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Samsung Galaxy S20 not your cup of tea? Here are 5 alternatives.

The Galaxy S20 is great, but there are alternatives.
By

Published onJanuary 21, 2022

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra back at angle
David Imel / Android Authority

There’s a lot to like about Samsung’s Galaxy S20 series: 5G support, that Ultra camera system, the 120Hz displays, big batteries, and a whole lot more. But no phone is perfect, and not everyone has the same taste in smartphones. If you were waiting to see what the Galaxy S20 lineup had in store and came away disappointed, we’ve rounded up some of the best Samsung Galaxy S20 alternatives you’ll want to check out.

See also: Samsung Galaxy S20 review

The best Samsung Galaxy S20 alternatives

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best Samsung Galaxy S20 alternatives.

Samsung Galaxy S21 series

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S21 Plus vs S21 Ultra 1 1
David Imel / Android Authority

If you’re still considering the previous Samsung flagship lineup, why not spring for the newer model instead? Samsung’s Galaxy S21 family is packed with a bevy of improvements, and prices are more reasonable this time around, with a starting MSRP of $799.

Our reviews: Galaxy S21 | Galaxy S21 Plus | Galaxy S21 Ultra

With the Galaxy S21 line, you’re getting solid spec sheets with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, plenty of RAM, big OLED displays, and remarkable camera arrays. They ship with Android 11 and One UI 3.1, so the software experience should be similar to the S20. Of course, you’ll also get the gorgeous designs and great build Samsung is known for.


Samsung Galaxy S21 specs:

  • Display: 6.2-inch, QHD+
  • SoC: SD 888 or Exynos 2100
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128/256GB
  • Cameras: 12, 12, and 64MP
  • Front camera: 10MP
  • Battery: 4,000mAh
  • Software: Android 11

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+
  • Chipset: SD 888 or Exynos 2100
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128/256GB
  • Cameras: 12, 12, and 64MP
  • Front cameras: 10MP
  • Battery: 4,800mAh
  • Software: Android 11

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra specs:

  • Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+
  • Chipset: SD 888 or Exynos 2100
  • RAM: 12/16GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 12, 10, 10, and 108MP
  • Front cameras: 40MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 11

OnePlus 9

OnePlus 9 review back
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

OnePlus has slowly been making a move into true flagship territory with its recent releases and completes the jump with the OnePlus 9 Pro. However, if you don’t want to spend close to a thousand dollars, the vanilla OnePlus 9 is an excellent value proposition as well, coming with all the bells and whistles you’d expect, without the hefty price tag.

Find out more: OnePlus 9 review

OnePlus is also finally ready to take on the best from Samsung with an upgraded camera setup and a new partnership with Hasselblad. The OnePlus 9 comes with powerful 50MP and 48MP main shooters. It’s Hasselblad’s software tweaks that take the OnePlus 9’s photography capabilities to the next level, making for some of the best smartphone cameras from OnePlus yet. Inside, you’ll find the Snapdragon 888 humming away backed by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, so you can expect better performance than what you’d get with the Samsung Galaxy S20 series.

The OnePlus 9 isn’t that much more expensive than the Galaxy S20 devices either. However, if you’re looking to get similar specs and features at a more affordable price, the OnePlus 8T is worth considering as well. You get everything the S20 series offers, and it is priced almost the same.


OnePlus 9 specs:

  • Display: 6.55-inch, Full HD+
  • Chipset: SD 888
  • RAM: 8/12GB
  • Storage: 128/256GB
  • Cameras: 50, 48, and 2MP
  • Front cameras: 16MP
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
  • Software: Android 11

Google Pixel 6

Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro lying on autumn leaves
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We couldn’t forget about Google’s own devices. These handsets excel everywhere Samsung can’t. For starters, you’ll get a clean UI experience and timely OS updates. That’s something no manufacturer can beat Pixels on. The latest and greatest from the search giant are the Google Pixel 6 series, which includes a standard version and a Pro variant.

