Google Pixel 2 XL vs Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel 2 XL and the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Head to head

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Price₹8,215₹12,999
Our rating8/108/10
Battery3,520 mAh3,500 mAh
Wired charging18W15W
RAM (max)4 GB—
Storage (max)128 GB256 GB
Screen size6 in6.2 in
Main camera12.2 MP12 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)175 g189 g
ReleasedOct 2017Mar 2018
Summary: Google Pixel 2 XL is ahead on battery, wired charging, main camera, weight (lower is lighter). Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is ahead on storage (max), screen size.
★ Which should you buy? Google Pixel 2 XL is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs.

Display

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
TypeP-OLEDSuper AMOLED, HDR10
Size6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 98.3 cm² (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density)1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~529 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5

Platform

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)Exynos 9810 (EMEA) or Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 845 (USA/LATAM/China)
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA; Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) - USA/LATAM/China
GPUAdreno 540Mali-G72 MP18 - EMEA; Adreno 630 - USA/LATAM/China

Memory

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Card slotNo—
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM (UFS 2.1)64GB/128GB/256GB UFS 2.1
RAM—6GB
Card Slot—microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot for dual SIM model)

Main Camera

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Modules12.2 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS—
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps (gyro-EIS)4K@60fps (no OIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS, OIS
Dual—12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom

Selfie Camera

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Modules8 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm—
FeaturesHDRDual video call, Auto-HDR
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps
Single—8 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF

Battery

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
TypeLi-Ion 3520 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable
Charging18W fast charging (USB Power Delivery 2.0)15W wired (Quick Charge 2.0), Qi/PMA wireless charging

Body

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Dimensions157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)189 g
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Water ResistanceIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)—
Water & Dust Resistance—IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO—
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1
GPS—GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFC—Yes

Launch

Google Pixel 2 XLSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Announced2017, October 042018, February 25
Released2017, October 172018, March 16
StatusDiscontinued—

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Google Pixel 2 XL or Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus?

Google Pixel 2 XL — 3,520 mAh for the Google Pixel 2 XL versus 3,500 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

Which is lighter, Google Pixel 2 XL or Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus?

Google Pixel 2 XL — 175 g for the Google Pixel 2 XL versus 189 g for the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

Which is newer, Google Pixel 2 XL or Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus?

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus — Oct 2017 for the Google Pixel 2 XL versus Mar 2018 for the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

Is the Google Pixel 2 XL or the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus rated higher?

We rate the Google Pixel 2 XL 8/10 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus 8/10.

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