Samsung S20 Plus Vs S10 Plus Are The Upgrades Actually Worth It

When Samsung released the Galaxy S20 Plus in 2020 as the successor to the widely praised S10 Plus, consumers were eager to see if the new model justified an upgrade. For users still satisfied with their S10 Plus, the question wasn't just about specs—it was whether the improvements translated into meaningful daily benefits. The answer isn't always obvious, especially when flagship phones come with premium price tags. This breakdown dives into key differences between the two devices, evaluates real-world performance gains, and helps you decide if upgrading from the S10 Plus to the S20 Plus is truly worthwhile.

Design and Build: Evolution, Not Revolution

The physical design language between the S10 Plus and S20 Plus remains consistent with Samsung’s premium aesthetic—glass backs, aluminum frames, and curved AMOLED displays. However, subtle but important changes impact usability.

The S20 Plus features a slightly larger 6.7-inch display compared to the S10 Plus’s 6.4 inches. While this may not sound like a dramatic jump, the screen-to-body ratio improves due to thinner bezels and a smaller punch-hole cutout. The S20 Plus also adopts a more refined matte finish on select color variants, reducing fingerprint smudges—a small but appreciated upgrade for daily handling.

One notable shift is weight: the S20 Plus weighs 186g, up from the S10 Plus’s 175g. This added heft comes from a larger battery and improved internal components. While both phones feel solid in hand, long-term users may notice the difference during extended use.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone one-handed, test the S20 Plus in person—the extra size and weight can affect grip and comfort.

Display and Refresh Rate: A Game-Changer?

The most significant leap in the S20 Plus is its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate display. The S10 Plus, while equipped with a sharp Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED panel, maxes out at 60Hz. In practical terms, this means smoother scrolling, faster response times in games, and a more fluid overall interface.

Switching back to a 60Hz display after using 120Hz often feels jarring. Animations appear sluggish, and touch input seems less immediate. The S20 Plus dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz to balance performance and battery life, a smart compromise that maintains efficiency without sacrificing smoothness.

Both phones support HDR10+ and deliver excellent color accuracy, brightness, and contrast. However, the higher refresh rate on the S20 Plus fundamentally changes how the device feels during everyday tasks—from browsing social media to switching apps.

“High refresh rate screens have become a defining feature of premium smartphones. Once users experience 120Hz, going back to 60Hz feels like downgrading.” — David Kim, Mobile UX Analyst at TechInsight Group

Performance and Hardware: Generational Leap

Under the hood, the S20 Plus moves to the newer Snapdragon 865 (or Exynos 990, depending on region), while the S10 Plus uses the Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820. On paper, this represents a 20–25% improvement in CPU and GPU performance. Real-world usage confirms this: app launches are snappier, multitasking is more seamless, and gaming at high settings is consistently smoother.

RAM configurations also differ. The S10 Plus launched with 8GB or 12GB options, whereas the S20 Plus starts at 8GB and goes up to 12GB across all regions. Coupled with UFS 3.0 storage (vs. UFS 2.1 on the S10 Plus), file transfers, app installations, and system responsiveness benefit noticeably.

Battery capacity increases from 4,100mAh on the S10 Plus to 4,500mAh on the S20 Plus. Despite the larger screen and higher refresh rate, Samsung managed to maintain similar battery life thanks to power-efficient components and software optimizations. Both support fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, though the S20 Plus supports faster wired charging at 25W (versus 15W on the S10 Plus).

Performance Comparison Table

Feature	Samsung S10 Plus	Samsung S20 Plus
Processor	Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820	Snapdragon 865 / Exynos 990
RAM	8GB / 12GB	8GB / 12GB
Storage	UFS 2.1	UFS 3.0
Battery	4,100mAh	4,500mAh
Fast Charging	15W	25W
Refresh Rate	60Hz	Adaptive 120Hz

Camera System: More Than Megapixels

The S10 Plus introduced a triple-camera setup: 12MP wide, 12MP telephoto, and 16MP ultra-wide. The S20 Plus retains a similar configuration but upgrades the main sensor to 64MP (using pixel binning for 12MP output) and enhances AI processing for better low-light performance and detail retention.

In daylight, both phones produce vibrant, well-balanced photos. However, the S20 Plus pulls ahead in dynamic range and zoom capabilities. Its 3x hybrid optical zoom (combined with digital enhancements up to 30x) offers greater flexibility than the S10 Plus’s fixed 2x optical zoom.

Video recording sees a major upgrade: the S20 Plus supports 8K at 24fps, a feature absent on the S10 Plus. While 8K video remains niche due to file sizes and limited playback compatibility, it future-proofs content creation. Both support 4K at 60fps and excellent stabilization, but the S20 Plus includes improved single-take mode and scene optimizer intelligence.

Tip: Use the S20 Plus’s Single Take mode to capture multiple photo and video formats with one press—great for unpredictable moments.

Real-World Example: Upgrading After Two Years

Consider Mark, a photographer and tech enthusiast who used his S10 Plus daily since its 2019 launch. By early 2021, he noticed slower app responses, occasional overheating during editing, and diminishing battery life. Curious about the S20 Plus, he tested it side-by-side with his current device.

He immediately noticed the smoother scrolling and quicker autofocus in the camera app. When shooting in low light, the S20 Plus retained more shadow detail and produced less noise. During travel, the enhanced zoom let him capture distant subjects without losing clarity. Most surprisingly, battery life remained stable even with 120Hz enabled.

For Mark, the upgrade wasn’t about raw numbers—it was about sustained performance, reliability, and creative flexibility. He concluded that after two years, the S20 Plus offered tangible improvements that aligned with his professional needs.

Is the Upgrade Worth It? A Practical Checklist

Deciding whether to upgrade depends on your usage patterns and expectations. Use this checklist to evaluate your situation:

• Are you still satisfied with your S10 Plus’s speed and responsiveness?
• Do you value smoother animations and faster touch response (120Hz)?
• Have you experienced battery degradation over time?
• Do you shoot photos or videos regularly, especially in low light or at a distance?
• Are you interested in future-proof features like 8K video or improved AI photography?
• Is your current phone showing signs of wear or software slowdown?

If you answered “no” to the first question and “yes” to three or more of the others, the S20 Plus likely offers meaningful benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the S10 Plus handle modern apps and games?

Yes, the S10 Plus still runs most current apps and games smoothly, though some high-end titles may require lowering graphics settings. Performance remains solid for average users.

Does the 120Hz display drain the battery quickly?

Not significantly. The S20 Plus uses an adaptive refresh rate that drops to 60Hz when not needed. In typical use, battery life is comparable to the S10 Plus despite the larger screen.

Is 5G support on the S20 Plus a major advantage?

Only if you live in an area with strong 5G coverage and use data-intensive applications. For most users, 4G LTE on the S10 Plus is still sufficient. However, 5G readiness adds long-term value.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for You

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus isn’t just an incremental update—it delivers measurable improvements in display fluidity, camera versatility, and system performance. However, \"worth it\" depends on where you are in your device lifecycle. If your S10 Plus still performs well and meets your daily needs, the upgrade may feel more luxurious than essential.

But if you’re pushing your current phone with demanding tasks, noticing performance lags, or craving a more responsive and future-ready experience, the S20 Plus justifies its place as a worthy successor. The combination of 120Hz display, enhanced cameras, and longer software support creates a compelling case for upgrading—especially after two years of heavy use.

💬 Have you upgraded from the S10 Plus to the S20 Plus? Share your experience and whether the changes made a real difference in your daily routine.