Samsung Galaxy S20+test: the same effective recipe, but with more ingredients

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ takes up the same formula as its little brother with a few details.Is it enough to make it really more interesting?Answer here in our full test.

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ seems to present itself as the most balanced formula of the trio it composes.When the ultra model is in excess and the classic version lacks a bit of autonomy, we tell ourselves that this Galaxy S20+ can undoubtedly represent the best of both worlds.So we got down to testing it so that we can make things clear.

This test was carried out with a smartphone which was provided to us by Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S20 plus our video test

Samsung Galaxy S20 plus technical sheet

Samsung Galaxy S20 PlusDesign

Everything is the same.Finally ... almost everything.The Samsung Galaxy S20+ takes up the same forms, the same lines, the same aesthetic as its brother the Samsung Galaxy S20.Only two details change this observation.One is important, the other is a little less.

The first difference obviously concerns the dimensions of the device.We are entitled here to a significantly larger smartphone with a height of 161.9 mm.

Regarding the width and thickness, the divergences between the Samsung Galaxy S20+ and its little brother remain really minimal (the S20+ is even very slightly finer) and therefore have no real impact on the comfort of takinghand.In other words, this smartphone is especially longer, but just as easy and pleasant to hold and use every day.We necessarily appreciate, especially since the good feelings of grip on the well rounded borders remain there ... just like the fingerprints on the back unfortunately.

The fact remains that the Galaxy S20+ must be qualified as a large smartphone and it will therefore not be to the taste of aficionados of compact formats.Also pay attention to the significantly more substantial weight: 183 grams against 163 grams for the small version.

The second difference to underline concerns the photo module at the back.This one does not exceed more in relief on the Galaxy S20+ than on the Galaxy S20.However, we face the same wobbly smartphone problem when the product is placed flat on a table.However, we will especially notice that the said module is wider since it houses an additional sensor - it is the TOF sensor for the depth of field.

Thus, the Samsung Galaxy S20+ also sees three of its sensors being aligned on the left vertically, but a fourth comes to be invited opposite, just below the LED flash.

That's it, that's about everything you can say about the Galaxy S20+ compared to the smallest model in the series.Everything else is the same.I will therefore try to summarize this demonstration in the most concise way there is: the Samsung Galaxy S20+ is a large Galaxy S20 with a wider photo module.

Recall that the physical unlocking and volume adjustment buttons are located on the right edge, the hybrid drawer for the two nano sims or the microSD is at the top and the fingerprint reader is hidden in the screen at a fairly positionhigh to be easily reached when you want to wake up the screen.

Speaking of the screen, the hole staying the front photo sensor is still as discreet, well centered at the top, and does not alter the immersion offered by the large slab of the phone.

Finally, you will not find a jack on this model either, but a USB-C port below.Also note that the Galaxy S20+ is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Screen

What to say about the screen if it is not, once again and without surprise, that he excels in the matter.Of the amoled, a long diagonal of 6.7 inch and a 120 Hz mode are the main elements to remember from this slab of the Galaxy S20+, whose definition can go up to the QHD+.However, we advise you to stay in full HD+ which is perfectly suited to everyday life.The superior definition is mainly used for virtual reality experiences thanks to its best resolution.

Indeed, the QHD+ mode offers a resolution of 524 pixels per inch against 393 ppi for the Full HD+.This last value remains largely sufficient not to distinguish pixels with the naked eye on conventional use.This is why we recommend it, if only to better preserve the battery.

Let us also return to the cooling rate at 120 Hz.We have already said it on our tests of the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Ultra: this option is extremely pleasant to use.By displaying 120 images per second, the smartphone offers you maximum fluidity on all the movements you can make on the screen.In comparison, the 60 Hz mode is almost sad - but it also consumes less energy.

