Phones Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra

[Awesomesince86]

Yeah I saw that earlier. Seems like the camera update is starting to roll out in Korea.

 

[The Game 161]

I can’t say I really noticed any delay in notifications when I had my note 10+. 90% of my notifications are things that can wait like twitter and Instagram and Facebook. It’s only messages and maybe breaking news stories that I’d care about being delayed.

I might have been experiencing FOMO when I had my note 10+ but it certainly wasn’t fear of missing out on notifications
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As much as Apple have improved notifications they are still cluttering up my notifications panel. It doesn’t matter how much I try to clear them they are always so many of them and sometimes they come back. The Apple Watch is a life saver for me in that regard because it means that I don’t have to interact with the notifications panel very often.
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I honestly believe that the 11 pro max successor is going to be more expensive than the S20 ultra in the U.K. At the moment the ultra is only £50 more than the base model 11 pro max and you get double the storage and the option to expand it further.

Chances are the price will be higher for the next iPhone due to 5G. The average user will buy the 12 anyway most people do not upgrade every year it’s only techies who do.

Apple can get away with stupid pricing. Why Samsung do it I’m not sure. They could likely get plenty of sales if it was less but seeing as they don’t it is what it is...

 

[The Game 161]

Apple are really going to have to raise their game this year, I say it every year, but the 11 pro max was already a hard pill for some to swallow at that price, should they hike it further, it'll be hard to justify even for tech enthusiasts like myself if it's a small increment like most years.

They raised it by a good amount last year but there only so much you can improve but there is features which they can add this year to improve.

Even with the note it’s going to be hard to get better each cycle.

 

[The Game 161]

Yep, unfortunately that would not surprise me. Seems to be a race to the top in flagship pricing these days.

Shame, I really miss the £700 "affordable enough to upgrade every cycle" flagship days.
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This is, in my opinion, the biggest difference between Apple and Samsung these days.

With Samsung, you're paying for fantastic top-of-the-line hardware specs, with mediocre software support. Buy an iPhone, and you're paying for mediocre hardware with best-in-class software support.

That wasn't such an issue when phones were cheap enough to upgrade every year. At £1200 - for most people this is an investment they'll want to keep a while!

There is really no excuse for camera features which they are marketing as break through tech to be bad or not up to it. Software bugs? Yeah it happens as it happens on iPhones but not features that you market as being great

I hope Samsung can fix these issues as it just makes them look bad if they don’t.

 

[mjschabow]

There is really no excuse for camera features which they are marketing as break through tech to be bad or not up to it. Software bugs? Yeah it happens as it happens on iPhones but not features that you market as being great

I hope Samsung can fix these issues as it just makes them look bad if they don’t.

Keep in mind that the phone isn't technically released yet and the software update is already out in Korea. So if it hits the US by 3/6, it's a moot point.

 

[5105973]

Lol this morning Miss Kitty is letting me know she’s ready to test my Pink S20 when it arrives today! Notice she is in the exact same place and position as last night. Cats are creatures of habit She was the cat I posted greeting my Note 7 a few years ago.

This photo is taken with my 11 Pro. I’m going to charge up my Pixel 3XL and Note 10+ is already ready to go so I can test them against Pinky. I’m not super worried how the camera will perform because all the reviews so far show it’s going to be just fine.

It can go ahead and smooth my face until I look like Constable Odo from Deep Space 9 because I’m over 50 and need all the help Korea cares to contribute to the cause. The kids are teens now and use enough filters they don’t even look human anymore, so who cares about them!

I only care about how the cat looks! 🤣

 

[Shanghaichica]

There is really no excuse for camera features which they are marketing as break through tech to be bad or not up to it. Software bugs? Yeah it happens as it happens on iPhones but not features that you market as being great

I hope Samsung can fix these issues as it just makes them look bad if they don’t.

I don’t think it’s fair to write off the zoom lens on the ultra as useless. Up to 30x the pictures are fine and even from 4-10x zoom they are significantly better than the 2x zoom on the iPhone. I think there are use cases for the 100 x zoom such as when recording videos. However even if we declare the 100x as a gimmick or trash there is still enough value in the zoom up to 30x.

