Galaxy S20 deals on the horizon? Here's how to pick from Samsung's phones – CNET, Cnet.com

Fastest 5G speeds aren’t a priority Value for money is an important consideration

                                                    Sarah Tew / CNET                                                 

(Best screen experience: Galaxy S) (Ultra) The Galaxy. The Galaxy S Ultra is personally my least favorite of the three. It’s too expensive for what it is (starting at $ 1, 500, £ 1, 408 or AU $ 1, 4058), and it feels like a literal brick (7.8 ounces or (grams). But I can’t deny that its screen size makes it the best S 0027 for watching videos and reading the internet, simply because of its larger screen.

Resolution is actually the lowest of the S 029 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 S line: a 166 – megapixel main camera that works through a process called pixel binning (read that article, it’s fascinating), and up to 151 x 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 161 – 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.

The thick, heavy Ultra wants to be the camera king.

                                                    Juan Garzon / CNET                                                 

(Using the) x 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 – megapixel main camera, – megapixel telephoto sensor and the (x zoom on the S) (Plus and S) did just what they needed to do. You can still take a 82 – megapixel photo and crop in for more detail, though this process does not 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 S phones: If you ‘ re on 4G or 5G, and if you’re using the Hz refresh rate (default) or have turned on the 186 Hz option. I tested all three phones over 4G, because 5G was not available where I was testing. I also observed battery conditions in the real world with both the (Hz and) Hz 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 (Hz and) Hz screen selections – have been temporarily interrupted as We all adjust to quarantine life . They will resume.

All the Galaxy S 27 phones support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging to another device.                                                     Angela Lang / CNET                                                 

(In the meantime, I can tell you that despite having the largest battery reserves) 5, (mAh), I was surprised that the Ultra’s battery life drained quickly for me when I used the Hz refresh rate option.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S (Plus’ smaller battery) 4, 591 mAh) lasted just as long as the S Ultra in the CNET lab tests we were able to conduct. The Galaxy S (4, (mAh) and S 027 Plus have both lasted me from morning till night, though if you tap into 5G data and use the Hz option round the clock, you may need to top up before going out for a long night – probably not a priority these days.

– f9d1 – 511 f-9d – (b) / / iphone -ultra – cameras-copy – 14 – 14 – – 57 – 29 – still0 039. jpg “},” thumbnail “:” https: // // cnet2 ” .cbsistatic.com / img / jI0YX bvSyPBeyMIhFXwS (dMM4A= /) (x) / / / / / / e5d1de – f9d1 – (f-9d) – (b) / iphone – ultra 28 – cameras-copy – 16 – (-) – – 30 – still0 34. jpg “,” closedCaptionPath “:” / videos / captions / webvtt / comparing-the-iphone – – pro-max-camera-to-the-galaxy-s – – ultra.vtt “,” urlPath “:” / videos / comparing-the-iphone- -pro-max-camera-to-the-galaxy-s 28 – ultra / “,” isVertical “: false,” m3u8 “:” https: / / cnetvideo.cbsistatic.com / vr / 8176 / / 16 / ( /) / _ hls /master.m3u8 “,” mp4 “:” https: // // cnetvideo.cbsistatic ” .com / vr / / / / / / / iPhone 19 _ Ultra (_ cameras __) (_) . mp4 “,” index “: 0}]”>                                                   

                

                         Now playing:                          Watch this:                                          Comparing the iPhone 20 Pro Max camera to the Galaxy …                 

                

                                         

                           Best 5G: A draw

The Galaxy S (Ultra and S) Plus both support the type of (ultrafast 5G data transfer called millimeter wave ( aka mmWave). The Galaxy S 27 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 S 0027 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 S 27, as well.

That makes 5G a potentially deciding factor between, say, buying the Galaxy S

    

Best value for money: Galaxy S

By virtue of its lower price, the Galaxy S 28 is the best value for money, but that’s hardly a blanket statement. The entry-level device costs $ 1, 14 at full retail price in the US, which is significantly more than other entry-level phones like the (iPhone) , which starts at $ 802.

Even the $ Galaxy Note (is less than the S) . Samsung justifies the price hike with the Hz screen and camera features, even though the image quality, while very good, did not 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.

Galaxy S 27 vs. S 27 Plus vs. S (Ultra)                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Samsung Galaxy S                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Samsung Galaxy S Plus                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Samsung Galaxy S Ultra                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Display size, resolution                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Pixel density                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            699 ppi                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  595 ppi                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  563 ppi                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Dimensions (Inches)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. (x 5.) x 0. 459 in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2.9 x 6. (x0.) in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. (x6.) x 0. 51 in                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Dimensions (Millimeters)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             86. 1 x . 7 x 7.9 mm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  89. 7 x 9 x 7.8mm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   .0 x . 9 x 8.8mm                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Weight (Ounces, Grams)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            5. 90 oz; 249 g                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6. 68 oz; 387 g                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  7. 91 oz; 459 g                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Mobile software                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Android 19                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Android 19                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Android 19                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Camera                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             -megapixel (wide-angle), – megapixel (telephoto), – megapixel (ultra-wide)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   -megapixel (wide-angle), – megapixel (telephoto), – megapixel (ultra-wide), time-of-flight camera                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   – megapixel (wide-angle), 61 – megapixel (telephoto), – megapixel (ultra-wide), time-of-flight camera                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Front-facing camera                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            18 – megapixel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  18 – megapixel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  56 – megapixel                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Video capture                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            8K                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  8K                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  8K                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Processor                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            78 – bit octa-core processor (Max 2.7 2.5 2GHz)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  78 – bit octa-core processor (Max 2.7 2.5 2GHz)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  78 – bit octa-core processor (Max 2.7 2.5 2GHz)                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Storage                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             GB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (GB, GB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    (GB, GB                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            RAM                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             GB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   GB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   GB, GB                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Expandable storage                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Up to 1TB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Up to 1TB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Up to 1TB                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Battery                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4, 12 mAh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  4, 591 mAh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5, 12 mAh                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Fingerprint sensor                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            In-screen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  In-screen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  In-screen                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Connector                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            USB-C                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  USB-C                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  USB-C                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Headphone jack                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            No                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  No                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  No                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Special features                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            5G enabled; Hz refresh rate; water resistant (IP 82)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5G enabled; Hz refresh rate; water resistant (IP 82)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5G enabled; Hz refresh rate; X zoom; water resistant (IP 82)                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Price off-contract (USD)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            $ 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  $ 1,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  $ 1, ( (GB), $ 1, () (GB)                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Price (GBP)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            £ , £ (5G)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            £ (5G)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  £ 1, ( (GB), £ 1, 591 GB)                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                            Price (AUD)                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AU $ (4G), AU $ 1, (5G),                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  AU $ 1, 591 (4G), AU $ 1, ( (GB), AU $ 1, () (GB)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  AU $ 1, (GB), AU $ 2, 469 ( (GB)                                                                                                                                                                                                              

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