in the brand family, check out the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, which promise 11 hours of battery life.

Samsung Galaxy S20 review: Cameras

Samsung had fallen behind Apple and Google in photo quality, but the Galaxy S20 looks to beat the competition with bigger sensors, a bigger zoom and new features that make it easier to shoot and share.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 has a triple rear camera that starts with a 12-MP wide sensor that’s 1.8 microns. The telephoto lens uses a 64MP sensor that’s 0.8 microns and the 12MP ultra-wide camera uses a 1.4-micron sensor.

Why am I rattling off all these numbers? Well, the larger the sensor, the more light it lets in, which should result in brighter and sharper images. By comparison, the Galaxy S10’s wide-angle, telephoto and ultra-wide cameras were 1.4, 1 and 1 microns, respectively. So at least two of the lenses are significantly larger.