Iphone 6s Vs Galaxy A20 Is The Upgrade Worth It In Current Year

For users still relying on an iPhone 6s—once a flagship device now nearly a decade old—the question of whether to upgrade has become more urgent. Apple no longer supports iOS updates for the 6s beyond iOS 15, and app compatibility is shrinking. Meanwhile, budget Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy A20 offer modern features at accessible prices. But is switching from a trusted iPhone to a mid-tier Android device truly beneficial today? The answer depends on your needs, expectations, and how much you value longevity over cost.

Performance: From Legacy Chip to Entry-Level Power

The iPhone 6s runs on Apple’s A9 chip, a 64-bit processor that was groundbreaking in 2015. At the time, it outperformed most Android competitors. However, by today’s standards, even entry-level processors surpass it in multitasking, app loading, and background processing. The Galaxy A20 uses Samsung’s Exynos 7884 or Snapdragon 450 (depending on region), both built on a 14nm process—more efficient than the A9’s 20nm design.

In daily use, the difference is noticeable. The iPhone 6s struggles with newer versions of social media apps, takes longer to load web pages, and frequently reloads apps when switching between them due to only 2GB of RAM. The Galaxy A20, with 3GB of RAM and Android 10 (upgradable to Android 11), handles multiple open apps better and supports smoother navigation.

Tip: If your iPhone 6s feels sluggish, offload unused apps and disable animations under Accessibility settings to regain some responsiveness.

Display and Design: Glass vs. Plastic Realities

Design philosophy separates these two devices dramatically. The iPhone 6s features an aluminum unibody with a 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334x750 resolution). It’s compact, well-balanced, and still pleasant to hold. However, its screen brightness and color accuracy are outdated compared to modern panels.

The Galaxy A20 trades premium materials for screen size and functionality. Its 6.4-inch HD+ Super AMOLED display delivers deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved outdoor visibility. While the plastic build feels less refined, the larger screen enhances video consumption, reading, and browsing. The teardrop notch reduces bezels significantly compared to the 6s’s thick top frame.

From a usability standpoint, the shift from a small, home-button iPhone to a large, gesture-capable Android screen represents a major adaptation curve—but one that aligns with current smartphone trends.

Camera Comparison: Evolution in Practical Photography

The iPhone 6s packs a 12MP rear camera with decent dynamic range and accurate color reproduction for its era. It lacks optical image stabilization and advanced software processing, resulting in grainy low-light shots and limited detail in challenging conditions. The front-facing 5MP camera is serviceable but not ideal for modern video calls or social content.

The Galaxy A20 improves on this with a dual-camera setup: a 13MP main sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide lens. While image quality isn’t flagship-tier, the ultra-wide adds versatility, and Samsung’s scene optimizer helps improve exposure and saturation. Night mode is absent, but basic low-light performance is better thanks to larger pixel sizes and updated processing algorithms.

More importantly, the A20 supports modern features like portrait mode, HDR, and faster autofocus—tools that enhance casual photography significantly.

“Even modest upgrades in camera software can make a bigger difference than raw hardware specs.” — Lena Patel, Mobile Imaging Analyst at TechSight Review

Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Use Becomes Possible Again

One of the most compelling reasons to upgrade is battery life. The iPhone 6s comes with a 1715mAh battery, which in 2024 often fails to last half a day with moderate usage. Battery degradation over time further limits reliability unless recently replaced.

In contrast, the Galaxy A20 houses a 4000mAh battery—more than double the capacity. This translates to consistent all-day use, even with screen-on times exceeding five hours. It doesn’t support fast charging (only 10W), but having a removable charger cable via microUSB (not USB-C) may be a downside for some.

For users tired of carrying portable chargers or limiting app usage to preserve battery, this upgrade alone can justify the switch.

Software and Ecosystem: Breaking Away from iOS

Moving from iOS to Android involves more than just learning a new interface—it means rethinking your digital ecosystem. iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple ID integrations won’t carry over seamlessly. Contacts, photos, and messages need migration using tools like Google’s “Switch to Android” app, available on the App Store.

