Thinking about upgrading your Samsung smartphone experience? The battle between the newer Galaxy S20 and the still-capable Galaxy S9 Plus is a common dilemma for many. While both devices offer premium features, the technological advancements between their releases are significant.
The S20 represents a leap forward in performance, camera capabilities, and display technology, aiming to set a new standard for mobile innovation. On the other hand, the S9 Plus remains a solid performer, boasting a refined design and a user-friendly interface that many still appreciate.
This comparison dives deep into what sets these two Samsung powerhouses apart. We’ll explore their key differences, helping you decide which device truly aligns with your needs and budget. Get ready to see how the S20 stacks up against its predecessor.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | s20 | s9 plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.2-inch Super AMOLED |
| Display Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels | 1440 x 2960 pixels |
| Processor | Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865 | Exynos 9810 / Snapdragon 845 |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 4GB / 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB (expandable) | 64GB / 128GB (expandable) |
| Rear Camera (Main) | 12MP (wide) | 12MP (wide) |
| Rear Camera (Telephoto) | 64MP (telephoto) | 12MP (telephoto) |
| Rear Camera (Ultrawide) | 12MP (ultrawide) | N/A |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 8MP |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | In-display fingerprint sensor, Face recognition | Rear fingerprint sensor, Face recognition |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- S20: Features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. This results in incredibly smooth visuals and vibrant colors, making it excellent for gaming and media consumption. The higher refresh rate is a significant upgrade for everyday use.
- S9 Plus: Boasts a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and HDR10 support. While still a great display with excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, it lacks the fluidity and responsiveness of the s20’s higher refresh rate.
- Winner: s20
Processor
- S20: Powered by either the Snapdragon 865 (US/China) or Exynos 990 (international). These are flagship processors offering top-tier performance for demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming. They provide a noticeable speed boost over older generations.
- S9 Plus: Equipped with the Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810. These were powerful chips in their time, but they are now outpaced by newer processors. While still capable for everyday use, they will struggle with the most demanding modern applications and games.
- Winner: s20
RAM
- S20: Comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. This generous amount ensures smooth multitasking and allows for many apps to be open simultaneously without performance degradation. It contributes significantly to the phone’s overall responsiveness.
- S9 Plus: Features 6GB of RAM. This was standard for its generation and is sufficient for most daily tasks. However, with increasingly demanding apps and heavier multitasking, it can sometimes lead to apps needing to reload.
- Winner: s20
Camera System
- S20: A versatile triple-lens setup featuring a 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid zoom and up to 30x Space Zoom. It excels in various lighting conditions and offers impressive zoom capabilities. The image processing is also refined for better results.
- S9 Plus: Sports a dual-lens system with a 12MP main camera and a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. While it produced excellent photos for its time and has a capable optical zoom, it lacks the versatility and advanced zoom features of the s20.
- Winner: s20
Battery Life
- S20: Equipped with a 4000mAh battery. Combined with its power-efficient processor and display optimizations, it generally offers a full day of moderate to heavy use. Fast charging and wireless charging are also supported.
- S9 Plus: Has a 4000mAh battery. While the capacity is the same, the older processor and 60Hz display are less efficient. It can last a full day for lighter users, but heavy usage might require a top-up.
- Winner: s20
5G Connectivity
- S20: Fully embraces 5G technology, offering significantly faster download and upload speeds where available. This future-proofs the device and provides a superior mobile internet experience. It supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave (depending on model).
- S9 Plus: Does not support 5G connectivity. It is limited to 4G LTE networks, which are still widely used but will not offer the same speed benefits as 5G.
- Winner: s20
Software Updates
- S20: Will continue to receive major Android OS updates and security patches for a longer period. Samsung has committed to providing several years of software support for this model, ensuring it stays up-to-date with the latest features and security.
- S9 Plus: Has reached the end of its major software update cycle. While it may receive occasional security patches, it will not get new Android versions. This means it will eventually miss out on new features and app compatibility.
- Winner: s20
Biometric Security
- S20: Features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, which is fast, accurate, and more secure than optical sensors. It also offers facial recognition, though it’s less secure than the fingerprint scanner.
- S9 Plus: Has a rear-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor and iris scanning. The fingerprint sensor is reliable and quick, but the iris scanner can be finicky and is generally slower. The in-display sensor on the s20 offers a more modern and convenient experience.
- Winner: s20
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display | s20 |
| Performance | s20 |
| Camera System | s20 |
| Battery Life | s20 |
| Design | s20 |
| Value for Money | s9 plus |
| Overall | s20 |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both devices boast vibrant AMOLED displays, offering excellent color reproduction and deep blacks for an immersive viewing experience.
- Water Resistance: You can have peace of mind with both the s20 and s9 plus, as they are both IP68 rated, meaning they can withstand submersion in water for a limited time.
- Expandable Storage: For users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps, both phones offer microSD card slots to expand their internal storage capacity.
- Wireless Charging: Convenience is key with both models, as they support wireless charging, allowing you to power up without the hassle of cables.
- Premium Build Quality: Both Samsung flagships are constructed with premium materials, typically featuring glass fronts and backs with metal frames, giving them a solid and luxurious feel in hand.
- Facial Recognition: For quick and easy unlocking, both the s20 and s9 plus offer facial recognition technology, allowing you to access your device with just a glance.
