Galaxy S20+ 5G Vs iPhone SE (2020)

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G, released in early 2020, and the Apple iPhone SE (2020), launched shortly after in April 2020, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality from their respective manufacturers. While the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G offered a premium, large-screen Android experience with advanced camera capabilities, the iPhone SE (2020) provided a compact iOS device with flagship-level processing power in a familiar form factor. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in screen size, camera versatility, and operating system.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Software Longevity: The iPhone SE (2020) launched with iOS 13.4 and has received updates up to iOS 26 as of 2025, indicating a strong commitment to long-term software support from Apple, typically spanning 5-6 years for major OS updates. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G, released with Android 10, has received major OS updates up to Android 13. Samsung generally provides 3-4 years of major Android updates and 4-5 years of security updates, suggesting its major OS update cycle has concluded, though security patches may continue for a period.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE (2020) received an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, with common components like the display and battery being relatively straightforward to replace. Its design shares many interchangeable parts with the iPhone 8, which can simplify sourcing replacement components. Information regarding the specific repairability score for the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is less readily available, but generally, Android flagships from this era offer moderate repairability.
• Practical Lifespan: Both devices are built with glass fronts and backs and aluminum frames, offering a degree of durability. The iPhone SE (2020) has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, protecting it from immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G boasts an IP68 rating, allowing for immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for the same duration, offering slightly enhanced protection.

The performance of these two smartphones is influenced by their respective processors and memory configurations, impacting how smoothly they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE (2020) is equipped with a powerful processor, which was also found in Apple's flagship phones of its generation. This allows it to handle demanding applications, complex games, and multitasking with considerable responsiveness. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features a high-performance octa-core processor, which was a top-tier component at its release. This enables smooth operation across various applications and efficient multitasking.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone SE (2020) comes with 3GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS's efficient memory management, provides a fluid user experience for most tasks. Storage options include 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, without expandable storage. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G offers more substantial RAM, with options for 8GB or 12GB, facilitating extensive multitasking and keeping many applications open simultaneously without performance degradation. It also provides 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of a microSD card slot for expansion up to 1TB on most models.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE (2020) has a smaller battery capacity, which typically provides sufficient power for a full day of light to moderate use, but heavy usage, such as gaming or video streaming, can deplete it more quickly. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features a larger battery capacity, generally offering extended usage times, even for more demanding users, though individual battery performance can vary based on usage patterns and network conditions.

The visual experience on these two devices differs significantly due to their display technologies and physical dimensions.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone SE (2020) features a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display. This display offers good color accuracy and clarity for its resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 ppi. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G boasts a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a higher resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels. This technology delivers deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices offer good brightness levels for typical indoor and outdoor use. The iPhone SE (2020) has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G's display can achieve higher peak brightness, which enhances visibility in bright sunlight. A key differentiator is the refresh rate; the iPhone SE (2020) has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling and animations.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The iPhone SE (2020)'s compact 4.7-inch screen is well-suited for one-handed use and users who prefer a smaller device. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G's larger 6.7-inch display provides a more expansive canvas for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks, offering a more engaging visual experience.

The camera systems on the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G and iPhone SE (2020) offer different capabilities and versatility, catering to varying photography needs.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone SE (2020) features a single 12-megapixel wide-angle rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture. It leverages the device's powerful processor for computational photography features like Portrait mode and Smart HDR, enhancing image quality in various conditions. However, it lacks a dedicated Night Mode and additional lenses for ultra-wide or telephoto shots. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G offers a more versatile quad-camera setup, including a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 64-megapixel telephoto lens, and a DepthVision Camera. This configuration provides greater flexibility for different photographic scenarios, from expansive landscapes to zoomed-in subjects.
• Photography Performance: In good lighting, the iPhone SE (2020) captures detailed and color-accurate photos. Its performance in low-light conditions is adequate but not as strong as devices with dedicated Night Mode features. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G generally delivers strong performance across various lighting conditions, with its multiple lenses offering more creative options and better low-light capabilities due to its larger sensors and advanced processing.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, with optical image stabilization on their main rear cameras, providing smooth and detailed video footage. For selfies, the iPhone SE (2020) has a 7-megapixel front camera that supports Portrait mode. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features a 10-megapixel front camera, offering slightly higher resolution for self-portraits and video calls.