 

[mjschabow]

I don’t think it’s fair to write off the zoom lens on the ultra as useless. Up to 30x the pictures are fine and even from 4-10x zoom they are significantly better than the 2x zoom on the iPhone. I think there are use cases for the 100 x zoom such as when recording videos. However even if we declare the 100x as a gimmick or trash there is still enough value in the zoom up to 30x.

Yep. That and it actually makes for a great binoculars. I can't wait to go to sporting events and zoom into what's happening on the sidelines!

 

[5105973]

I don’t think it’s fair to write off the zoom lens on the ultra as useless. Up to 30x the pictures are fine and even from 4-10x zoom they are significantly better than the 2x zoom on the iPhone. I think there are use cases for the 100 x zoom such as when recording videos. However even if we declare the 100x as a gimmick or trash there is still enough value in the zoom up to 30x.

I absolutely agree. And that’s a very excellent zoom compared to what we are used to on existing phones. (I can’t compare to Huawei because they’re banned where I live).

With the S20 I can reasonably expect nice results at 4x. I know from testing that myself at Best Buy. I’ll take that!

I just have to hope performance indoors under artificial lighting will be good. Last night, my husband and I saw that the S20 Ultra’s white balance is in need of some adjustments.

Going forward I’ll try to take care to specifics when I’m speaking of his Ultra and my smaller S20. If I forget and confuse anyone don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.

 

[The Game 161]

I don’t think it’s fair to write off the zoom lens on the ultra as useless. Up to 30x the pictures are fine and even from 4-10x zoom they are significantly better than the 2x zoom on the iPhone. I think there are use cases for the 100 x zoom such as when recording videos. However even if we declare the 100x as a gimmick or trash there is still enough value in the zoom up to 30x.

I agree zoom looks great for 30x. Zoom isn’t the issue it’s other areas of the camera which I meant

 

[tbayrgs]

This is, in my opinion, the biggest difference between Apple and Samsung these days.

With Samsung, you're paying for fantastic top-of-the-line hardware specs, with mediocre software support. Buy an iPhone, and you're paying for mediocre hardware with best-in-class software support.

That wasn't such an issue when phones were cheap enough to upgrade every year. At £1200 - for most people this is an investment they'll want to keep a while!

Can’t really agree with this in its entirety. In regards to the first part—Samsung is always pushing the limits with their hardware and while yes, their software support isn’t certainly their forté, One UI is dramatically better than their previous offerings and Samsung definitely includes some pretty cool customization options. I don’t think they have the same level of ’machine learning/AI/<insert your favorite cliché here>’ as Apple and not anywhere close the leader in this area, Google, when it comes to their photography/videography processing though. As bad as Siri is, Bixby showed the bar could go even lower.

Regarding part 2–-I think calling Apple’s hardware mediocre is a bit excessive too. It’s not pushing industry limits but the quality of their hardware and built quality is still really good. And while their software support is amongst the most timely in the industry (Android for Google’s own devices and Chrome updates are right there too), the quality of the software has been just short of a dumpster fire the past few years (iOS 11 and 13 had/have significant problems and macOS Catalina is just plain awful).

 

[Awesomesince86]

Regarding the whole camera quality issue and the upcoming patch...

As someone has said, technically we’re still prerelease right now even though some have their phones. Day 1 patches or updates are pretty common in tech as things are being worked on until the last minute. I agree that some of this should have been hammered out before review units went out, but as long as the first week update resolves a lot of the camera issues then I think it’s fine. But personally, if I get towards the end of the return window and I’m still in the “future updates will fix this” routine from Samsung, then I’ll send it back.

That said, my Ultra is out for delivery today.
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Can’t really agree with this in its entirety. In regards to the first part—Samsung is always pushing the limits with their hardware and while yes, their software support isn’t certainly their forté, One UI is dramatically better than their previous offerings and Samsung definitely includes some pretty cool customization options. I don’t think they have the same level of ’machine learning/AI/<insert your favorite cliché here>’ as Apple and not anywhere close the leader in this area, Google, when it comes to their photography/videography processing though. As bad as Siri is, Bixby showed the bar could go even lower.

