Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Our Verdict: If you've got the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G, the Galaxy S26+ is six years of updates on from it. The S20 Plus 5G has the better camera on paper, 64MP versus 50MP, and the S26+ has the bigger battery of the two, 4900mAh against 4500mAh, which usually means longer between charges. The S26+ goes up to 512GB of storage, where the S20 Plus 5G tops out at 128GB. Coming from the S20 Plus 5G, the S26+ is a genuine upgrade rather than a token one.

If you'd rather pay up front, the S20 Plus 5G is the cheaper buy at £180 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.4
19 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.7"
Display
Dynamic AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1440 x 3200 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
524 513
Rear Camera
64 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
10 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Exynos 990 Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,500 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage
128GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Android Android 16
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE, apt-X 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
162 x 74 x 7.8 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight
188 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP 68
Contracts
- £12.00/mo (£565.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£179.99 £799.00

Prices updated 27 July 2026

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Expert Rating 4.4
19 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.7"
Display Dynamic AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1440 x 3200 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 524 513
Rear Camera 64 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 10 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Exynos 990 Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,500 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage 128GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Android Android 16
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE, apt-X 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 162 x 74 x 7.8 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight 188 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP 68
Contracts - £12.00/mo
£565.00 upfront
SIM-free £179.99 £799.00
Prices updated 27 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G
Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G

128GB

Grey

Refurbished

From £179.99

Samsung Galaxy S26+
Samsung Galaxy S26+

24 Months

256GB

Sky Blue

300GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£12 per month, £565 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G has the sharper display at 524 pixels per inch versus 513, and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G uses a Dynamic AMOLED capacitive touchscreen panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features a 64 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £179.99.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is available in 128GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26+ use?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is powered by the Exynos 990, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is the more portable of the two: they weigh about the same (188 grams vs 190 grams), it's also the more compact phone at 162 x 74 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is rated IP 68.

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26+ run?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G runs Android and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.