Of course, the base version will be the most direct competitor to the Galaxy S20 series, given the lower price point, and the fact that the Pixel 6 still excels. It comes with a powerful Google Tensor processor, 8GB of RAM, a Full HD AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a design that competes with the best out there.

Related: The best Google products available today

You can upgrade to the Pixel 6 Pro if you want a larger screen with a faster 120Hz refresh rate and higher resolution. As you can expect, it also comes with more RAM at 12 GB. The camera system is improved, too, but both devices do amazingly at mobile photography.


Google Pixel 6 specs:

  • Display: 6.4-inch, Full HD+
  • Chipset: Google Tensor
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128/256GB
  • Cameras: 50 and 12MP
  • Front cameras: 8MP
  • Battery: 4,614mAh
  • Software: Android 12

Google Pixel 6 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.71-inch, QHD+
  • Chipset: Google Tensor
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 50, 48, and 12MP
  • Front cameras: 11.1MP
  • Battery: 5,003mAh
  • Software: Android 12

Xiaomi Mi 11

Xiaomi Mi 11 back against brick
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The Xiaomi Mi 11 is also an excellent alternative to the Galaxy S20. You get the latest processor with the Snapdragon 888, a large, 6.81-inch display, a large 4,600mAh battery, and 55W fast charging. Xiaomi also chose a triple camera array with the regular Mi 11, headlined by a 108MP primary sensor, which you’d only get with the Galaxy S20 Ultra. On the front, you’ll find a 20MP lens for all of your selfie-shooting needs.

Our verdict: Xiaomi Mi 11 review

If you’re looking to get the latest and greatest from Xiaomi, you’ll have to turn to the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. However, the cheaper price tag of the standard Mi 11 makes it a very compelling choice, even if it is more expensive than what you’d get the S20 phones for right now.


Xiaomi Mi 11 specs:

  • Display: 6.81-inch, QHD+
  • Chipset: SD 888
  • RAM: 6/8/12GB
  • Storage: 128/256GB
  • Cameras: 108, 13, and 5MP
  • Front cameras: 11.1MP
  • Battery: 4,600mAh
  • Software: Android 11

iPhone 13 series

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max hero image on wood 3
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
iPhone 13 Pro Max

You’re reading this on an Android website, so I understand this might be shocking. The truth is Galaxy devices are the most popular smartphones globally, right behind Apple’s iPhones. Don’t get me wrong — I wouldn’t be recommending the iPhone 13 series if they weren’t good phones, but they are.

The iPhone 13 is the middle child of the four-phone family, and it meets the needs of most people. It comes with a balanced 6.1-inch screen, while offering outstanding performance thanks to the Apple A15 Bionic chipset. You could also opt for the iPhone 13 Mini if you prefer a more pocketable device that can still perform.

Also: Which iPhone is right for you?

On the other hand, the iPhone 13 Pro features more RAM and higher storage options, as well as an extra telephoto lens camera, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Those who want the top-tier device will enjoy the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with its larger 6.7-inch display and 4,352mAh display.


iPhone 13 specs:

  • Display: 6.1-inch, 2,532 x 1,170
  • SoC: Apple A15 Bionic
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 12 and 12MP
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • Battery: 3,240mAh
  • Software: iOS 15

iPhone 13 Mini specs:

  • Display: 5.4-inch, 2,340 x 1,080
  • SoC: Apple A15 Bionic
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 12 and 12MP
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • Battery: 2,438mAh
  • Software: iOS 15

iPhone 13 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.1-inch, 2,532 x 1,170
  • SoC: Apple A15 Bionic
  • RAM: 6GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512/1024GB
  • Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP + ToF
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • Battery: 3,095mAh
  • Software: iOS 15

iPhone 13 Pro Max specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, 2,778 x 1,284
  • SoC: Apple A15 Bionic
  • RAM: 6GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512/1024GB
  • Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP + ToF
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • Battery: 4,373mAh
  • Software: iOS 15

If these Samsung Galaxy S20 alternatives do not convince you, we also have a list of the best overall phones. It includes the latest and greatest the smartphone market has to offer, so you’re bound to like something. Check out the link below to see our favorite picks!

Here: These are the best smartphones in existence