Samsung A20 Vs S8 Is Upgrading From The S8 Really Worth It

For users still holding onto a Samsung Galaxy S8, the question of whether to upgrade—especially to a budget-friendly model like the Galaxy A20—has become increasingly relevant. Released in 2017, the S8 was a flagship powerhouse with premium features that defined high-end smartphones at the time. The Galaxy A20, launched in 2019, sits firmly in the budget segment, offering basic functionality at an accessible price. So, is moving from the S8 to the A20 actually an upgrade—or a step backward? The answer depends on what you value most: raw performance and longevity or affordability and simplicity.

Design and Build Quality: Premium vs Practical

The Galaxy S8 set a new standard for smartphone design with its edge-to-edge Infinity Display, glass back, and sleek aluminum frame. It felt luxurious in hand and offered IP68 water and dust resistance—a feature still rare in budget phones. In contrast, the A20 uses a plastic body and frame, giving it a noticeably lighter and less premium feel. While this makes it more durable against drops, it lacks the sophistication of the S8.

The S8’s 5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent brightness, even in sunlight. The A20’s 6.4-inch HD+ TFT display is larger but significantly less sharp and less vibrant. It also lacks HDR support and automatic brightness calibration found in the S8.

Tip: If screen quality and build materials matter to you, the S8 remains superior despite its age.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, the S8 was powered by either the Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835 (depending on region), both of which were top-tier chips in their time. Even today, the S8 handles everyday tasks smoothly, including multitasking, light gaming, and streaming. It originally shipped with Android 7 and received updates up to Android 9, though no further security patches are officially supported.

The A20 uses the modest MediaTek Helio P22 or Exynos 7884, paired with only 3GB of RAM. This setup struggles with heavier apps and multitasking. While it runs Android 9 (Go Edition) out of the box, optimized for low-end hardware, the experience feels sluggish compared to the S8 when switching between apps or loading media.

One advantage the A20 has is software longevity. As a more recent device, it may still receive occasional security updates, whereas the S8 is fully unsupported. However, real-world performance still favors the older flagship.

“Flagship phones from 2017 often outperform today’s budget models in CPU and GPU benchmarks. Don’t assume newer always means better.” — David Lin, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse

Camera Comparison: Quality Over Quantity

The S8 features a 12MP rear sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, optical image stabilization (OIS), and advanced processing algorithms. In good lighting, it captures detailed, well-balanced photos with natural color reproduction. Low-light performance is impressive for its era, thanks to OIS and large pixel size.

The A20 steps down to an 8MP main sensor without OIS or phase-detection autofocus. Image quality is soft, lacking detail and dynamic range. Low-light shots are noisy and blurry. While the A20 includes a secondary 5MP ultra-wide lens, it adds little value due to poor resolution and processing.

Front cameras tell a similar story: the S8’s 8MP shooter handles selfies and video calls with clarity and accurate skin tones, while the A20’s 5MP front camera produces grainy images with limited detail.

Camera Feature Breakdown

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S8	Samsung Galaxy A20
Rear Camera	12MP, f/1.7, OIS, Dual Pixel AF	8MP + 5MP (ultra-wide)
Front Camera	8MP, f/1.7	5MP, f/2.0
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps	1080p @ 30fps
Low-Light Performance	Strong, stabilized	Poor, unsteady
Image Processing	Advanced (HDR, scene optimizer)	Basic, oversharpened

Battery Life and Charging

The A20 comes with a 4000mAh battery, significantly larger than the S8’s 3000mAh unit. In practice, this translates to about two full days of moderate use on the A20 versus a single day on the S8. However, the S8’s smaller, higher-resolution screen and more efficient processor help offset its smaller capacity.

Charging is another differentiator. The S8 supports fast charging and wireless charging—features absent on the A20, which relies on a slow 5W charger. If you're used to plugging in briefly and gaining substantial charge, the A20 will feel frustratingly slow.

Tip: Consider carrying a portable power bank if switching to the A20—you’ll likely need it sooner than expected.

Real-World Use Case: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria has used her Galaxy S8 since 2018. It still works, but the battery drains quickly, and apps take longer to load. Her phone recently failed water exposure during a rainstorm—something she wouldn’t have worried about when it was new. Looking for a cheap replacement, she considered the A20.

After testing one in-store, she noticed the screen looked washed out, apps lagged, and the camera struggled indoors. While the battery lasted longer, she missed fast charging and the responsive fingerprint sensor. Ultimately, she decided to invest in a mid-range phone instead—one that balanced modern features with performance closer to her S8’s original experience.

Maria’s story reflects a common scenario: upgrading from a once-flagship phone to a budget model often means sacrificing core experiences that made the original device satisfying to use.

When the A20 Makes Sense as an Upgrade

Despite its shortcomings, the A20 can be a reasonable choice under specific circumstances:

• You need a backup or emergency phone.
• Your S8 is physically damaged beyond repair or won’t hold a charge.
• You primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and light browsing.
• Budget is the absolute priority, and you cannot spend over $150.

If any of these apply, the A20 offers basic reliability and improved battery life. But if you care about photo quality, app responsiveness, or long-term usability, it’s not a true upgrade—it’s a downgrade disguised as progress.

Checklist: Should You Switch?

1. Is your S8 still functional with acceptable battery life?
2. Do you use apps that require strong processing power (e.g., navigation, social media, games)?
3. Do you take photos regularly in varied lighting conditions?
4. Do you rely on fast or wireless charging?
5. Is your budget flexible enough to consider mid-tier options (e.g., Galaxy A30s, A50, or refurbished flagships)?

If you answered “yes” to the first four questions, staying with the S8—or upgrading to a more capable device—is wiser than choosing the A20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy A20 run modern apps smoothly?

It can handle basic apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, and YouTube at lower resolutions. However, multitasking, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and games like Genshin Impact run poorly or are unplayable due to limited RAM and processor power.

Is the Galaxy S8 still secure to use in 2024?

While the S8 no longer receives official security updates, it remains relatively safe for everyday use if you avoid sideloading apps, stick to trusted sources like the Google Play Store, and use a reputable mobile security app. However, known vulnerabilities exist, so sensitive banking or work-related tasks are best done on a supported device.

What’s a better upgrade path from the S8 than the A20?

Consider the Galaxy A34, Pixel 6a (refurbished), or iPhone SE (third gen). These offer modern processors, updated software support, better cameras, and faster charging—all while staying under $300 in many cases.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Upgrading from the Galaxy S8 to the A20 isn’t truly an upgrade—it’s a trade-off. You gain slightly better battery life and a newer release date but lose in nearly every other category: display quality, performance, camera capability, charging speed, and overall user experience. The S8, despite its age, remains a more refined and capable device for daily use.

If your goal is to save money, the A20 might seem appealing. But if you want a meaningful improvement in how your phone functions, look beyond budget entry-level models. Today’s mid-range devices offer far better value, blending modern features with performance that honors the legacy of phones like the S8.

🚀 Ready to make a smarter upgrade? Share your current phone and what you’re looking for in a new one—let’s find a solution that truly moves you forward.