Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy S20 Ultra, open Settings > Device care > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Device care: Storage, then empty Gallery's Recycle bin. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 128 GB base model.
Last updated
Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy S20 Ultra?
The Galaxy S20 Ultra launched in March 2020 with Android 10 and One UI 2.1. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Device care > Storage.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy S20 Ultra?
On the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 10, before Android 11's system trash, so that depends on it having been updated.
What is specific to the Galaxy S20 Ultra?
108 MP mode photos are several times larger than the default 12 MP shots. The 512 GB version has 16 GB RAM, and every version takes microSD up to 1 TB.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy S20 Ultra ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 2.1, the Galaxy S20 Ultra has Device care: Storage (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage), Recycle bin cleanup (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage > Recycle bin) and My Files Recycle bin (My Files > Recycle bin). How each works is in the Samsung guide.
How much space do Galaxy S20 Ultra photos take?
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 108 MP main sensor, 12 MP by default, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 48 MP telephoto (10x hybrid), ToF depth camera. 1,000 default Galaxy S20 Ultra shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| Full-resolution mode (108 MP) | about 17.3 MB | about 578 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 24fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the Galaxy S20 Ultra to its 108 MP mode makes each shot about 17.3 MB, roughly 5 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 3.5 GB. RAW files from the Galaxy S20 Ultra run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 24fps, the Galaxy S20 Ultra writes about 600 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 6.0 GB, the same as 1,667 default photos. Selfies from the 40 MP front camera are about 9.6 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy S20 Ultra storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 18 GB (14%) |
| 512 GB | 18 GB (4%) | 18 GB (4%) |
On the 128 GB Galaxy S20 Ultra, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 56% of it. On the 512 GB Galaxy S20 Ultra, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 14% of it.
Can you move Galaxy S20 Ultra photos to a memory card?
Yes, the Galaxy S20 Ultra takes microSD. A 128 GB card would hold about 35,556 of its default photos.
How does the Galaxy S20 Ultra compare with other Galaxy S phones?
Against the Galaxy S10e (March 2019), the Galaxy S20 Ultra has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 108 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S10e has 12 MP. Against the Galaxy S10 (March 2019), the Galaxy S20 Ultra has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 108 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S10 has 12 MP. Against the Galaxy S10+ (March 2019), the Galaxy S20 Ultra has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 108 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S10+ has 12 MP.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S20 Ultra | March 2020 | 128 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S10e | March 2019 | 128 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S10 | March 2019 | 128 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S10+ | March 2019 | 128 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy S20 Ultra?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later (so an updated Galaxy S20 Ultra), will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy S20 Ultra photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 512 GB Galaxy S20 Ultra?
In theory about 142,222 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Galaxy S20 Ultra have?
It was sold with 128 GB and 512 GB, plus a microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy S20 Ultra (SM-G988BZADEUA) specifications (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to clear up storage space on your smartphone (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to delete or restore files in the recycle bin in My Files (checked 31 October 2026)
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GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.