On the upside, Android offers greater customization, file system access, and broader app flexibility (including third-party stores). Samsung’s One UI is intuitive and includes useful features like Dark Mode, Digital Wellbeing, and split-screen multitasking—none of which were available on the iPhone 6s even at its peak.

However, long-term software support is limited. The Galaxy A20 received only two major Android updates and security patches until 2022. In 2024, it runs outdated software unless manually updated via custom ROMs—a risky move for average users.

Upgrade Checklist: Is the Move Right for You?

• ✅ Need longer battery life without constant charging
• ✅ Want a larger screen for videos, reading, or browsing
• ✅ Struggle with slow app launches or crashes on iPhone 6s
• ✅ Open to migrating data from iCloud to Google services
• ❌ Expect flagship-level performance or future-proofing
• ❌ Rely heavily on iMessage or AirDrop in daily communication

Real-World Example: Maria’s Transition from 6s to A20

Maria, a teacher from Austin, used her iPhone 6s since 2016. By 2023, she found herself restarting the phone multiple times a day, unable to join Zoom meetings smoothly due to lag, and constantly worrying about battery dying during school hours. After researching affordable options, she bought a refurbished Galaxy A20 for $120.

She spent one evening transferring contacts and photos using Google’s migration tool. Initially frustrated by the lack of iMessage, she switched to WhatsApp and Google Meet. Within a week, she appreciated the larger screen for grading papers and watching tutorials. Most notably, the battery lasted through her entire workday—and then some.

“It’s not perfect,” she said, “but I feel like I’m finally back in control of my phone instead of the other way around.”

Comparison Table: iPhone 6s vs Galaxy A20 (2024 Perspective)

Feature	iPhone 6s	Galaxy A20
Release Year	2015	2019
Operating System	iOS 15 (final update)	Android 11 (final update)
Processor	Apple A9	Exynos 7884 / Snapdragon 450
Ram	2GB	3GB
Storage Options	16/32/64/128GB (non-expandable)	32GB (expandable up to 512GB)
Display	4.7\" LCD, 1334x750	6.4\" AMOLED, 720x1560
Rear Camera	12MP (single)	13MP + 5MP ultra-wide
Front Camera	5MP	8MP
Battery	1715mAh	4000mAh
Charging	Lightning, no fast charging	MicroUSB, 10W max
Current Usability (2024)	Limited by outdated OS and hardware	Functional for basics, aging software

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy A20 run modern apps smoothly in 2024?

Most lightweight apps (WhatsApp, Gmail, YouTube, Facebook) run adequately. Heavy apps like Instagram or TikTok may lag or crash occasionally. Performance is acceptable for light users but not ideal for heavy multitaskers.

Is it worth repairing an iPhone 6s instead of upgrading?

If the issue is a degraded battery, replacing it (~$50 official, less third-party) can extend usability another 6–12 months. However, if the device is slow or storage is full, hardware limitations cannot be overcome. For long-term use, upgrading remains the smarter choice.

Will I lose my photos and messages moving from iPhone to Galaxy A20?

No—if you transfer them properly. Use Apple’s iCloud to back up everything first. Then, install the “Move to Android” app on your iPhone before setting up the Galaxy A20. It will securely transfer contacts, messages, photos, and calendar events.

Final Verdict: Yes, the Upgrade Makes Sense—With Caveats

For anyone still using an iPhone 6s in 2024, upgrading to a Galaxy A20 represents a meaningful leap in usability. The larger screen, doubled battery life, improved cameras, and extra RAM collectively restore a sense of reliability that the 6s can no longer provide. While the A20 itself is aging and no longer supported, it functions far better today than a nine-year-old iOS device with obsolete architecture.

The transition requires effort—especially adapting to Android and migrating data—but the payoff in daily convenience is real. Just understand that this isn’t a future-proof investment. If possible, consider slightly newer models like the Galaxy A14 or A23 for longer software support.

💬 Have you made the jump from iPhone 6s to an Android phone? Share your experience, tips, or regrets in the comments below—your story could help someone decide their next move.