Samsung makes it official: Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Z Flip, and Galaxy Buds+

Henry Man

The Samsung onslaught.

After a laundry list of leaks, Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra, alongside the novel Galaxy Z Flip folding phone and refined Galaxy Buds+ wireless earbuds at its San Francisco Unpacked event.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Line-Up

Marking a new decade and “generation” with its new moniker, the three-pong Galaxy S20 range consists of the S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra.

All phones feature a 120Hz high refresh Dynamic AMOLED screen (variable at 60Hz or 120Hz) with a small Infinity-O centre punch hole selfie camera — but only at Full HD+ resolution and is not set by default. Surprisingly, out of the box, S20’s will be set at 60Hz Quad-HD+ resolution with the option to change it in the settings.

The curve on the edges are also less pronounced on all models for better ergonomics and support HDR10+.

The line-up will all be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or Samsung Exynos 990 processor depending on market with storage ranging at 128GB, 256GB or 512GB and LPDDR5 RAM at 8GB, 12GB or 16GB.

All models can be expanded with a microSD card slot up to 1TB. Users will able to pin specific apps to be always stored in the phone’s RAM so it is always ready in the background — three apps for 12GB RAM and five apps for the top 16GB RAM S20 Ultra.

Camera-wise, the S20 and S20+ contain the same lenses (with one difference), while the S20 Ultra contains a completely different camera array. All can record video at up to 8K resolution using the telephoto camera. See below for the key specification differences.

Nonetheless, Samsung’s tweaked One UI 2.0 is overlaid on top of Android 10 with support for its Live Caption feature, a function where the device can act as a transmission hub for connecting Bluetooth devices, an Apple AirDrop-rivalling “Quick Share” feature, built in Google Duo in the call app (with exclusive Full HD video), improved Bright Night camera processing, and QuickTake in the camera app which essentially captures a shot using multiple lenses and functions like taking a portrait mode photo and showcases all for user selection.

The S20 range take advantage of USB type-C fast wired charging (with differences; see below), fast Qi wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare which lets you charge other devices. An improved, faster ultrasonic under-the-display fingerprint scanner is here, too.

Ditto the Galaxy Note 10, the 3.5mm headphone jack has been ditched, but NFC and MST for mobile payments remain, with stereo speakers, IP68 water and dust resistance, a power button that doubles as a Bixby shortcut, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

AKG earphones, a clear case and screen protector are included in the box.

In the United States, 5G is standard across the board — S20 only supporting the slower Sub-6 wave with the S20+ and S20 Ultra supporting both Sub-6 and the superior mmWave as well. However, most other markets will have 4G/LTE and 5G options on most models.

Most markets are also offering the Galaxy Buds+ true wireless earphones (see below for details) as a bonus with every Galaxy S20+ and S20 Ultra pre-order. The S20 family launches on March 6.

Key Specification Differences

Galaxy S20:

  • 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (563 ppi)
  • 4000mAh battery
  • 25W wired fast charging
  • LTE standard in most markets; Sub6 wave only on optional 5G models
  • 8GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage (LTE model) or 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage (5G model) depending on market
  • Dimensions: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm
  • Weight: 163g
  • Colours: Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink
  • Cameras:
  • Front: 10MP with 80 degree field of view (FOV), Dual Pixel auto focus, 1.22μm pixel size and f/2.2 aperture
  • Standard wide-angle: 12MP with fixed f/1.8 aperture, 1.8μm pixels, Super Speed Dual Pixel auto focus (AF) and optical image stabilisation (OIS)
  • Ultra-wide: 12MP with 120 degree FOV, 1.4μm pixel and f/2.2 aperture Telephoto: 64MP with 76 degree FOV, 0.8μm pixels and f/2.0 aperture
  • Space Zoom: Hybrid Optic Zoom 3x and up to 30x digital
  • Video recording: Super steady AI, 8K video recording at 24 fps using telephoto camera only (33MP still photos can be captured), up to 4K UHD video recording at 60 fps,
  • Super Slow-mo 720p video support at 960 fps, and up to 12x digital video zoom
  • Pricing: from $1349AUD RRP

In addition, the Galaxy S20+ adds:

  • 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (525 ppi)
  • 4500mAh battery
  • LTE standard in most markets; Sub6 and mmWave 5G optional
  • 8GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage (LTE model); 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB internal storage (5G model) depending on market
  • Camera: Added DepthVision time of flight camera sensor for AR applications
  • Dimensions: 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8mm Weight: 186g (5G mmWave version is 188g)
  • Colours: Cosmic Black, Cosmic Grey and Cloud Blue
  • Pricing: from $1499AUD RRP

In addition, the Galaxy S20 Ultra adds:

