Galaxy S20 FE Vs iPhone XR

Galaxy S20 FE
Galaxy S20 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:162.00

Versus €779.00 new

See options
iPhone XR
iPhone XR
Starting at

Refurbished price:126.00

Versus €439.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, released in October 2020, and the Apple iPhone XR, launched in October 2018, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality from their respective manufacturers. While the Galaxy S20 FE operates on the Android platform, offering a customizable experience, the iPhone XR runs on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem. Key differentiators between these two devices include their display technology, camera systems, and overall software longevity.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is often influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical build.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S20 FE was released in October 2020, making it two years newer than the iPhone XR, which launched in October 2018. This difference in age typically translates to a longer period of software updates and security patches for the S20 FE.
  • OS Support: The Galaxy S20 FE, running Android, generally receives major OS updates for a few years post-release, with security updates extending further. The iPhone XR, on the other hand, benefits from Apple's reputation for extended iOS support, often receiving updates for five to six years from its launch.
  • Durability Features: Both devices offer a degree of water and dust resistance, with the Galaxy S20 FE rated IP68 and the iPhone XR rated IP67. The S20 FE features a plastic back, which can be more resilient to drops than glass, while the iPhone XR has a glass back and an aluminum frame.

Year of Release

2020

2018

Compatible with latest Update

No

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use is shaped by the internal components, affecting everything from app loading to multitasking capabilities.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S20 FE is equipped with a more recent-generation processor, allowing it to handle demanding applications and multitasking with notable fluidity. The iPhone XR, while featuring an older but still capable processor, provides a smooth experience for everyday tasks and many current applications.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With generally higher RAM configurations, the Galaxy S20 FE offers more headroom for keeping multiple applications open simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The iPhone XR, with its optimized iOS, manages its resources efficiently, providing consistent responsiveness for its available RAM.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S20 FE houses a larger battery capacity, which typically translates to extended usage times for many users, often lasting through a full day. The iPhone XR's battery, while smaller, is known for its efficient power management within the iOS ecosystem, providing reliable daily performance for many users.

Memory

8 GB

3 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a primary interaction point, and both devices offer distinct display technologies.

  • Display Technology: The Galaxy S20 FE features a Super AMOLED display, known for its deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant color reproduction. The iPhone XR utilizes an LCD panel, which Apple refers to as a Liquid Retina display, offering accurate colors and good viewing angles.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The S20 FE provides a higher resolution display, resulting in sharper text and more detailed images. The iPhone XR's display has a lower resolution, but its pixel density is still sufficient for clear viewing at typical distances.
  • Refresh Rate: A significant difference is the refresh rate; the Galaxy S20 FE offers a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience. The iPhone XR has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Brightness: Both displays offer good brightness levels for indoor use, with the S20 FE generally providing higher peak brightness for better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.

Resolution

1080 x 2400

828 x 1792

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Liquid Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a key consideration for many users, and these devices offer different photographic strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S20 FE features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a main wide-angle lens, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens with optical zoom, offering flexibility for various shooting scenarios. The iPhone XR has a single 12-megapixel wide-angle rear camera, which is highly capable for general photography.
  • Photography Performance: The S20 FE's multiple lenses allow for diverse shots, from expansive landscapes to zoomed-in subjects, with good detail in well-lit conditions. The iPhone XR's single camera excels in producing natural-looking photos with good color accuracy and dynamic range, particularly in everyday lighting.
  • Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video, with the S20 FE offering various frame rate options and the iPhone XR providing stable video capture.
  • Front Camera: The Galaxy S20 FE includes a higher-megapixel front camera, suitable for detailed selfies and video calls. The iPhone XR features a 7-megapixel front camera that supports Portrait mode and Face ID.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience.

  • Connectivity: The Galaxy S20 FE supports 5G connectivity (in most variants), offering faster mobile data speeds where available, alongside modern Wi-Fi standards. The iPhone XR supports 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 5.
  • Ports and Biometrics: The S20 FE uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and offers both face recognition and an in-display fingerprint sensor for security. The iPhone XR uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port and relies solely on Face ID for biometric authentication.
  • Storage Expansion: A notable difference is the Galaxy S20 FE's support for expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing users to increase their storage capacity. The iPhone XR does not offer expandable storage.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S20 FE has a slightly larger display and a plastic back, contributing to a lighter feel for its size. The iPhone XR features a glass and aluminum design, providing a solid in-hand feel.

Weight

190 g

194 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.1

Network

4G

4G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The choice between the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the iPhone XR largely depends on individual priorities and ecosystem preference. Users often praise the Galaxy S20 FE for its vibrant, high-refresh-rate display, versatile camera system, and the flexibility of the Android operating system with expandable storage. Some common criticisms might revolve around its plastic build compared to more premium flagships of its time. The iPhone XR is frequently lauded for its consistent performance, the intuitive iOS experience, and Apple's long-term software support. Its single camera, while capable, is sometimes noted as a limitation for those seeking more photographic versatility.

Users prioritizing a modern display with a high refresh rate, a multi-lens camera system, and the customizability of Android, along with expandable storage, may find the Galaxy S20 FE well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value the streamlined iOS ecosystem, consistent performance, and extended software longevity, even with a simpler camera setup and LCD display, might lean towards the iPhone XR. Both devices offer reliable performance for daily use, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be a sustainable choice for consumers.

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