History's Best Selling Tech of 2020

Make way for the hits of 2020! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the turn-of-the-millennium pop explosion and the march of first-rate tech. Crowd-pleasers such as Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A11. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Samsung and Xiaomi, these trailblazing products dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On February 11, 2020, Samsung took the stage in San Francisco for its bi-annual Unpacked event, one of the last major in-person tech showcases before the world changed due to the global pandemic. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation for the successor to the highly successful Galaxy S10 line. On this day, Samsung unveiled not two, but three flagship devices: the Galaxy S20, S20+, and the all-new, top-tier Galaxy S20 Ultra. The presentation positioned the series as a monumental leap forward, heavily emphasizing two key pillars for the new decade: the widespread implementation of 5G connectivity across the entire lineup and a radical new camera system designed to change mobile photography forever.

2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

   Released in 2020 by Xiaomi

   On March 12, 2020, as the world was grappling with the onset of a global pandemic, Xiaomi held a major online-only launch event in India, unveiling the Redmi Note 9 Pro. This date marks a key moment in the hyper-competitive mid-range smartphone market. With physical events canceled, the digital stage became the sole focus, and Xiaomi leveraged it to introduce a device designed to continue its dominance in the value-for-money segment. The announcement was significant not just for the phone itself, but for demonstrating how tech launches would adapt to a new global reality. For millions of fans, the Redmi Note 9 Pro's debut was a welcome distraction, promising flagship-level features without the flagship price tag.

3. Samsung Galaxy A11

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On March 13, 2020, amidst the growing global uncertainty of the early COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung quietly updated its official press website, formally revealing the Galaxy A11 to the world. There was no grand Unpacked event or lavish launch party; instead, the arrival of this crucial budget device was a subtle affair, marked by its appearance online. This low-key announcement underscored the phone's purpose: to be an accessible, no-fuss workhorse for the masses. By launching on this date, Samsung reinforced its commitment to the entry-level market, ensuring that even as the world was changing, consumers on a tight budget would have access to a modern, capable smartphone from a globally trusted brand.

4. Samsung Galaxy A21s

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On May 15, 2020, amidst a global landscape reshaped by the pandemic, Samsung quietly announced the Galaxy A21s. This date marked a strategic reinforcement of its dominance in the budget smartphone segment. With consumers worldwide seeking value and reliability more than ever, the A21s was launched not with a grand stage event, but with a press release detailing a device built for the times. It represented Samsung's commitment to its highly successful A-series, aiming to bring features once reserved for flagships, like a versatile quad-camera array and a massive battery, to an accessible price point, directly challenging competitors in the fiercely contested mid-range market.

5. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

   Released in 2020 by Samsung

   On September 23, 2020, Samsung held a special virtual event titled 'Galaxy Unpacked for Every Fan.' This presentation was uniquely dedicated to unveiling a single device: the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE). In a year defined by global economic uncertainty, this launch was a strategic masterstroke. Instead of a minor iteration, Samsung presented a smartphone built entirely from fan feedback, distilling the most beloved features of its flagship S20 series into a more accessible package. This date marks the moment Samsung directly responded to consumer demand for high-end specifications without the premium price tag, creating a new and highly successful category within its own product ecosystem.