Are you considering buying Samsung’s latest model, but you can’t decide which Galaxy S9 is better for you? We compared the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus to give you some context that might help you make your decision.
Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus Similarities
Since these phones are from the same generation, they do have several similarities. Both devices work off of the Snapdragon 845 processor. This is an updated processor compared to the Galaxy S8 phones. The S9 and S9 Plus also run on the same software — both run on Android Oreo and have the Bixby personal assistant and Google Assistant. You can also use facial recognition to unlock either phone.
The similarities between the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are pretty baseline. The major similarities between the phones are about performance. Overall, you probably wouldn’t be disappointed in either phone because they both perform very well.
The differences between the phones come down more to personal preference. You may take more photos than someone else, so your phone’s camera would be a key in your decision. Or you may not like using a larger phone. In that case, the phone’s size would be the more important factor. Let’s check out some specific features that are different between each phone.
Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus differences
You wouldn’t be wondering which phone to buy if the S9 and S9 Plus were too similar. You can find a number of differences between them.
The Galaxy S9
Not surprisingly, the S9 is less expensive than the S9 Plus. Some of the stronger features of the Galaxy S9 compared to the S9+ are:
- Sharper display: Even though the screen is smaller, the Galaxy S9 has 570ppi (pixels per inch) compared to the S9 Plus’s 528 ppi. The resolution on each phone is the same, but the same resolution on a smaller screen gives you a clearer picture with more pixels per inch.
- Size and weight: This is an obvious one, but the Galaxy S9 is smaller than the S9 Plus. Even though it’s obvious, it doesn’t mean that it’s not something to consider. If your hands are smaller, you might need to use both for the S9 Plus. This would probably become pretty annoying.
- Similar battery life: The Galaxy S9 Plus does have a longer battery life than the S9, but it isn’t a huge difference. The Galaxy S9 Plus has 3,500mAh (mili-Ampere-hours) while the S9 has 3,000mAh and almost all of that extra power in the S9 Plus goes to powering the larger screen rather than giving you longer battery life.
The Galaxy S9 Plus
You should only consider getting this phone if you don’t mind the additional cost. Some of the improved features include:
- Better rear camera: If you take lots of photos, the S9 Plus is worth the extra cost. The phone has a dual rear-camera. This lets you zoom in two times more than if your phone had one camera lens.
- Longer-lasting battery: The Galaxy S9 Plus has a larger battery, making the battery life longer than the Galaxy S9. The battery life for the Plus is around 11 hours. Even though the S9 has a similar battery life, the Plus does have a longer one.
- Larger display: With a bigger phone, you get a bigger screen, too. This feature is something to consider if you take a lot of photos or watch a lot of video on your phone. The larger display will let you see more detail in the display.
- More memory and storage: The Galaxy S9 includes 4 GB of RAM, and the S9 Plus boasts 6 GB of RAM. The increased memory gives the S9 Plus a better processing capacity and helps support the dual rear-camera.
Which Galaxy S9 Should I Buy?
The Galaxy S9 Plus and the S9 are great phones. They both have a lot of added features compared to Samsung’s older generations of phones. Choosing whether to get the S9 or S9 Plus comes down to how much you want to spend and which size and features are the most important to you.