Samsung Galaxy S20 Series: Features & Specs Overview

Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra

1. Basic Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series is a line of flagship Android smartphones developed and marketed by Samsung Electronics. Unveiled on February 11, 2020, at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, the series consists of three models tailored to different user needs: the compact Galaxy S20 (model SM-G980F for the global variant), the mid-sized Galaxy S20+ (SM-G985F), and the premium Galaxy S20 Ultra (SM-G988F).

Positioned as Samsung’s flagship offering for 2020, the S20 series marked a significant leap in camera technology, introducing 108MP high-resolution sensors and 100x Space Zoom (on the Ultra model) to redefine mobile photography standards. All models launched with Android 10 (One UI 2.0) and received software updates up to Android 13 (One UI 5.1), with security patches extended for several years. The series was succeeded by the Galaxy S21 lineup in January 2021, but it remains a popular choice in the refurbished market for users seeking high-end features at a mid-range price point.

2. Key Hardware Specifications (Global Variants: SM-G980F/SM-G985F/SM-G988F)

Component	Galaxy S20 (SM-G980F)	Galaxy S20+ (SM-G985F)	Galaxy S20 Ultra (SM-G988F)
Display	6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3200×1440 (QHD+); 563 ppi; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate; HDR10+ support; 1200 nits peak brightness	6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3200×1440 (QHD+); 525 ppi; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate; HDR10+ support; 1200 nits peak brightness	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3200×1440 (QHD+); 511 ppi; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (limited to FHD+ when enabled on QHD+); HDR10+ support; 1200 nits peak brightness
Processor	Samsung Exynos 990 (Octa-core: 2×2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 + 2×2.5 GHz Cortex-A76 + 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Samsung Exynos 990 (same as S20)	Samsung Exynos 990 (same as S20/S20+)
Memory (RAM)	8 GB LPDDR5 (non-upgradable)	12 GB LPDDR5 (non-upgradable)	12 GB / 16 GB LPDDR5 (non-upgradable)
Storage Options	128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.0 (non-expandable via microSD on some variants)	128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 3.0 (microSD expandable up to 1 TB)	128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB UFS 3.0 (microSD expandable up to 1 TB)
Rear Camera System	Triple-camera setup:- 12MP Wide: f/1.8 aperture, OIS, Dual Pixel AF, 1.8 μm pixels- 64MP Telephoto: f/2.0 aperture, OIS, 3x optical zoom, 0.8 μm pixels- 12MP Ultra-wide: f/2.2 aperture, 120° FOV, 1.4 μm pixelsFeatures: 8K video recording (24 fps), 4K@60fps, 10x digital zoom	Quad-camera setup (adds Depth sensor):- 12MP Wide (same as S20)- 64MP Telephoto (same as S20)- 12MP Ultra-wide (same as S20)- 0.3MP Depth: f/1.0 apertureFeatures: Same as S20 + depth-sensing for Portrait Mode	Quad-camera setup (premium sensors):- 108MP Wide: f/1.8 aperture, OIS, Nonacell technology, 0.8 μm pixels (12MP output via pixel binning)- 48MP Telephoto: f/3.5 aperture, OIS, 4x optical zoom, 0.8 μm pixels- 12MP Ultra-wide (same as S20/S20+)- 0.3MP Depth (same as S20+)Features: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 100x Space Zoom (hybrid optical-digital), laser AF
Front Camera	10MP Selfie: f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel AF, 4K video recording	10MP Selfie (same as S20)	40MP Selfie: f/2.2 aperture, AF, 4K video recording, pixel binning (10MP output)
Battery	4,000 mAh non-removable Li-ion; 25W wired fast charging; 15W wireless charging; reverse wireless charging (4.5W)	4,500 mAh non-removable Li-ion; 45W wired fast charging; 15W wireless charging; reverse wireless charging (4.5W)	5,000 mAh non-removable Li-ion; 45W wired fast charging; 15W wireless charging; reverse wireless charging (4.5W)
Connectivity	5G (sub-6 GHz; mmWave on US variants); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; USB-C 3.2; GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS	Same as S20	Same as S20
Dimensions & Weight	151.7 × 69.1 × 7.9 mm; 163 grams	161.9 × 73.7 × 7.8 mm; 186 grams	166.9 × 76.0 × 8.8 mm; 220 grams
Build & Durability	Gorilla Glass 6 (front/back); aluminum frame; IP68 water/dust resistance	Same as S20	Same as S20
Security & Sensors	Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor; facial recognition; accelerometer; gyro; proximity; barometer; RGB light sensor	Same as S20	Same as S20 + laser AF sensor
Audio	Stereo speakers; AKG tuning; Dolby Atmos; no 3.5 mm headphone jack	Same as S20	Same as S20

