S20 doesn't cut it

[Adam Frix]

The fact that the S20 family in the US will be stuck with the Qualcomm-required add-on 5G chip, taking up space and using battery, is enough to make me skip the whole thing. That, plus the size is growing too big. The 10+ is already just over the edge of too big.

Plus, the Qualcomm 765 chip is intriguing. It'll probably create some very very very good phones.

Overall, I'd say the S20 is too little of a meaningful change. At some point, all they're doing is making changes for the sake of making changes. I wonder if we haven't reached Peak Flagship.

 

[illdini]

I'm sure there will be some way to turn off 5G.

 

[Mooncatt]

I'm sure there will be some way to turn off 5G.

It's still relying on the separate modem chip for 4G, meaning increased battery consumption compared to an integrated modem. That's assuming all else is equal. Who knows, they may have other optimizations able to offset that consumption.

 

[buzzy3970]

Although you say the size is too big there are enough people wanting bigger size phones for Samsung to be moving in that direction. For years they have been making adjustments year over year in order to appeal more to the masses.

 

[hasasimo]

The S20+ is not really any bigger than the S10+ Plus. Not sure if you meant the S20 Ultra, but both the S20 and S20+ are very close in overall size to the S10 and S10+.

I'm considering skipping upgrades this year too, especially with such weirdly few and boring color options. The only thing that's really tempting for me is that 120hz display. That said, I'm on T-Mobiles Jump On Demand, so it might be too easy for me not to just get the S20.

 

[harmfulKarl]

The S20+ is not really any bigger than the S10+ Plus. Not sure if you meant the S20 Ultra, but both the S20 and S20+ are very close in overall size to the S10 and S10+.

I'm considering skipping upgrades this year too, especially with such weirdly few and boring color options. The only thing that's really tempting for me is that 120hz display. That said, I'm on T-Mobiles Jump On Demand, so it might be too easy for me not to just get the S20.

you can get s20 ultra

 

[harmfulKarl]

The fact that the S20 family in the US will be stuck with the Qualcomm-required add-on 5G chip, taking up space and using battery, is enough to make me skip the whole thing. That, plus the size is growing too big. The 10+ is already just over the edge of too big.

Plus, the Qualcomm 765 chip is intriguing. It'll probably create some very very very good phones.

Overall, I'd say the S20 is too little of a meaningful change. At some point, all they're doing is making changes for the sake of making changes. I wonder if we haven't reached Peak Flagship.

S20 Ultra's camera is the change. Go for it!

 

[hasasimo]

you can get s20 ultra

No thanks, I already have a tablet.

 

[Morty2264]

Although you say the size is too big there are enough people wanting bigger size phones for Samsung to be moving in that direction. For years they have been making adjustments year over year in order to appeal more to the masses.

I'm imagining the S20 line will be a little big for me, but you're right - the masses are moving more in the "humongous phablet" direction.

 

[monsieurms]

Although you say the size is too big there are enough people wanting bigger size phones for Samsung to be moving in that direction. For years they have been making adjustments year over year in order to appeal more to the masses.

Me, me, me

truth is, these handheld computers that can sometimes be used as phones can do so much. But a lot of what they do really begins to sing when you have a somewhat bigger screen. There are limits to everything. That limit to me is whether I can hold it in one hand and put it in my pants pocket. Otherwise, as big as possible.

Let's keep in mind, too, that Samsung and size was always kind of a thing. It was one of their signatures. And it worked.

 

[Mike Dee]

Too big, too small, there's not one size that fits all.

 

[Adam Frix]

I'm sure there will be some way to turn off 5G.

Yeah, but its presence requires real estate that forces the size to be unnecessarily big. No way around that.

 

[hasasimo]

Yeah, but its presence requires real estate that forces the size to be unnecessarily big. No way around that.

FYI the S20 and S20 Plus will about the exact same size as the S10 and S10 Plus. In fact, in overall volume the S20 and S20 Plus are very slightly smaller than the S10 and S10 Plus.

 

[illdini]

It's still relying on the separate modem chip for 4G, meaning increased battery consumption compared to an integrated modem. That's assuming all else is equal. Who knows, they may have other optimizations able to offset that consumption.

https://www.androidauthority.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-865-5g-modem-1062538/

From the article (take with a grain of salt):

"Interestingly, the Snapdragon 865 and X55 modem pairing is more efficient at 4G LTE than the Snapdragon 855’s integrated X24 modem. Amon explains that “the architecture has not compromised battery life” and the new solution actually offers a better day of 4G use than its predecessor. Using an external modem won’t have a negative impact on battery life when you’re in an area with only 4G coverage."

 

[monsieurms]

Too big, too small, there's not one size that fits all.

True enough. For one thing everybody isn't the same size.

 

[Guru]

Although a little taller the s20 plus is actually a tad narrower than the S10 plus so they slimmed the bezels and possibly tinkered with the ratio a little. That being said I agree with you and will he skipping this year.

 

[eshropshire]

I think Samsung will regret not having a non 5G lower price S20x offering. Someone needs to come up with a compelling consumer use case for 5G. All I hear is you can download a movie faster. Don't understand the big deal since everyone I hear is streaming these days. I have yet to have any problems streaming or downloading with current 4G.

While there is a high end market for $1,000 phones I don't think the market is a big as people think it is right now.

 

[Beth Hahn]

I just hope the 20+ feels smaller then my note 10+ I have now. I love the screen space on the note, but it's kinda heavy and a bit too wide for one handed use for me. Lol I've dropped this phone more then i ever have with any other phone. I know the s20+ is like 10 grams lighter but I fear it won't much more narrow compared the the note 10+

 

[uvarules]

I think Samsung will regret not having a non 5G lower price S20x offering. Someone needs to come up with a compelling consumer use case for 5G. All I hear is you can download a movie faster. Don't understand the big deal since everyone I hear is streaming these days. I have yet to have any problems streaming or downloading with current 4G.

While there is a high end market for $1,000 phones I don't think the market is a big as people think it is right now.

Couldn't agree more. I have 2 phones and a hotspot on VZ now (75gb/month of true 4G hotspot combined) plus the balance of up to 75gb on each phone for streaming using Smart View to my Samsung TVs. I live in the country, no ISP but solid VZ wireless. About 40mb down and 10mb up. I can stream 4k HDR effortlessly using 4G with no problems. Obviously don't it around the clock since it does gobble up a lot of data, but we can watch 4 or 5 movies or an entire series each month along with our normal usage with no problems. Totally satisfied with 4G performance on VZ, not seeing the attraction for 5G anytime soon and certainly not at the premium the S20 demands..

 

[ctk4949]

I think Samsung will regret not having a non 5G lower price S20x offering. Someone needs to come up with a compelling consumer use case for 5G. All I hear is you can download a movie faster. Don't understand the big deal since everyone I hear is streaming these days. I have yet to have any problems streaming or downloading with current 4G.

While there is a high end market for $1,000 phones I don't think the market is a big as people think it is right now.

Well that is why they are keeping the S10 family and lowering the prices.