Iphone 11 Vs Galaxy S20 Still Worth Upgrading In Current Year For Speed

In 2024, the iPhone 11 and Galaxy S20 are no longer flagship devices. Both launched in early 2020, they represented the cutting edge of their respective ecosystems at the time. But as newer models flood the market with faster chips, better displays, and advanced AI features, a pressing question emerges: if you're currently using an iPhone 11, is switching to a Galaxy S20 — even secondhand — still a worthwhile upgrade purely for speed?

The answer isn’t just about benchmark numbers. It hinges on real-world responsiveness, software longevity, app compatibility, and how each device handles modern usage patterns. Let’s break down the key factors that determine whether this upgrade path still makes sense today.

Performance Comparison: A13 Bionic vs Snapdragon 865

The iPhone 11 runs Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, built on a 7nm process with six cores (two high-performance, four efficiency). Despite its age, the A13 remains impressively capable due to iOS optimization. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S20 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865, also on 7nm, with an eight-core CPU and Adreno 650 GPU.

In synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 5, the Snapdragon 865 often outperforms the A13 in multi-core scores thanks to more processing threads. However, single-core performance — crucial for everyday tasks — sees the A13 holding strong, sometimes even edging ahead.

“Apple’s silicon efficiency means older iPhones can feel snappier than Android counterparts two years newer.” — David Liu, Mobile Performance Analyst at TechPulse Insights

Real-world speed, though, depends on more than raw specs. The iPhone 11 benefits from iOS’s tight memory management and app preloading, making transitions between apps fast and fluid. The Galaxy S20, while powerful, runs on Android 10 (upgradable to Android 13), which historically has been less efficient in background task handling — especially on devices with only 8GB RAM.

Tip: If you prioritize smooth daily interactions over gaming or multitasking, the iPhone 11 may already meet your speed needs.

Benchmark Data: How Do They Actually Perform?

To assess true performance differences, consider both synthetic and practical tests. Here's a comparison based on widely accepted metrics:

Device	CPU (Chip)	Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi)	GPU (Graphics Score)	Storage Type
iPhone 11	A13 Bionic	1330 / 3400	5400	NVMe SSD (fast read/write)
Galaxy S20	Snapdragon 865	915 / 3200	6200	UFS 3.0

While the S20 leads in graphics performance — important for gaming and AR applications — the iPhone 11 matches or exceeds it in everyday operations like launching apps, scrolling through social feeds, and switching between Safari tabs. This is largely due to iOS’s aggressive app state preservation and superior storage speeds.

Software Experience and Longevity

One of the most overlooked aspects of \"speed\" is software freshness. An outdated OS can make even a powerful phone feel sluggish due to deprecated APIs, lack of security patches, and poor app optimization.

• iOS Support: The iPhone 11 is expected to receive updates through at least 2025, possibly until iOS 19. It currently runs iOS 17 with full feature parity.
• Android Support: The Galaxy S20 officially received three major Android updates (up to Android 13) and four years of security patches. As of 2024, it no longer receives OS upgrades and only limited security fixes.

This means the iPhone 11 will continue to get new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes, while the Galaxy S20 is effectively frozen in time. Over time, this gap widens — newer apps may begin to favor iOS 18+ features or drop support for older Android versions.

Real-World Example: Daily Use After Three Years

Consider Sarah, a freelance photographer who used an iPhone 11 from 2019 to 2023. In late 2023, she considered switching to a used Galaxy S20 for its higher refresh rate display and better camera flexibility. She bought one refurbished and used it side-by-side for a month.

She found that while the S20’s 120Hz screen felt smoother during scrolling, apps like Lightroom and Instagram loaded slightly slower. More frustratingly, she encountered occasional crashes in newer app versions optimized for Android 12+. By contrast, her old iPhone 11 ran the same apps without issue. After five weeks, she switched back.

Her takeaway: “The S20 felt faster on paper, but in practice, my iPhone just worked better — even after four years.”

Upgrade Considerations: Is the Speed Gain Noticeable?

If your primary goal is improved speed, ask yourself: what kind of speed matters to you?

1. App Launch Speed: Minimal difference. Both phones launch common apps quickly.
2. Scrolling & Animations: Galaxy S20 has a 120Hz display; iPhone 11 is limited to 60Hz. This makes the S20 feel subjectively smoother in some interfaces.
3. Gaming & Multitasking: S20 pulls ahead here, especially with demanding titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
4. Camera Processing: The S20 processes high-resolution photos and 8K video faster, but the iPhone 11 handles 4K video with remarkable efficiency.

However, none of these advantages are transformative. You won’t experience a dramatic leap in usability. For most users, the perceived speed gain is marginal — especially when weighed against ecosystem disruption, learning curve, and potential software obsolescence.

Tip: If you’re attached to iOS apps, iMessage, or AirPods, switching to Android introduces friction that outweighs minor speed gains.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade?

Before deciding, run through this checklist:

• ✅ Are you experiencing noticeable lag on your iPhone 11 with current apps?
• ✅ Do you frequently play high-end mobile games or edit videos on your phone?
• ✅ Are you open to migrating your data, relearning workflows, and adjusting to Android?
• ✅ Can you find a Galaxy S20 in excellent condition at a very low price (under $150)?
• ❌ Are you expecting long-term software support from the S20? (It’s no longer receiving OS updates.)
• ❌ Do you rely heavily on iMessage, FaceTime, or iCloud integration?

If most of your answers are “no” or “uncertain,” staying with the iPhone 11 is likely the smarter move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Galaxy S20 feel faster than the iPhone 11 in daily use?

Subjectively, yes — especially due to its 120Hz display, which makes scrolling feel smoother. However, for core tasks like messaging, browsing, and social media, the difference is subtle. The iPhone 11 remains highly responsive thanks to iOS optimization.

Can the Galaxy S20 still run modern apps smoothly in 2024?

Yes, for now. Most mainstream apps run well, but some newer titles or updates may begin to show performance hiccups or compatibility issues as developers optimize for newer hardware. Background app killing is more frequent on the S20 due to Android memory management.

Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 11 to any older Android flagship for speed?

Generally, no. While some Android flagships have stronger GPUs or higher RAM, iOS efficiency and long-term support give the iPhone 11 a lasting edge. Even mid-range 2023 Android phones often outperform the S20 due to newer chipsets and software.

Final Verdict: Upgrade Only Under Specific Conditions

Upgrading from an iPhone 11 to a Galaxy S20 in 2024 solely for speed is hard to justify. The performance gains are modest, the software lifecycle is ending, and the transition cost — both in time and convenience — is significant.

If you’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 11 continues to deliver a fast, reliable experience with ongoing support. For those seeking a meaningful speed boost, consider a newer Android device with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or later, or simply wait for budget-friendly 2024 flagships.

But if you’ve found a nearly free Galaxy S20, enjoy Android customization, and want to experiment with a higher refresh rate screen, then go ahead — just don’t expect a revolutionary change in speed.

🚀 Still on the fence? Try borrowing or renting a Galaxy S20 for a week. Real-world testing beats specs every time. Share your experience in the comments — your insight could help others decide!