3. Core Software & Feature Highlights

3.1 Camera Innovations (Flagship Selling Points)

108MP High-Resolution Photography (S20 Ultra): The 108MP sensor used Nonacell pixel binning to combine 9 pixels into 1, producing 12MP photos with 2.4 μm pixels for improved low-light performance and detail. Users could also capture full 108MP images for cropping and editing flexibility.
100x Space Zoom (S20 Ultra): A hybrid zoom system combining 4x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom, and up to 100x digital zoom, enabling users to capture distant subjects (e.g., wildlife, landmarks) with unprecedented detail for a smartphone. Samsung added Zoom Lock and AI Stabilization to reduce shakiness at high zoom levels.
8K Video Recording: All models supported 8K video capture at 24 fps, a first for Samsung’s flagship lineup. Users could extract 33MP still photos from 8K footage, blurring the line between video and photography.
Single Take Mode: An AI-powered feature that captured photos and videos (including different angles and filters) with a single press of the shutter button, allowing users to choose the best shot later without multiple attempts.

3.2 Display & Performance

120 Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate: The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display adjusted its refresh rate between 60 Hz and 120 Hz based on content (e.g., 120 Hz for scrolling, 60 Hz for static images) to balance smoothness and battery life. Note: The S20 Ultra restricted 120 Hz to FHD+ resolution when enabled, due to power constraints.
Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865 Processors: Regional variants used either Samsung’s Exynos 990 or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 (US, China, India). Both chips delivered flagship-level performance for gaming, multitasking, and 8K video processing, paired with LPDDR5 RAM for faster data access.
5G Connectivity: The S20 series was Samsung’s first mainstream 5G flagship lineup, supporting both sub-6 GHz (wide coverage) and mmWave (ultra-fast speeds in dense urban areas) 5G networks, enabling faster streaming, cloud gaming, and large file downloads.

3.3 One UI 2.0 & Android 10 Features

One UI 2.0: Samsung’s custom skin optimized for one-handed use, with shifted UI elements and simplified menus. Key features included Dark Mode, Edge Panels for quick access to apps, and Samsung DeX for desktop-like productivity when connected to a monitor.
Samsung Health: Enhanced fitness tracking with support for sleep monitoring, stress management, and integration with Galaxy Watch devices.
Secure Folder: A encrypted space for storing sensitive files, apps, and data, protected by biometric authentication.

4. Market Reception & Controversies

4.1 Critical Acclaim

The S20 series was praised for its industry-leading camera technology, especially the S20 Ultra’s 108MP sensor and 100x Space Zoom. The 120 Hz display was also a standout feature, with reviewers noting its smooth scrolling and gaming performance. The 5G support positioned the lineup as future-proof, appealing to early 5G adopters.

4.2 Controversies

100x Space Zoom Quality Issues: While the 100x zoom was a marketing highlight, users reported that images at maximum zoom suffered from heavy noise, distortion, and lack of detail, especially in low-light conditions. Samsung later released a software update to improve zoom performance.
Display Refresh Rate Limitation (S20 Ultra): The restriction of 120 Hz to FHD+ resolution (instead of QHD+) disappointed many users, who expected the premium model to support 120 Hz at its highest resolution.
Battery Drain Concerns: Some users reported excessive battery drain, particularly when using 5G, 120 Hz display, and camera features simultaneously. Samsung addressed this with software updates to optimize power efficiency.
In-Display Fingerprint Sensor Reliability: The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor was criticized for inconsistent performance, especially when the screen was wet or covered with a screen protector. Subsequent updates improved sensor accuracy.

5. Legacy & Positioning

Software Support Legacy: Samsung’s commitment to three major Android updates for the S20 series was a significant improvement over previous generations, setting a new bar for long-term software support in the Android ecosystem.

Camera Technology Benchmark: The S20 series set a new standard for mobile photography, popularizing 108MP sensors and high-magnification zoom in flagship smartphones. Competitors like Xiaomi and OnePlus soon followed with similar camera setups.

120 Hz Display Adoption: The 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate became a must-have feature for flagship smartphones, with subsequent Galaxy S series models and Android flagships retaining and improving this technology.

5G Flagship Pioneer: As one of the first widely available 5G smartphone lineups, the S20 series helped drive 5G network adoption and consumer awareness, laying the groundwork for Samsung’s 5G-focused product strategy in later years.