  • 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (511ppi)
  • 5000mAh battery
  • 45W wired fast charging support (25W brick bundled, though)
  • Sub6 and mmWave 5G standard in most markets
  • 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB or 256GB internal storage; 16GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 512GB internal storage (both 5G models)
  • Dimensions: 166.9 x 76.0 x 8.8mm
  • Weight: 220g (5G mmWave version is 222g)
  • Colours: Cosmic Black and Cosmic Gray
  • Cameras:
  • Front: 40MP with pixel binning to 10MP, 80 degree FOV, 0.7μm (10MP 1.4μm) and f/2.2 aperture Standard wide-angle: 108MP with pixel binning to 12MP, 0.8μm (12MP 2.4μm), fixed f/1.8 aperture, and OIS
  • Ultra-wide: 12MP with 120 degree FOV, 1.4μm and f/2.2 aperture
  • Telephoto: 48MP with pixel binning to 12MP, 24 degree FOV, 0.8μm (12MP 1.6μm) and f/3.5 aperture
  • Space Zoom: Hybrid Optic Zoom 10x using folded lens and up to 100x digital
  • Video recording: 8K video recording at 24 fps using standard wide-angle only
  • Pricing: from $1999AUD RRP

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Furthermore, the Korean giant confirmed its rival to the Motorola Razr with the Galaxy Z Flip.

Unlike other folding phones, including its own Galaxy Fold, the Z Flip includes flagship-level specifications including a 12MP standard wide-angle and ultra-wide camera with 10MP selfie lens, Snapdragon 855+ processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, fast wired and wireless charging, and Android 10.

Importantly, when unfolded, the clamshell device features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED Display (21.9:9 ratio) with the Infinity-O hole punch, meaning minimal bezels. A first, the screen is flexible glass, not plastic.

When closed, a tiny pill-shaped 1.1-inch AMOLED cover display shows the time, interactive notifications, and even act as a viewfinder for the main camera array.

The hinge is also more resistant; built in fibres prevent dust from entering the device. It is so stiff that detents allow the Z Flip to be opened at any angle — much like a laptop — to enable split-screen functionality in supported apps like watching YouTube on the top and scrolling through comments at the bottom or segment camera controls, placing the viewfinder at the top.

There is no 5G connectivity, yet, but it is powered by a modest dual 3300mAh battery and even includes a protective case in the box. Other cases can also be purchased.

The Galaxy Z Flip is unconfirmed for Australia, though it will lob in the States and South Korea from February 14 (Valentines Day) for $1380USD (around $2100AUD converted) with three colours — Mirror Purple, Mirror Black and Mirror Gold in select markets.

Samsung Galaxy Buds+

A small iterative update, the Galaxy Buds+ improves on its predecessor’s weaknesses, but lacks active noise cancelling.

The tech conglomerate has doubled its AKG-tuned speakers with a 2-way tweeter (high notes) and woofer (deeper bass) so audio quality should be improved, and now has three microphones — two outer and one inner — to improve call quality.

Battery life gets a boost, too, thanks to larger cells in both the earbuds and Qi wireless charging case. The buds now has a 85mAh battery (up from 58mAh) and the charging case is 270mAh (up from 252mAh).

Samsung claims an up to 11 hour battery life on each earbud (up from six hours) and additional 22 hours on the charging case (up from seven hours). Charging the buds is also faster, claiming a three minute charge can last the Buds+ for around one hour play time.

Though, both the buds do weigh more — 6.3 grams (up from 5.6g). The charging case is unchanged at 39.6 grams.

There is Spotify integration which summons a recommended playlist with a touch and hold of the buds’ gesture touchpad, an improved ambient sound feature which lets external noise in even though it only has passive noise isolation, a gaming mode that reduces latency, and volume control by double tapping the earbud edge while retaining the basic touchpad gestures.

IPX2 sweat and water resistance remain, as well as USB-C charging, Bluetooth 5.0 and the fundamental shape of the buds hasn’t changed with a variety of wingtips also included in the box.

Thankfully, the Buds+ now supports multi-device pairing and the company has also released an app for iOS users to customise features, toggle ambient sound and update firmware. Though, it is questionable why its predecessor is not also supported. Both Android and iOS apps will also show the individual battery percentage of each earbud and charging case.

When it lands on February 14, the Galaxy Buds+ will cost $299AUD ($50AUD pricier than the previous Galaxy Buds) in White, Black, Blue and Red hues with a glossy texture on the case. The latter colour will be in select markets.

Thom Browne Editions

The firm also partnered with New York-based fashion company, Thom Browne, to release limited edition Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Watch Active 2 and Galaxy Buds+.

All are styled with Thom Browne’s signature brand colour pattern across the folding phone’s clamshell, leather watch strap, and on the earbuds’ touchpad and charging case.

Notably, the Z Flip has its own software themed with references to the company, including a blind animation when turning on and off the screen, representative app icons and text, nostalgic sound effects and more.

Of course, stock is limited and will be available in select markets on Samsung, Thom Browne, NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER websites. Pre-orders begin on February 14 with a launch slated in March.