Comparison iphone xs max vs samsung galaxy s9 +

Next Friday, the new iPhones are officially on sale. And, like every year, it is time to face them against the most powerful Android terminals. The new iPhone Xs Max is the first Apple terminal to reach a 6.5-inch screen. This puts it at the level of some Android phones that are almost tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 + or the Note 9, with which we already faced a few days ago.

Although we already know that the S9 + has been on the market since February, until the S10 arrives it will be a direct rival of the new iPhone. The latter come with the same design as the iPhone X, but with a new processor and some internal improvements. Will they be enough to beat one of Samsung's flagships? We compare the new iPhone Xs Max with the Samsung Galaxy S9 +.

Comparative sheet

	iPhone Xs Max	Samsung Galaxy S9 +
screen	5.8-inch OLED panel, Super Retina HD 2,436 x 1,125 pixels, 458 dpi, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, True Tone, 1,000,000: 1 contrast, 3D Touch, 625 cd / m2 maximum brightness	6.2-inch Dual Edge Super AMOLED panel, Quad HD + resolution of 2,960 x 1,440 pixels, 18.5: 9 aspect ratio
Main chamber	Dual 12 MP camera with f / 1.8 wide angle and f / 2.4 telephoto lens 2x optical zoom Portrait mode with advanced bokeh effect and Depth Control Portrait lighting Dual optical image stabilization Four-LED True Tone flash with slow sync Autofocus with Focus pixels Live photos stabilization HDR Intelligent photo burst mode video recording 4K (24, 30 or 60 fps) optical image stabilization for video expanded dynamic range for video up to 30 f / s video slow motion in 1080 to 120 or 240 fps	Dual camera with two 12 MP sensors. On the one hand, a wide angle with variable aperture f / 1.5-2.4. On the other hand, a Telephoto lens with f / 2.4 aperture Autofocus Double optical stabilization 4K UHD video at 60 fps Slow motion video at 960 fps
Camera for selfies	7 MP, f / 2.2, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh effect and Depth Control, Portrait Lighting, Animoji and Memoji, 1080p HD video recording at 30 and 60 fps, Smart HDR for photos, Expanded dynamic range for video at 30 f / s, Cinema-quality video stabilization (1080p and 720p), Automatic image stabilization, Retina Flash	8 MP, f / 1.7 aperture, FHD video
Internal memory	64, 256 or 512 GB	64 or 256 GB
Extension	Not	MicroSD (up to 400GB)
Processor and RAM	A12 Bionic with next-generation Neural Engine	Exynos 9810 10 nm, 64-bit, eight cores (four at 2.7 GHz and another four at 1.7 GHz)
Drums	Up to 30 minutes more autonomy than iPhone X, Wireless charging	3,500 mAh, Fast charging, Wireless charging
Operating system	iOS 12	Android 8.0 Oreo
Connections	Gigabit-class LTE with 4 × 4 MIMO, Wi-Fi 802.11ac with 2 × 2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with read mode, Lightning	Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC, WiFi 802.11 ac dual band, VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024-QAM
SIM	nanoSIM	nanoSIM
Design	Glass and stainless steel frame, IP68 certification, colors: white, black and gold	Glass and metal, IP68, colors: purple, black and blue
Dimensions	157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm, 208 grams	158 x 73.8 x 8.5mm, 183 grams
Featured Features	Face ID Apple Pay Animoji	Smart scanner (simultaneous face recognition and iris reader) AR Emoji Bixby
Release date	September 21 (bookings from September 14)	Available
Price	64 GB: 1,260 euros 256 GB: 1,430 euros 512 GB: 1,660 euros	64 GB: 850 euros 256 GB: 1,050 euros

Design

The iPhone Xs Max is identical to its little brother in design and features. But it has a much larger screen, which we will talk about later. Thus, we have a glass finish (the most resistant in the world according to Apple) and with steel frames. As you already know, it has a notch at the top and no edge at the bottom.

