Galaxy S20 Plus - Review

Galaxy S20 Plus review: The best of both worlds
The middle of Samsung's new Galaxy S20 devices is powerful and large, without being ridiculous.

In Samsung's Galaxy S20 world, the S20 Plus is most in need of an identity. Smack dab in the middle of the smaller, cheaper Galaxy S20 and the gargantuan Galaxy S20 Ultra (with an eye-watering price tag to match), the S20 Plus has very little to differentiate itself from the other two. Pricing starts at $1,199, £999 and AU$1,499, Inr 77,999.

 The S20 Plus' two main assets are the 6.7-inch screen (larger than the standard S20's 6.2-inch display), and the fact that it supports the fastest 5G speeds, using mmWave technology. With the exception of Verizon's unreleased model, the Galaxy S20 taps into a slower version of 5G called Sub-6.

 There's a smattering of other perks. The S20 Plus has a larger battery than the S20 (but smaller than the Ultra), which in our looping video test lasted 21 hours in airplane mode and 17 hours, 15 minutes in our Wi-Fi test that simulates real-world use. That's when using the default 60Hz screen refresh rate.
Unlike the S20, the Plus gives you an option to buy a 512GB variant. The larger model (along with the Ultra) also has a time-of-flight sensor in the camera module that's designed to enrich low light shots, but doesn't seem to affect photography in a meaningful way.

The S20 Plus hits a sweet spot for some
So, what about the S20 Ultra? Should you just go big as you can? No, you shouldn't... in fact, I'd skip it altogether. Starting at $1,399, £1,199 and AU$1,999 for the 128GB version, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is crazy expensive. Battery life was a few minutes worse than the S20 Plus in both our lab tests, despite a larger 5,000-mAh battery. It's also thicker and heavier to use, the camera module sticks out more and the benefits of a 108-megapixel main camera and 100x telephoto zoom are minimal for all but the most specialized shots. Between the S20 Ultra and the S20 Plus, go with the Plus.
I'm more on the fence when it comes to the S20 versus the Plus. If you don't mind a smaller phone and don't care about 5G, the standard S20 is the one for you. Most people will get what they need to from the standard S20, for $200 less than what you pay for the Plus. But of the two phones, the Plus is more convenient when you want a larger viewing screen, and the keyboard won't feel as tight as the S20's if you have larger hands.

 Photography is excellent, battery life will take you from morning to night, and it's packed with all the essential features found in Samsung's S20 trio. I also appreciate its full-throttle 5G support. Yes, justifying the S20 Plus' pricing is a challenge for me, especially because I personally prefer the S20's smaller frame. But for me, all the Galaxy S20 phones cost more than they need to.
While I enjoy the power and performance that the S20s bring, I'm looking ahead to the Galaxy Note 20 for a lighter, more refined look and feel that I miss having switched from the Note 10 Plus. Samsung's bold, redefined S20 Plus is on the right track. The next step is to perfect and refine.

 You'll find the Galaxy S20, Plus and Ultra comparison specs below. For all the differences between the S20 and S20 Plus, see my rated Galaxy S20 review. This Galaxy S20 Ultra review goes into greater detail about how the 120Hz screen, Single Take photography and 8K video work.Galaxy S20 vs S20 Plus vs S20 Ultra

 Which Galaxy S20 is which?
The Galaxy S20 trio is about more than just a scale of smallest and cheapest to largest and most expensive. They share commonalities, like a sharp, vibrant screen technology, Android 10 software and a 120Hz screen refresh rate that can make scrolling and gameplay liquid smooth. (Warning: It can also eat up battery reserves.)

Best screen experience: Galaxy S20 Ultra

 The Galaxy S20 Ultra is personally my least favorite of the three. It's too expensive for what it is (starting at $1,399, £1,199 or AU$1,999), and it feels like a literal brick (7.8 ounces or 220 grams). But I can't deny that its screen size makes it the best S20 for watching videos and reading the internet, simply because of its larger screen.

