HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) Review
Samsung’s newest flagship smartphone has been released so we’ll be checking how it fares with other flagship devices that are already out on the market. This episode of specs comparison, we’ll be putting the Galaxy S9 side-by-side with the Google Pixel 2 to see which one is the better pick in key aspects. Let’s go!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is the company’s newest addition to the S series. It has a 5.8″ 18.5:9 WQHD+ Super AMOLED display with 2960 x 1440 resolution, a Samsung Exynos 9810 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, 12MP dual-tone LED flash, 8MP front camera, and 3,000mAh battery with Fast Charge and wireless charging.
The Google Pixel 2 is the company’s flagship smartphone without a 3.5mm audio port. It has a 5″ 16:9 full HD AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB/128GB internal storage, 12.2MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, and 2,700mAh battery with rapid charging.
Here are their detailed specs:
| Samsung Galaxy S9 | Google Pixel 2 |
|---|---|
| 5.8-inch WQHD+ (2960 x 1440) 18.5:9 Super AMOLED display, 568ppi | 5-inch full HD AMOLED display @ 1920 x 1080, 441ppi |
| Gorilla Glass 5 (front and back) | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Samsung Exynos 9810 octa-core CPU (4 x 2.7GHz Custom CPU + 4 x 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A55) | 2.45GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core |
| Mali G72-MP18 | Adreno 540 |
| 4GB LPDDR4 RAM | 4GB RAM |
| 64GB UFS 2.1 internal storage | 64GB / 128GB internal storage |
| microSD card slot (uses SIM card 2) | - |
| 12MP f/1.5-f/2.4 Dual Pixel, OIS, 2x optical zoom, dual-tone LED flash | 12.2MP rear camera with OIS, EIS, PDAF, LDAF |
| 2160p @ 30fps video recording, Slow-mo 960fps @ 720p (0.2 secs) | 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps video recording |
| 8MP f/1.7 front-facing camera | 8MP front camera |
| Dual-SIM (nano, hybrid) | Nano-SIM card & e-SIM |
| WiFi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| GPS with aGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 4G LTE Cat. 18 6CA 1.2Gbps | 4G LTE |
| NFC | NFC |
| Iris scanner | - |
| Heart rate scanner | - |
| Fingerprint scanner | Fingerprint scanner |
| IP68 dust and water-resistance | IP67 dust water resistance |
| USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| - | Active Edge sides |
| Samsung Bixby, Bixby Vision 2.0 | - |
| Android 8.0 with Samsung Experience 9 | Android 8.0 Oreo |
| 3,000 Li-Po battery w/ Fast Charge | 2,700mAh battery with rapid charging |
| Wireless Charging | - |
| 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm | 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm |
| 168 grams | 143 g |
| Midnight Black, Lilac Purple | Blue, Black, White |
Here are the advantages of each smartphone:
Samsung Galaxy S9
+ Larger screen size
+ Larger screen aspect ratio
+ Higher screen resolution
+ Higher pixel density
+ 3.5mm audio port
+ microSD card slot (via SIM 2)
+ Iris Scanner
+ Heart rate scanner
+ Higher resistance rating
+ Wireless charging
Google Pixel 2
+ e-SIM
+ Active Edge sides
+ Slimmer
+ Lighter mass
+ More affordable
+Free unlimited Google cloud storage
The Galaxy S9 has a larger screen size, aspect ratio, screen resolution, and pixel density than the Pixel 2. This means that the former has a better viewing experience than the latter. Users will have a better time watching videos in the S9 but the Pixel 2 may be suitable for users who prefer a smaller device in their hands.
The Exynos 9810 of the Galaxy S9 has a higher max clock speed as compared with the Snapdragon 835. As for the GPU, we’ll know which one is better once we test the S9 in a benchmarking app but rest assured, both the Mali-G72MP18 and Adreno 540 provide good gaming potential and performance.
Both devices carry almost the same camera resolutions and set up on both rear and front. We’re yet to test the S9’s camera against the Pixel 2 but we’re sure it’s going to be an interesting battle.
The Galaxy S9 has a higher battery capacity as compared with the Pixel 2. Both also have fast charging technology but only the former has a wireless charging feature.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is priced at Php45,990 while the Google Pixel 2 is priced at Php44,500.
Overall, if users want to have a better viewing experience with a 3.5mm audio port, expandable microSD card slot, and other offered features then the Galaxy S9 for you. However, if they want to have a minimalistic smartphone that still carries top-of-the-line performance, then the Google Pixel 2 is the right pick.
What do you guys think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Check out more stories from our Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ coverage:
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ now official
Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ price and pre-order in the Philippines
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ in-depth Hands-On
Samsung Galaxy S9 Review
7 Best Features of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
WATCH: Samsung Galaxy S9 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Comparison
WATCH: Samsung Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X Comparison
INFOGRAPHIC: Evolution of the Samsung Galaxy S series
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• Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs mate 10 pro
• Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs Samsung Galaxy S8+
• Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs Razer Phone
• Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs Google Pixel 2 XL
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