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The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones made quite the startle when they came out. With proprietary CPUs that were on par with the standards of the time, it was no wonder that the two phones were so sought-after.
But should you upgrade from an S9 to an S9+? What’s the main difference here? Are there any hardware or performance differences that one should be aware of?
We’re here to answer all this and more in our ultimate S9 and S9+ comparison guide.
So, read more about the difference between the two.
Key Difference between the Galaxy S9 Vs. S9+
New Storage Versions
The first difference between the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is the difference in storage versions.
The Galaxy S9 is available in 3 different storage options:
- 64 GB storage, 4 GB RAM
- 128 GB storage, 4 GB RAM
- 256 GB storage, 4 GB RAM
With the Galaxy S9+, however, you get more storage options, including:
- 64 GB storage, 4 GB RAM
- 64 GB storage, 6 GB RAM
- 128 GB storage, 6 GB RAM
- 256 GB storage, 6 GB RAM
As apparent, the Galaxy S9+ offers more storage options. And you get more options in terms of RAM. This means that the Galaxy S9+ can run RAM-hungry apps like games.
Design
In terms of design, there are some stark differences that you cannot help but notice. At the back, you’ll notice that the Galaxy S9 only has one camera lens. However, the Galaxy S9+ has two camera lenses, one being the additional telephoto lens.
Features
Some additional features make the S9 and S9+ two different phones. Firstly, the Samsung Galaxy S9+ is available in a new color: Polaris Blue. Moreover, the S9+ has a new feature called the Samsung DeX. This is a device multitasking app that is not supported by the S9.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S9+ has a larger screen than the Galaxy S9+. More specifically, the Samsung Galaxy S9+ has a screen size of 6.2 inches. This is much bigger than the 5.8 inches of screen size boasted by the Galaxy S9.
Performance
There is a significant difference in performance between the two phones. To give you a perspective, the Galaxy S9+ performed better than the Galaxy S9 on Geekbench 4.
Additionally, when converting a 4K video that’s 2 minutes long to a resolution of 1080p, the Galaxy S9+ was 1 minute faster than the S9.
Cameras
One of the most significant differences between the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is the improvement in cameras. For starters, the Galaxy S9+ features an entirely new telephoto lens.
This lens has a 12-megapixel resolution and a width of 52 mm. The lens has a wide f/2.4 aperture that lets it take telephoto pictures. You also get a 2x optical zoom.
Battery
Another difference between the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is the battery capacity. The Galaxy S9 has a large battery capacity of 3,000 mAh, running for up to 78 hours.
However, the Galaxy S9+ has an even bigger battery, with a 3,500 mAh runtime of 86 hours. That’s about 8 hours more than the Galaxy S9+.
Weight
There is a slight difference in the weight of the two phones. And this is where the Galaxy S9 leads the S9+. The Galaxy S9 weighs about 163 grams or 5.57 ounces, whereas the Galaxy S9+ weighs about 189 grams or 6.67 ounces.
So, that’s a whole 1 ounce of difference between the two. But, practically, it’s not much. And it’s justified, given the extra features the Galaxy S9+ has.
Processors
The Galaxy phones feature two different processors, depending on your version. If you have the version released in the US, Latin America, and China, you’ll have a Snapdragon 845 CPU. If you’re using the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) version, you’ll get the Exynos 9810 CPU. Each CPU has its list of pros and cons.
Moving on to the GPU, the US, Latin America, and China versions of both phones feature an Adreno 630 GPU. The EMEA version, on the other hand, features a Mali-G72 MP18 GPU.
Which One Is Better: S9 Or S9 Plus?
If you like the extra size, telephoto lens, and added RAM, you should go for the S9+. For most games heavy on the CPU, the S9+ is recommended.
Are The S9 And S9+ The Same Size?
No. The S9 has a screen size of 5.8 inches, while the S9+ has a screen size of 6.2 inches.
Is The S9 Still Worth It In 2022?
It’s quite an outdated phone. The features would not appeal to many people nowadays. You may still opt for the S9 if you want a budget phone.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Galaxy S9+ is far superior to the S9 in all aspects. The first difference is the screen size. But even if you ignore that, there’s faster performance due to the larger RAM size in the S9+.
Let’s not forget about the larger battery capacity featured on the S9+. It’s a phone for those who want extra performance and longer battery life for day-to-day tasks.
Nevertheless, both phones are great for people on a budget and looking for an older model.
