Google Pixel 3 XL Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Flagship Mobile Battle

We compare the latest Android flagships from Google and Samsung to see which one carries better value.

Google Pixel 3 XL (left) goes up against the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (right)

(Photo: The Quint)

Google Pixel 3 XL has been announced for the Indian market and it will be available from 1 November onwards with prices starting from Rs 71,000 for the Pixel 3, going up to Rs 83,000 for the base variant of the Pixel 3 XL.

At these prices and with its capability, it was hard to ignore its competition, the Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9, which is available in the country for Rs 67,900. But, keeping the screen size in mind, we’ve decided to give you a detailed comparison between the Galaxy Note 9 and the Google Pixel 3 XL.

Both carry a big screen, with a powerful hardware in tow, and impressive cameras as well. But which one scores higher in a spec-to-spec battle, that’s what we’re going to find out.

(Photo: Harsh Sahani/The Quint)

Design

In terms of design, the Pixel 3 is quite similar to its predecessor. Till date, we have never seen Google talk about the phone’s look and feel, even though buyers will be paying a premium to own one of them.

For its worth, people won’t really get the ‘wow’ feeling when they look or even hold the Pixel 3 XL, and that could go either way for the brand. Having said that, they have managed to replace the metallic finish with glass this year, which lets them support wireless charging.

Dual-tone glass finish with support for wireless charging on the Pixel 3 XL. (Photo: The Quint)

Samsung continues to defy the industry and offer 3.5mm audio jack on the Galaxy Note 9, while Google has decided that it’s time to move on from offering the popular feature. 

If you want to know how the new Galaxy Note 9 looks like, just grab the old Note 8 and imagine it is just a tad bulkier. That’s it! There are no changes in the overall form factor and the build remains exactly the same as its predecessor. Samsung clearly feels that the if ain’t broke, don’t fix it theory fits in aptly for the Galaxy Note 9.

Note 9 carries a smaller chin size compared to the Pixel 3 XL. (Photo: The Quint)

If you like phones to carry a simple, no nonsense design, then the Pixel 3 XL might be to your liking. If you’re looking to garner everyone’s attention, the Galaxy Note 9 might fit the bill.

Display

Pixel 2 series packed an underwhelming display that most of us didn’t find it at the flagship level. With the Pixel 3 XL, Google has chosen an OLED panel with 2960x1440 pixels resolution, which makes for a stronger case to be in the top 3 panels on a phone right now.

The 6.3-inch screen size gets a near bezel-less viewing space but Google’s decision to go for a wide and thick notch at the top of the screen has received mixed responses from the tech community. The overall colours reproduced are impressive, with focus on making the content look natural, rather than overpowering them with excessive contrast.

Google Pixel 3 XL carries a 6.3-inch display with a notch. (Photo: The Quint)

Speaking of contrast, the 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy Note 9 has it in abundance, which has become a trademark for Samsung devices. Instead of going for the notch, Samsung’s dependence on the so-called Infinity Display offers more in terms of screen real estate, making it immersive to watch videos on the device. It’s a beautiful display so one really doesn’t need to complain.

The Note 9 is heavier compared to its predecessor, the Note 8.(Photo: The Quint)

Also, the chin size at the bottom of the phone on the Galaxy Note 9 is much smaller than what the Pixel 3 XL carries (and there’s a reason for that.)

Hardware and Software

In terms of specifications, Pixel 3 XL packs the octa-core Snapdragon 845 processor but with only 4GB RAM on offer and you can choose between the 64GB and 128GB storage variant with no expandable storage.

Both the devices get IP68 protection, making them dust and water resistant. They also come with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 coating on both sides, which is expected to offer better durability to the phones. Pixel 3 XL gets a 3430mAh battery with support for fast and wireless charging.

3.5mm headphone jack! Thank God!(Photo: The Quint)

While Samsung lets you use two SIMs physically by default on the Galaxy Note 9, Google has opted for the eSIM option for the second number, and the regular nano slot for the regular SIM. The eSIM feature will roll out by end of 2018. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in India gets the octa-core Exynos 8910 processor, paired with 6 or 8GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage available, which expandable up to 512GB.

This year, the Galaxy Note 9 does come with the S Pen but this accessory supports Bluetooth connectivity, converting into a remote to click selfies or do presentations at work. And finally, the phone gets a bigger than usual 4000mAh battery that is reliable enough to last through a full day’s use.

Dual-tone body finish but Google has used glass material this year. (Photo: The Quint)

Galaxy Note 9 gets iris and fingerprint sensor for biometric unlocking, while Google has limited itself to fingerprint sensor, placed at the back of the device. 

With respect to software, Pixel 3 XL comes with Android 9.0 Pie version out of box, and the vanilla version ensures smooth and reliable performance of the device, with some nifty features in tow.

The Galaxy Note 9 is still running on Android 8.1 Oreo version and the company’s snail-paced approach towards software upgrades can be annoying at times. The TouchWiz UI on the Galaxy Note 9 does feel heavier compared to the stock Android running on the Pixel 3 XL.

Camera

The megapixel count on the Note 9 is exactly the same as on the Samsung Galaxy S9+ i.e 12-megapixel dual rear sensors with f/1.5 aperture but the Note 9 adds some AI (artificial intelligence) features. The phone can recognise 20 different types of scenes like food, portraits, flowers, indoor environments and the software also automatically tunes the exposure, contrast and other aspects to make the photography experience better.

Dual 12-megapixel rear cameras on the Galaxy Note 9. (Photo: The Quint)

Talking about the headline feature of the Pixel 3, you’re still getting a single rear camera unit with 12.2-megapixel and aperture of f/1.8 on board.

Single rear camera sensor on the Pixel 3 XL yet again. (Photo: The Quint)

But what Google does brilliantly with its software and AI ensures that Pixel 3 could easily become the standout camera phone in the market.

Low light photo shot on the Pixel 3 XL. (Photo: The Quint)

At the front, the Pixel 3 gets dual cameras, with the main unit packing an eight-megapixel camera with aperture f/1.8 and the other a wide-angle camera for group selfies.

Which One Worth Buying?

If you’re looking at value for money Android flagship phone then the Galaxy Note 9 has very little competition at its price point. Big screen, powerful hardware, impressive dual snappers and a long battery life. It also has a stylus that makes it more than a smartphone in every aspect. For Rs 67,900 you get the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant and that’s a pretty sweet deal for most of you.

That notch on the Pixel 3 XL has garnered mixed response. (Photo: The Quint)

However, the Pixel 3 XL yet again shows us that a single camera sensor with the right AI technology in tow can do miracles and that’s what it does. It also gets a better OLED screen than what we saw on the Pixel 3 XL and then you have the ever reliable Snapdragon 845 processor albeit with 4GB RAM.

Design-wise, there’s ‘Google-ness’ about the phone that might appeal to many and the lure of stock Android can work in its favour as well. It’s hard fight between these two and we reckon that both the phones will have its different set of takers, considering its different use-case.