Regarding part 2–-I think calling Apple’s hardware mediocre is a bit excessive too. It’s not pushing industry limits but the quality of their hardware and built quality is still really good. And while their software support is amongst the most timely in the industry (Android for Google’s own devices and Chrome updates are right there too), the quality of the software has been just short of a dumpster fire the past few years (iOS 11 and 13 had/have significant problems and macOS Catalina is just plain awful).

I agree that it’s a little ridiculous to call Apples hardware mediocre. I’d say they’re right below Samsung who are the best. Apples hardware isn’t mediocre, it’s just safe. It won’t have the best display or most screen to body. It won’t have a pop up camera. But it’ll have great build quality and will be expertly engineered.

 

[tbayrgs]

So real question here...do have the same feelings and post the same questions about Apple products? I mean they are over priced by all accounts. I mean by your own admissions you are a heavy IOS and iPhone user. I just wonder as expensive as the iPhone is whether you go into the iPhone threads and express those same sentiments you express towards Samsung?
I mean I get by your own admission you don't like Samsung...so this kinda does seem to be fair.

The 11 Pro Max is pretty expensive....then by all the rumors the next model iPhone will follow the smartphone trend of being more expensive. I'm sure you will post the same critiques in the iPhone forums when that phone is released.....

Yup, sure will. The XS series of phones were not Apple’s best...probably a low point camera performance-wise for Apple in recent years. I was so frustrated with Apple’s direction at a point last year that I sold my XS Max and iPad Pro and used my Pixel 3XL and a Pixelbook for a stretch. If Apple’s hardware this fall doesn’t keep pace, especially if they sing from the mountain tops how great and revolutionary it is (which they will ), I’ll offer criticism just the same.

And let’s be clear, I’m not professing the S20 series as any sort of failure because they’re clearly excelling in so many other areas of the phone’s hardware and performance. I just think given the initial circumstances, I’d be a bit frustrated as an early adopter with the camera performance and think I’d recommend caution—maybe wait a couple more weeks—before diving in, instead of hoping a software update fixes these issues after the fact.
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Regarding the whole camera quality issue and the upcoming patch...

As someone has said, technically we’re still prerelease right now even though some have their phones. Day 1 patches or updates are pretty common in tech as things are being worked on until the last minute. I agree that some of this should have been hammered out before review units went out, but as long as the first week update resolves a lot of the camera issues then I think it’s fine. But personally, if I get towards the end of the return window and I’m still in the “future updates will fix this” routine from Samsung, then I’ll send it back.

That said, my Ultra is out for delivery today.
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I agree that it’s a little ridiculous to call Apples hardware mediocre. I’d say they’re right below Samsung who are the best. Apples hardware isn’t mediocre, it’s just safe. It won’t have the best display or most screen to body. It won’t have a pop up camera. But it’ll have great build quality and will be expertly engineered.

This ☝—said much more effectively than me stumbling over my rambling words.

 

[Brian Y]

Can’t really agree with this in its entirety. In regards to the first part—Samsung is always pushing the limits with their hardware and while yes, their software support isn’t certainly their forté, One UI is dramatically better than their previous offerings and Samsung definitely includes some pretty cool customization options. I don’t think they have the same level of ’machine learning/AI/<insert your favorite cliché here>’ as Apple and not anywhere close the leader in this area, Google, when it comes to their photography/videography processing though. As bad as Siri is, Bixby showed the bar could go even lower.

Regarding part 2–-I think calling Apple’s hardware mediocre is a bit excessive too. It’s not pushing industry limits but the quality of their hardware and built quality is still really good. And while their software support is amongst the most timely in the industry (Android for Google’s own devices and Chrome updates are right there too), the quality of the software has been just short of a dumpster fire the past few years (iOS 11 and 13 had/have significant problems and macOS Catalina is just plain awful).

