For the past several months, rumors have been floating around the web about what exactly we should be expecting from Samsung’s newest flagships. Now that the phones have released, what exactly is the difference when comparing the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus? Is the extra power worth the upgrade? Let’s take a look at what differentiates one from the other in order to figure out which new S9 is worth your time.
Long before the official announcement, many people were poring over potential specifications and trying to compare the Galaxy S9 vs the Galaxy S9 Plus. Now that we have a reliable confirmation of all the features and the two phones have an impending pre-order date just a few days away, it’s much easier to compare the two in a more objective manner.
When comparing the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus, it’s clear that the S9 Plus has the upper hand. With that said, the increase in power and specifications is actually pretty minimal. While the S9 Plus is the superior phone, this is the second year in a row that Samsung has released a flagship lineup with a negligible difference between the base and more premium model.
Power
Both the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9 Plus feature the Snapdragon 845 processor – the latest chip from Qualcomm that is built for optimal power and speed. In Europe, however, the devices will be powered by the company’s own proprietary Exynos 9810 chip. In terms of performance when looking at the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus, the Plus does come out ahead despite an identical processor due to the fact that it features 6GB of RAM vs the Galaxy S9’s 4GB. 4GB of RAM is more than sufficient for the majority of tasks, but if you’re looking for the best of the best in terms of power, the Plus is definitely the way to go.
Display
If your primary concern when looking at the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus is screen size, the S9 Plus beats out the S9 by a decent margin with a 6.2-inch screen vs 5.8-inches. With how large smartphones are becoming, however, the slightly smaller size of the S9 may actually be a benefit for some users.
Storage
Both of the devices come with the options for both 64GB and 256GB of storage, giving you the choice between saving some money on this already expensive phone and maxing out your available space for all of the beautiful photos you’ll be taking with the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus cameras.
Camera
Speaking of cameras, this is one area in which there is a significant difference between the two devices in terms of technology. The Galaxy S9 Plus features a dual-lens camera, while the S9 only has a single lens. That means that when comparing the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus, the Plus is the clear winner when it comes to the quality of photographs. With that said, the S9 itself takes some of the best pictures on the market on its own. With the tagline “The Camera. Reimagined,” it’s clear that Samsung decided to focus on the lens as the main attraction of this new flagship. At the end of the day, you’ll see some top-quality performance regardless of your choice with the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus. For those who want the best smartphone photography on the market, however, the Galaxy S9 Plus is a must-have.
Battery
Another big difference when comparing the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus is the battery. While both phones will comfortably last a full day on a single charge, the Galaxy S9 Plus has a bigger 3500mAh battery when compared to the 3000mAh of the base model. Both devices do offer support for wireless charging as well as a quick-charge capability, however, so it’s simple enough to top off your phone and get on with your day.
Design
In terms of design, comparing the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus isn’t really necessary as they’re pretty much exactly the same. Both phones look strikingly similar to the Galaxy S8, with the curved glass and metal design with a minute bezel. Fortunately, the headphone jack has been retained yet again despite many manufacturers choosing to omit such a feature.
Considering the huge overhaul the S-series received last year, the S9 was unlikely to see a dramatic overhaul. Both phones retain the curvy glass and metal look with minimal bezel, the headphone jack and an IP68 rating for water-resistance.
Verdict
Long story short, the Galaxy S9 Plus is larger, slightly faster, and has a better camera. However, it’s also $120 more expensive at $929.00 vs $799.99. Whether or not it’s worth the extra price is currently unclear. It’s safe to say that when comparing the Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy S9 Plus, the latter is the superior model – but not by much.
