Iphone 11 Pro Vs Galaxy S20 Is The Samsung Really That Much Faster

When Apple released the iPhone 11 Pro in 2019 and Samsung followed with the Galaxy S20 in 2020, smartphone enthusiasts were eager to see how these flagships stacked up—especially in terms of raw speed. On paper, the Galaxy S20 appeared to have a significant edge with its newer processor, higher RAM, and support for 5G. But does that translate into real-world dominance? Or is the iPhone 11 Pro still holding its own despite older hardware? Let’s cut through the marketing and benchmark noise to see which device actually feels faster in everyday use.

Processor & Architecture: A Tale of Two Philosophies

The iPhone 11 Pro runs on Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, built on a 7nm process with six cores (two performance, four efficiency). At launch, it was considered one of the fastest mobile processors ever made. The Galaxy S20, depending on region, uses either Samsung’s Exynos 990 or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865—both also 7nm chips but with different architectures and optimization strategies.

Apple’s strength lies in vertical integration. The A13 is designed specifically for iOS, allowing tighter control over software-hardware interaction. Samsung, on the other hand, must accommodate a wide range of Android devices and configurations, which can dilute optimization.

“Raw specs don’t always reflect real-world responsiveness. iOS’s memory management and app lifecycle model often make older iPhones feel snappier than newer Android phones with higher RAM.” — David Lin, Mobile Performance Analyst at TechPulse Labs

In synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench, the A13 frequently outperforms both the Exynos 990 and even matches the Snapdragon 865 in single-core performance. This matters because most daily tasks—opening apps, switching tabs, launching the camera—are handled by a single core.

Benchmark Numbers vs Real-World Experience

Yes, the Galaxy S20 has 12GB of RAM compared to the iPhone 11 Pro’s 4GB. On the surface, that suggests a massive advantage. But Android and iOS manage memory differently. iOS aggressively suspends background apps and reloads them efficiently when needed, while Android keeps more apps alive in the background, consuming more RAM.

So while the S20 may technically “multitask” better by keeping more apps open, the difference is rarely noticeable unless you’re cycling through ten apps repeatedly. For most users, both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly.

Tip: Don’t judge phone speed solely by RAM or CPU specs. System optimization and software design play an equally important role in perceived performance.

App Launch Speed & System Fluidity

A side-by-side app launch test reveals something surprising: the iPhone 11 Pro often opens native apps like Camera, Messages, and Settings just as fast—or slightly faster—than the Galaxy S20. Third-party apps like Instagram and Spotify show negligible differences.

Why? iOS preloads frequently used apps and optimizes launch sequences based on usage patterns. Android, while improving, still shows occasional stutters during transitions, especially on the Exynos version of the S20, which has been criticized for thermal throttling under sustained load.

Scrolling through social media feeds, web pages, and messaging apps feels equally smooth on both devices thanks to 60Hz displays (the base S20 has a 120Hz option, but not all apps utilize it). However, the 120Hz refresh rate on the S20 does provide a subjectively smoother feel when it’s active, particularly in supported apps like Chrome and Samsung’s browser.

Detailed Comparison Table

Feature	iPhone 11 Pro	Galaxy S20
Processor	Apple A13 Bionic	Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865
RAM	4GB	12GB
Storage Options	64GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB (expandable via microSD)
Display Refresh Rate	60Hz	120Hz (adaptive)
Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi)	1330 / 3400	Exynos: 980/3100 | Snapdragon: 920/3300
Operating System	iOS 13 (upgradable to iOS 17)	Android 10 (upgradable to Android 13/One UI 5)
Battery Life (Video Playback)	Up to 18 hours	Up to 12 hours
5G Support	No	Yes (Snapdragon model)

Real-World Case Study: One Week, Two Phones

Jamie, a freelance photographer and tech reviewer, spent one week using only the iPhone 11 Pro and the next using only the Galaxy S20 (Snapdragon model), alternating their primary roles. Her workflow included heavy photo editing in Lightroom, constant messaging, email management, and social media posting.

She expected the S20 to feel significantly faster due to the 120Hz display and extra RAM. While she appreciated the smoother scrolling and 5G upload speeds, she noted that “the iPhone never felt slow. In fact, opening the camera from a locked screen was consistently faster—crucial when capturing quick shots.”

She also found that the iPhone maintained consistent performance throughout the day, while the S20 occasionally showed minor hiccups after several hours of intensive use, likely due to heat buildup. “The speed difference isn’t night and day,” she concluded. “It’s more about preference than performance.”

Software Updates and Longevity

One area where the iPhone 11 Pro clearly wins is long-term software support. Apple typically provides five to six years of iOS updates. As of 2024, the iPhone 11 Pro supports iOS 17 and will likely get iOS 18. In contrast, the Galaxy S20 received three major Android updates (up to Android 13) and four years of security patches—impressive for Android, but still shorter than Apple’s commitment.

This means the iPhone 11 Pro will continue to receive performance optimizations, new features, and security fixes longer than the S20, potentially extending its usable life. For users who keep phones for three years or more, this is a critical factor in maintaining speed and reliability over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Galaxy S20 faster than the iPhone 11 Pro in gaming?

In high-end games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, the Galaxy S20 (especially the Snapdragon model) delivers higher frame rates and better texture rendering due to its superior GPU. However, the iPhone 11 Pro handles most games at max settings with minimal stutter, thanks to iOS optimization. The difference is noticeable but not drastic for casual gamers.

Does more RAM make the S20 feel faster?

Not necessarily. While 12GB of RAM allows more apps to stay open in the background, iOS compensates with fast app reloading. Most users won’t notice a lag when returning to suspended apps on the iPhone. The extra RAM helps in niche scenarios like video editing or multitasking with multiple split-screen apps, but for average use, it doesn’t equate to a “faster” experience.

Which phone will stay fast longer?

The iPhone 11 Pro has the edge here. Apple’s long-term update policy ensures ongoing performance tuning. Even after four years, iOS 17 runs smoothly on the A13 chip. The Galaxy S20, while powerful, may begin to show slowdowns in future Android versions optimized for newer hardware.

Actionable Tips for Maximizing Phone Speed

Tip: Restart your phone weekly to clear memory leaks and restore peak responsiveness, regardless of brand.

• Clear unused apps: Both iOS and Android slow down when storage is near full. Keep at least 10–15% free space.
• Disable animations: On Android, enable Developer Options and reduce window animation scales. On iOS, turn on Reduce Motion in Accessibility settings.
• Limit background activity: Restrict background data for non-essential apps to prevent unnecessary resource drain.
• Use lightweight apps: Consider using Lite versions (e.g., Facebook Lite) or web-based alternatives to save system resources.
• Update regularly: OS updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that boost speed.

Conclusion: Speed Isn't Just About Specs

The idea that the Galaxy S20 is “much faster” than the iPhone 11 Pro depends entirely on how you define speed. In raw hardware terms—RAM, refresh rate, 5G connectivity—the S20 wins. But in everyday responsiveness, app launch times, and long-term consistency, the iPhone 11 Pro proves that efficient design can rival, and sometimes surpass, higher-spec competition.

Ultimately, both phones deliver excellent performance for their era. The S20 offers a glimpse into the future with 120Hz and 5G, while the iPhone 11 Pro exemplifies Apple’s mastery of optimization. If you're choosing between them today—perhaps buying secondhand—the decision should hinge less on speed and more on ecosystem preference, camera needs, and software longevity.

🚀 Ready to test the difference yourself? Try both devices side by side with your daily apps. You might be surprised by what truly feels faster.