Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2 vs. Galaxy S20: A Detailed Comparison of Performance, Security, and Value

The Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2 and Galaxy S20 represent different points in Samsung's flagship strategy. The Quantum 2, with its integrated QRNG security chip, targets users prioritizing privacy, while the S20, released as a broader flagship, aimed for a balance of features and performance. This comparison dissects their key differences, considering the S20's regional chipset variations.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy S20 offers a more well-rounded experience, primarily due to its superior display and broader feature set. However, the Quantum 2 presents a compelling value for security-conscious individuals, leveraging its unique QRNG chipset and capable Snapdragon 855+ processor.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2 Samsung Galaxy S20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands78 Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 132020, February 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 23Available. Released 2020, March 06
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.9 x 73.8 x 8.1 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.72 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight176 g (6.21 oz)163 g (5.75 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~524 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~563 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 93.8 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 120Hz@FHD / 60Hz@QHD refresh rateAlways-on display 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD refresh rate
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm), QRNG security chipsetExynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - USA
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA
OSAndroid 11, One UI 3.1Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, (wide)10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, VioletCosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cloud White, Aura Red
ModelsSM-A826SSM-G980, SM-G980F, SM-G980F/DS
PriceAbout 520 EUR$ 252.72 / C$ 249.99 / £ 185.00 / € 185.00
SAR-0.76 W/kg (head)     1.01 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.28 W/kg (head)     1.52 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 71h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 525029 (v8) GeekBench: 12557 (v4.4), 2750 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2

  • Integrated QRNG security chip for enhanced privacy
  • Snapdragon 855+ offers solid, consistent performance
  • Competitive price point (likely lower than S20)

  • Lacks wireless charging capabilities
  • Display specifications are less impressive than the S20

Samsung Galaxy S20

  • Brighter, higher-quality display with infinite contrast
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless power share
  • Potentially superior camera performance (depending on region)

  • Exynos 990 variant prone to thermal throttling
  • Higher price point compared to the Quantum 2

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S20 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 814 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Quantum 2. While the Quantum 2's panel technology isn't detailed, the S20's 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests a high-quality AMOLED panel. The S20's display is geared towards outdoor visibility and immersive content viewing, while the Quantum 2's display experience remains less defined without specific brightness data. The S20's display is a clear advantage for users who frequently use their phones in bright sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but specifics are limited to 'Photo / Video' for both. The S20 likely benefits from Samsung's more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes, though this isn't confirmed. The Quantum 2's camera performance is likely good, but lacks the marketing emphasis and feature set of the S20. Without detailed sensor specifications, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the S20's broader camera feature set and potential for superior image quality give it an edge.

Performance

The performance landscape is complex. The Galaxy S20 shipped with either the Exynos 990 (globally) or the Snapdragon 865 (USA). The Quantum 2 utilizes the Snapdragon 855+, a generation older but still capable. The Snapdragon 865 in the US S20 variant offers a performance edge over both the Exynos 990 and the 855+ due to its newer architecture and 7nm+ process. However, the Exynos 990 has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, potentially negating its theoretical advantage. The Quantum 2's 855+ benefits from a mature and well-optimized architecture, providing consistent performance. The USA S20 variant is the performance leader, but the Quantum 2 offers a solid experience for most tasks.

Battery Life

Both devices share a 25W wired charging capability. The S20 adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging (Qi) and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent in the Quantum 2. Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 71 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities. The S20's wireless charging capabilities provide added flexibility, while the Quantum 2 focuses on faster wired charging as its primary charging method.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2 if you prioritize on-device security and appreciate the peace of mind offered by a dedicated QRNG chipset. It's ideal for users handling sensitive data or concerned about privacy. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 if you value a vibrant, high-brightness display, versatile camera capabilities, and the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless power share. It's better suited for multimedia consumption and general everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 990 in the global S20 variant overheat during demanding tasks like gaming?
Yes, the Exynos 990 has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during prolonged gaming sessions. This can lead to reduced performance and a less consistent experience compared to the Snapdragon 865 variant.
❓ How does the QRNG security chip in the Quantum 2 actually improve my privacy?
The Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) creates truly random numbers, unlike pseudo-random number generators used in most devices. This is crucial for cryptographic keys and secure transactions, making it significantly harder for attackers to predict and compromise your data.
❓ Is the 25W charging speed on both phones sufficient for quick top-ups?
25W charging is reasonably fast, providing a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. However, it's not as rapid as some newer phones with 45W or 65W charging capabilities. The S20's wireless charging adds convenience, while the Quantum 2 relies solely on wired charging.
❓ Which phone is better for mobile gaming?
The US variant of the S20 with the Snapdragon 865 offers the best gaming performance. The Quantum 2's Snapdragon 855+ is still capable, but the 865 has a performance advantage. The Exynos 990 variant of the S20 may experience throttling during extended gaming sessions.