In this Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphone vs Samsung Galaxy S21 face-off, we take a look at some of the differences, if we can, in these two phenomenal models. Typically, when comparing models from the same producer, we tend to find the going tough.
However, it becomes challenging when the models are the predecessor and the successor. We can assure you that we have done our best to be unbiased and provide you with the facts only. Samsung, the South Korean electronics manufacturer, has been in the market for a lengthy time.
They know what their customers want. Being able to penetrate through countries like America and most European countries itself goes to show the grit and determination that they have. The producer has been over the years consistently delivering products that meet users’ expectations.
Their products are reasonably priced, come with durable features, and are pretty reliable. The Samsung Galaxy S20 model is no more than the latest model from the Galaxy S segment. There are other terrific models that we have reviewed and will update you on.
However, the Galaxy G20 is not a device that can be easily written off. It comes with most of the features that you are looking for. The display is quite large, the battery working life is pretty good, and the processor is flexible for a wide range of users.
The new models come with a quicker processor, an updated UI, and a powerful battery. However, you can choose the S20 at a decent discount on most online retailers. Did we mention that it comes with a 5G compatibility and a quick 120Hz refresh rate?
You can find the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990. It depends on your locality, whether you are based in America or Asia. Besides, only some of you can get to lay your hands on the 5G compatibility device.
We may want to mention about the camera of the S20 device. Moreover, the 3 cameras found on the smartphone offer you spectacular clarity and quality. Having said that, the S21 model does come with a few tweaked features in it compared to the S20 model.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 model is a robust, reliable, and durable device. Though the camera quality may not be as expected, you would be delighted to know that the processor and the battery levels have been increased.
You can now quickly work on it for the whole day without needing to charge it. If you do need to charge it, you can do it with efficient, quick charging, and wireless charging options. It comes with a smaller display at 6.2” a Full HD+ at a 120Hz refresh rate.
You know that the image quality and the pictures are going to be stunning. The model in America comes with the Exynos 2100 version making it extremely magnificent. You can quickly get some fantastic results.
With the new Samsung Galaxy S22 already out last month in February 2022, does it make any sense to get the S20 or S21? When you are after a device that gives you some juice, the S20 might be a good choice, but if you want something more substantial, go with the S21.
Let us now read the complete review to make up our minds. Then, to help you make your decision, we have given the winner at the end of the post.
 |  |
|---|---|
| SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 | SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 |
| PROS | PROS |
| The model is luxuriously designed. The unit has a large display. It provides you with a good camera. It offers you with IP68 feature. The battery’s working life is breathtaking. | The unit comes with a fantastic design. The model provides you with an eloquent camera. It is a magnificent device with several capabilities. It offers you seamless Microsoft integration. The device is priced cheaper than its counterpart. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The smartphone is priced higher for 5G. | The smartphone does not come with microSD support. |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Samsung Galaxy S20 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Design & Features
The design aspect is something that Samsung has been able to master over the years. You can note that their devices are luxuriously designed and come with an elegant appearance. Let us read and find out how the S20 & S21 devices did in the design & features segment.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphone comes with a stunning design. It has a 6.2” display that is slightly larger by 0.1” than the S10 that was released in 2019. But, of course, that does not change the overall appearance of anything.
But it does make a slight difference due to the intense resolution. The resolution is the same at WQHD+ (3040 x 1440) as found on the Samsung Galaxy S models. You can make use of the default setting that is a battery saver.
Unless you want, you can make use of the higher resolution. It comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz display. It is almost double the rate for a collection found on most devices, including Samsung.
You will be delighted to know that the device comes with the dust resistance feature in them. The model also has a water-resistant feature in it, coming with the IP68 certification. Both the devices have similar dimensions with 151mm in height and 7.9mm in thickness.
It makes your browsing and games a lot easier and more fun. You can also use it to view your social media account. However, if the resolution and screen size is not big enough, the experience is ruined then and there.
We recommend a large screen and a breathtaking resolution. But we felt that the display on the S21 was splendid. Unfortunately, the S20 came with the old Gorilla Glass 6 & the other model comes with the Gorilla Glass Victus frontage.
We felt that the S20 felt slightly premium compared to the S21. That is because of the soft side designs and an aluminum frame. The Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone has an excellent strategy. However, it comes with a cheap-looking composite at the rear.
It weighs close to 170grams that is not really heavy. At times, you felt that the S20 itself was heavy at 163grams. The S20 has a more generic appeal to it. The QHD makes the S20 unit a better one.
But the camera module found in the S21 is quite astounding to say. The maker has provided you with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. In addition, the S21 model comes with the AMOLED display that works well with the 120Hz refresh rate.
However, the resolution was slightly lesser than the S20 at only FHD+ (1080 x 2400) resolution. But the S21 is able to do well in bright conditions. That is because it works with 1300 nits, and the S20 works with 1200 nits.
The camera specifications are similar. The 64MP lens can help you capture 1.1x zoomed shots. But with the help of the software, they allow you to take eloquent hybrid zoom shots. This is where the S21 comes out on top because of the new hardware.
The design & features, cameras of both the devices were pretty good, but we thought that the S20 was slightly better overall. The design and specifications are everything you would want to put in there.
| SPECIFICATIONS | GALAXY S20 | GALAXY S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Unlocked | Unlocked |
| Wireless Technology | 5G, CDMA | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Internal Memory | 128 gigabytes | 128 gigabytes |
| Screen Size | 6.2 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Memory (RAM) | 12 gigabytes | 8 gigabytes |
| Processor Brand | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
| Front-Facing Camera | 10 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Processor Model | 865 5G | |
| Internet Connectable | Yes | |
| Series | Galaxy S20 | Galaxy S21 |
Samsung Galaxy S20 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Setup & Performance
The setup & performance of any smartphone is the most crucial element of all. We can vouch for the fact that the models did exceedingly well in that aspect. So let us read and find out how they’re performed.
