Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra: 108MP Camera, Specs & Best Price
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra came out in 2020 as Samsung’s top-of-the-line phone that year. It had a 108MP camera, a 6.9-inch screen, and 5G — things that felt cutting-edge at the time. Now, years later, you can find it for a fraction of the original price. This guide covers the specs, how it actually performs today, and whether it’s worth buying in 2024.
Key Specifications Overview
The S20 Ultra launched in March 2020 as Samsung’s most expensive S20 model. The hardware was overkill for most people then, and honestly, it still holds up well now.
Display: The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen has 3200 x 1440 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Colors look great, scrolling is smooth, and it’s bright enough to use outside in sunlight. It supports HDR10+ for streaming content.
Processor: Two versions exist — one with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 and another with Samsung’s Exynos 990. The Snapdragon version runs cooler and lasts slightly longer on battery, but both handle games, apps, and multitasking without issues.
Storage and Memory: The base model has 12GB RAM and 128GB storage. You can also get 16GB RAM with 512GB storage. If you need more space, pop in a microSD card up to 1TB.
Battery: The 5,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with normal use. Charging options include 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging for your earbuds or another phone.
The 108MP Camera System
The 108MP main sensor was the big talking point when this phone launched. Samsung used nona-binning technology, combining nine pixels into one to create detailed 12MP photos that handle low light well.
The camera setup includes a 48MP periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom and up to 100x Space Zoom — more on that later. A 12MP ultrawide lens handles landscapes and group shots, and a time-of-flight sensor helps with portrait mode depth effects.
In daylight, the 108MP mode captures impressive detail. You can crop heavily and still have a usable image. Low-light shots turn out bright thanks to the large sensor and Samsung’s Night Mode, though you’ll get the best results holding the phone steady for a second or two.
The 40MP front-facing camera takes sharp selfies and records 4K video, popular with vloggers and anyone who does a lot of video calls. Video options include 8K at 24fps, 4K at 60fps, and stabilization that works well for handheld shooting.
Design and Build Quality
The S20 Ultra uses a glass sandwich design — Gorilla Glass 6 on front and back with an aluminum frame. It weighs 222 grams, which is heavy. You’re trading that weight for the bigger battery and camera hardware, so it’s a matter of what matters more to you.
The display curves at the edges, which looks sleek but can cause accidental touches if you’re not careful. An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor sits under the screen for unlocking, and face recognition works as a backup.
Color options include Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, and Cloud White. Some carriers offered exclusive colors like Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink.
Software Updates and Longevity
Samsung committed to three major Android updates for the S20 Ultra, moving it from Android 10 to Android 11, 12, and 13. It currently runs Android 13 with One UI 5.1 on top.
It won’t get Android 14 or newer versions. Samsung typically provides around four to five years of security patches for flagships, so expect updates through early 2025. After that, you’d be running software without security fixes, which is something to think about.
If you want guaranteed updates through 2026 and beyond, you’ll need to look at newer phones. But if you’re fine with Android 13 and just need a working phone, the S20 Ultra still works well.
Performance in 2024
The Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 isn’t as fast as the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen chips, but it still handles most tasks without lag. Games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile run fine at high settings.
The 120Hz display still feels smooth and premium. The trade-off is battery life — enable the higher refresh rate and you’ll notice it drains faster, especially as the battery ages. With moderate use, you can get through a full day. Heavy users might need to charge by evening.
Price and Value Proposition
The S20 Ultra launched at $1,399 for the 12GB/128GB model. In 2024, certified refurbished units go for $300 to $450 depending on condition and storage. New units are hard to find since Samsung discontinued the device, but Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart still sell refurbished models with warranties.
For that price, you get most of what newer phones offer — great camera, nice screen, solid performance — at maybe a third of what a Galaxy S24 Ultra costs. Whether that’s worth it depends on what you need.
How It Compares to Successors
The S21 Ultra brought a better 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and S Pen support. The S22 Ultra and later models continued improving low-light photos and charging speeds.
The core camera — the 108MP sensor and 10x optical zoom — still works well. Newer phones have better computational photography, but for everyday shooting, most people won’t notice a huge difference.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Worth It?
If you want flagship features without flagship prices, the S20 Ultra is a solid choice. The build quality, camera, and screen are all still good, especially at the $300-450 price point.
Consider what matters most to you. If ongoing software updates through 2026+ are critical, look at newer budget options or Samsung’s A-series. If you care more about camera quality and display, the S20 Ultra gives you a lot for less money.
Buying refurbished is the safest bet — you get a working phone with warranty protection at a reasonable price.
FAQs
Is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, especially for photography fans. At $300-450 for refurbished units, you get flagship camera hardware and display quality without the flagship price tag.
Does the Galaxy S20 Ultra support 5G networks?
Yes. It works with both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G networks, depending on your carrier and location.
How long will the Galaxy S20 Ultra receive security updates?
Samsung provided three major Android updates and will continue security patches through early 2025. After that, no more official updates.
What’s the main difference between S20 Ultra and S21 Ultra?
The S21 Ultra has a refined 108MP sensor, better computational photography, adaptive 120Hz display, S Pen support, and the newer Snapdragon 888 chip. The S20 Ultra still competes on raw camera hardware.
Can the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s storage be expanded?
Yes, microSD cards up to 1TB work with it. The hybrid SIM tray accepts either a second SIM or a microSD card.
Does the S20 Ultra have wireless charging?
Yes, 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are supported. Place Qi-compatible earbuds on the back to charge them.