The main camera is located in the upper left corner. This protrudes quite a bit from the case, as was the case with the iPhone X. In fact, the design is identical to that of the mobile presented last year.

As a novelty we have a new golden color, quite striking. And also the IP68 certification, since the previous model was IP67. Now it can be submerged up to 2 meters deep for a maximum of 30 minutes.

The full dimensions of the iPhone Xs Max are 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm, with a weight of no less than 208 grams. Along with the new gold color, black and white with silver are kept.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 + was also quite conservative in design. We have a glass back with a curved screen on the sides. It has visible frames, both on the bottom and the top, but they are really narrow.

The double camera is located in the central part and in a vertical position. Right below we have the fingerprint reader. The back of the camera is black in all models, which breaks the aesthetics of the rear a bit.

Like its rival, it is IP68 certified against dust and water. The full dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy S9 + are 158 x 73.8 x 8.5 millimeters, with a weight of 183 grams. That is, despite having a very similar size, it is considerably lighter than the iPhone Xs Max. It is available in black, purple and blue.

screen

The screen is the main protagonist of these two terminals. Both models have large panels and a lot of resolution. They almost did not reach the tablet category.

The iPhone Xs Max is equipped with a 6.5-inch OLED panel. It offers a resolution of 2,688 x 1,242 pixels, with a contrast of 1,000,000: 1. Its maximum brightness is 625 cd / m2, enough to reproduce HDR10 and Dolby Vision images.

In addition, it has True Tone and 3D Touch technologies. It also offers a wide color gamut (P3).

In the Samsung Galaxy S9 + we find an old acquaintance. The Korean manufacturer uses a Super AMOLED panel again, this time 6.2 inches. It has a Quad HD + resolution of 2,960 x 1,440 pixels and curves on both sides.

Although we do not have more technical data, we know that the S9 + screen is one of the best on the market. Using a Super AMOLED panel allows for high contrast, pure blacks, and fairly high brightness. It also has an "Always On" system, with which we can view notifications without turning on the screen.

Photographic set

If we spend more than 1,000 euros on a mobile, we want the best. Now that the mid-range has almost matched the top of the range in design and power, the camera becomes the differentiator. And this is where manufacturers should put all their interest.

Apple has decided, as it has done on other occasions, to keep the same photographic set that we saw in the iPhone X. The improvement comes in the form of a processor more capable of working with photographs.

So we have a dual system with two 12 megapixel sensors. On the one hand, a wide angle with aperture f / 1.8. And, on the other hand, a telephoto lens with f / 2.4 aperture. Both optically stabilized.

Compared to its predecessor, we have the following news:

A sensor with deeper and wider pixels
Smart HDR System
New Depth Control
Extended dynamic range for movies up to 30 fps

The characteristics of the front camera are also maintained. We have a 7 megapixel sensor with f / 2.2 aperture. Compared to its predecessor, we have Smart HDR, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh effect and Depth Control, expanded dynamic range for video at 30 fps, and stabilization of cinema quality video (1080p and 720p). We do not forget the Face ID system that, according to Apple, has been improved.

We now review what the Samsung Galaxy S9 + offers. It also has a dual camera with two 12-megapixel sensors. On the one hand we have a wide angle with variable aperture between f / 1.5 and f / 2.4. The terminal decides which aperture to use according to the lighting conditions we have in the scene.

The second sensor is a telephoto lens with aperture f / 2.4. Its functions are the usual ones, zoom and a better definition of the objects. Both sensors have optical stabilization.

As for video, the S9 + is capable of recording in 4K 60 fps resolution. In addition, it offers the option of super slow motion. That is, it allows you to record at 960 fps, even with HD resolution.

There is no lack of emojis and neither is the possibility to vary the blur effect once the photo is taken. As for the front camera, we have an 8 megapixel sensor with aperture f / 1.7. On paper, it is much brighter than its rival.

