Google Pixel 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9: Which One Comes Out On Top?

Customers are not having a ton of good options in Android devices, but larger is not always better. But if you are considering to grab an Android smartphone and you want something that can easily be managed with one hand, then there are only limited options for you to choose.

Two best phones for with pocket-friendly size are arguably belong to Google and Samsung, but which phone is better?

Let’s find out as we will conduct a comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Google Pixel 3 in several categories to find out the winner.

Detailed specs of both handsets

Battery life, Performance, and Charging Google pixel 3 versus Samsung galaxy s9

These two phones are both flagships, so it is no surprise that they both feature the Snapdragon 845 SoC, the most popular flagship this year. Both phones also have 4GB RAM. With this specs, you can play the latest apps and games using either smartphone with a smooth experience and no issue at all.

However, with software skills of Google, its Pixel 3 offers a pretty significant smoother experience. Its performance in our benchmark tests was also a bit better. While there are 64GB and 128GB of internal storage for both phones, the Samsung flagship also comes in a 256GB of storage variant and a MicroSD slot for storage expansion

Unfortunately, it seems like battery life is the weak point for both of the handsets. The Galaxy S9 comes with slightly higher battery capacity, but whatever phone you pick, in busy days, it will probably run out of battery before your bedtime. You can use fast charging for both handsets, but the charging rate of the Pixel is faster than the Galaxy S9. Both support Qi wireless charging as well, at up to 10W.

Winner: Gooogle Pixel 3

Display of google pixel 3 vs samsung galaxy s9

The AMOLED technology of Samsung has been in the leading position in the phone displays for many years, but other competitors are getting close. Google also uses OLED display in its Pixel 3, but at 1,080x2,160 pixels resolution, it is not really as sharp as the display of the S9, which can get up to 1,440x2,960 pixels. The S9, with the extra size, scores a PPI (pixel-per-inch) rating of 570, higher than the 443 for the Google Pixel 3.

Both these phones have a gorgeous display and work well for movies, reading or games, but the display of the S9 still has the edge over the Pixel 3’s.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9

Camera

Both phones on paper have two 12MP sing-lense main cameras, but you can take consistently better photos with the Pixel 3 than the S9. The Pixel 3’s camera is fast and also easy to use, allowing you to take beautiful shots.

More: Google Pixel 3 Camera Can Automatically Take A Photo When Detecting Kisses

The software of Google also enables the phone to combine multiple shots to make sure that every photo is sharp, with perfect contrast and low noise. The Google phone also has an impressive portrait mode that can blur the background and take lovely shots. It can also offer excellent performance in low-light situations thanks to its feature, Night Sight.

But the Galaxy S9 is still a strong contender. It can get the most from many lighting conditions thanks to its variable aperture. It also has a portrait mode called Selective Focus. The phone also comes with some exciting features like Super Slow Motion and AR Emojis. But the Pixel 3 still has an edge in the front-facing camera aspect.

With dual 8MP lenses, you can take wide selfie photos, and get some background into your selfie photos as well. Besides that, you also have the option to store all of your photos at full resolution for free with the Google Pixel 3, and it is clearly winning here.

Winner: Pixel 3

Design and durability

The Galaxy S9 comes with a curved design which Samsung has already refined to near perfection. The S9 screen curves into a metal frame and so does its glass back, and it feel really great in my hand. Its finger scanner is located on the back, below the central camera lens. The screen covers most of the front of the S9, with thin slivers of bezel bottom and top.

You may feel the Pixel less alluring at the first look, but after holding the phone in your hand, you can feel the comfort its etched glass back brings. There is a central fingerprint scanner on its back, and the its camera lens is located at the top left. Its screen on the front is a bit smaller than the Galaxy S9’s, and it has bigger bezels bottom and top, though this allows for front-facing speakers.

Comparing two phones, the Samsung one is slightly larger in all directions and also a bit heavier. The Pixel 3 seems to be more comfortable to hold and handle. We also find that it is pretty to accidentally cover on the S9 speaker at the bottom when you hold the phone in landscape to play games or watch movies.

This is a tough one to pick as it will probably come down to your personal preference so it would be better if you can try both of these phones with your own hands before making the final decisions. The Galaxy may have more style, but the Google Pixel 3 feels just right.

Both phones are glass so you would want to protect either of them with a case. You won’t have to worry about getting both these phones wet and dipping them in water because they are both qualified for IP68 ratings.

Winner: I would say they tie in this aspect

Software and updates

If you are a fan of Samsung TouchWiz, then you will be happy that Samsung has overhauled the user interface and significantly slimmed many things down. The Galaxy S9 was initially released with Android Oreo 8.0 and Experience user interface of Samsung over the top.

The Korean company also adds some customisation options and features that, some of them, are useful. But we don’t really believe that the usability and usefulness of Samsung apps can beat Google ones, and Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant, is miles behind Google Assistant. Although there is a feature of Samsung that triumphs and that is the Samsung Pay with much wider compatibility at point of sale than Google can offers.

The Google Pixel comes with Android Pie 9.0 and several exclusive software features of Google, for instance, Screen Call, which can screen calls for you, and Now Playing, which can tell you what song is currently playing. We believe that the Pixel 3 offers the slickest experience we have ever got on a device running Android.

The Galaxy S9 will soon get updated to Android Pie 9.0 and One UI as well. The Pixel will also get updates in security and Android features much faster than the Galaxy S9 will.

Winner: Pixel 3

Special features

We have already mentioned Screen Call and Now Playing, and we have also gone through some unique camera features of the Google Pixel 3. Google also recently added another camera feature called Night Sight, but there is still another AI feature that we are waiting: Google Duplex, which will allow you to make reservations or appointments by using Google Assistant.

Samsung is a bit better in offering special features, but we feel like the company offers quantity more than quality. If you want to have your smartphone double up as a desktop, then the DeX mode may raise your interest. Otherwise, the AR Emojis or Bixby seem lackluster, but we find the Super Slow Motion video option pretty interesting.

While Samsung’s special features seem like something we won’t use that often, the special features of Google can be used frequently.

Winner: Pixel 3

Price of google pixel 3 versus samsung galaxy s9

The starting price of the S9 is Rs. 57,900 at Flipkart and it is compatible with all major carriers. If you spend a bit more time searching around, you can even find a better deal. Starting price of the Pixel 3 is a bit higher, staying at Rs. 66,890, but Google already offered some discounts for it in the past, so you can still grab the device at a lower price.

Overall winner: Google Pixel 3

The Pixel 3 is simply the best Android device you can own at the moment, so we give it an edge in this comparison. It offers excellent performance along with impressive features and a top-notch camera that you can find in a phone.

If you are used to Samsung devices, you may find value in the extra features that the Galaxy S9 offers, then it can be a viable option, especially it comes with a lower price tag. But we would pick the Google Pixel 3 every single time.