Samsung Galaxy S20+ review – probably the best Android smartphone on the market
Every year, the expectations of Samsung’s Galaxy S series are huge, with the South Korean manufacturer being known for the quality of its devices, both hardware and software. Many of the features and components that Samsung chooses for these phones are a true example for the entire industry, so the launch of the new Galaxy S20 series has been expected by many potential customers, but also fans of the technology industry. I had to test Galaxy S20 +, the “average” model of the range, which still remains a “flagship” in the true sense of the word and, in my experience, is probably the most suitable model to buy this year, if you you want a premium premium phone.
Samsung is accustomed to making some of the most “beautiful” smartphones on the market, with sleek design lines and generally without a “cockpit” for the camera. The Galaxy S20 + tries to stay true to the “classic” design style of the company, but it also goes in a few new directions. From the front, it is very similar to a Galaxy Note10, the perforated screen in the center is already a true symbol of Samsung smartphones. However, the differences appear as soon as you look more closely.
The Power and Volume buttons have been moved from left to right, a very good choice, making them easier to access by most users. Then the screen is no longer so curved on the sides, something many users expected from Samsung. There is still a slight curvature, but this is very subtle and does not affect the use from any position, thus eliminating accidental touch. Now that many smartphones on the market are taking a sideways curb, Samsung seems to be moving away from this trend that has started, and users are the ones to win.
But the back is the strangest on this phone. Indeed, there are not many things you can do to decorate the back of a phone, but some companies may not even offer anything lower than previous models. In the case of the S20 + series, Samsung chose some not-so-pleasant colors. In this case, the Cosmic Gray color, or as I like to call it “Gray Rat”, turns the phone from an expensive jewelry into a very simplistic piece of glass and metal. The camera module doesn’t help much either, as it is in a black rectangle protruding. Its dimensions are not necessarily out of the ordinary but when the phone, the person is not sitting on a table, has a small “game” if pressed in the corner opposite the room. A protective case could solve this problem.
Compared to last year’s generation, the Galaxy S20 + lost its headphone jack, which is not surprising, considering that the same decision was made for the Galaxy Note10 models. And as with the Note models, the S20 + seems to be more “compact” than the screen size suggests. At 6.7 “, you would expect a huge phone, but the fact that it is narrower than other phones and that it is still quite thin, without a very curved screen, ensures a good grip in the hand. The consequence is that the screen is very high, making it harder to reach the top if you use it with one hand.
And as the screen went on, this is, as we would expect from a top-of-the-line phone, one of the best we’ve seen so far. The camera cutout is subtle at the top, the dimensions are generous, and for the first time, it can be configured to operate at 120 Hz, for increased fluidity in use.
Of course, when you set the phone to operate at 120 Hz, you sacrifice autonomy and even the displayed resolution, but the gain in fluidity and speed is tangible. If there’s a very good reason for upgrading to this phone from an older generation, that’s the screen. It is difficult to explain in a text and to be shown in a video clip, but each animation and each transition is twice as fast as on a standard 60Hz screen phone.
