Galaxy S9 vs 3a XL

[pbc]

Hi Everyone,

Looking to upgrade my son's phone and comparing these two phones. I have a 3 XL myself, decent phone, not so great battery, awesome camera.

Wondering if the 3a XL with the larger battery would be a good option for him (he's 13). Mostly just uses snap chat, random video games (basic ones that don't need much CPU).

Or if the S9 would be the much better phone at the same cost?

Thx!

 

[jhilker]

The 3a XL will give you 3 years of updates. Not sure you'll get that with the Samsung. If the prices are the same I'd go with the Pixel.

 

[jasonb]

I went from the S9+ to the OnePlus 6T to the Pixel 3a. I'm liking the 3a a lot.

 

[Rukbat]

The 3A camera won't be as good as the 3, but otherwise, for a 13 yo, it's a good phone.

 

[dov1978]

Go for the Pixel 3a. My wife has the S9 and I find the camera's and battery both pretty awful personally. Even she hates it and can't wait to go back to an iPhone

 

[mogelijk]

The 3A camera won't be as good as the 3, but otherwise, for a 13 yo, it's a good phone.

While, from what I know, this is technically true from a software standpoint, it isn't something you notice in real life. The hardware is the same, just that there are a few differences because the 3a processor is less powerful (and is missing the visual core). There are reviewers who did comparisons, and actually preferred the images from the 3a.

 

[jhilker]

While, from what I know, this is technically true from a software standpoint, it isn't something you notice in real life. The hardware is the same, just that there are a few differences because the 3a processor is less powerful (and is missing the visual core). There are reviewers who did comparisons, and actually preferred the images from the 3a.

This is true, in shots when using Night Sight, or Portrait, I believe it takes a few seconds longer to process it. Wasn't a deal breaker for me, though...

 

[mogelijk]

This is true, in shots when using Night Sight, or Portrait, I believe it takes a few seconds longer to process it. Wasn't a deal breaker for me, though...

When I hear "not as good," it makes me think the image quality will be inferior, not that processing will be slightly longer. I wasn't trying to say it wouldn't be slightly slower (and implied it saying that it is less powerful); my point was merely that the quality should be similar.

 

[jasonb]

I had the S9+, sold it for the 1+ 6T, then sold that for the 3a. Not to say the 3a is a better phone, but certain things just work better on the 3a, one in particular is Bluetooth. The 3a is a hell of a phone, especially for the price.

 

[cajunrph]

I had S9 and the battery life was horrid. Just about dead by 1pm taking off the charger at 6am. Others didn't have the issue. My 15 year old son is using it now. He's by a charger more than I am. And can't use the phone at school so that saves his battery also. I'd go with the 3a.

 

[tfitzpat03]

Just purchased the 3a a few days ago. It is a great phone for the price. No regrets at all.

 

[pbc]

Thx for all the comments. Got him a 3a XL, which has way better battery than my 3 XL. Would have just gone with that if it was around.

Havent played around with the cam yet.

He seems to love it coming from my old S6!