Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphones: specs, videos, first reviews, UK price and release date

In its battle against Apple and the iPhone, Samsung has launched its next-generation Galaxy S20 smartphone series and Galaxy Z Flip device.

There will be three models in the Android-powered S20 series - the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra - and all will come equipped with 5G technology.

Cameras are also a major feature on the S20 series. According to the technology giant the camera set up is “game-changing”.

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Here we take a look at the Galaxy S20 range and the Galaxy Z Flip.

Models and sizes

The Galaxy S20 is available in a choice of three models: the 6.2-inch Galaxy S20, the 6.7-inch Galaxy S20+, and the 6.9-inch Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Release date and UK price

The Galaxy S20 range will go on sale in the UK on 13 March. Prices for the S20 start at £799 for 4G, or £899 for the 5G version. The S20+ price starts from £999 and S20 Ultra starts from £1,199 for 128GB and up to £1,399 for 512GB. For a limited time only customers who pre-order can claim a pair of new Galaxy Buds+ worth £159.

Available colours

• Galaxy S20: cosmic grey, cloud blue, cloud pink
• Galaxy S20+: cosmic grey, cloud blue, cosmic black
• Galaxy S20 Ultra: cosmic grey, cosmic black

Cameras

There are three on the S20 and four on the S20+ and S20 Ultra.

Galaxy S20

• Front camera: 10MP, Dual Pixel AF, F2.2 (80˚)
• Rear camera: triple camera ultra wide: 12MP, F2.2 (120˚); wide-angle: 12MP, F1.8 (79˚); Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, OIS Telephoto: 64MP, PDAF F2.0 (76˚), OIS

Galaxy S20+

• Front camera: 10MP, Dual Pixel AF, F2.2 (80˚)
• Rear camera: quad camera ultra wide; 12MP, F2.2 (120˚); wide-angle: 12MP, F1.8 (79˚); Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, OIS; Telephoto: 64MP, PDAF, F2.0(76˚), OIS; DepthVision Camera

Galaxy S20 Ultra

• Front camera: 40MP, PDAF, F2.2 (80˚)
• Rear camera: quad camera ultra wide; 12MP, F2.2 (120˚); wide-angle: 108MP, F1.8 (79˚); PDAF, OISTelephoto: 48MP, PDAF, F3.5(24˚), OIS; DepthVision Camera

Galaxy S20: first reviews

Matt Swider, TechRadar

“The Samsung Galaxy S20 is going to be the first 5G phone for a lot of people, and it comes with a 64MP camera and 3x optical and 30x digital zoom to boot. It’s a leap ahead of the S10, but it also carries a price hike and is outclassed by two bigger phones: the Galaxy S20 Plus and S20 Ultra.

“The Galaxy S20 has a lot of things going for it: a sizable screen with a fast refresh rate, a new triple-lens camera with a lot of promise, and solid specs headlined by faster 5G speeds. But it may fall into the trap of being neither affordable nor the best of the new Galaxies.

“Its price hike will be a turn-off for some, while others with a substantial budget will look to the S20 Plus and Ultra for their fast 5G peak speeds and, in the case of the Ultra, a much better camera.”

Sophie Charara, Wired

“Looking at the underwhelming tech, price hikes and geopolitical tangles elsewhere in the smartphone world, there’s a strong chance that one of the Galaxy S20s will soon be the Android phone we recommend for most people. We’re just not hugely thrilled by them.

“There might not be any surprises but these new flagship Samsungs are likely to offer the best combination of specs, design and features you can get on Android, whether or not you’re ready to buy a 5G phone.”

Dominic Preston, Tech Advisor

“For my money, it’s the regular S20 that would, well, get my money. The S20 is by no means a cheap phone - it’s still a Samsung flagship, after all - but when the full set launches on 13 March this is clearly where you get the most bang for your buck.”

Galaxy S20 series specifications

Galaxy S20

• Price: £799 for 4G; £899 for 5G
• Display: 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Dimensions: 151.7mm x 69.1mm x 7.9mm
• Weight: 163g
• OS: Android 10
• Memory: 5G: 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage; LTE: 8GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage

Galaxy S20+

• Price: £999 for 5G/128GB
• Display: 6.7-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Dimensions: 161.9mm x 73.7mm x 7.8mm
• Weight: 186g
• OS: Android 10
• Memory: 5G: 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 512GB internal storage; 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 256GB internal storage; 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage
• LTE: 8GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage

Galaxy S20 Ultra

• Price: £1,199 for 5G/128GB; £1,399 for 5G/512GB
• Display: 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Dimensions: 166.9mm x 76.0mm x 8.8mm
• Weight: 220g
• OS: Android 10
• Memory: 5G/LTE: 16GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 512GB internal storage; 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 256GB internal storage; 12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 128GB internal storage

About the Galaxy Z Flip

Samsung has also unveiled its second foldable device, the Galaxy Z Flip.

The first model in the Z series, the Galaxy Z Flip smartphone features a 6.7-inch display and folds into a “stylish and compact form factor” and fits in the palm of your hand.

Price and release date

TechRadar reports that the foldable phone will have a launch price of £1,300 and will be available in the UK on 14 February.

Colours

The Galaxy Z Flip will be available in limited quantities in mirror purple and mirror black in select markets, followed by mirror gold in select countries.

Galaxy Z Flip specifications

• OS: Android 10
• Sim: one eSIM and one Nano SIM
• Front camera: 10MP selfie camera
• Rear dual camera: 12MP ultra wide camera / 12MP wide-angle camera
• Memory: 8GB RAM with 256GB internal storage
• Video playback format: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBMTV connection
• In the box: Galaxy Z Flip, data cable, travel adapter, ejection pin, USB connector (OTG), quick start guide, clear cover, earphones (USB Type-C) with sound by AKG