Galaxy S20 vs. S20 Ultra vs. S20 Plus: Who should buy which Samsung phone

As the tech world buzzes about Samsung's newest devices -- the Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Fold 2 and Galaxy S20 FE -- now might be a great time to revisit the lineup Samsung announced at their first Samsung Unpacked event of 2020, back in February. A lot has changed since the unveiling of the Galaxy S20 line. As the coronavirus pandemic grew, smartphone shipments around the world plunged 38% in February. The timing is admittedly odd. Shopping for a new phone like the Samsung S20 Ultra, S20 Plus or standard Galaxy S20 in the midst of a global public health crisis may not seem like your first instinct or inclination. But the S20 Ultra is already on sale from its original launch price, and if more price cuts are on the horizon as Samsung shifts focus to the Note 20 and Fold 2, the price could be right for one of its flagship phones from earlier this year.

Read more: Here's how the new Galaxy S20 FE compares to the rest of the S20 line

Keep an eye out for discounts and bundles, and in the meantime, find out which Galaxy S20 is best for you. We start with the main differences among the models, each phone's biggest benefits and which one excels at the most important categories. Scroll to the end to compare specs.

Read more: This year should have been huge for phones. Now Samsung and others face a crossroads

Watch this: Galaxy S20 vs. S20 Plus: Which Samsung phone to buy

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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.)

But there are some notable differences between them in specs, performance and maneuverability that affect how they fare in day to day use.

Here are some main differences:

• Galaxy S20 Ultra: 6.9-inch screen, heavy and bulky, most camera features, fastest 5G
• Galaxy S20 Plus: 6.7-inch screen, slightly scaled back camera, fastest 5G
• Galaxy S20: 6.2-inch screen, same camera as Plus, slower 5G except for Verizon

See the Galaxy S20's best tips and tricks

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Buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra if…

• You love an enormous screen
• Price is not a consideration
• You enjoy every camera whistle and bell

Buy the Galaxy S20 Plus if…

• You like a large screen
• Want to access the fastest form of 5G
• Seek long battery life

Buy the Galaxy S20 if…

• You prefer a smaller phone
• Fastest 5G speeds aren't a priority
• Value for money is an important consideration

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 (at launch, the price started 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.

Watch this: Comparing the iPhone 11 Pro Max camera to the Galaxy S20 Ultra

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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.

Galaxy S20 shines in bright, pastel colors

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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.