[Updated] How to choose between Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S series is with us, and in its twelfth generation, the Galaxy S20 range offers something for everyone. From the diminutive Galaxy S20 to the giant Galaxy S20 Ultra, there’s a handset for every size, want and feature set, and here’s how to choose one for yourselves.

Samsung’s Galaxy S line is in its twelfth generation, not that you’d know it from the name – Samsung realigned the brand to line up with calendar years, hence S20 for 2020. In that time, the brand and the model lineup has gone through some change, and we’re now left with a pretty simple range of three handsets for 2020.

However, it’s not quite as simple as it might appear. The entry level Samsung Galaxy S20 has a couple of variants, as does the S20+ and S20 Ultra. There’s not a huge difference between the three handsets, but there are some – as well as the price.

Being more alike than ever, it’s important to know the difference between the three handsets – you might think you need the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra to get the best of everything, where the Galaxy S20+ might meet your needs.

What’s inside the Samsung Galaxy S20 Range?

Size and screen technology

As the specifications make clear, the biggest difference between the three handsets is in fact the size. The “smaller” Samsung Galaxy S20 has a 6.2-inch display, whereas the larger Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch display.Overall dimensions do not vary that much, though – despite having 0.7-in more, the Ultra variant is only slightly wider and taller than the smallest Galaxy S20.

Besides the screen size, though, all three models share the same screen technology, capable of 120 Hz refresh rates, quad HD+ resolution and a hole punch camera.

Internals

Inside, the range has a standard 12GB RAM; no longer is the base model hindered by a lack of storage or lack of RAM for applications. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has an option for 16GB RAM with the higher storage option, but really that’s the only difference here.

Storage wise, there is a 128GB model across the range, whereas the Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra have a 512GB model option – a huge amount of storage for a mobile device (and in the era of cloud-connected services, completely unnecessary).

All three models in Australia are available in slightly-cheaper 4G-only models, while 5G options will have a slightly higher price, but 5G is available across the range.

The only other internal difference is the battery capacity, but the entry-level Galaxy S20 isn’t left behind – its 4,000 mAh battery is an excellent starting point, and the beefy 5,000 mAh battery in the Galaxy S20 Ultra is almost powerbank-like in its capacity.

Camera technology

It always used to be that, regardless of who made the phone, an entry-level model in a range was almost always left behind. No longer. Samsung has made sure that the Galaxy S20’s primary cameras match those in the higher end models.

Jumping to the Galaxy S20+, you get an extra fourth camera for depth sensing, but the primary cameras remain the same: a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 64MP telephoto lens. These cameras support 3X hybrid zoom and 30X software zoom.

Jump to the Galaxy S20 Ultra, though, and things get interesting – the primary wide-angle camera is swapped out for a 108MP camera, and the telephoto camera swapped for a 48MP sensor. This combination offers an incredible 100X zoom, and 10X hybrid-optical zoom.

While the 100X zoom isn’t going to produce the world’s best photos, the reality is people will use this zoom length to get closer to sports, landmarks and the like, probably somewhere between 30-70X zoom. Having the range gives options, and that’s what people want in a package.

5G or not to 5G – that’s the question

In Australia, Samsung is giving us options – there are 4G-only and 5G options in each variant except for the Galaxy S20 Ultra, which is 5G only.

In the US, Samsung is going all the way with 5G, but here in Australia, both will be available – whether its because our 5G networks aren’t up to scratch, or they just aren’t in very many places, it’s not clear.

There is a slight price difference between the 4G and 5G models, but with 5G you get more RAM, too.

How are they priced?

Despite there being just three models, there’s a handful of variants, so the best way to understand the pricing is with a table:

Which one should you buy?

Which Samsung Galaxy S20 you choose will ultimately come down to personal preference, but there are some obvious points to think about:

• The Galaxy S20 is the easy pick – it offers virtually everything the more expensive models offer, in a smaller, more pocketable size and it has no obvious drawbacks. It has the same camera setup as the mid-range model, the same storage options, and about the only differences are slightly smaller battery (offset by smaller display), and the 5G model doesn’t support mmWave, but no carriers in Australia are using it, and probably won’t be using it during the lifecycle of this handset. At $1,349 you can get into a Galaxy S20 series phone dirt cheap, and an extra $150 for 5G compatibility is an option – but in our view, not one really necessary.
• By comparison, the Galaxy S20+ doesn’t offer hugely compelling reasons to pay $150 – $300 more than the entry-level Galaxy S20. The depth-sensing camera offers only so much, and the rest of the cameras are the same. The screen is only slightly bigger. The battery is 500 mAh bigger, but that’s not much of a difference. There is the option of a 512GB storage model, but in my view, that’s completely unnecessary with things like Google Photos and streaming music services.
• For those who must have everything, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra offers the everything, including an incredible camera setup, but again, why you’d spend an extra $250 to get the 16GB RAM / 512GB storage option is beyond me. My pick is the S20 Ultra 128GB for $1,999.

In short, for me, I’d go the Galaxy S20 Ultra with 128GB storage for $1,999, because for me the camera technology makes the difference worthwhile.

For users less concerned about the bleeding edge of photography, I can’t go past recommending the entry-level Galaxy S20 for $1,349 – that’s an incredible price, and you get so much for it.