Samsung Galaxy S20

Galaxy S20. © Samsung.

After the Galaxy S10, we assumed we’d be getting the S11. But Samsung’s marketing geniuses had a brainwave: the S20. This new high-end phone comes in three sizes: S20 (6.2 inches), S20+ (6.7 inches) and S20 Ultra (6.92 inches). While display size varies, resolution stays the same, at 3200×1440 pixels, and you always get an OLED HDR+ 60/120Hz. The S20, with 120GB of storage, will set you back CAD1,320, the S20+, CAD1,580, and the S20 Ultra, CAD1,850. All S20s support 5G connectivity, 8K/24fps video recording, and ultrafast charging. They come with the new Snapdragon 865 SoC, which will probably come standard on most flagship phones in 2020. For this eight-core, 7nm chip, Qualcomm promises a 25% faster GPU and CPU compared to the Snapdragon 855. However, in some markets, the S20 will come with the Exynos 990, Samsung’s proprietary SoC, which won’t support 5G. The front camera on the S20 and S20+ models are 10MP, while on the S20 Ultra it’s 40MP. The back sports three cameras (ultra-wide-angle, wide-angle and telephoto) with sensors of different resolutions depending on the model. The S20 Ultra’s wide-angle camera has a whopping 108MP. These phones are available for pre-order, with shipping starting on March 6. To see how the S20 measures up to the iPhone 11 Pro, read Samuel Axon’s comprehensive comparison at Ars Technica.

Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip, its second attempt to produce a foldable phone, after the Galaxy Fold, which quickly ran aground.

⇨ YouTube, “Samsung Galaxy S20 event in under 6 minutes.”

⇨ YouTube, “Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20 Ultra hands-on.”

⇨ Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo, “Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip is the first foldable with a flexible glass cover.”

⇨ Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo, “Samsung’s Galaxy S20 is official, with bigger screens, higher prices.”