Iphone Xs Vs Galaxy S9 Looking Back Was Upgrading Even Worth It

It’s been several years since Apple and Samsung released their 2018 flagship smartphones—the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9. At the time, both devices represented the cutting edge of mobile technology, offering refined designs, powerful processors, and advanced camera systems. But with the benefit of hindsight, a critical question emerges: for users considering an upgrade back then, was moving to either device truly worth the investment?

This retrospective examines the real-world performance, longevity, ecosystem integration, and overall user satisfaction of the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9—not through the lens of launch-day excitement, but through the clarity of time. Whether you're reflecting on your own past purchase or evaluating how today’s flagships might age, this analysis offers valuable insights.

Design and Build: Refinement Over Revolution

In 2018, both Apple and Samsung had already settled into mature smartphone design philosophies. The iPhone XS marked the second generation of Apple’s all-glass, edge-to-edge OLED approach introduced with the iPhone X. It featured surgical-grade stainless steel edges, IP68 water resistance, and a compact 5.8-inch display—praised for its premium feel but criticized for being slippery without a case.

The Galaxy S9, meanwhile, continued Samsung’s Infinity Display tradition with a 5.8-inch curved AMOLED panel and aluminum frame. While slightly lighter than the XS, it retained the home button and symmetrical bezels—a design some found more balanced, though less futuristic than Apple’s notch-centric layout.

Tip: If grip and durability were priorities, the Galaxy S9’s lighter build and included front glass curvature offered better drop resilience in early real-world tests.

Neither phone introduced groundbreaking changes in ergonomics. Instead, they emphasized refinement: tighter tolerances, improved materials, and enhanced screen quality. For many users, the shift from older models (like the iPhone 8 or Galaxy S8) was noticeable but not transformative.

Performance and Software Longevity

Under the hood, both devices were powered by top-tier chipsets. The iPhone XS used Apple’s A12 Bionic—the first 7nm processor in a smartphone—delivering exceptional speed and efficiency. In contrast, the Galaxy S9 shipped with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (in the U.S.) or Exynos 9810 (internationally), both capable but inconsistent across regions.

Benchmark scores favored the A12 in sustained workloads and machine learning tasks. However, day-to-day responsiveness between the two was nearly indistinguishable for most users. Where the difference became clear was in software support.

“Apple’s commitment to five years of iOS updates gives older iPhones functional relevance long after Android counterparts are abandoned.” — David Kim, Mobile Analyst at TechTrend Insights

The iPhone XS received updates up to iOS 17, released in 2023—five full years of OS upgrades. The Galaxy S9, while initially praised for timely updates, stopped receiving major Android version updates after Android 10 and security patches ended by 2021. This disparity significantly impacted long-term usability, especially as newer apps demanded updated APIs and security standards.

Camera Comparison: Philosophy Over Specs

Both phones delivered strong photographic performance, but with different philosophies. The iPhone XS featured a dual 12MP rear system (wide + telephoto) with improved Smart HDR and depth control. Its photos leaned toward natural color reproduction and excellent dynamic range, particularly in mixed lighting.

The Galaxy S9 had a single 12MP variable-aperture sensor (f/1.5–f/2.4), allowing adaptive low-light performance. Samsung’s processing favored vibrant colors and aggressive sharpening, which appealed to social media users but sometimes lacked realism.

Feature	iPhone XS	Galaxy S9
Rear Cameras	Dual 12MP (Wide + Telephoto)	Single 12MP (Variable Aperture)
Low Light	Good (Smart HDR)	Excellent (f/1.5 mode)
Video Recording	4K@60fps, Stereo Audio	4K@30fps, Mono Audio
Front Camera	7MP, Portrait Mode	8MP, Live Focus (software-based)
Long-Term Photo Quality	Consistent, Natural Tones	Vibrant, Sometimes Overprocessed

For videographers, the iPhone XS was clearly superior, offering smoother stabilization, better audio capture, and higher frame rate options. The Galaxy S9’s video performance, while decent, struggled in motion handling and lacked stereo recording—a notable omission at the time.

User Experience Case Study: Two Years Later

Consider the experience of Maya, a freelance photographer who upgraded from a Galaxy S7 Edge to both phones over time. In 2018, she purchased the Galaxy S9 for its low-light camera prowess and headphone jack. By 2020, she noticed sluggishness in app launches, delayed notifications, and no update path beyond Android 10. She switched to the iPhone XS that year, drawn by its continued performance and iOS 14 compatibility.

She reported that despite the XS being two years older, it felt faster and more integrated with her Mac workflow. iCloud syncing, AirDrop, and consistent camera tuning simplified her editing pipeline. “The S9 was great when new,” she said, “but by 2020, it was holding me back. The XS, even used, still performed like a modern phone.”

This scenario reflects a broader trend: hardware longevity is only half the story. Ecosystem support and software optimization determine how long a phone remains useful.

Was Upgrading Worth It? A Balanced Verdict

For users coming from devices just one generation prior—such as the iPhone X or Galaxy S8—the upgrade to either the XS or S9 offered marginal gains. The improvements in processor speed, camera tuning, and battery life were measurable but rarely transformative. Real battery life, in fact, remained stubbornly around 6–8 hours of screen-on time for both devices under typical use.

However, for those stepping up from older platforms—iPhone 7, Galaxy S6, or non-flagship Androids—the upgrade was far more impactful. Faster app loading, better multitasking, and modern biometrics (Face ID on iPhone XS, iris/scanner combo on S9) made daily interactions noticeably smoother.

Yet cost must be considered. Both phones launched above $700, with the iPhone XS Max exceeding $1,000. For many consumers, that price point demanded revolutionary improvements, not iterative ones. Looking back, the value proposition was strongest for iOS loyalists who benefited from long-term support, rather than spec-chasers who expected multi-year relevance from Android.

Tip: When evaluating future upgrades, prioritize software support timelines over initial benchmark scores—they’re a better predictor of usable lifespan.

Checklist: Was Your 2018 Upgrade Justified?

• ✅ Were you upgrading from a phone older than 2016?
• ✅ Did you need improved low-light photography or video capabilities?
• ✅ Was ecosystem integration (iOS/Mac or Samsung DeX) important to your workflow?
• ✅ Could your current device handle modern apps and security requirements?
• ✅ Were you willing to pay flagship prices for incremental improvements?

If three or more apply, the upgrade likely made sense. Otherwise, waiting—or opting for a mid-cycle refresh—might have been wiser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the iPhone XS last longer than the Galaxy S9?

Yes, in practical terms. While both phones had similar hardware lifespans (around 3 years of heavy use), the iPhone XS remained functional and supported for up to two years longer due to extended iOS updates and optimized app compatibility.

Which phone held its resale value better?

The iPhone XS retained value significantly better. After two years, unlocked XS models sold for 40–50% of original price, compared to 25–30% for the Galaxy S9. Apple’s brand consistency and longer support cycles contributed to stronger secondary market demand.

Could the Galaxy S9 compete with the iPhone XS in daily use?

In 2018, yes—especially for users invested in the Samsung ecosystem. However, by 2020, fragmentation in software updates, regional chipset differences, and declining app optimization narrowed the gap in favor of iOS. Power users noticed fewer hiccups on the XS over time.

Final Thoughts: Lessons for Today’s Buyers

Looking back, the iPhone XS vs Galaxy S9 debate wasn’t about which phone was “better” at launch—it was about which offered lasting value. The iPhone XS, despite its high price and controversial design choices, proved more future-proof thanks to Apple’s software stewardship. The Galaxy S9, while innovative in areas like low-light imaging, fell victim to the typical Android update lifecycle, limiting its usefulness beyond three years.

The real takeaway isn’t nostalgia—it’s strategy. When considering any smartphone upgrade, evaluate not just what the device can do today, but how long it will continue to serve you well. Flagship status means little if support ends prematurely. Build quality matters less if the software becomes unstable.

🚀 Before your next upgrade, ask: Will this phone still work smoothly in three years? If the answer isn’t clear, it might be worth waiting—or reconsidering your platform loyalty.