As usual, we will recommend that you take a look in the screen settings of the smartphone and opt for lively mode - capable of displaying a wider color palette - while adjusting it to a temperature a notch morehot than average to avoid too bluish colors.With this configuration, our probe and the Calman software records a coverage of the DCI-P3 colorimetric space of 142 %.However, you should know that the DCI-P3 is really wide and a coverage at more than 100 % proves the plurality of the tones that this screen can offer.The SRGB - smaller - is covered up to 212 %.We are wide.

Beyond that, we will also salute the very high maximum brightness of up to 701 cd/m²: even the most intense sun will not be able to hinder the readability of what is displayed on the smartphone.Finally, we take advantage of a temperature of 6275 k which is pleasantly approaches the desired ideal of 6,500 k.

In return, the delta e on the DCI-P3 is quite high with a measure at 6.1.It is quite far from index 3 that we would tend to aim for a white more faithful to reality.The DCI-P3 offering bright colors, it is not a very worrying result either.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus software: One Ui

We are not going once again to pour out on the intensity of our love for the Samsung interface.One UI 2 based on Android 10 is a pleasure to use by its simple and intuitive appearance.The whole is also sprinkled with several welcome customizations.

Let's put forward the main points to remember, pell-mell: an interface adapted to large smartphones so as not to have to reach out to reach the top of the screen, a dark mode, two navigation systems by available gestures, a modeconcentration or a native screen recorder.We will also recall the presence of the Quick Share function, very practical for sharing files with ease, but available only on the latest high -end Samsung smartphones for the moment.

For DRM management, do not make a bile, like the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Galaxy S20+ can take advantage of HD quality on SVOD platforms like Netflix or Disney+ thanks to the Widevine L1 safety level.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plusaudio

As on the other two models of this generation, Samsung has done a very good job on the stereo of the speakers which offers excellent spatialization of sound and a lot of power.The Galaxy S20+ can however spike on the treble when the volume is thoroughly, but it is never crippling.In addition, you will take advantage of a nice range of options to personalize the quality of listening to headphones or headphones.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Photo

For a complete review of the performance of the Galaxy S20+, we invite you to read the part dedicated to this criterion in our Galaxy S20 test.The Galaxy S20+ enjoys the same photo module to which it simply adds a TOF sensor to refine the portrait mode.

We are therefore entitled to the following configuration:

Nice global quality

Overall, the Galaxy S20+ offers the same good image quality as the Galaxy S20 with shots that display saturated tones while enjoying a good level of details, even at night.

Besides, the night mode is here as effective as we can see in the comparison of the two images below.

The Ultra Grand Angle offers a nice added value to capture more elements in the scene and it also has the good taste of being quite harmonious with the main sensor, but is more difficult in low light.

Regarding 64 megapixel mode, it allows us to enjoy a much more detailed image, but it is above all relevant in the right light conditions.

Depending on situations, it can indeed show limits on the scenes where the contrast is important.The development on relatively close objects (not that much either) encounters some difficulties at times.

You will find some images in 64 megapixels taken with the Galaxy S20+ by clicking here.The same scenes captured with the main camera can be viewed below.

The zoom functions of the Galaxy S20+ are managed by this same 64 megapixel sensor, but the smartphone comes to cut in the basic image to offer magnification levels.We therefore necessarily lose in quality fairly quickly.In X3, the photo quality remains very correct, but limits are felt from the X10 while the magnification x30 will mainly serve as a gadget.

Finally, note that you can film up to 8K, or 4K at 60 images per seconds.This last mode is also available on the 10 -megapixel front photo sensor.

Portrait mode

We said it, the little extra of the Galaxy S20+ in photo, is its tof sensor for portrait mode.

However, you should know that the portrait mode of the classic galaxy s20 is already very good even without this component.On paper, the Galaxy S20+ therefore assures you just to make fewer errors overall, but in fact, we just go from "very well" to "a little more very well".

