Samsung Galaxy S9+ or Pixel 2 XL?

[aha]

Any suggestions?

 

[Almeuit]

Any suggestions?

Hard to really suggest since we know nothing about the S9. Anything "known" is just rumors.

 

[paradroid]

Depends on when you want a new phone, now or months from now.

If you can wait, I'd see what the S9+ has to offer.

 

[speedtrap63]

I was deciding between those two as well. I went with the Pixel 2 XL after the rumored price increase of the S9 and S9+. I'm just not going to spend a grand or more on a phone in 2018. That said, I'm really happy with the Pixel. To me, the screen is not as bad as folks make it out to be. Blue shift, yes a bit, but it is only noticeable on a light background and I don't usually hold my phone at an angle to use it anyway.

It's what You want that really matters in the end. Imagine an 8.1 software update out of the box! I've had the phone 3 days and already have as many software updates as my S7 Edge got in 2 yrs, not counting security patches.

I do miss the wireless charging but I can live without. I don't know if that helps you, but that's my two cents!

 

[aha]

Thanks Speedtrap63. I am still on the fense and are hoping to get some hint next week. it seems to be a SW vs HW paradigm with pricing in the mix.

 

[Racing24]

How about both? Why not?

 

[jtcannonball]

Want added touchwiz skin and apps that duplicate stock Android? That will be the biggest difference. The Pixel is very fluid and gets updates first and monthly security patches. This camera at the moment is the top, but that could change with the S9. Also you'll get wireless charging and likely an SD card. So really it boils down on a checklist of wants. I don't think you can go wrong with either decision.

 

[anon(5630457)]

I used to be all-in on Samsung, but despite the amazing hardware, the software doesn't get updated as often as I'd like it to be. I've been super happy with the Pixel 2 XL. My ex uses an S7 Active and she was just amazed at how well the pictures turned out on the P2XL.

 

[chanchan05]

Hard to really suggest since we know nothing about the S9. Anything "known" is just rumors.

No. We know the S9 will be using the next gen Snapdragons and Exynos. That is fact.

As for the OP. Depends. Have you used a Samsung before? What phone are you coming from? Does it need to be now? Are you fine with Samsung releasing the security patches in a not consistent manner (ranging from monthly to up to 2mos late in some cases for carriers) and getting the OS update up to 6mos late?

Aside from the fact that from a performance standpoint the S9 is better than the Pixel 2 (The Exynos at least. The SD 845 is already better than the SD 835 in the Pixel and the Exynos 9's benchmarks have it at 2x faster than the SD 845 for single core), most of the other items for consideration are software.

 

[Almeuit]

No. We know the S9 will be using the next gen Snapdragons and Exynos. That is fact.

Lol you have been around long enough to know exactly what I meant ... But if you want to split hairs .. BY all means go ahead ^_^.

 

[sulla1965]

No such thing anymore as one phone being "better" than another. So like always, only you know what you want in a smartphone. This varies from individual to individual. So never go by why someone else bought this or that. Pick whichever phone bet fits your needs. So don't get too caught up with all the what's better, lg v30, iPhone x, oneplus5T, Note 8 pixel xl 2 etc.. talk and get whatever you think is best for you.

 

[aha]

I am using a S7E with Exynos. I do wish to have faster software updates, but at the same time I really like Samsung's hardware: screen, design, 3.5mm jack, wireless charging, etc.

I do notice S7E to stutter a bit after 1.5 years... didn't bother me much but definitely will enjoy lag free experience more. Redundant apps don't bother me. S9+ will have more than enough flash memory plus an SD extension

The only hardware Pixel 2 XL has on S9+ is probably the dual speaker.

Decisions decisions

 

[chanchan05]

I am using a S7E with Exynos. I do wish to have faster software updates, but at the same time I really like Samsung's hardware: screen, design, 3.5mm jack, wireless charging, etc.

I do notice S7E to stutter a bit after 1.5 years... didn't bother me much but definitely will enjoy lag free experience more. Redundant apps don't bother me. S9+ will have more than enough flash memory plus an SD extension

The only hardware Pixel 2 XL has on S9+ is probably the dual speaker.

