The Galaxy S20 generation is the one where Samsung committed to the rectangular camera island, and all three models wore it. That shared design cue is why S20 and S20 Plus cases get mixed up constantly on resale sites. They are not interchangeable, and the giveaway is easier to spot than most.
The numbers
- Galaxy S20 (SM-G980 / SM-G981 for 5G): 6.2-inch curved display, 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm, 163 g, 4,000 mAh, three rear cameras
- Galaxy S20 Plus (SM-G985 / SM-G986 for 5G): 6.7-inch curved display, 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm, 186 g, 4,500 mAh, four rear sensors
10.2 mm of height and 4.6 mm of width. No case bridges that.
Count the holes in the camera island
This is the fastest visual check that does not require turning the phone on. The base S20 has three lenses in the island. The S20 Plus has three lenses plus a fourth, smaller opening for the depth-sensing time-of-flight sensor, arranged with the ToF unit offset to the side.
A case cut for the S20 has a three-opening window. Put it on a Plus and the ToF sensor is covered, which breaks portrait-mode depth data. That is a functional failure, not just a cosmetic one.
For certainty, check Settings > About phone > Model number. SM-G980 or G981 is the base S20. SM-G985 or G986 is the Plus. SM-G988 is the S20 Ultra, which is 166.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm and 220 g — different again.
What to put on a Galaxy S20 Plus
The S20 Plus is a 186 g phone with a curved screen on both edges. Curved glass is expensive to replace and it takes the impact first in an edge-on drop, so a case with a lip that rises above the curve is doing the work that matters. An aluminium frame gives you that lip without much added bulk.
These phones are now old enough that a lot of them work as jobsite, boat and workshop handsets. If yours does, a sealed case with a built-in screen protector that still passes the fingerprint reader is a better match than an open-faced shell.
The Galaxy S20 Plus cases collection covers the 161.9 mm body.
What to put on a base Galaxy S20
At 69.1 mm wide the base S20 is one of the narrowest flagships Samsung has made in the last decade, and it is genuinely usable one-handed. A slim metal shell preserves that. If you are using it as a rugged secondary phone, the aluminium military-style case adds structural corners without turning it into a brick.
See the Galaxy S20 Cases collection.
Screen protectors on curved S20 glass
Both phones curve at the left and right edges, and that changes the calculation. Flat tempered glass physically cannot follow a curve. Manufacturers solve it two ways:
- Narrow-cut flat glass that sits inside the curve. It stays put and feels like glass, but leaves the curved strip on each side bare.
- Flexible TPU film that wraps the whole panel edge to edge. It covers everything and will not lift, but it scratches more easily and does not feel like glass under a finger.
If your protector keeps peeling at the sides, you have flat glass fighting a curve. Switching to film fixes it permanently. Both S20 models use an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, so whichever you pick, choose one rated for it and re-register your print after applying.
Frequently asked questions
Will an S20 FE case fit an S20? No. The S20 FE is 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm with a flat screen, against the S20's 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm curved. Completely different phones despite the name.
Will a Note 20 case fit an S20 Plus? No. The Note 20 is 161.6 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm — similar height, but wider, thicker, and with the camera island in a different position.
Do S20 and S20 Plus share a wireless charger? Yes, any Qi pad works with both. Both also support Wireless PowerShare for charging earbuds off the back of the phone.
Are these phones still getting security updates? The S20 series has passed the end of its guaranteed update window. If you are keeping one in service, that is an argument for using it as a secondary or work device rather than your primary banking phone.
Which model do I have if the phone will not turn on? Measure the height. 151.7 mm is the base S20, 161.9 mm is the Plus, 166.9 mm is the Ultra. Or check with us through the Contact page or 978-797-0223.
The bottom line
Count the camera openings: three means base S20, four means S20 Plus. Nothing that touches the body swaps between them, and on a curved screen your protector choice matters more than your case choice.