We are not going to sulk this improvement - the portrait mode is really very good -, but we are not going to talk to it either.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plusperformances

With its exynos 990, the Samsung Galaxy S20+ offers fully performance at its two brothers.It is a really very powerful smartphone capable of facing all the most difficult tasks without slowing down.It's always fluid, always pleasant.A game of Call of Duty Mobile with all the graphics pushed to their climax will not pose any problem to this smartphone.He delights.

For a little context, we will repeat (as on our two other tests) that competing smartphones equipped with a Snapdragon 865 will most certainly come to beat this Galaxy S20+ and its range in terms of pure power.The product of Samsung is nonetheless impressive in this sector, especially since this difference should not disturb you in everyday life.

Good to know: Fortnite runs without any problem on this Galaxy S20+, but when it comes to publishing this test, we have still not had access to graphics going beyond the low level or to 60 fps.In this regard, a prevention message indicates that the device is not yet officially compatible with the game which suggests that this problem should quickly be resolved.At least we hope.

The smartphone can heat a little bit, but dissipation, without being excellent, quite well fills its office and the Galaxy S20+ never burns your fingers.The model we tested has 12 GB of RAM as well as a 128 GB storage space.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Battery

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ has a 4500 mAh battery.On paper, it's a nice ability.In addition, the smartphone is a little better than the Galaxy S20, a little disappointing in this field.Alas, the difference is not incredible either.

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ ultimately suffers from the same problem as his brothers: he runs out fairly quickly as soon as we launch several applications in a row by turning them more or less at the same time.By using it with the screen set to 120 Hz mode, but by deactivating 5G in network options, the smartphone manages Cahin-Caha to hold until the end of the day with a little more than 5 hours ofscreen.It’s not necessarily disturbing, but it’s never really reassuring either.

Note that my uses remained relatively classic, even if sometimes a little advanced: viewing of videos on YouTube, Web navigation on Google Chrome, session of 10 to 15 minutes of Call of Duty Mobile, sending several messages to Messenger, Whatsapp and bySMS or even prolonged listening of songs on play music.

The battery icon at the top right unfortunately tends to go red a little too quickly under these conditions.Passing the slab to 60 Hz allows you to extend endurance a little, but that does not necessarily manage to make this slight taste of frustration disappear.Shame.

The day before is well managed and the smartphone loses little battery when it is not requested.Also, I really insist on the impact of the opening of several applications following, because during the periods when I was satisfied with a few videos on Youtube and a little time spent on Twitter, the Galaxy S20+held the bar better.

This phone is therefore clearly not a champion of autonomy, but by knowing its weaknesses - and sometimes being satisfied with the default 60 Hz mode -, we can enjoy a little more than a day on battery.A two -day endurance remains an almost impossible mission unfortunately.On our personalized target Test test protocol (launched in Full HD+, 120 Hz, 5G deactivated), the Galaxy S20+ held 9 hours and 40 minutes, which is not a very good result, but which especially proves that the multiplication oftasks to be performed is the main enemy of the device.

Once again, we will regret the lack of optimizations in this field on the exynos 990 which equips European models when the Snapdragon 865 of the American versions seems to provide them with much better endurance.Fortunately, the fast load is rather effective with the 25 W block delivered in the smartphone box.An hour and ten minutes are enough to go from 0 to 100 % battery.The Galaxy S20+ is also compatible with the wireless load and also offers the reverse charging functionality to revitalize your headphones or your connected watch.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Network and Communication

You will not meet any concern to intelligably hear your interlocutors during the calls made with the Galaxy S20+.The reciprocal is just as true.The geolocation works very well and the 4G network of Orange has never posed a problem for capturing in the Paris region.The phone is compatible with all French 4G frequency bands.

The Galaxy S20+ that we have tested is also compatible with the 5G network, including with millimeter waves that will not arrive until later.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ is sold at the recommended price of 1009 euros in its 4G version (with GO of RAM).You have to go up to 1109 euros for the 5G version (with 12 GB of RAM).