Processor and memory

Let's talk now about brute force. As you know, Apple never offers memory data, so we only know that the iPhone Xs Max has a new processor. It is called A12 Bionic and, according to Apple, it is the most powerful processor ever created for a mobile phone. That will have to be verified, but what is certain is that it is the first 7 nm processor on the market.

The Apple-designed CPU has 6 cores, 2 for performance and 4 for efficiency. It also includes a 4-core GPU that, according to Apple, achieves up to 50% more graphics performance than its predecessor.

This chip is accompanied by an improved Neural Engine. It has an 8-core architecture, being capable of up to 5 billion operations per second.

Although we do not know the amount of RAM that the Apple device has, we do know the storage. The iPhone Xs Max is available in three capacities: 64, 256 or 512 GB.

Let's see what its rival includes in this comparison. The Samsung Galaxy S9 + has an Exynos 9810 chip inside it. It is a processor manufactured in 10 nm that has eight cores (four running at 2.7 GHz and another four at 1.7 GHz).

Accompanying the processor we have 6 GB of RAM. In terms of storage, the S9 + is currently sold with 64 or 256 GB internal. However, this model does allow its expansion through microSD cards of up to 400 GB.

Autonomy and connectivity

We said that Apple never provides the memory data of their mobiles. Well the same goes for the battery. Until they "gut" the terminal we do not know its capacity. So for now, all we have is the upgrade data over its predecessor.

IPhone Xs Max get a half hour and longer runtime than the X iPhone. This means, in real use, an autonomy that exceeds a full day. In our in-depth test we verified that, with normal use (checking notifications, browsing, messaging, social networks, some video, specific games, music, photos, etc.) we managed to reach the end of the day (around 1 in the morning) with 30% available battery.

On the other hand, the new iPhone Xs maintain compatibility with wireless charging. Like its predecessor, they are compatible with any Qi charger. They also include a fast charging system, although to use it we will have to buy a Lightning to USB-C adapter cable, plus a 29W adapter that accepts that USB-C connection.

Autonomy is one of the weakest points of the Samsung Galaxy S9 +. It has a 3,500 milliamp battery that honestly falls short.

In our in-depth analysis we verified that, with average use (more or less constant messages, some video, some game to Clash Royale throughout the day, photos and navigation) the percentage reaches zero before the end of the day.

Now, the S9 + is compatible with fast charging and does include the charger that allows you to take advantage of this capacity. And it also supports wireless charging.

Conclusions and price

Honestly, it is quite difficult to compare an iPhone with Android terminals. Using a different operating system means that the comparisons are not as complete as we would like.

We always say the same about design. It is something very personal. Some users will like the notch better, others will not. Same with the curve of the screen, glossy frames, etc. So we cannot give a winner in this section. What is certain is that we are facing two of the most beautiful mobiles on the market.

Something similar happens with the screen. Both offer the best we have seen in a mobile terminal. They have a lot of resolution and they look scandalous. We will have to think about whether we prefer 6.2 or 6.5 inches.

As for the photographic section, we will have to wait to test the iPhone Xs Max to draw conclusions. Although on a technical level nothing has changed, theoretically the new processor can achieve a very important improvement. According DxOMark, the S9 + X surpassed the iPhone. What will happen to the new model?

And if we talk about brute force, we will have to wait for the performance tests. The first tests seem to indicate that the new processor of the iPhone Xs Max is as powerful as Apple claims. But the truth is that it is difficult to know without trying it first hand. What is clear is that neither of them will disappoint us.

Finally, something similar happens when talking about autonomy. If we trust Apple's words, the iPhone Xs Max will be superior to the S9 + in this section. However, without testing it first hand we cannot give a final verdict.

What we are clear about is the price. The iPhone Xs Max starts at 1,260 euros for the 64 GB model. It reaches 1,660 euros if we choose the model with 512 GB of internal storage.

For its part, the Samsung Galaxy S9 + is currently sold from 850 euros in the official Samsung store. But, as you surely know, if you search the Internet well, it is not difficult to find it around 700 euros. That is, it costs little more than half that of its rival. What do you think?