With the release of the next generation Samsung flagship, the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 battle is on! Samsung’s new device will need to significantly outperform its Galaxy S8 release, while also competing favorably with the Apple iPhone X. But how do the three devices stack up against one another? Let’s take a look…
Size
Design is a critical front in the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 war, and so it is interesting to look at the size of the three devices. Of the three, the iPhone X is the slimmest, measuring just 7.7 mm in depth. It is also smaller than the other two handsets, meaning that the Apple release is the most compact, handing it an immediate advantage in this area. – Advantage: iPhone X
Weight
However, although the iPhone X is the slinkiest of these three mobiles, it is also, bizarrely, the heaviest as well! Weighing in at 174 grammes, the Apple smartphone is heavier than the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8, with the latter being the lightest of the three devices at 155 grammes. – Advantage: Galaxy S8
Display
Display quality is absolutely critical in the smartphone niche now, and this makes this a central aspect of the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 battle. However, there is absolutely nothing to choose between the display sizes here, with all three smartphones having been armed with a 5.8-inch screen. – Advantage: None
Resolution
Resolution is just as important as screen size, though, and thus the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 comparison is informative here. The Apple smartphone trails in behind both Samsung releases, despite the fact that the manufacturer has seriously upgraded the display included in the iPhone X from previous Apple releases.
Still, the quad HD resolution of the iPhone X is inferior to the quad HD+ resolution of both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8. However, the Galaxy S8 is actually capable of displaying 80 more pixels in a vertical direction, meaning that it has an edge over its newer cousin. GS9 – 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density), iPX – 1125 x 2436 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density), GS8 – 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~570 ppi density) – Advantage: Galaxy S8
Processor
Processing power obviously impacts massively on the performance of any mobile device, so this is another area where the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 comparison is particularly informative. It should be noted that the proprietary hardware and software technology that Apple always includes in its smartphones offers a real advantage to the iPhone X.
But the hexa-core processor included in the iPhone X is inferior to the octa-core units that appear in both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8. Both are clocked at the same speed, meaning that performance from both devices should be fairly similar. – Advantage: Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9
Benchmarking
However, the iPhone X has outperformed both of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8 in benchmark testing. iPhone X scored 4257 in the single-core test and 10364 in the multi-core Geekbench 4 test, while the Galaxy S9 scored 8424 and 2472. – Advantage: iPhone X
Memory
The 4GB of RAM memory in both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8 are superior to the 3GB included in the iPhone X. While this theoretically hands both of the Samsung mobiles an advantage, the results of benchmark testing should also be heeded. – Advantage: Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8
Storage
While Apple has previously held an advantage in this department, the recent release of the Galaxy S9 has negated this historical trend. While both the iPhone X and Galaxy S9 offer 256GB versions, Samsung has also included a 128GB model of the S9 which is not present in the iPhone X range.
It must be said that the Galaxy S8 trails in behind here offering only a 64GB version. – Advantage: Galaxy S9
Camera
Mobile devices are often marketed as secondary cameras nowadays, meaning that this is a critical aspect of the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 comparison. Firstly, let’s look at the specifications of the three devices.
Galaxy S9 – Dual: 12 MP (f/1.5-2.4, 26mm, 1/2.5″, 1.4 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF), phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash, check quality
iPhone X – Dual: 12 MP (f/1.8, 28mm) + 12 MP (f/2.4, 52mm), OIS, phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED dual-tone flash
Galaxy S8 – 12 MP (f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.5″, 1.4 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF), phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash
Inclusion of a dual-camera in the Galaxy S9 is particularly welcome, and the world-beating aperture that Samsung has boasted ahead of the release of the smartphone certainly makes a tangible difference. It can be stated that the Galaxy S9 is the best smartphone camera on the market, producing superior results in both photographs and videos. Furthermore, the much touted super slow-motion mode is particularly effective, and is an additional string in the bow of the Galaxy S9.
The Galaxy S8 delivers a very decent camera, but not one that can stand up to the more recent releases. – Advantage: Galaxy S9
Battery
Both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8 feature non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh batteries that are larger than the 2716 mAh cell featured in the iPhone X. This means that the lifecycle of the two devices is superior to the Apple release; an area that the Californian corporation must surely address in future releases, after much gnashing of teeth over the matter. – Advantage: Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8
Price
Pricing is also obviously key in the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 war, and it is interesting to compare the devices in this department. The Galaxy S8 is now available at a very affordable price tag, with the handset purchasable for around $599 on Amazon.com. With the Galaxy S9 retailing at $720, it is still significantly more affordable than the iPhone X, which was introduced at a price tag $999.
Nonetheless, it would be fit to say that the Galaxy S8 represents the value for money option here.
Advantage: Galaxy S8
Conclusion
When making the Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X vs Galaxy S8 comparison, it must be said that the Galaxy S8 fares rather well against its more recent competition. Samsung hasn’t bumped up the specs of the Galaxy S9 in every department, which means that the Galaxy S8 compares favorably with its successor.
The Galaxy S9 does deliver the best smartphone camera to be released as of yet, which will be a major selling point of the unit. Benchmarking suggests that the iPhone X is the most powerful of these three devices, despite an apparent deficit in specifications, yet it is clear that the Galaxy S9 will be a major competitor.