 Resolution is actually the lowest of the S20 phones, but its pixel density is so high, I doubt you'll notice.

 Most powerful camera: Ultra, but...
On paper, the Ultra wins here. It has two features unique to the Galaxy S20 line: a 108-megapixel main camera that works through a process called pixel binning (read that article, it's fascinating), and up to 100x zoom.

 That sounds impressive, and the technology is intriguing. In reality, though, I rarely yearned for either feature, and I don't miss them when I'm using another phone. To use the 108-megapixel setting, you must first tap a setting, take the photo and then, in editing mode, crop in. The purpose is to get a detailed picture using this method than you might otherwise get from the main camera alone, especially if you can't get close to the subject. It's a roundabout way to zoom in on a shot.

 Using the 100x zoom is much more straightforward, but unless you really, really need to get that close, the resulting image will be grainy and barely usable. It works better the farther from the subject you are.

 Meanwhile, the 12-megapixel main camera, 64-megapixel telephoto sensor and the 30x zoom on the S20 Plus and S20 did just what they needed to do. You can still take a 64-megapixel photo and crop in for more detail, though this process doesn't use pixel binning. (See the comparison chart below for more camera specs.)

Longest battery life: Still up in the air

Two factors determine battery life on the Galaxy S20 phones: If you're on 4G or 5G, and if you're using the 60Hz refresh rate (default) or have turned on the 120Hz option. I tested all three phones over 4G, because 5G wasn't available where I was testing. I also observed battery conditions in the real world with both the 60Hz and 120Hz screen settings for all three phones.
This is where it gets a little messy. I can't comment on how 5G factors in yet, but in general, the use of 5G can lower battery life. And CNET's comprehensive lab tests -- in airplane mode and over Wi-Fi, and with 60Hz and 120Hz screen selections -- have been temporarily interrupted as we all adjust to quarantine life. They will resume.
In the meantime, I can tell you that despite having the largest battery reserves (5,000 mAh), I was surprised that the Ultra's battery life drained quickly for me when I used the 120Hz refresh rate option.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S20 Plus' smaller battery (4,500 mAh) lasted just as long as the S20 Ultra in the CNET lab tests we were able to conduct. The Galaxy S20 (4,000 mAh) and S20 Plus have both lasted me from morning till night, though if you tap into 5G data and use the 120Hz option round the clock, you may need to top up before going out for a long night -- probably not a priority these days.

Best 5G: A draw

The Galaxy S20 Ultra and S20 Plus both support the type of ultrafast 5G data transfer called millimeter wave (aka mmWave). The Galaxy S20 relies on the form of 5G loosely referred to as midband, or Sub-6. Midband 5G has relatively lower peak speeds, but is designed to travel greater distances and be more accessible indoors. Remember, even "slow" 5G is still expected to give you faster data transfer than 4G speeds.
There are exceptions, however. Verizon announced it would release a variant of the Galaxy S20 5G phone that does work with its mmWave network -- we just don't have an exact date yet. In some countries, such as the UK and Australia, you can buy 4G-only versions of the Galaxy S20, as well.
That makes 5G a potentially deciding factor between, say, buying the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20 Plus. If you're looking to future-proof your phone as much as possible, the S20 Plus is the logical choice. If the networks in your area are slower on the draw and 5G won't be fully developed where you live for several years, then you'll hardly miss out with a 4G or 5G Galaxy S20.

Best value for money: Galaxy S20

By virtue of its lower price, the Galaxy S20 is the best value for money, but that's hardly a blanket statement. The entry-level device costs $1,000 at full retail price in the US, which is significantly more than other entry-level phones like the iPhone 11, which starts at $699.
Even the $950 Galaxy Note 10 is less than the S20. Samsung justifies the price hike with the 120Hz screen and camera features, even though the image quality, while very good, didn't demolish the competition. If Samsung, retailers and carriers offer compelling deals and bundles, this is going to be the phone that will be put in the best position to compete.
Have a good day!!