Decisions decisions

Some if not a lot of that stuttering can be attributed to the battery's age. As the battery ages, it may not be able to provide all the energy the phone needs to run optimally. That's actually the reason why Apple throttles the CPU as the battery ages, to prevent stutters.

 

[aha]

Some if not a lot of that stuttering can be attributed to the battery's age. As the battery ages, it may not be able to provide all the energy the phone needs to run optimally. That's actually the reason why Apple throttles the CPU as the battery ages, to prevent stutters.

Are you serious chanchan05?

 

[chanchan05]

Are you serious chanchan05?

Serious about what? Yes, that's basic battery tech. And yes, I am just repeating what Apple said as their reason. Batteries over time and usage deteriorates. Not only are they not able to hold as much charge as before, but in some cases they are not able to provide as much current.

 

[sixty_four]

Serious about what? Yes, that's basic battery tech. And yes, I am just repeating what Apple said as their reason. Batteries over time and usage deteriorates. Not only are they not able to hold as much charge as before, but in some cases they are not able to provide as much current.

Apple was publicly embarrassed when it was revealed new OS releases intentionally throttle older devices. So they had to say something. Whether what they said was true or not is still up for debate.

Assuming what was said is true, can you say for certain that the Qualcomm and Samsung SOCs use the same power management strategies as Apple's hardware?

It seems like you're making a lot of logical leaps here.

 

[chanchan05]

Apple was publicly embarrassed when it was revealed new OS releases intentionally throttle older devices. So they had to say something. Whether what they said was true or not is still up for debate.

Assuming what was said is true, can you say for certain that the Qualcomm and Samsung SOCs use the same power management strategies as Apple's hardware?

It seems like you're making a lot of logical leaps here.

Ah. You're misunderstanding. I am not saying they're throttling. I am saying that batteries are known to have detetiorate over time. It is also known that one of the symptoms of battery deterioration is decreased current from time to time. Apple throttled their phones to avoid the stuttering. Samsung does not throttle, so stuttering on an older battery should be expected.

 

[sixty_four]

Ah. You're misunderstanding. I am not saying they're throttling. I am saying that batteries are known to have detetiorate over time. It is also known that one of the symptoms of battery deterioration is decreased current from time to time. Apple throttled their phones to avoid the stuttering. Samsung does not throttle, so stuttering on an older battery should be expected.

Got it.

I wasn't aware lower current could cause stuttering. While it does make some sort of logical sense, does this actually happen? Is the evidence that proves this happens hard or anecdotal?

 

[chanchan05]

Got it.

I wasn't aware lower current could cause stuttering. While it does make some sort of logical sense, does this actually happen? Is the evidence that proves this happens hard or anecdotal?

http://www.batteryeducation.com/2006/04/battery_degrada.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526891/

https://www.powerstream.com/internal-resistance.htm

Basically, it's a known fact that aging components increase the impedance on the internals of a battery. Increased impedance/resistance leads to inefficient energy flow.

 

[hybrisate]

The S8 had a decent discount around Thanksgiving, so I finally picked it up. Ended up returning it to get the Pixel 2 and couldn't be happier. The only thing I liked more on the S8 was the display; Samsung obviously makes some of the best displays at all sizes. That being said, the curved edges were annoying and led to a lot of accidental touch input. Also was not a fan of the taller ratio. The software and UI drove me crazy (had been using Motorola the last few years, so used to more stock software.) Couldn't stand all the extra options, all the duplicate apps, the separate logins for Samsung, etc. The fingerprint sensor location was also annoying and not consistent for me; it was always prompting me to cover it completely.

I went with the Pixel 2 for the faster updates, closer to stock Android, and the amazing camera (although I do wish it had some of the manual features Samsung includes.) The FPS is in a better spot and hasn't given me any issues. The speakers are very loud and clear. The display is more than good enough for me. I have the non-XL version so the bezels are obviously not ideal, but that's far from a deal breaker (also not an issue on the 2 XL.) I think both phones have underwhelming battery for my usage and expectations (again, probably better on the 2 XL or S9+)

Other than the S9 having the FPS in a better spot and an upgraded the camera, I feel like I would still have many of the same gripes as I had with the S8. I love the look and feel of my Pixel 2 and wouldn't consider getting the S9 over it, even if it were the same price.

Just my two cents; good luck whatever you decide! They are both amazing devices.