A notable element in both smartphones is the new split hardware. Most of the global variants of the model use Qualcomm & Snapdragon equivalents, but the rest of the world makes use of the Exynos chips.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphone comes with a good performance. The setup of the model is splendid and easy. All you need to do is switch it on, and you are taken with a few instructions and done in no time.
This is something that is quite admirable with Samsung products. They can begin working in no time (laptop included). It comes with a power of 8GB of RAM as standard. You also have them with 128GB of storage space as standard.
But please do note that only this model has a microSD slot. The UI is excellent, and we found them to be powerful. It is customizable and comes with plenty of features found on it. The models released in the US come with the Snapdragon 865 chip.
The S20 helps things with the 5G technology because of its battery life. Though it is not good enough compared to the S21, it is suitable for working on 5G connectivity. It is much better than the S10 device.
The quick charging works splendidly well on the Samsung smartphone. When you are using the right kind of charger, it can take from 0 to 100% in 60 minutes. But, unfortunately, it comes with a 15W wireless charging too that is not very fast actually speaking.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone has a phenomenal setup & performance. The main benefit of using the S21 model is that it is much newer. You stand to get an additional year of software support from the maker.
Besides, it comes with the Snapdragon 888 processor that provides you with several enhancements. For example, you can now play games, take photographs, and even work on artificial intelligence.
When you want optimum performance, you can use the Kryo 680 CPU. It provides you with immense power compared to the S20. First, however, you will want to know that the A15 bionic phone from Apple is the quickest.
The S21 is provided with the S pen. We felt that this could be the gamechanger in this review. But unfortunately, the S pen is provided only for the Galaxy Note products, not others. So, of course, you have to get it separately.
You may even need a case to store it separately. But that is the beauty of using this device because you get to work with it. So the feature is exceptionally ideal for those of you searching for using a tablet-like device without having to spend more than $1000.
We must say that the performance was quick and almost on par with the iPads. Therefore, the Samsung Galaxy S20 is a worthy device that one can look at. However, we were not impressed with the fact that it is quite expensive, and the unit does not support all 5G networks.
In terms of practicality, the S21 provided the unit with more juice than its counterpart under most circumstances. You can perform a wide range of activities, including multi-tasking, gaming, and others, with the help of multiple apps using split-screen view.
You may want to think about that before delving into it. In contrast, the S21 did remarkably well, providing you with a breathtaking performance. This feature might make the difference in the end.
Though the S20 is priced cheaper comes with a better camera, the battery specifications on the S21 make it better than the counterpart discussed in here.
Samsung Galaxy S20 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Price
The Samsung Galaxy S20 model is priced under $900. It is available at a discount for $618 in the market. The unit was released into the market in 2020 and had been going quite strong. Earlier, it was launched only for the 4G capability.
Now, the current model works with the 5G as well. However, it may not work with all the 5G networks, which is slightly disappointing. On the other hand, it comes with a phenomenal Snapdragon 865 and has IP68 water resistance.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 unit is priced under $800. You can avail of it for a discount of $690. Though it is priced higher than the S20 model, for now, you will want to know that the smartphone was released in the market in 2021.
The device is ready for work right out of the box. It comes with all the features and is infused with the specifications required for any business. Highly suitable to people in business and entrepreneurs.
It also comes with the Samsung Galaxy enterprise edition that is suitable for end-to-end management. Furthermore, the model is backed with exceptional security features and a longer lifecycle. In addition, the model comes with a Microsoft integration where you can get work done effortlessly.
The device provides you with the Knox suite. You are given a lethal combination of some famous solutions on the end-to-end management platform that works free for the entire year. It is a valuable smartphone that is helpful to your needs.
Samsung Galaxy S20 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Verdict
We have ended our comparison review between the Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphone and the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone. We hope you liked what you read and were able to make your decision.
If you haven’t, then we suggest that you reread the post. Perhaps, you may have missed out on something. The Samsung Galaxy S20 model is a flagship unit from the maker that comes with sublime features that you will find too hard to ignore.
It is easy to hold and use as well. It also comes with a terrific camera. You will want to know that the camera auto mode works amazingly. This is a 5G compatible device and could be a motivation for getting one for yourself.
Though it is not essential, it could be something that could be helpful. You may not be inclined to use the smartphone if you are on a budget. Though it is always nice to have an upgrade to the 5G, the 4G model works quite decently.
Besides, the unit is very expensive, priced under $900. Moreover, if you already own the Galaxy S10, then you may not be drawn towards the impressive upgrades here. The older devices you have will work just fine for a few more years effortlessly without requiring a new one.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 model is another exceptional smartphone to own and use for yourself. Unfortunately, it has similar features to that of the S20, which does not make it very appealing. However, we found it hard to digest the fact that the overall package is incredible.
But you do not get the option of a QHD resolution. When you are looking for a large smartphone with a 6.2” screen, providing tremendous performance, it is a good option. When you own an older device and are on the lookout for a new update, this model could be a worthy replacement.
Usually, when we compare two new devices, it is the latest model that gets the thumbs up. However, it does not have to be the case always. Though the S20 mostly swayed us throughout the post, the new device is better in most segments, apart from the price.
The manufacturer is playing a slightly dangerous game here by rolling certain areas. However, the pricing of the predecessor has been brought down, to up the ante for the new unit. So, we cannot say that the Galaxy S21 is the flagship model for Samsung.
But it is a solid choice with exceptionally built internals, powerful battery, and is a delight to use.
ALSO READ:
- Samsung Galaxy S20 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S10
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.