Both good and bad Samsung Galaxy S20 news may have been confirmed just hours ahead of launch

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series as outlined in countless leaks and rumors over the last few months now appears to be official. According to allegedly genuine press images and material posted by LetsGoDigital mere hours ahead of the actual Unpacked event, it does indeed consist of the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra.

These phones appear much as they do in their more up-to-date renders and images: for example, the S20 Ultra has a profoundly outsized and rectangular camera hump containing 5 sensors and a flash module. This most recent leak does not give every single spec on all 3 new phones, however. Then again, it does purport to confirm that the S20 has 128GB in internal storage, whereas the S20+ and Ultra also have 256 and 512GB options.

In addition, each model has new audio tuning courtesy of AKG, a 120Hz screen and a new "game booster". Samsung has also outfitted the S20s with a new "Guardian Chip", which may be a Google Titan M analog. The OEM allegedly maintains that this new processor will protect the premium devices from hardware-level attacks. The base model supports 25-watt (W) charging, whereas the Ultra also has a 45W standard...no change there then.

Similarly, the rear cameras are not outlined in full: however, the main sensors range from 64MP in the Galaxy S20 to 108MP in the Ultra. These lenses support novel features such as Space Zoom (which may "bridge the gap" between DSLRs and smartphones, apparently); Super Steady 2.0 and 8K recording.

The latter can be used to stream directly to Samsung 8K TVs or be uploaded directly to YouTube. This goes particularly well using the S20 series' long-touted 5G variants, which apply across the new line's variants. In fact, the base model is the only one with a 4G/LTE option - in the Dutch market at least.

These phones are also enhanced with the latest version of One UI, as one might expect. It supports new features such as support for Spotify playlists automatically generated in line with Bixby (why?) routines, and an automotive Bluetooth-syncing mode called Music Share.

The Galaxy Buds+ will also take the Unpacked 2020 stage. They have a new 11-hour battery, augmented by another 11 via their charging case. LetsGoDigital has also referenced their 3-mic system for clearer call audio, as well as a dynamic 2-way speaker set-up for bass enhancements. Otherwise, these AKG-tuned TWS earphones are much unchanged in their looks from their first generation.

Their color schemes somewhat match those of the phones: they are blue, white or black, whereas those of the S20 have been revealed as Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue or Cloud Pink. The S20+ has choices of Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue or Cosmic Black, whereas the Ultra only gets Cosmic Black or Gray.

Finally, the pricing structure, as apparently guided by Samsung's Netherlands division. The 4G S20 is €899 (US$920), whereas its 5G counterpart is €999 ($1089). The Galaxy S20+ and Ultra 128GB SKUs will go for €1099 ($1198) and €1349 ($1470) respectively, whereas the latter's 512GB price-tag is given at no less than €1549 ($1689). The Galaxy Buds+ also have a new, relatively high price of €169 ($184).

Frankly, these indications give little hope that their USD counterparts will prove any different...so much, then, for Counterpoint Research's latest predictions. Therefore, it now seems certain that Samsung will bank on the Galaxy S20s' improved spec-sheet to drive flagship phone sales this year. Oh well - there is still the new phone's actual dimensions, battery sizes and RAM SKUs to watch out for at their actual launch - not to mention the Z Flip.