Samsung is expected to take the wraps off itsGalaxy S9 and S9+ handsets at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Feb. 25, but don't expect many surprises when the phone finally arrives. Almost every detail about Samsung's next generation of premium Android flagship devices has leaked in recent weeks, including photos of what the phones look like. (Spoiler alert: Little has changed from the S8.)
Samsung Galaxy S9. Credit: OnLeaksSince Samsung's last round of phone releases, Google has raised the bar for Android devices by coming out with a new version of the Pixel. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL come packed with all kinds of features, from a killer camera with object recognition to a squeezable body that triggers Google Assistant.
If the S9 is going to edge past the latest Pixels, it's going to have to match the camera prowess of Google's phone. So it's no surprise that Samsung will reportedly put a more advanced shooter in its newest phone. In fact, the company promises to "reimagine" the camera.
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Here's how we see the Galaxy S9 stacking up against the Pixel 2 based on the leaked specs for Samsung's new phone. We'll have an even clearer picture of how the two phones measure up after Samsung officially unveils the S9 on Feb. 25.
Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2: Leaked vs. Real Specs
Cameras
Samsung is reportedly betting big on the S9's cameras to compete with Apple's latest iPhones as well as with the Pixel 2. The company's invitation to its Mobile World Congress event features the tagline "Camera Reimagined," stressing just how much importance Samsung is placing on the camera with this update to the Galaxy lineup.
Galaxy S9
The Galaxy S9+ is expected to sport an impressive dual-lens rear-facing camera, which neither of Google's Pixel handsets have. Samsung added two lenses to its supersized Galaxy Note 8, released last fall, and according to noted leaker Evan Blass. that feature is expected to make its way to the slightly smaller S9+. We expect the secondary lens to enable the same tricks it does in the Note 8, including a Live Focus mode for bringing objects into focus while blurring the background. The S9+'s telephoto lens is also expected to support optical zoom.
But a big shakeup is expected in the primary 12-MP lens, which didn’t change much in the S8 from the S7. Samsung reportedly added an adjustable aperture to the S9's main shooter, which will be able to automatically open from f/2.4 to f/1.5, the widest of any smartphone ever. A new slow-motion video mode is also coming, according to Blass — the camera will reportedly sense fast movement and slow it down to 480 frames per second.
Pixel 2 XLAs noted above, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL sport a single 12-MP lens, but Google relies on software to pull off the same portrait effect you'll find on dual-lens phones and that we expect to see in the S9+. The downside to Google's approach: You can only see the blurred effect after you take the photo instead of in preview mode like on the Note 8 (and soon the S9+). Look for Samsung to emphasize this edge.Design and Displays
If you like the look of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, you're in luck: Both versions of the S9 will reportedly look almost identical to last year's models. The Infinity Display we loved in the S8 is expected to make its way to the S9.
Pixel 2 XL (left) and Pixel 2 (right)The two new handsets will likely feature thin bezels at the top to encase the front-facing camera, but we expect them to be unobtrusive. That's in direct contrast to the smaller Pixel 2, which surrounds its 5-inch OLED display with bezels thick enough to house a fingerprint scanner (even though Google places that sensor on the back of its phone). The Pixel 2 XL sports slimmer bezels than its little sibling, but doesn't match the expected breadth of the S9 display, which will likely extend to the edges and wrap around the sides of the phone, too. Just like the S8.
The S8 was dinged for the location of its fingerprint scanner, which is located next to the camera lens. That means you might smudge your camera when aiming to unlock your phone. In a long-awaited move, Samsung will apparently take a page from the Pixel 2 and other Android flagships by putting the S9's fingerprint scanner below the camera lens.
The Pixel 2 lacks a headphone jack. Samsung will take a different tack, reportedly hanging onto a jack for the S9. That feature alone would set the S9 apart from other premium flagships, as phones from Google, Apple and HTC have all eliminated the headphone jack.
Credit: VentureBeatThen there's the display. Both S9 models are expected to have Super AMOLED panels with ultrasharp 2960 x 1440-pixel resolution. The Pixel 2 XL has a similarly high-res display, while the smaller Pixel 2's OLED panel is 1920 x 1080. The Pixel 2 XL was the subject of widespread complaints about its screen, ranging from a strange blue tint when viewing at a certain angle to OLED burn-in. Google released a software update to fix those issues. Samsung's high-res, curved AMOLED displays have not experienced similar issues, though in our testing, we’ve found the iPhone X’s panel offers more natural-looking colors.Performance
Samsung will likely be first handset maker to use Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 845 mobile processor. which could make the S9 the fastest Android phone on the market when it launches in March. The processor is also expected to make the S9 more efficient, more secure and extend its battery life, which we'll put to the test when we get our hands on the device.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both have the last-gen Snapdragon 835 processor, like the S8 and S8+. The Pixel 2 lagged behind the Galaxy S8 in a Geekbench 4 performance test, but the Pixel 2 turned in a faster video-editing time than the Galaxy S8 and Note 8.
We'll be performing several real-world tests and synthetic benchmarks on the Galaxy S9 to see how it stacks up.
Special Features
Samsung and Google are working to differentiate their smartphones with voice-activated assistants.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have Google Assistant, activated by squeezing the devices' sides. Google Assistant taps into how you use Google's various services to answer your questions and provide you useful information.
Samsung's Bixby isn't at that level yet — far from it, actually. But Samsung is reportedly working to improve its assistant and make it more relevant in the S9 interface, instead of being a separate service that isn't well-integrated with the rest of the phone. On the Galaxy S8, Bixby is triggered with its own side button, but rumor has it that Samsung is integrating its assistant more seamlessly into the phone's interface. It could be called AI UX.
Google Lens on the Pixel 2 XLThe Pixels also have smarter cameras with a feature called Google Lens that can recognize objects in photos and give you more information about them. It's unclear if Samsung has anything similar in store for the S9, but Google has hinted that the feature could find its way to other Android phones.Bottom Line
We don't have every detail about the S9, though we do know that the faster processor and overhauled camera system will go a long way toward making it a better rival for the Pixel 2. Based on the rumors, the S9 will likely beat Google's phone on design and performance. However, it remains to be seen whether it can take the camera crown from the Pixel 2, or whether Bixby can up its game.
We'll update this story with more information when Samsung shows off the Galaxy S9 and S9+ on Feb. 25.