Comparison samsung galaxy note 9 vs samsung galaxy s9 +

After the presentation of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, there are many who wonder if it is worth it compared to the Samsung Galaxy S9 +. And there are many characteristics that the new model of the Note range inherits from its “little brother”. Starting with the processor and including the photographic set. Still, the Note 9 packs a gun that the S9 + doesn't. This is none other than the S Pen, a differentiating element that makes Samsung's Note range almost unique in the market.

That said, we are going to compare the new Samsung terminal with the model that hit the market at the beginning of the year. Will it be worth spending the hundreds of euros that there is difference between these two models? Let's try to find out by putting the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 + face to face.

Comparative sheet

	Samsung Galaxy Note 9	Samsung Galaxy S9 +
screen	6.4-inch Dual Edge Super AMOLED panel, Quad HD + resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels	6.2-inch, 18.5: 9 Curved Super Amoled QuadHD
Main chamber	Dual camera: · 12 MP sensor with variable aperture f / 1.5-2.4, OIS, Dual Pixel focus · Telephoto sensor with 12 MP and f / 2.4 aperture, OIS 4K UHD video at 60fps and 960fps slow motion	Dual camera: · Wide-angle sensor with 12 megapixels and variable aperture f / 1.5-2.4, Image stabilizer · Telephoto sensor 12 megapixels with aperture f / 1.5, Image stabilizer 4K UHD video at 60fps, Slow motion 960fps
Camera for selfies	8 megapixel AF, f / 1.7, Full HD video	8 megapixel AF, f / 1.7, Full HD video
Internal memory	128 or 512 GB	64 or 256 GB
Extension	microSD up to 512GB	microSD up to 400GB
Processor and RAM	Exynos 9810 10nm, 64-bit eight-core, 6 or 8 GB RAM	Exynos 9810 10nm, 64-bit eight-core, 6GB RAM
Drums	4,000 mAh with fast charging and fast wireless charging	3,500 mAh with fast charging and fast wireless charging
Operating system	Android 8.1 Oreo + Samsung Touchwiz	Android 8 Oreo + Samsung Touchwiz
Connections	BT 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC, Dual-band 802.11ac WiFi	BT 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC, Dual-band 802.11ac WiFi
SIM	nanoSIM	nanoSIM
Design	Metal frame and glass back, IP68 certified, fingerprint reader. Colors: black, blue and purple	Metal frame and glass back, IP68 certified, fingerprint reader. Colors: black, blue and purple
Dimensions	161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm, 201 grams	158 x 73.8 x 8.5mm, 183 grams
Featured Features	S Pen with new functions Compatible with Samsung DeX	Smart scanner (facial recognition and simultaneous iris reader) AR Emoji Bixby vision Fingerprint reader Compatible with Samsung DeX
Release date	Official launch August 24 Pre-purchase already activated	Available
Price	6 GB + 128 GB: 1,010 euros 8 GB + 512 GB: 1,260 euros	64 GB: 950 euros 256 GB: 1,050 euros

Design

In recent years the Note range and the Galaxy S range have had a very similar design. Note models have a somewhat more sober design, we could say more elegant.

But the base is the same. We have a metal frame with a glass back with curved edges. And precisely at the back we see one of the few design differences between these two terminals. While the Samsung Galaxy S9 + has the dual camera positioned vertically, the Note 9 has it horizontally. And an interesting detail, in the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 the background color of the photographic system is the same as that of the rest of the back.

In both mobiles the fingerprint reader is located under the camera. Even more similar are from the front. Both models have a curved screen on the sides and very narrow frames. As you well know, Samsung has decided not to use the famous notch or notch, so we have a superior frame. We cannot tell you if it is exactly the same in both models, but if they are not, they will differ by millimeters.

The dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 are 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 millimeters, with a weight of 201 grams. For its part, the dimensions of the S9 + are 158 x 73.8 x 8.5 millimeters, with a weight of 183 grams. In other words, the Note 9 is larger overall and quite a bit heavier. The latter is due to its battery, as we will see later.

Both terminals are IP68 certified, so they are resistant to water and dust. In terms of colors, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will arrive in Spain in three colors: black, blue and purple. They are the same colors in which the Samsung Galaxy S9 + is available.

screen

If in design the screens of both terminals are practically identical, the same happens at a technical level. The only difference is the size.

Both terminals have a Super AMOLED panel with Quad HD + resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels. The difference is that the Note 9 is 6.4 inches, while the S9 + is 6.2 inches.

In both models we have a panel that curves at the sides, with the features of Samsung's Edge panels. According to Display Mate it is the best screen on the market, so why change?

