Unboxing and First Impressions
Kevin purchased the Samsung Galaxy A20s for $165, considering it as the most underrated phone of the year. He has been using it as a replacement for his iPhone 10 and is excited to see if this budget phone can make a mark in the budget market. The Galaxy A20s comes with three rear cameras, a large 4000 milliamp hours battery, a 6.5-inch display, and a teardrop notch with a face unlock equipped front camera. Despite its low price, it offers features found in near $1000 phones, including a headphone jack, fingerprint reader, dual SIM slot, and a micro SD card slot.
Box Contents
- Samsung fast charger
- Shorter than usual USBC cable
- Stock Samsung earbuds
- Standard paperwork and SIM card tool
Setting Up
Upon receiving the phone, Kevin quickly inserted his SIM card, adjusted the home screen grid size, enabled dark mode, and set up his biometrics for fingerprints and face recognition. He found the physical rear scanner and face unlock speed to be highly satisfactory.
Biometrics and Display
The Samsung Galaxy A20s impresses with its biometric features and display. Kevin prefers face recognition unlock over the physical rear scanner and finds it to be fast and reliable. The 6.5-inch IPS display, though not AMOLED, is beautiful and provides an excellent visual experience.
Connectivity and Audio
The Samsung Galaxy A20s offers reliable 4G LTE bands, ensuring good call quality and data reception across different carriers. As a dual SIM phone, it provides a convenient option for frequent travelers who may need separate calling and data plans. Additionally, the presence of a headphone jack enhances the audio experience, especially when paired with Doby Atmos enabled earbuds or headphones.
Enhanced Listening Experience
- Dual SIM functionality for versatile usage
- Headphone jack for traditional audio connectivity
- Doby Atmos support for improved audio quality
4G LTE Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy A20s delivers seamless connectivity with robust 4G LTE support, ensuring reliable call quality and data reception across various carriers. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who frequently switch between different networks or require international calling and mobile data plans.
Software and User Experience
The Samsung Galaxy A20s comes with a streamlined user interface, featuring Samsung's own built-in applications such as the voice recorder and radio. These additions enhance the device's functionality without adding unnecessary bloatware. Furthermore, the Samsung one UI provides a seamless and intuitive user experience, showcasing the brand's commitment to user-friendly software design.
User-Friendly Interface
- Streamlined Samsung-built applications
- Intuitive Samsung one UI for a seamless user experience
- Minimal bloatware for enhanced performance
Enhanced Functionality
The Samsung Galaxy A20s incorporates Samsung's own applications, such as the voice recorder and radio, to offer users additional functionality without overwhelming the device with excessive pre-installed software. The inclusion of the user-friendly Samsung one UI further enhances the overall software experience, reflecting the brand's dedication to providing an intuitive and efficient user interface.
Design and Build Quality
When considering a budget smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy A20s, it's essential to assess the design and build quality, which play a significant role in the overall user experience. The device's red color scheme, crafted from painted plastic with a shiny coated back, exudes a captivating aesthetic. If red isn't your preference, black and blue variants are also available. To preserve the phone's allure while preventing fingerprint smudges, investing in a clear TPU case is advisable. Despite its budget-friendly nature, the Galaxy A20s exhibits a substantial weight, courtesy of the battery and components, ensuring a balanced feel in hand. The tactile and clicky volume and power buttons further enhance the overall build quality, offering a satisfying user interaction.
Weight Distribution and Button Quality
- Substantial weight distribution from the battery and components
- Tactile and clicky volume and power buttons
Battery Life and Charging
With regular phone usage, the Samsung Galaxy A20s can maintain a battery level of 25 to 35 percent by the end of the day, providing reliable power throughout typical usage. By implementing battery-saving features, it's possible to extend the device's battery life to two full days. However, engaging in gaming activities may require nightly recharging due to the phone's 4000 milliamp-hour battery capacity. The device strikes a balance between longevity and performance, ensuring that users can comfortably navigate through their daily tasks without being tethered to a power source.
Performance and Gaming
The Samsung Galaxy A20s is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 450 chipset, coupled with the Adreno 506 graphics and three gigabytes of onboard RAM. In day-to-day usage, the device delivers smooth performance with no app crashing, comparable to smartphones that were priced much higher in the past. However, when it comes to gaming, the A20s lags behind its higher-tier counterparts in the A series lineup. It may not support maxed-out game settings on FPS games, but popular titles like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, and Modern Strike Online are still very playable on low to medium settings.
Day-to-Day Performance
- Qualcomm's Snapdragon 450 chipset for smooth operation
- Three gigabytes of onboard RAM for seamless multitasking
- No app crashing for consistent performance
Gaming Experience
While the A20s may not offer the same gaming experience as its higher-tier counterparts, it still provides enjoyable gameplay for popular titles on lower graphical settings. The device's performance in day-to-day tasks is commendable, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious users.
Camera Breakdown
The Samsung Galaxy A20s is equipped with a variety of lenses, each serving a specific purpose. The depth sensor lens, with an aperture of f/2.2 and 5 megapixels, is utilized for portrait blur or live focus mode. The main 13-megapixel sensor, with an aperture of f/1.8, offers a wide focal length for capturing images. Additionally, the ultra-wide-angle lens, with a 13mm focal length and 8 megapixels, allows for expansive shots. However, the front selfie camera, with 8 megapixels and an aperture of f/2, may not offer exceptional software processing for selfies. While the A20s' camera performance may not match the higher-tier Galaxy A or Note series, it still provides essential features for basic photography needs.
Lens Specifications
- Depth sensor lens for portrait blur or live focus mode
- Main 13-megapixel sensor with wide focal length
- Ultra-wide-angle lens for expansive shots
Camera Performance
While the Samsung Galaxy A20s may not excel in video performance and software processing for selfies, it offers essential features for basic photography needs. The device's camera app includes all the fundamental functions found in higher-end Samsung phones, making it a suitable choice for users who prioritize other features over advanced photography capabilities.
Camera Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A20s is equipped with a variety of lenses, each serving a specific purpose. The depth sensor lens, with an aperture of f/2.2 and 5 megapixels, is utilized for portrait blur or live focus mode. The main 13-megapixel sensor, with an aperture of f/1.8, offers a wide focal length for capturing images. Additionally, the ultra-wide-angle lens, with a 13mm focal length and 8 megapixels, allows for expansive shots. However, the front selfie camera, with 8 megapixels and an aperture of f/2, may not offer exceptional software processing for selfies. While the A20s' camera performance may not match the higher-tier Galaxy A or Note series, it still provides essential features for basic photography needs.
Lens Specifications
- Depth sensor lens for portrait blur or live focus mode
- Main 13-megapixel sensor with wide focal length
- Ultra-wide-angle lens for expansive shots
Camera Performance
While the Samsung Galaxy A20s may not excel in video performance and software processing for selfies, it offers essential features for basic photography needs. The device's camera app includes all the fundamental functions found in higher-end Samsung phones, making it a suitable choice for users who prioritize other features over advanced photography capabilities.
FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Samsung Galaxy A20s.
1. Is the Samsung Galaxy A20s a good budget smartphone?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A20s is widely regarded as a good budget smartphone, offering impressive features and performance for its price range.
2. What are the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy A20s?
- Large 6.5-inch display
- Impressive biometric features
- Robust 4G LTE connectivity
- Enhanced audio experience with a headphone jack and Doby Atmos support
- Streamlined user interface with minimal bloatware
3. How is the camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy A20s?
The Samsung Galaxy A20s offers essential features for basic photography needs, including a variety of lenses for different purposes. While it may not match the higher-tier Galaxy A or Note series in camera performance, it is still suitable for users prioritizing other features over advanced photography capabilities.