S20 Vs S9 Plus Buying Guide
Performance and Everyday Use
The Samsung Galaxy S20, with its significantly newer processor and increased RAM, offers a substantial leap in performance over the S9 Plus. For demanding tasks like intensive gaming, heavy multitasking, and running complex applications, the S20 will provide a smoother, more responsive experience. While the S9 Plus remains capable for daily use, including social media, browsing, and standard apps, you might notice occasional stutters or longer loading times compared to the S20.
The S20’s advanced chipset also contributes to better power efficiency, meaning you’re likely to get more out of the battery throughout the day, even with heavy usage. If you prioritize speed and a future-proof performance, the S20 is the clear choice. (See Also: Clarity Skin Care Vs Dermalogica )
Camera Capabilities
Photography is a major differentiator. The S20 boasts a significantly upgraded camera system, featuring higher megapixel counts, improved low-light performance, and advanced zoom capabilities (including Space Zoom). Its AI enhancements and larger sensor produce sharper, more detailed images with better dynamic range and color accuracy, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The S9 Plus still takes good photos, but its capabilities are more limited compared to the S20’s cutting-edge technology.
For aspiring mobile photographers or those who frequently capture important moments, the S20’s camera system offers a much more versatile and impressive set of tools. Features like 8K video recording and superior digital zoom on the S20 are not available on the S9 Plus.
Display and Design
Both phones feature stunning AMOLED displays, but the S20 pushes the boundaries further. The S20 offers a higher refresh rate (up to 120Hz), resulting in incredibly smooth scrolling and animations, which is a noticeable upgrade from the S9 Plus’s standard 60Hz display. The S20 also generally has slimmer bezels and a more modern, hole-punch cutout for the front camera, giving it a more immersive screen experience.
While the S9 Plus’s design is still elegant, the S20’s display technology and refined aesthetic make it feel more current. Both phones offer excellent color reproduction and brightness, but the S20’s dynamic refresh rate is a key advantage for visual fluidity. (See Also: Nintendo Switch Vs Nintendo Lite )
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a critical consideration, and the S20 generally outperforms the S9 Plus. The S20 comes with a larger battery capacity and benefits from the more power-efficient processor, leading to longer usage times between charges. Furthermore, the S20 supports faster wired charging speeds and often includes a faster charger in the box compared to what was typically bundled with the S9 Plus.
If you’re constantly on the go or find yourself running out of power before the end of the day with your S9 Plus, the S20 will offer a welcome improvement. The faster charging capabilities also mean less downtime when you need to top up your battery.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy s20 If…
- You prioritize the latest camera technology, including a dedicated ultrawide lens and significantly improved telephoto zoom capabilities.
- You want a smoother, more fluid display experience with a higher refresh rate for gaming and general navigation.
- You need the absolute best performance available for demanding apps and multitasking.
- You desire a more modern design with a punch-hole camera cutout and a more compact form factor for its screen size.
Buy s9 plus If…
- You are looking for a capable flagship device at a more budget-friendly price point, especially on the used market.
- You are content with a very good, but not cutting-edge, camera system and don’t require extreme zoom capabilities.
- You prefer a physical fingerprint sensor located on the back of the device rather than an in-display one.
- You don’t need the absolute latest processor and are satisfied with the performance of a previous-generation flagship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much better is the S20’s camera than the S9 Plus?
The S20’s camera system is a significant upgrade. It features a higher megapixel main sensor, superior optical and digital zoom capabilities (including Space Zoom for extreme magnification), and enhanced low-light performance thanks to a larger sensor and improved image processing. You’ll notice sharper details, better color reproduction, and more versatile shooting options with the S20, especially in challenging photographic situations.
Is the S20’s performance noticeably faster than the S9 Plus?
Yes, the performance difference is substantial. The S20 is powered by a much newer and more powerful processor, coupled with more RAM. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, superior gaming performance with higher frame rates, and an overall more fluid user experience. The S9 Plus is still capable, but it will show its age when pushed with demanding applications. (See Also: Wingstop Tenders Vs Boneless Wings )
Which phone has a better display?
The S20 boasts a superior display. While both use excellent AMOLED technology, the S20 offers a higher refresh rate (up to 120Hz) which makes scrolling, animations, and gaming incredibly smooth and fluid. The S20 also typically features slimmer bezels and a more modern hole-punch cutout for a more immersive viewing experience compared to the S9 Plus’s more traditional design.
How does battery life compare between the S20 and S9 Plus?
The S20 generally offers better battery life. It comes with a larger battery capacity and benefits from a more power-efficient chipset, allowing it to last longer on a single charge, especially with moderate to heavy use. The S9 Plus’s battery, while adequate for its time, tends to drain faster by comparison, particularly when compared to the S20’s more optimized hardware and software.
Is it worth upgrading from an S9 Plus to an S20?
For most users, yes, it is a worthwhile upgrade. The S20 offers significant improvements in camera quality, performance, display technology (especially the refresh rate), and battery life. If you value cutting-edge features, a smoother user experience, and a more capable camera, the transition from an S9 Plus to an S20 will be a noticeable and positive one.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S20 represents a substantial leap forward from the S9 Plus. Its superior camera system, significantly faster performance, smoother 120Hz display, and improved battery life make it the clear winner. While the S9 Plus remains a capable device, the S20 offers a more modern, powerful, and enjoyable smartphone experience across the board.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S20