Photographic set

We have already anticipated it before. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 inherits the dual camera system from the Samsung Galaxy S9 +. That is, we have a 12 megapixel dual sensor. The main one has the variable opening system that has given so much to talk about. It is capable of adjusting its aperture between f / 1.5 and f / 2.4, depending on the amount of light in the scene we are going to photograph.

The second sensor is a telephoto lens that also offers an f / 1.5 aperture. This allows you to play with focus and zoom without losing too much quality.

But so that it was not totally identical, Samsung has added a scene recognition system to the Note 9. The terminal is capable of identifying up to 20 types of scenes, such as food, skies, mountains or flowers. It is also capable of alerting us if it detects an error in the scene, such as closed eyes or a spot on the camera lens.

As for the front camera, both terminals have an 8 megapixel sensor with aperture f / 1.7. And of course both have some extra features, like AR Emojis, 4K video recording at 60fps, and the ability to create slo-mo videos at up to 960fps.

Processor and memory

Inside the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 + we have Samsung's Exynos 9810 processor. It is a chip that has eight cores, four running at 2.7 GHz and another four at 1.7 GHz. Accompanying this processor we have 6 GB of RAM in both models. However, the Note 9 will have an 8GB RAM version for the most demanding users.

Despite having the capacity to use a microSD card, both models offer the possibility of acquiring them with different internal storage capacities. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is available with 128 or 512 GB of storage. Taking into account that it supports memory cards of up to 512 GB, we could have a mobile with 1 TB of storage capacity. Almost nothing.

As for its rival in this comparison, it is sold with 64 or 256 GB of internal storage. For its part, the Samsung Galaxy S9 + supports microSD memory cards of up to 400 GB.

Autonomy and connectivity

We now turn to a delicate section. The autonomy is, perhaps, one of the few weak points that the Samsung Galaxy S9 + has. This terminal includes a 3,500 milliamp battery. It may sound like a pretty decent capability, but in our in-depth testing it showed it's pretty fair.

That's why Samsung has decided to improve this section a lot in its new terminal. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 equips a 4,000 milliamp battery. In the absence of testing it thoroughly, we can already say that the autonomy should be much higher than that of its rival. Lastly, both the Note 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 + have fast charging and wireless charging.

Regarding connectivity, you can image that both terminals have the same. They are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, USB Type-C and support for 4G LTE networks.

The differentiator: the S PEN

We have created a new section in this comparison to tell you about the differentiating element that the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 includes. This is none other than the S Pen, the stylus that in this model takes much of the role.

The new S Pen features Bluetooth LE connectivity. That is, it connects to the mobile via Bluetooth to offer us new features. It is charged while it is inside its hole in the terminal and with 40 seconds of charging we will have the possibility of using the S Pen for 30 minutes.

This permanent connection with the mobile allows us to use the pen as, for example, a remote shutter for the camera. With a click on the button that includes the pencil we will take the photo. With a double press we will switch between the rear and front camera. We can also use it to control the playback of music and videos, as well as to write directly on the screen of the device.

Conclusions and price

As we have seen, these two terminals share many characteristics. In terms of design and screen, we have a clear tie. Some like the design of the S9 + better, while others call it the design of the Note more. It is a matter of taste. And as for the screen, more of the same. We have the same panel with the same resolution. I personally vote for the one in the Note 9, but simply because I like the bigger screens the better.

At the photographic level we have the same set of sensors. The only difference between the two terminals we see at the software level. As we have discussed, the Note 9 is equipped with a scene recognition system. We'll have to wait to see how it works in real life, but I doubt it's revolutionary enough to justify the price difference.

In terms of brute force, if we want the maximum we will have to opt for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Although both terminals have the same processor, the Note 9 is the only one that allows us to have 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage. When we have the opportunity we will put them face to face in the performance tests.

So far it seems that it does not make much sense to opt for the Note 9. But the new Samsung terminal keeps a couple of bullets in the bedroom. The first is its battery, which increases considerably compared to its predecessor and its brothers in the S range. And the second is, as we have said, the S Pen.

Finally, we have to include in the equation one of the most determining factors when deciding on one model or another: the price. As you well know, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has just been presented, so if we want it we will have to buy it for its official price:

• Note 9 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage: 1,010 euros
• Note 9 with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage: 1,260 euros

As for the Samsung Galaxy S9 +, its official price is 950 euros for the 64 GB model and 1,050 euros for the 256 GB model. However, the terminal has been on sale for many months now, so we can find it for much less. Without doing a too exhaustive search, we have located it in a couple of well-known online stores with a price that ranges between 650 and 800 euros.