Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G SM-G986UZAAXAA Review

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G is a former flagship with a killer 98th-percentile camera and strong performance, but it's showing its age. At its original $1199 price, it's a hard no. If you find it heavily discounted, it's a capable budget power user phone.

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G is a classic power user phone that's still kicking. It packs the flagship specs of its era—a Snapdragon 865, 12GB of RAM, and a 64MP camera system—into a 6.7-inch package. And honestly, for a phone that's a few generations old, it holds up surprisingly well in our database, especially if you can find it at a discount now.

It's not the latest and greatest, but it's a solid all-rounder. You get a big, bright screen, 5G connectivity, and a 4500mAh battery that scored in the 94th percentile for its time. It runs Android, so you're not locked into an ecosystem, and the 8K video recording was a big deal back then.

Performance is still very good. The Snapdragon 865 and 12GB of RAM combo lands in the 94th percentile, so everyday tasks and most games are a breeze. The camera system is its standout feature, scoring in the 98th percentile. That 64MP main sensor can capture a ton of detail, though the lowly 0.3MP depth sensor feels like a weird afterthought. The battery life is a strong point, but the build quality score is only in the 42nd percentile, which might explain why it's not rated highly for ruggedness.

Here's the rub: the listed price of $1199 is a fantasy for a phone this old. If you're paying anywhere near that, it's a terrible value. However, if you can find this unlocked model on the secondary market or through a carrier deal for a few hundred bucks, it becomes a compelling option. You're getting near-flagship performance and a killer camera for what could be mid-range money.

Stacked against its listed competitors, the S20+ is in a weird spot. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a newer, more refined version of this formula with better long-term support. The Google Pixel 10 will crush it in computational photography and software updates. The OnePlus 15 likely offers similar or better performance for less money today. The S20+'s only real play is if its price has plummeted far below these newer models. Against an iPhone 16e, it's just a different ecosystem choice.

If you need a phone that will get the latest Android features for years to come, skip this. Look at a Pixel or a newer Samsung instead. Also, if you're accident-prone, the mediocre build quality score suggests you should get something tougher or slap a serious case on it immediately.

Buy this only if you find it at a steep, steep discount. It's a great phone that's simply old. For a power user on a tight budget who doesn't need the absolute latest camera tech or years of guaranteed updates, a cheap S20+ can be a smart pickup. But for almost anyone else, a newer mid-range phone or a last-gen flagship will offer a better overall experience.