Sorry, I really should have clarified.

The points I were referring to weren't necessarily the software/hardware quality, but the hardware specs and software support.

I.e. With Samsung, you're paying for the biggest hardware specs. (In most people's eyes) Better camera hardware, more RAM, more storage, faster wireless, plus all of the newest hardware ideas like reverse wireless charging. Apple is normally much slower to adopt the "latest and greatest" in terms of hardware - but the quality of what they ship is pretty much top notch.

With regard to software, it was more software support. Samsung's UI is indeed great (better than it used to be, that's for sure!) but when it comes to software support - Apple wins this hands down. They still support older hardware with very regular updates, and I can't help but imagine that if Apple shipped a phone with a bug in the software supporting its flagship feature, the update would have been available on launch day (as I think we've seen with a couple of x.0.1 releases being available on launch day).

In this area, well, Samsung doesn't have a great rep. They're slow at launching updates, and it still feels like a lottery as to whether a device is going to get a particular update.

Although I completely agree, Apple's software quality of late has been pretty dire.

 

[Oohara]

Can’t really agree with this in its entirety. In regards to the first part—Samsung is always pushing the limits with their hardware and while yes, their software support isn’t certainly their forté, One UI is dramatically better than their previous offerings and Samsung definitely includes some pretty cool customization options. I don’t think they have the same level of ’machine learning/AI/<insert your favorite cliché here>’ as Apple and not anywhere close the leader in this area, Google, when it comes to their photography/videography processing though. As bad as Siri is, Bixby showed the bar could go even lower.

Regarding part 2–-I think calling Apple’s hardware mediocre is a bit excessive too. It’s not pushing industry limits but the quality of their hardware and built quality is still really good. And while their software support is amongst the most timely in the industry (Android for Google’s own devices and Chrome updates are right there too), the quality of the software has been just short of a dumpster fire the past few years (iOS 11 and 13 had/have significant problems and macOS Catalina is just plain awful).

Yeah, the "Apple has better software, Samsung better hardware" generalisation doesn't really hold. And yes I am now talking about that generalisation stated as such, as it has been made more and more often lately.
(@Brian Y I see and agree with what you wrote about software/hardware support in your clarification post just now).

iOS devices have super high quality hardware in my experience. I've never had any complaints there. My green 11 Pro feels like a big polished emerald and the quality of the AMOLED display is second to none. What Apple lacks though is diversity/options. If for example I want a really big AMOLED display phone, big enough to really enjoy movies on, Apple simply doesn't have one. For that I'll have to turn to Samsung and the S20 Ultra or another Android phone like ASUS Rog Phone II etc.

And that lack of options is mirrored in Apple's software too, where inflexibility is the running theme. If for example I do settle for a 11 Pro Max for my big screen fix, I can't get Netflix (or any game) to leave out the "flaps" beside the notch to give me a symmetrical full screen image. Why the hell not? Because Apple...I guess. With any Samsung phone though, or for example the OnePlus 6T I had, no problem.

Conversely, like you said, Samsung's One UI is nearly completely reborn compared to grumpy old "LagWiz". And it has split screen, more customisable share menus and a bunch of other stuff I wish I had on iOS, and good gestures too now.

Again on the other hand, One UI doesn't have a reader mode which works as reliably and neatly as the one on iOS (one of my primary reasons for staying with iPhone for my daily driver), or a cross device work suite as simple and reliable as iCloud sync, which I use extensively every single day.

So, the black and white generalisation that one side has better software and the other better hardware just doesn't make sense to me. They both have excellent hardware and software, just with different features and specialities.

And don't even get me started on one side being objectively "better" than the other. Or those who constantly feel the need to fire up the perceived conflict between them or take offence when someone criticises either side. These are personal preferences regarding electronic gadgets, people. Not conflicting views on human rights issues.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Sorry, I really should have clarified.

The points I were referring to weren't necessarily the software/hardware quality, but the hardware specs and software support.

