Galaxy S20 FE 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 8 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G (Fan Edition), released in October 2020, and the Apple iPhone 8, launched in September 2017, represent different approaches to smartphone design and user experience from their respective manufacturers. While the iPhone 8 offers a compact form factor and a streamlined operating system, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G provides a larger display, a versatile camera system, and more recent hardware. These differences cater to distinct user preferences, particularly concerning screen size, camera capabilities, and software ecosystems.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Release Timeline and Age: The iPhone 8, released in September 2017, is an older device compared to the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, which launched in October 2020. This age difference directly impacts their current and future software support.
• OS Support Duration: The iPhone 8 originally shipped with iOS 11 and received updates up to iOS 16, but it does not support iOS 17 or later versions. It continued to receive security updates until at least September 2025. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G launched with Android 10 and was upgradable to Android 12, with some models receiving Android 13. Samsung initially promised three major OS updates for the S20 FE series, and it moved to a quarterly security update schedule in late 2024, with support ending around November 2025.
• Repairability: The iPhone 8 received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, noting that the screen and battery are relatively easy to replace, but the glass back is difficult to remove due to strong adhesive. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G is considered moderately repairable, scoring 7.5 out of 10, with components requiring some disassembly and the battery being somewhat difficult to remove without heat.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from basic navigation to demanding applications.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, suitable for gaming and intensive use. The iPhone 8, while older, still offers decent performance for most everyday applications and social media, though it may feel slower with animations or after taking photos compared to newer devices.
• Storage Options: The iPhone 8 was available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G offers 128GB or 256GB internal storage, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSDXC card, which uses a shared SIM slot.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a 4500mAh battery, often providing a full day of heavy use and potentially two days for lighter users. It supports 25W fast charging, 15W fast wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 8 has an 1821mAh battery, which users reported as decent for its time, often lasting a full day with mixed usage, but heavy users might need to charge it during the day. It supports wireless charging.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer distinct viewing experiences.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x2400 pixels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 8 has a smaller 4.7-inch Retina HD LED-backlit IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334x750 pixels, providing clear visuals and good color accuracy.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A key differentiator is the refresh rate; the Galaxy S20 FE 5G boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid user experience. The iPhone 8 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Brightness and Outdoor Use: Both displays offer sufficient brightness for indoor use. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G's AMOLED screen generally provides good visibility, though some users noted it could be challenging in very bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone 8's display also offers adequate brightness, but may struggle in direct sunlight.

Camera capabilities are often a deciding factor for many users, and these phones offer different photographic strengths.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera system on the rear, including a 12MP wide-angle primary lens, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. It has a 32MP front camera. The iPhone 8 has a single 12MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and a 7MP front camera.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G's main camera is praised for good quality in both day and night conditions, with the telephoto lens being useful for zoomed shots. The ultrawide camera's performance is noted to be less impressive by some users, and the front camera can sometimes produce washed-out images without night mode. The iPhone 8's camera, while single-lens, was considered excellent for its time, producing detailed and well-colored photos, especially in good lighting, with improved HDR. Its 7MP selfie camera also performed well.
• Video Recording Quality: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second.