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Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Galaxy S20: is it time for an upgrade?


The Galaxy S8 was the top device from Samsung not so long ago. The phone had a striking appearance compared to its predecessor and showed that bezels were really going to disappear. The Galaxy S20 is living proof of that trend. Practically only the selfie camera still stands in the way of the 100 percent screen to body ratio.

But is it now time for an upgrade to this new S20? You will find out in this comparison!

new Samsung devices
Samsung Galaxy S20 series with the S20 at the bottom left (Image: Mark Hofman / WANT)

An (too) old design of the Galaxy S8?

Looking at the design, it is clear that there is indeed 3 generations difference between the two phones. The Galaxy S20 has, as previously mentioned, even fewer bezels. In contrast, the Galaxy S8 certainly does not have an old-fashioned design. The fact that Apple the iPhone SE (2020) with the iPhone 8 design still sells in 2020, means that you certainly should not be ashamed with the S8.

With the Galaxy S8 you can even count on a larger pixel density of 570 ppi compared to 566 ppi. On the other hand, the S20 is up a notch by 6.2-inches compared to the S8’s 5.8-inches. In terms of image resolution, both devices are comparable to QHD + amoled screens. What really sets the S20 apart is the refresh rate. 120Hz is a feast for the eyes and once you get used to that, there is no turning back to the S8’s 60Hz refresh rate.

Galaxy S8
The Galaxy S8 (Image: WANT)

Maximum multitasking with the Galaxy S20

If we look under the hood, there are bigger differences. For example, the Galaxy S20 has 5G support with the lightning-fast Snapdragon 865, while the Galaxy S8 has to do with a Snapdragon 835. The differences are even greater in working memory. Where you have to do with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM with the Galaxy S8, the Galaxy S20 has generous 12GB LPDDR5 RAM.

As apps become more and more demanding, with the S8, apps running in the background may have to shut down on their own. Of course that is not a disaster, but with the S20 you are assured that you will be safe from these kinds of small setbacks for at least a few years.

Samsung Galaxy
The different variants of the S20 series from Samsung. (Image: Samsung)

The Samsung Galaxy S8 in the future

The Galaxy S8 still just gets software support from it Samsung. Therefore, you can assume that your device will also be upgraded to Android 10. However, the question is how long the support will last. Last month, the South Korean company stopped supporting the S7.

Once you no longer receive support, it is no longer wise to use apps with sensitive information. For example, with the S7 you can arrange banking better on your computer than on that phone. Therefore, in the long term, this is perhaps the best reason to consider an upgrade to a newer device from Samsung.

You can see with the Galaxy S20 Samsung“S reputation expect at least 3 and maybe 5 years of software support. A new phone may cost a bit, but can therefore be a good long-term purchase.

samsung galaxy s8
The single lens of the Galaxy S8 (Image: WANT)

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S20: the camera

The Galaxy S20’s camera system is a lot more sophisticated. With a triple camera system instead of the single lens of the S8, you can shoot a lot nicer pictures. With the S20, you have a 64-megapixel telephoto lens and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, which the Galaxy S8 unfortunately lacks. As a result, with the latest Samsung device, you can see more images in a photo without having to take a step back. In addition, the color reproduction and the sharpness of the photos are logically a level higher compared to the S8.

Still, you can still take great photos with the Galaxy S8. Do you just want to share photos with family and friends via social media and do not aspire to be an influencer? Then you do not have to complain with this device.

Samsung Galaxy S20
Different Galaxy S20 models (Image: Mark Hofman / WANT)

Big differences in the battery (on paper)

The Galaxy S20 has a much larger battery: 4000mAh instead of the 3000mAh of the S8. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean a new S20 will last much longer than an unused S8. The 120Hz refresh rate is nice to the eye, but demanding on the battery.

You should especially upgrade from the battery point of view if the battery of your S8 is simply not what it used to be. If you have already completely cleaned your phone and still do not reach the end of the day with normal use? Then an upgrade is desired. Leaving your phone without power for a long time will reduce the life of each battery. For example, complaints in this area can be partly explained.

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The Galaxy S8 (Image: WANT)

Conclusion

An upgrade is not always necessary. It may well be that your S8 is still running fine and that complaints are of a limited nature. The software and the battery are the two biggest reasons to buy the S20. After all, it is annoying to hang your phone on the charger every second and after 2021 it is probably no longer wise to bank online on your S8. Still you are for the cheapest S20 about 750 euros. So if you can postpone an upgrade for a while, your wallet will really appreciate that. So is the Galaxy S8 a thing of the past? Probably not. It goes without saying that you can use it for at least another year.

Are you curious about the specifications of the Galaxy S20 in detail? Then check this article!

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Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Galaxy S20: is it time for an upgrade?

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