Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2: Which Android phone is the best?

If you are on the market of a top Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Google Pixel 2 are probably on your list of considerations.

This is not a surprise – as a manufacturer of Android phones, Samsung has built a powerful and stylish machine in the Galaxy S9. And although it is expensive at $ 720 to $ 800 (prices vary by carrier), £ 739 and AU $ 1,199, the S9 is at the top of its class.

Google's branded phone is also a champion in itself. The Pixel 2 has a best-in-show camera and a lower price that starts at $ 649, £ 629 and $ 1,079. It has such an appeal that we believe that even the most demanding users of Apple should give a chance to Pixel 2. (Now we know that the rumor 3 is expected to arrive in October, but if you need to? a phone now, both are available now.)

So which one should you buy? It depends on what you want from a phone and how much you are willing to spend to get it. We have stacked these two powers against each other to determine which one has the best design, the best camera, the best software features and the best performance.

Design: Galaxy S9 Displays a Luxurious Look

I've never been a big fan of the Pixel 2 design. Although I love its 5-inch pocket size (it must seriously be there have a resurgence of smaller and more powerful phones), its attractive pale blue variant and its robustness, the Pixel 2 is anything but elegant.

Its thick edges and matte finish on the back (aluminum) are old-fashioned and inexpensive, especially unlike the Galaxy S9's curved edge-to-edge screen and shiny glass case (though). 39, he captures the fingerprints). The Pixel 2 also has no headphone jack, while the Galaxy S9 does, which is a deal-breaker for many. This means that you will need to connect a Bluetooth headset or carry an electronic key to listen to your music and calls.

On top of that, the Galaxy S9's biggest screen is sharper, with more pixels per inch, and it's slightly more water-resistant. It can be soaked for 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water compared to the limit of one meter of Pixel 2 (or about 3.3 feet). However, I would not go too far with this distinction – I am just glad that both phones are waterproof and that you can pick them up quickly as soon as they accidentally fall into the water. Of course, all of these design goodies come at a higher cost, which puts a bigger dent in your wallet.

Winner : The Galaxy S9 is more expensive, and the way it attracts fingerprints and stains is annoying. But I still prefer its smoother design on the Pixel 2.

Camera: Pixel 2 packs a powerful camera

If you really want to know which of the two has a better camera, read our super in Depth camera comparison here: Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2: Which camera is the best?

But here's the TL: DR: The Galaxy S9 has a fantastic camera, and excels at taking pictures without sound (like when you capture the sky or a low-light night) and medium-low-light images.

However, the Pixel 2's camera is superior. Its enhanced HDR + feature lets you simply click the shutter button and take a great shot effortlessly. Photos taken in portrait mode (on cameras at the back and front) are more fluid and more aesthetic, and they help to better understand that your hair should not be blurred in the background , for example. Finally, we believe that its video stabilization capabilities are the best on any phone available.

(Seriously, it's better to read our extensive Galaxy S9 vs Pixel 2 video for all the pictures and info.)

Winner : The Pixel 2 camera is outstanding.

Software Features: Google Assistant vs. Samsung Bixby

Both phones run Android Oreo, but when it comes to updates, the Pixel 2 has an advantage. As a Google phone, it will receive updates from the company as soon as they are available for deployment (which means it will be one of the first phones to get the final version of Android P). Galaxy S9 operating system updates usually arrive a few months later.

The Pixel 2 and Galaxy S9 also have their own digital voice assistants: Google Assistant and Bixby Voice, respectively. However, the Galaxy S9 also has an assistant.

Both assistants can do the basics (setting reminders and alarms, checking the weather, etc.), but Bixby can handle complex multi-step commands like posting your last picture on Instagram with a dictation legend. Assistant, on the other hand, taps into Google's vast search database and can search for questions through continuous conversation. It's also very fast when looking for answers, while Bixby takes a beat or two more.

With Google Lens and Bixby Vision integrated, both phones can also search for visual elements such as ID marks or scan barcodes. For a more in-depth look at these wizards, check out our comparison Siri vs Google Assistant vs Bixby.

Personally, I prefer to use Assistant because of its speed. I also like the simpler user interface of Pixel 2. Because it is so streamlined, the learning curve is lower and more user-friendly. I'm not a fan of the Galaxy S9 Bixby dedicated button on the left edge of the phone either. It can not be reprogrammed to do anything else, and you end up hitting it all the time.

However, with the Galaxy S9, you do not have to choose between assistants because you have both. The phone also has an iris scanning feature for added privacy.

Winner : Toss up – I much prefer the simple and refined user experience of Pixel 2, but when it comes to "doing" more, the Galaxy S9 definitely has more and more. 39; options.

Performance and battery: the Galaxy S9 reigns over everything

Equipped with the latest Snapdragon 845 chipset from Qualcomm, the Galaxy S9 is fast and fluid. As our benchmark results show, he comfortably beat the Pixel 2 – featuring a Snapdragon 835 processor – on our benchmark tests.

Keep in mind that this is not because the Pixel 2 has the processor of the last year that it is not zippy itself. As for the daily use as the camera trigger, stopping apps and scrolling web pages, I have not noticed any difference in speed between the two , and Pixel 2 is as responsive today as day 1.

Geekbench v.4.0 single-core

Geekbench v.4.0 Multicore

Unlimited 3DMark Ice Storm

The Galaxy S9 (3.000mAh) battery is only slightly larger than the Pixel 2 (2.700mAh), but its life span is impressive. In our battery lab tests for streaming video in airplane mode, the Galaxy S9 lasted 15 hours and 30 minutes. The Pixel 2 lasted 13 hours and 28 minutes, but it was nowhere near the Galaxy S9.

In addition, the Galaxy S9 has wireless charging, similar to previous Galaxy phones, the 2017 iPhones, the LG G7 ThinQ and others. With this function, you can place the S9 on a charging stand and it will fill up without using a cable. Although it's not exactly a "make-or-break" feature for me, it's a convenience of more than the S9 does not have.

Winner : Although the Pixel 2 is still a reliable and fast phone, the Galaxy S9 is faster and has a longer battery life.

And the winner is …

Because I love the ease with which I can take a great picture with little effort, I personally lean towards Pixel 2. I also have its minimalist interface, pocket and slightly lower price tag.

But who is objectively the best phone? I must say, it's the Galaxy S9. With its smooth appearance, fast processor and long battery life, it has exceeded the Pixel 2 in several categories. All this makes sense, since it is the newest and most expensive model.

Whatever phone you choose, you will surely be satisfied with both. However, it is important to note that these two are not even your only options. If you want a bigger phone, there is the Galaxy S9 Plus and the Pixel 2 XL to consider. And if you do not need a new phone immediately, the Pixel 3 should be launched in four months, while the next Samsung phone will be the Galaxy Note 9, which is expected to come out around the month of April. ;August. Both phones should have more processing power, the latest version of Android P and better cameras.

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