I.e. With Samsung, you're paying for the biggest hardware specs. (In most people's eyes) Better camera hardware, more RAM, more storage, faster wireless, plus all of the newest hardware ideas like reverse wireless charging. Apple is normally much slower to adopt the "latest and greatest" in terms of hardware - but the quality of what they ship is pretty much top notch.

With regard to software, it was more software support. Samsung's UI is indeed great (better than it used to be, that's for sure!) but when it comes to software support - Apple wins this hands down. They still support older hardware with very regular updates, and I can't help but imagine that if Apple shipped a phone with a bug in the software supporting its flagship feature, the update would have been available on launch day (as I think we've seen with a couple of x.0.1 releases being available on launch day).

In this area, well, Samsung doesn't have a great rep. They're slow at launching updates, and it still feels like a lottery as to whether a device is going to get a particular update.

Although I completely agree, Apple's software quality of late has been pretty dire.

They have traditionally been slow at pushing updates out but they did well with android 10, getting it out to several models before the end of 2019. They have even beat google with a fair few security patches this year.

I don’t agree that software updates are a lottery. They usually announce which devices will get the new android OS update. It’s quite transparent.

 

[noobinator]

I'm very curious for those who get the ultra what kind of shutter lag you see. The time it takes from pressing the on screen "Shutter button" to the time the pic is captured. This was not very good in an ultra my coworker was showing me yesterday.

 

[Harthag]

I don’t think they have the same level of ’machine learning/AI/<insert your favorite cliché here>’ as Apple and not anywhere close the leader in this area, Google, when it comes to their photography/videography processing though. As bad as Siri is, Bixby showed the bar could go even lower.

Regarding the Pixel 4, what good are video processing and AI going to do when your front facing camera can't even record 1080p video at 60fps? I'm being half sarcastic here, I happen to love the Pixel line, but it still falls far short vs. competition for those who don't put camera as priority #1 in a phone. I was very underwhelmed when I updated my old Pixel 3 XL to Android 10 from Pie. Samsung's hardware and much improved OneUI has temporarily won my business.

I agree with all of your comments, though. My dream device is Samsung hardware, Google / Pixel software, Apple support...

 

[jamezr]

Few snaps from my walk around the buildings at work. The shadow you see is me lol

 

[yui4]

Few snaps from my walk around the buildings at work. The shadow you see is me lol

How are you finding the phone itself, not just the camera?

 

[SapperMike]

Does anyone know how to listen to music from lock screen on s20? It starts for a quick sec and then waits for me to unlock phone. I have tried with Spotify and Youtube music premium. This has been one of my biggest annoyances (other than a physical mute button.)

 

[samplez]

Galaxy S20 Ultra OLED Display Technology Shoot-Out

www.displaymate.com

"Galaxy S20 Ultra receives a DisplayMate Best Smartphone Display Award earning DisplayMate’s highest ever Display Performance Grade of A+ and setting or matching 12 Smartphone Display Performance Records."

"The Galaxy S20 Ultra together with the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note phones starting with the Galaxy S8 are the only Smartphones to have a second Ambient Light Sensor on the back that also measures the surrounding ambient light behind the phone and then uses both measured values to adjust the display Brightness based on the front and back lighting."

 

[jamezr]

How are you finding the phone itself, not just the camera?

It is the typical Samsung phone. It is very fast and speedy. One UI is awesome! getting closer and closer to stock Android. The camera zoom is very very nice. See my zoom photos in the photos thread!

My 2 concerns are the slow shutter for moving objects and the overall size of this beast!
I might trade down and get the S20+

 

[yui4]

I might trade down and get the S20+

Say it ain't so!

 

[Awesomesince86]

It is the typical Samsung phone. It is very fast and speedy. One UI is awesome! getting closer and closer to stock Android. The camera zoom is very very nice. See my zoom photos in the photos thread!

My 2 concerns are the slow shutter for moving objects and the overall size of this beast!
I might trade down and get the S20+

Have you tried burst mode on any of the moving object shots to see if that got you anything usable?