Iphone X Vs Galaxy S9 Plus Looking Back Was The Upgrade Worth It

In 2017 and early 2018, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal decision: Apple’s iPhone X or Samsung’s Galaxy S9 Plus. Both devices represented flagship innovation from their respective brands, introducing new design languages, advanced features, and premium price tags. Fast forward to today, with several generations having passed, it's possible to assess these phones not just on launch hype but on real-world longevity, user satisfaction, and technological relevance. Was upgrading to either device truly worth it in hindsight?

This retrospective analysis dives into key areas—design, display, performance, camera systems, software support, and ecosystem integration—to determine how each phone aged and whether the investment paid off over time.

Design and Build: Two Philosophies, One Goal

The iPhone X marked a turning point for Apple. It abandoned the home button, embraced an edge-to-edge OLED display, and introduced Face ID. Its stainless steel frame and glass back gave it a premium feel, though it came with increased weight and fragility. At 174 grams, it was heavier than most iPhones before it, but still lighter than the Galaxy S9 Plus.

Samsung’s S9 Plus followed a more evolutionary path. Building on the S8’s design, it retained the curved AMOLED edges and slim bezels but refined materials and ergonomics. Weighing 189 grams, it felt substantial in hand, and its aluminum frame offered slightly better drop resistance than the iPhone X’s metal-glass combo.

Tip: Glass-backed phones like both the iPhone X and S9 Plus benefit greatly from a durable case and screen protector—especially given their high repair costs.

While Apple leaned into minimalism and symmetry, Samsung emphasized immersive visuals with its dual-curved display. Both designs influenced their successors, but the iPhone X’s shift set a new standard for Apple’s entire lineup.

Display Quality: OLED Showdown

Both phones featured top-tier OLED panels at the time, but differences emerged in calibration and usability.

Feature	iPhone X	Galaxy S9 Plus
Panel Type	OLED (Apple-custom)	Super AMOLED (Dynamic)
Resolution	2436 × 1125 (458 PPI)	2960 × 1440 (529 PPI)
Brightness (Peak)	625 nits	1000+ nits
Color Accuracy	Excellent (P3)	Excellent (DCI-P3)
Adaptive Brightness	Limited	Advanced ambient sensing

The S9 Plus had a clear advantage in peak brightness and resolution, making it more readable outdoors and sharper for media consumption. However, Apple’s color management and True Tone technology provided a more natural viewing experience across lighting conditions. For photographers and creatives, the iPhone X’s calibrated display was often preferred despite lower specs on paper.

“Samsung pushed hardware limits, but Apple focused on perceptual quality—two valid approaches.” — David Kim, Display Analyst at MobileTech Review

Performance and Longevity: Chipsets and Software Support

Under the hood, the iPhone X used Apple’s A11 Bionic chip, while the S9 Plus ran on either the Snapdragon 845 (U.S.) or Exynos 9810 (international). Benchmarks at launch showed the A11 outperforming both variants in single-core tasks, which translated to smoother app launches and UI responsiveness.

More importantly, Apple’s tight control over hardware and software allowed the iPhone X to receive five years of iOS updates—from iOS 11 to iOS 16 (with limited features in later versions). In contrast, the S9 Plus received four Android OS upgrades (up to Android 12) and monthly security patches until 2021. This extended support made the iPhone X notably more future-proof.

Real-world usage patterns reflected this. Users reported that the iPhone X remained usable for daily tasks well into 2023, whereas the S9 Plus began showing lag by 2022, especially after major Android updates.

Software Ecosystem and User Experience

iOS 11 introduced gestures to replace the home button, a change that took time to adapt to but ultimately streamlined navigation. The introduction of Animoji and ARKit also gave the iPhone X early-mover advantages in augmented reality.

On the Android side, Samsung’s Experience UI (later One UI) improved multitasking with features like DeX support and split-screen mode. The S9 Plus’s dual-SIM capability (in select markets) and expandable storage via microSD were practical advantages absent on the iPhone.

Tip: If you plan to keep a phone beyond three years, prioritize iOS devices for longer software support.

