Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs Galaxy S9+ vs Pixel 2 XL vs Moto Z3: What's the difference?
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Samsung's latest device, the Galaxy Note 9, is official.
The company has announced the 6.4-inch phone at an Unpacked event in New York City, where it detailed premium-level specs such as a dual camera system and a 4,000mAh battery that supports both Quick Charge 4.0 and wireless charging. Samsung clearly wanted to wow us with the Galaxy Note 9 while also introduce something that differs from its other big-screened flagship, the Galaxy S9+.
To help you see how Samsung's two devices really compare, ZDNet has pitted them against each other, spec by spec. We also lined them up against two other popular handsets -- the Google Pixel 2 XL and Moto Z3 -- to see how all four stand up together.
We even made a second comparison chart, here, that pits the Galaxy Note 9 against the Galaxy S9+, OnePlus 6, and Huawei P20 Pro.
| GALAXY NOTE 9 | GALAXY S9+ | PIXEL 2 XL | MOTO Z3 |
| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 2.35GHz quad-core | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 2.8GHz octa-core | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 2.35GHz octa-core | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 1.8GHz octa-core |
| Display: 6.4-inch (1440x2960-pixel resolution) Super AMOLED | Display: 6.2-inch (1440x2960-pixel resolution) Super AMOLED | Display: 6-inch (1440x2880-pixel resolution) P-OLED | Display: 6.01 inch (1080x2160-pixel resolution) Super AMOLED |
| OS: Android 8.1 (Oreo) | OS: Android 8.0 (Oreo) | OS: Android 8.0 (Oreo) | OS: Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| RAM: 6GB/8GB | RAM: 6GB | RAM: 4GB | RAM: 4GB |
| Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB internal with microSD expansion card slot | Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB internal with microSD expansion card slot | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB internal with microSD expansion card slot |
| Cameras: 12-megapixel rear f/1.5 and f/2.4 super speed dual pixel OIS camera with dual aperture and 12-megapixel telephoto f/2.4 OIS camera; 8-megapixel f/1.7 front-facing camera | Cameras: 12-megapixel rear f/1.5 and f/2.4 super speed dual pixel OIS camera and 12-megapixel telephoto f/2.4 OIS camera; 8-megapixel f/1.7 front-facing camera | Cameras: 12-megapixel rear f/1.8 OIS camera; 8-megapixel f/2.4 front-facing camera | Cameras: 12-megapixel rear f/1.7 and 5-megapixel dual camera; 8-megapixel f/2.0 front-facing camera |
| Water and dust rating: IP68 | Water and dust rating: IP68 | Water and dust rating: IP67 | Water and dust rating: N/A |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, ANT+, GPS, and NFC | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, ANT+, GPS, NFC | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band, WiFi Direct); Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, GPS, NFC | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band, WiFi Direct); Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, GPS, NFC |
| Sensors: Accelerometer, Baromete, Fingerprint, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, Heart Rate, Proximity, RGB Light, Iris, and Pressure | Sensors: Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, Heart Rate, Proximity, RGB Light, Iris, Pressure | Sensors: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer | Sensors: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass |
| Battery: 4,000mAh non-removable with Quick Charge 4.0 and fast wireless charging | Battery: 3,500mAh non-removable with Quick Charge 3.0 and fast wireless charging | Battery: 3,520mAh non-removable with fast charging | Battery: 3,000mAh non-removable with fast charging |
| Dimensions: 158.1mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm and 189g | Dimensions: 158.1mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm and 189g | Dimensions: 157.9mm x 76.7mm x 7.9mm and 175g | Dimensions: 156.5mm x 76.5mm x 6.8mm and 156g |
| Colors: Ocean Blue, Lavender Purple, Metallic Copper, and Midnight Black | Colors: Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue, and Titanium Gray | Colors: Just Black and Black and White | Colors: Twilight, Black, Midnight Blue, and Pink Gold |
| Pricing: Starts at $999 | Pricing: Starts at $840 | Pricing: Starts at $849 | Pricing: Starts at $480 |
Preorders for the Galaxy Note 9 start Aug. 10, with availability Aug. 24. The 128GB model will go for $999.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, Target, Walmart ,and other retailers. The 512GB model will be at AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, US Cellular, and Samsung for $1,249.99.
Be sure to browse our other Galaxy Note 9 coverage for a fuller picture on how this device is ideal for not only consumers but also business and enterprise users:
- Meet Samsung's Galaxy Note 9: S Pen advancements, big storage at 512GB for $1,249.99
- Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 unpacked: Should you upgrade for 512GB at $1,249.99?
- Nine reasons the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is best for business
- Seven new ways to use Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 Bluetooth S Pen
Galaxy Note 9 event: First look at Samsung's new phone, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Home
Previous and related coverage:
Samsung Galaxy Watch: Rumors, features, price, and release date
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