2024-11-07

Samsung Galaxy S20

Samsung Galaxy S20 made history as a groundbreaking smartphone in the prestigious Galaxy S lineup. The device was officially unveiled at a special Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event held on February 11, 2020. As a direct successor to the popular Galaxy S10 series, the S20 has introduced a number of significant technological improvements, setting new standards in the world of smartphones.

Display technology

At the heart of the device is an impressive 1440p Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The 6.2-inch screen features a modern 20:9 aspect ratio and an innovative 120 Hz refresh rate for exceptionally smooth animations and responsive performance. The sleek design is accentuated by the subtly curved edges of the display, which flow seamlessly into the device's metal frame. The manufacturer has also implemented an advanced fingerprint reader, using ultrasonic technology, which has been integrated directly into the surface of the screen.

Power and charging system

In terms of power, Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S20 with a capacious 4000 mAh battery, which has been permanently integrated into the device's chassis. The charging system offers versatile capabilities - from 25W fast wired charging via the USB-C port, to 15W Qi wireless charging, to the innovative "Samsung PowerShare" reverse charging feature, allowing you to share power with other devices at 4.5W. It is worth noting that the Galaxy S20 was the first smartphone to receive the prestigious USB-IF certification for fast charging technology.

Photo opportunities

Galaxy S20 photo system represents a significant step forward in the evolution of mobile photography. The main camera, equipped with a fixed-aperture lens, works together with an advanced 64MP telephoto lens using "Space Zoom" technology. This combination allows for 3x hybrid zoom shooting, with up to 30x digital zoom when needed. Video capabilities are equally impressive - the S20 can record footage in 8K resolution at 24 frames per second. An interesting addition is the "Single Take" mode, which allows you to use different shooting modes simultaneously, increasing the chances of capturing the perfect shot.

Market availability and variants

The market launch of the Galaxy S20 was carried out in two stages - first, on March 6, 2020, the smartphone debuted in the United States, and then, on March 13, it hit the European market. The starting price was set at $999, which positioned the device in the premium segment. Samsung made sure to include a variety of color options - the entry-level S20 was available in the exclusive Cloud Pink, the popular Cloud Blue, and the versatile Cosmic Grey. The Cloud White version has been reserved in the U.S. exclusively for the Verizon network.

Od lewej: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, S20, S20+, S20 Ultra

From left: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, S20, S20+, S20 Ultra

By GadgetsGuy - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115947704

Technical specifications and regional variants

In terms of technical specifications, Samsung used different powertrains depending on the target market. The international version was equipped with the Exynos 990 processor, while models for the US, Canada, Korea, China and Japan markets received the Snapdragon 865 chip. Memory configuration included 8GB or 12GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card up to 1TB. 5G connectivity was standard, although LTE variants also appeared in some markets. The only noticeable shortcoming was the omission of the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.

Naming history and pre-release leaks

The Samsung Galaxy S20 naming story is particularly interesting in the context of the company's marketing strategy. Initially, the technology community expected the successor to the Galaxy S10 to be called Galaxy S11, which seemed a logical continuation of the existing nomenclature. However, in January 2020, a series of leaks revealed that the manufacturer had decided on the name Galaxy S20, referring directly to the year of the device's release. Interestingly, the scale of leaks before the official launch was so significant that almost all technical and design details were known before the official event. Particularly significant was the contribution of well-known whistleblower Max Weinbach, who had access to a physical copy of the smartphone a month before the launch, which helped confirm all previous speculation.

Design and features

In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S20 draws inspiration from the Galaxy Note 10 line, while introducing its own distinctive elements. The most notable feature is the Infinity-O display, which was first used in the Galaxy S10 series. However, the S20 has made a significant change - the circular cutout for the front selfie camera has been moved to the center of the top of the screen. This solution significantly affected the symmetry and aesthetics of the front of the device.

Color variants and special versions

Samsung also made sure to diversify the colors of its flagship series. The basic version of the S20 was available in the elegant Cloud Pink shade, which was reserved exclusively for this model, the versatile Cosmic Grey color and the refreshing Cloud Blue. A special case was the Cloud White variant, which in the US market was made available only in the offer of the operator Verizon, in a version supporting Ultrawide Band technology.

Detailed technical specification

Samsung Galaxy S20 is distinguished by its impressive technical specifications, which have been carefully tailored to meet the needs of the most demanding users. The heart of the device, depending on the target market, is one of two high-performance processors. Models for the international market were equipped with Samsung's proprietary Exynos 990 chip, while versions sold in the United States, Canada, Korea, China and Japan received the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor.

Display technology and performance

In terms of the display, Samsung has used the latest generation of its screen technology. The S20 features a 1440p "Dynamic AMOLED 2X" panel that supports HDR10+ and uses advanced "dynamic tone mapping" technology. The 6.2-inch screen features elegant curved edges that flow seamlessly into the device's bezel. The display's aspect ratio is set at 20:9, ensuring that the smartphone can be held comfortably in the hand.

Operating system and updates

In terms of software, the Samsung Galaxy S20 initially ran on Android 10, equipped with the manufacturer's proprietary overlay - One UI 2.1. The system update strategy was systematically implemented by the manufacturer. In early December 2020, Samsung began distributing an update to Android 11 along with a new version of the One UI 3 overlay. The next major step came in January 2022, when the smartphone received an update to One UI 4, based on Android 12.

Technical support and known issues

A particularly significant aspect of the support policy was the announcement made by Samsung on August 18, 2020. The manufacturer has pledged to provide support for the next three generations of Android and a four-year security update period. This declaration has significantly influenced potential users' perception of the long-term value of the device.

Tactical version

Also noteworthy is a special version of the device - Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition (TE). This variant is designed to meet the specific requirements of government operators and the U.S. Department of Defense. The TE model has received Commercial Solutions for Classified Program (CSfC) certification and is equipped with a number of specialized features such as night vision support, stealth mode, and the ability to integrate with drone systems and laser rangefinders. The device could interface with tactical radios and mission systems, and supported specialized applications, including the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit (BATDOK).

Technical specifications

Feature	S20
Manufacturer	Samsung Electronics
Type	Smartphone
Completion of production	January 14, 2021 ( 2021-01-14 ) [ 1 ]
Operating system	Original: Android 10 with One UI 2.1 Android 12 with One UI 4.1 (S20 FE 2022) Upgradable: Android 13 with One UI 5.1
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac/ax 3G/LTE/5G
Processor	Exynos: Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5, 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Snapdragon: Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz, 3x2.42 GHz and 4x1.8 GHz) Kryo 585
RAM	S20 & S20+: 8/12 GB LPDDR5 S20 Ultra: 12/16 GB LPDDR5 S20 FE: 6/8 GB LPDDR5 S20 FE 2022: 6 GB LPDDR5
Internal memory	S20: 128 GB UFS 3.0 S20+ & S20 Ultra: 128/256/512 GB UFS 3.0 S20 FE: 128/256 GB UFS 3.1 S20 FE 2022: 128 GB UFS 3.1
Display	S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra: 3200×1440 1440p Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O capacitive touchscreen, Gorilla Glass 6, HDR10+, 120 Hz refresh rate S20 FE: 2400×1080 1080p Super AMOLED Infinity-O capacitive touchscreen, Gorilla Glass 3, HDR10+, 120 Hz refresh rate S20: 6.2 in (157 mm), 563 ppi S20+: 6.7 in (170 mm), 525 ppi S20 Ultra: 6.9 in (175 mm), 511 ppi S20 FE/S20 FE 2022: 6.5 in (165 mm), 407 ppi (all Diamond PenTile )
Sound	Dolby Atmos stereo speakers tuned by AKG
Dimensions	S20: 151.7 mm × 69.1 mm × 7.9 mm (5.97 in × 2.72 in × 0.31 in) S20+: 161.9 mm × 73.7 mm × 7.8 mm (6.37 in × 2.90 in × 0.31 in) S20 Ultra: 166.9 mm × 76 mm × 8.8 mm (6.57 in × 2.99 in × 0.35 in) S20 FE/S20 FE 2022: 159.8 mm × 74.5 mm × 8.4 mm (6.29 in × 2.93 in × 0.33 in)