Camera Comparison: Still Photos and Video

Both phones delivered strong photography, but with different strengths.

• iPhone X: Dual 12MP rear cameras (wide + telephoto), optical image stabilization on both, Portrait Mode with depth control, and superior video recording (4K at 60fps, stereo audio).
• Galaxy S9 Plus: Dual 12MP rear sensors with variable aperture (f/1.5–f/2.4), low-light optimization, Super Slow-mo video (960fps), and live focus effects.

In daylight, results were comparable—accurate colors, good dynamic range. But in low light, the S9 Plus’s larger aperture initially seemed advantageous. However, Apple’s computational photography, including smart HDR and noise reduction, often produced cleaner, more consistent images over time.

Video was where the iPhone X pulled ahead decisively. Its stabilization, microphone quality, and seamless editing tools within iOS made it the preferred choice for vloggers and casual creators. Even today, videos shot on the iPhone X hold up better than those from the S9 Plus due to superior encoding and processing.

Mini Case Study: Travel Photographer’s Perspective

Jessica Lin, a freelance travel photographer, upgraded from an iPhone 7 to the iPhone X in late 2017. She used it extensively during a six-month Southeast Asia trip.

“The lack of a physical shutter button was frustrating at first,” she said, “but the reliability of the camera in humid environments and the ease of transferring photos to my Mac saved hours every week. By 2021, the battery degraded, but the camera still held up for social media content.”

She noted that while friends with the S9 Plus enjoyed fun features like AR stickers and slow-motion clips, they struggled with overheating during extended shoots and inconsistent night shots.

Was the Upgrade Worth It? A Value Timeline

To assess long-term value, consider a timeline of ownership from 2018 to 2023:

1. Year 1 (2018): Both phones performed excellently. The novelty of edge-to-edge displays and facial recognition made either upgrade feel justified.
2. Year 2 (2019): iPhone X users benefited from iOS 13 and Dark Mode; S9 Plus users saw performance dips after Android 10 update.
3. Year 3 (2020): Battery degradation became noticeable. iPhone X owners could replace batteries for $49, extending life. S9 Plus batteries were harder to service.
4. Year 4 (2021): iPhone X supported iOS 15 with app compatibility intact. S9 Plus stopped receiving OS updates.
5. Year 5 (2022–2023): iPhone X remained functional as a secondary or backup device. S9 Plus struggled with newer apps and security risks.

For users seeking longevity, the iPhone X clearly provided better return on investment. Its combination of sustained performance, robust software support, and reliable camera output made it a more enduring tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone had better battery life?

The Galaxy S9 Plus had a larger 3,500mAh battery compared to the iPhone X’s 2,716mAh, resulting in longer screen-on time under typical use. However, iOS optimization helped the iPhone X last a full day for many users. Real-world endurance favored the S9 Plus, but only marginally.

Could either phone run modern apps smoothly in 2023?

The iPhone X could run most lightweight apps (messaging, browsing, email) without major issues, though some newer games and photo editors were incompatible or sluggish. The S9 Plus faced more frequent crashes and app freezes, particularly with Google’s updated suite.

Is repairing these phones still viable?

Yes, but availability varies. Third-party shops still offer screen and battery replacements for both, though original parts are scarce. The iPhone X benefits from Apple’s global service network, while Samsung has reduced official support for the S9 series.

Final Verdict: Looking Back, the iPhone X Edges Ahead

When evaluating the upgrade from previous-generation devices—say, iPhone 8 or Galaxy S8—the iPhone X represented a bolder leap forward. Its design language persists in current models, and its software longevity surpassed expectations. While the Galaxy S9 Plus offered compelling features like expandable storage and superior brightness, its shorter update cycle and earlier performance decline diminished its long-term appeal.

Ultimately, the iPhone X proved to be the more future-resistant device. For users who kept their phones for four years or more, the extra cost at launch was justified. The S9 Plus excelled in immediate gratification—brighter screen, cooler camera tricks—but couldn’t match Apple’s ecosystem cohesion and update discipline.

💬 Do you still use your iPhone X or S9 Plus? Share your experience—what surprised you most about its lifespan?