The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus arrived in early 2020 as part of Samsung’s flagship lineup, sitting comfortably between the standard S20 and the ultra-premium S20 Ultra. With its sleek design, powerful hardware, and a camera system that pushes boundaries, the S20 Plus was designed to cater to power users who demand top-tier performance without venturing into the Ultra’s extreme territory. Over a year after its release, how does it hold up in today’s competitive smartphone market? Let’s dive in.

Design and Build Quality

From the moment you pick up the Galaxy S20 Plus, its premium build is immediately apparent. The phone features a glass sandwich design with an aluminum frame, giving it a solid yet elegant feel. The curved edges of the display blend seamlessly into the frame, making it comfortable to hold despite its 6.7-inch size. Samsung has refined its design language over the years, and the S20 Plus is a testament to that evolution—minimal bezels, a centered punch-hole camera, and a subtle rear camera bump contribute to a clean, modern aesthetic.

One notable improvement over previous models is the reduced curvature of the display edges. While still present, the curve is less pronounced, reducing accidental touches and making the phone more practical for daily use. The device is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, ensuring durability in various environments. Available in Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink, the S20 Plus offers understated color options that appeal to a broad audience.

Display: A Visual Masterpiece

Samsung has long been a leader in display technology, and the S20 Plus continues that tradition. The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is nothing short of stunning, with a 3200 x 1440 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth, while the WQHD+ resolution ensures crisp, vibrant visuals. HDR10+ support further enhances the viewing experience, delivering deep blacks and vivid colors that make streaming content a joy.

What’s particularly impressive is how Samsung has managed to balance resolution and refresh rate. While some phones force you to choose between high resolution and a high refresh rate, the S20 Plus allows both—though not simultaneously at their peak settings. Even so, the display remains one of the best in the industry, whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or simply browsing the web.

Performance: Flagship Power

Under the hood, the Galaxy S20 Plus is powered by the Exynos 990 (in international markets) or the Snapdragon 865 (in the U.S.), paired with 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 512GB of storage. Even by today’s standards, this hardware configuration delivers exceptional performance. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is a breeze, and demanding games run smoothly at high settings. The inclusion of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 storage further boosts responsiveness, ensuring the phone feels snappy in every scenario.

One area where the S20 Plus shines is thermal management. Unlike some competitors that throttle under sustained loads, the S20 Plus maintains consistent performance even during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 865’s efficiency plays a significant role here, offering a balance between power and battery life. While the Exynos variant runs slightly warmer and less efficiently, it’s still a capable performer for most users.

Camera System: Versatile and Capable

The camera setup on the S20 Plus is where Samsung flexes its imaging prowess. The phone features a triple-lens system: a 12MP primary sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus and an f/1.8 aperture, a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view. Additionally, it includes a DepthVision sensor for improved portrait shots and AR applications.

In daylight, the primary sensor captures detailed, well-exposed shots with accurate colors. The telephoto lens offers impressive zoom capabilities, though it relies on cropping and software enhancement beyond its native 3x range. The ultra-wide lens is excellent for landscapes and group shots, with minimal distortion at the edges. Low-light performance is solid, thanks to Samsung’s Night Mode, which brightens shadows while preserving details.

Video recording is another strong suit, with support for 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps. The footage is stabilized and crisp, making the S20 Plus a great choice for content creators. The front-facing 10MP camera also delivers sharp selfies with natural skin tones, though it tends to overexpose bright backgrounds.

Battery Life and Charging

Equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, the S20 Plus offers all-day endurance under moderate use. With the 120Hz refresh rate enabled, battery life takes a noticeable hit, but most users will still make it through a full day. The phone supports 25W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. While these speeds are decent, they’re outpaced by some competitors offering 30W or higher. Still, the convenience of wireless and reverse charging adds versatility.

Software and Features

The S20 Plus launched with Android 10 and Samsung’s One UI 2.0, which has since been updated to newer versions. One UI is one of the more polished Android skins, offering a clean interface with useful customization options. Features like DeX mode, which turns the phone into a desktop-like experience, and Samsung Pay, with its MST support for older card readers, add significant value. The software experience is further enhanced by Samsung’s commitment to regular security updates.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus remains a compelling flagship even today. Its stunning display, powerful performance, and versatile camera system make it a well-rounded device for almost any user. While it lacks some of the Ultra’s extreme features, it strikes a perfect balance between premium specs and practicality. If you’re in the market for a high-end Android phone and can find it at a discounted price, the S20 Plus is still an excellent choice.

Key Specifications:

Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3200 x 1440 (WQHD+), 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+

Processor: Exynos 990 (Global) / Snapdragon 865 (U.S.)

RAM: 12GB LPDDR5

Storage: 128GB / 512GB (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)

Rear Cameras: 12MP primary (f/1.8), 64MP telephoto (f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FoV), DepthVision sensor

Front Camera: 10MP (f/2.2)

Battery: 4,500mAh, 25W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging

OS: Android 10 (upgradable to Android 13 with One UI 5)

Connectivity: 5G (sub-6GHz), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C

Durability: IP68 dust/water resistance

Dimensions: 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm, 186g