Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus vs Google Pixel 2 XL: first look

We had one with us at the Samsung event that's just wrapped up and we now have some first-hand impressions. So here it is: our first comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and the Google Pixel 2 XL.

The Galaxy S9+ and the Pixel 2 XL are both big phones, but despite the S9+ having a 6.2" display — bigger than the 6" one on the Pixel 2 XL — the Galaxy S9+ is actually the smaller of the two. Samsung has cut down the bezel to the bare minimum and the S9+ has one of the highest screen-to-body ratios ever seen in a phone at nearly 84%, while the Pixel 2 XL has much bigger bezels all around and a screen-to-body ratio of only 77%. It's not just this: the Galaxy S9+ has a refined design with elegant curves that give it a truly exquisite look. The Pixel 2 XL on the other side has a more blocky, less ergonomic shape, a strange plastic-like metal finish and also feels much bulkier. In terms of materials, the glass back on the S9+ might get messy with fingerprints, but it looks stunning, while the more practical Pixel remains smudge-free, but never has that elegant feel.

Both phones are also water-resistant, but the Galaxy has the higher, IP68 rating that ensures the phone will survive even a deeper plunge in water (up to 5 feet), while the Pixel has an IP67 rating (up to 3 feet submersion in water).

While design can be subjective, there is one thing that is not: the screen on the Galaxy S9+ looks fabulous. Its rich, lively colors blow the Pixel's dim and lackluster display away and the difference is clearly noticeable in real life. The Galaxy has great viewing angles, deeper blacks, more impressive colors, more color adjustment color options and while both are OLED screens with a Quad HD resolution, they are indeed very, very different. 

"Camera. Reimagined" says Samsung, but is it good enough to match the AI-enhanced camera on the Pixel 2 XL?

We took a few pictures with both phones (see their camera specs here), not nearly enough to draw any final conclusions, but we noticed some things. First, the Pixel 2 XL is still superior in terms of dynamic range. But secondly, we noticed that photos from the Pixel 2 XL don't look great on the display of the phone itself. The Galaxy S9, on the other hand, has a display that makes its pictures shine and if you compare photos from the two phones on the phones themselves, you'd be convinced that it is the Galaxy that shoots the better pictures.

We came back and opened the same pictures on a laptop and noticed that it was actually the Pixel that took slightly more likable photos: with higher dynamics and a bit richer detail, but those are only our first impressions.

Take a look at the photos that we took right below (downsized for convenient, faster viewing):

And then there are the tips and tricks of which the Samsung has many. The new AR Emoji and stickers are fun and we actually see ourselves using them on a regular basis. There is no such a thing on the Pixel. The new Super Slow Motion looks grainy, but also... epic! And this is another magic trick the Pixel cannot pull out.

For selfies, both phones are able to shoot portrait shots with a blurred background, which is a really neat option.

Here was our number one wish for the Galaxy S9: make it so that this super-expensive Android phone does not stutter and lag.

This is about the same plea that we have for Samsung every year and every year we come away slightly disappointed. Well, this time around it seems that the impossible has happened and the Galaxy S9+ seems to actually run without much stutter.

Is it as fast and smooth as the Pixel 2 XL? No. But it does seem much faster than the Galaxy S8 that would just noticeably pause and stutter every time you opened the Bixby panel or the app drawer.

The Samsung also has the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system chip, while the Pixel 2 XL has last year's Snapdragon 835. This makes a noticeable difference in benchmarks, with a nearly 40% to 50% higher scores for the Galaxy over the Pixel: