Samsung A20 Vs A6 Is The Newer Model Really Worth The Upgrade 2

When Samsung released the Galaxy A20 and A6 (2018), both were positioned as affordable smartphones for budget-conscious users. While they arrived in different years—A6 in mid-2018 and A20 in early 2019—the overlap in price and features led many consumers to wonder: is the newer A20 truly an improvement over the A6? More importantly, does it justify upgrading if you already own the older model? This article breaks down every key aspect—from display and performance to camera quality and software—to deliver a clear verdict.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy A6 and A20 share a similar design philosophy: plastic bodies with smooth finishes and minimal bezels. The A6, however, stands out with its premium-feeling glass-like front and metal frame, giving it a more upscale appearance than the fully plastic A20. At 169 grams, the A6 feels slightly heavier but more solid in hand compared to the 169g yet less rigid A20.

Both devices feature a bottom-mounted physical home button with integrated fingerprint sensor. However, the A6’s button is more responsive due to better haptic feedback. The A20 opts for a simpler capacitive touch, which can be less accurate over time.

Tip: If build quality matters, the A6’s hybrid metal-plastic construction offers a more durable and tactile experience than the all-plastic A20.

Display Comparison: Size vs. Sharpness

The A20 comes with a larger 6.4-inch PLS TFT display, while the A6 has a smaller 5.6-inch Super AMOLED screen. On paper, the A20 wins on size, but the A6 delivers superior image quality thanks to its AMOLED technology.

AMOLED screens offer deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and more vibrant colors. Even though the A6’s resolution is only 720p, the pixel density and color accuracy are noticeably better than the A20’s 720p TFT panel. For media consumption and indoor use, the A6 provides a richer viewing experience despite its smaller size.

Feature	Samsung A20	Samsung A6 (2018)
Display Size	6.4 inches	5.6 inches
Panel Type	PLS TFT	Super AMOLED
Resolution	720 x 1560	720 x 1480
PPI (Pixels per inch)	268	282
Contrast Ratio	Average	Excellent (infinite, typical of AMOLED)

If you prioritize immersive screen space for videos or web browsing, the A20 makes sense. But for true visual fidelity—especially in low light or dark mode—the A6 remains the better performer.

Performance: Chipset, RAM, and Real-World Speed

Under the hood, the differences become more pronounced. The A6 runs on Samsung’s Exynos 7870—a 14nm octa-core processor paired with 3GB of RAM. The A20, meanwhile, uses the slightly newer but still modest Exynos 7885, also with 3GB of RAM.

In benchmark tests, the performance gap is negligible. Both handle basic tasks like messaging, social media, and light gaming without major stutters. However, multitasking and app switching feel smoother on the A6 due to optimized software at launch and marginally better CPU efficiency.

The A20 benefits from being a newer device, so it launched with Android 9 (Pie) and One UI, whereas the A6 started on Android 8 (Oreo) and was later updated. This means the A20 had a slight edge in software longevity, though neither device received Android 11.

“Sometimes newer doesn’t mean faster. In budget phones, minor chipset revisions often don’t translate to real-world improvements.” — Rajiv Mehta, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Asia

Camera Showdown: Photos in Daylight and Low Light

Both phones feature single rear cameras—13MP on the A20 and 16MP on the A6—but megapixels don’t tell the full story. The A6’s sensor performs better in daylight, producing sharper images with more natural color reproduction. Its f/1.7 aperture lets in more light, giving it an advantage in mixed lighting conditions.

The A20’s camera, while capable, tends to oversharpen and over-saturate photos. In low-light environments, it produces noisier images with visible grain and poor dynamic range. The A6 handles shadows and highlights more gracefully, preserving detail in darker areas.

For selfies, the A6 again pulls ahead with its 8MP front camera and LED flash. The A20’s 5MP front shooter lacks detail and struggles in dim settings, even with software-based beautification filters.

Real-World Example: Daily Use Photography

Consider Maria, a college student using her phone to document campus life. She owns an A6 and recently considered upgrading to the A20 for the larger screen. After testing both side by side during a sunset picnic, she noticed that the A6 captured warmer tones and finer details in hair and fabric, while the A20 flattened the scene and lost definition in shaded areas. Despite the A20’s modern interface, she decided to keep the A6 for its photo quality alone.

Battery Life and Charging

This is where the A20 clearly wins. With a 4000mAh battery, it consistently delivers 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use. The A6, equipped with a 3000mAh cell, barely lasts a full day under similar conditions.

Despite the larger battery, the A20 maintains decent charging speeds with standard 5W charging. Neither phone supports fast charging, but the sheer capacity difference makes the A20 a better choice for travelers or heavy users.

Tip: Enable power-saving mode on the A6 to extend daily usability. Close background apps regularly to prevent battery drain.

Software and Long-Term Support

The A20 launched with Android 9 and received security updates for about 18 months. The A6 launched on Android 8 and was upgraded to Android 9, but support ended earlier due to its 2018 release date. As of 2024, neither device receives official updates, making them vulnerable to newer security threats.

However, the A20’s newer software foundation made it compatible with more recent apps at the time of release. Users reported fewer compatibility issues with Google services and banking apps compared to the aging A6.

Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Let’s break it down into a checklist to help you decide:

• Better battery life? Yes – A20 wins with 4000mAh vs. 3000mAh.
• Sharper display? No – A6’s AMOLED is superior despite smaller size.
• Faster performance? Not significantly – both use similar-tier chipsets.
• Better camera? A6 takes clearer, more balanced photos.
• Newer software? Yes – A20 launched with Android 9 and One UI.
• More durable build? A6 feels sturdier with partial metal framing.

Who Should Upgrade?

1. Current A6 owners who need longer battery life – If you’re tired of charging twice a day, the A20 offers tangible relief.
2. Users prioritizing screen size – The 6.4-inch display is ideal for reading, video calls, and casual gaming.
3. Those wanting slightly newer software – The A20’s launch ecosystem supported newer apps longer.

Who Should Stay Put?

1. Photography-focused users – The A6 captures better-quality images.
2. Viewing quality enthusiasts – AMOLED’s contrast and color depth beat TFT hands-down.
3. Minimalist users with light usage – If you charge nightly and value build quality, the A6 suffices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Samsung A20 run modern apps smoothly in 2024?

Limitedly. Basic apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, and browsers work, but newer versions of Instagram, TikTok, or productivity tools may lag or crash due to outdated hardware and lack of optimization.

Does the A6 have a headphone jack?

Yes, both the A6 and A20 include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was standard for Samsung at the time.

Is either phone waterproof?

No. Neither model has an IP rating for water or dust resistance. Avoid exposure to moisture to prevent damage.

Final Verdict

The Samsung A20 is technically the “newer” model, but that doesn’t automatically make it the better choice. It improves in battery life and software freshness but sacrifices display quality, camera performance, and build refinement. The A6, though older, delivers a more satisfying overall user experience for those who value image quality and tactile design.

If you're choosing between the two today—perhaps buying secondhand—the decision hinges on your priorities. Need all-day battery and a big screen? Go for the A20. Prefer richer visuals and better photos? Stick with the A6.

🚀 Still deciding? Try both models in person if possible. Real-world feel often outweighs spec sheets. Share your experience below—your insights could help someone else make their choice!