Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 Lite late last year. It was a watered-down version of the flagship and Samsung doesn't normally release such variants. However, the company said at that time that this handset will enable more customers to experience some of the features that its flagships offer at a lower price point.
Naturally, when the Galaxy S20 was unveiled earlier this year, many wondered if Samsung would release a similar variant of its newest flagship as well. We can exclusively confirm that yes, a new version of the Galaxy S20 is coming that will take over the Galaxy S Lite lineup.
Galaxy S20 Fan Edition is in development
We have heard from sources that a new Galaxy S20 variant is under development with the model number SM-G780 (Global) and SM-G781 (US). For those keeping tabs, the Galaxy S10 Lite has model number SM-G770.
Three versions of this handset, which is being referred to as the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition internally, will be available. The SM-G780 will be available across the globe with and without 5G. The SM-G781 will only be available with 5G.
The detailed specs of this handset are not yet known but from what we hear, it's going to have at least 128GB of internal storage. The device will run on Android 10 with One UI 2.5, the latest iteration of Samsung's custom skin that's due to be launched with the Galaxy Note 20.
Samsung fans would certainly keep their fingers crossed that this new Galaxy S20 variant takes a page out of the Galaxy S10 Lite's book in the processor department. Samsung shipped the Galaxy S10 Lite across the globe with the Snapdragon 855, the same processor that only select markets got with the Galaxy S10 lineup. If it sticks to this, we can expect the watered-down Galaxy S20 to feature the Snapdragon 865.
This device could have the potential to perform even better than the actual Galaxy S20 lineup, particularly in markets outside the US, where customers have had serious concerns about the Exynos 990's performance compared to the Snapdragon 865. The Galaxy S20 series had a rough start anyway due to the pandemic and the camera software issues that cast a shadow over the high-profile launch.
The Galaxy S10 Lite was accompanied by the Galaxy Note 10 Lite last year. We haven't heard anything about a Galaxy Note 20 Lite so far. Perhaps it might surface down the line once the new phablet has been unveiled. As it stands, there's reason to believe that Samsung may not call this new device the Galaxy S20 Lite, it may just be launched as the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition instead.
A name doesn't really make any difference. What matters is just what Samsung will offer in terms of specs like the cameras and battery capacity as well as how much it would cost. It's unclear right now what the price for this device could be, but it should hover around $800 if the Galaxy S10 Lite is any indication.
Would you be interested in a Lite or Fan Edition variant of the Galaxy S20? Let us down in the comments!
