Samsung S9 Plus Vs Iphone X Was Upgrading Really Worth It

In 2017 and 2018, two flagship smartphones stood at the forefront of mobile innovation: the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus and the Apple iPhone X. For users caught between ecosystems or considering a switch, the decision to upgrade from one to the other wasn’t just about hardware—it involved ecosystem loyalty, long-term usability, and personal preference. Years later, with both devices now in the rearview mirror of tech evolution, it’s worth revisiting whether making the leap between them delivered real value.

This isn’t just a specs sheet showdown. It’s an evaluation of real-world performance, user experience, software longevity, and whether the upgrade justified the cost—especially for those trading in a high-end device for another.

Design and Build: Premium Materials, Different Philosophies

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus and iPhone X represented distinct design languages. The S9 Plus embraced Samsung’s refined take on Android flagship design: a dual-curved AMOLED display framed by minimal bezels, aluminum chassis, and Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and back. Its symmetrical top and bottom bezels gave it a balanced look, and the fingerprint sensor, though slightly awkwardly placed next to the camera, was functional.

In contrast, the iPhone X introduced Apple’s radical redesign—removing the home button, adopting Face ID, and embracing an edge-to-edge OLED Super Retina display. The notch became iconic (and controversial), and the stainless steel frame gave it a heavier, more premium heft. The glass back enabled wireless charging, aligning with Apple’s push toward a cable-free future.

While both phones felt luxurious, their ergonomics differed. The S9 Plus, at 6.2 inches, was large but manageable with its curved sides. The iPhone X, slightly smaller at 5.8 inches, felt more compact despite similar screen real estate due to its taller aspect ratio.

“Apple bet big on gesture navigation and facial recognition with the iPhone X. Samsung stayed evolutionary with the S9 series, refining what already worked.” — David Kim, Mobile Industry Analyst at TechPulse Insights

Display and Visual Experience

Both devices featured OLED displays, a first for Apple in the iPhone X. The S9 Plus offered a 6.2-inch Quad HD+ (1440 x 2960) panel with HDR10 support, while the iPhone X had a 5.8-inch Super Retina display with a resolution of 1125 x 2436 pixels.

In direct comparison, the S9 Plus had a slight edge in peak brightness (up to 1130 nits) and color vibrancy, thanks to Samsung’s expertise in display manufacturing. The adaptive color temperature feature allowed users to fine-tune warmth, a detail appreciated by creatives.

The iPhone X, however, delivered excellent color accuracy out of the box, calibrated specifically for sRGB and P3 color spaces. While not as bright in sunlight, its True Tone technology adjusted white balance based on ambient light, reducing eye strain over long use.

Tip: If you consume a lot of video content, the S9 Plus’s higher resolution and wider screen offer a more immersive viewing experience.

Performance and Software Longevity

Under the hood, the S9 Plus used either the Exynos 9810 (international) or Snapdragon 845 (U.S.), paired with 6GB of RAM. The iPhone X ran Apple’s A11 Bionic chip with 3GB of RAM—a spec that seemed modest on paper but performed exceptionally well due to iOS optimization.

Benchmarks showed the A11 holding its own against the Snapdragon 845 in single-core tasks, while the S9 Plus often led in multi-core and GPU-heavy scenarios. However, real-world usage revealed something deeper: iOS devices tend to maintain performance consistency longer than their Android counterparts.

Software updates were a key differentiator. The iPhone X received five major iOS updates (from iOS 11 to iOS 16), supporting apps and security patches until late 2022. The S9 Plus launched with Android 8.0 Oreo and officially ended at Android 10, with security updates tapering off by 2021—despite community efforts to extend life via custom ROMs.

For users prioritizing long-term reliability and update support, the iPhone X clearly offered better staying power.

Camera Comparison: Strengths on Both Sides

The camera battle was close, but philosophically different. The S9 Plus featured a dual-lens setup: a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP telephoto, notable for its variable aperture (f/1.5–f/2.4). This “low-light booster” sensor could adapt to lighting conditions, theoretically improving night shots.

The iPhone X also had a dual 12MP system—one wide, one telephoto—but without variable aperture. Instead, Apple focused on computational photography: Smart HDR, advanced noise reduction, and superior color science.

Feature	Samsung S9 Plus	iPhone X
Primary Sensor	12MP, f/1.5–f/2.4, Dual Aperture	12MP, f/1.8
Telephoto Lens	12MP, f/2.4	12MP, f/2.4
Front Camera	8MP, f/1.7	7MP, f/2.2
Video Recording	4K @ 30/60fps, Super Slow-mo 960fps	4K @ 60fps, 1080p slo-mo
Low-Light Performance	Strong, especially in f/1.5 mode	Consistent, less grainy

The S9 Plus’s Super Slow-mo (960fps) was a standout party trick, though limited to short clips. Meanwhile, the iPhone X delivered more natural-looking photos with accurate skin tones and dynamic range. Portrait mode on both was competent, but Apple’s depth mapping and edge detection were more reliable.

Battery Life and Charging

The S9 Plus had a 3,500mAh battery—larger than the iPhone X’s 2,716mAh. In practice, this translated to noticeably longer endurance, especially with mixed usage. Users regularly got a full day and a half under moderate load.

The iPhone X required daily charging, sometimes twice if using GPS or streaming heavily. Both supported wireless charging and fast charging, though Apple sold the fast charger separately—an ongoing point of frustration.

Tip: Enable optimized battery charging on iPhone or adaptive battery on Samsung to extend long-term battery health.

Real-World Upgrade Experience: A Mini Case Study

Consider Mark, a long-time iPhone user since the iPhone 6S. By 2018, his phone was sluggish, battery life was poor, and he wanted a modern design. He upgraded directly to the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

Initially, he struggled with the differences: the app drawer layout, inconsistent UI across apps, and the lack of iMessage. Features like DeX and Bixby were underused. However, he quickly grew to appreciate the headphone jack, expandable storage (though rarely used), and superior speaker quality.

After 18 months, Mark noticed Android updates stopped coming, and some newer apps began running slower. His iPhone-using friends still had smooth experiences on devices purchased around the same time. He switched back to iPhone in 2020, citing ecosystem cohesion and longer software support as decisive factors.

His experience reflects a broader trend: while the S9 Plus offered compelling hardware, the iPhone X provided better long-term value through consistent software support and tighter integration with other Apple devices.

Was Upgrading Worth It?

The answer depends on your priorities:

• If you valued hardware innovation, audio quality, and customization, moving from iPhone X to S9 Plus—or vice versa—could feel refreshing.
• If you prioritized ecosystem continuity, long-term updates, and seamless integration, staying within your platform likely made more sense.
• For photography enthusiasts, the choice hinged on preference: vibrant, punchy colors (Samsung) vs. natural, true-to-life tones (Apple).

Financially, upgrading between two $1,000 devices with overlapping lifespans rarely paid off unless your current phone was failing. Resale value also played a role—the iPhone X retained value better over time, a pattern consistent across Apple products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone lasted longer with updates?

The iPhone X received five years of iOS updates, while the S9 Plus got three years of Android OS updates and limited security patches. iPhone wins decisively in software longevity.

Did the S9 Plus justify its price over the iPhone X?

Only for users who needed specific features like the headphone jack, microSD support, or superior stereo speakers. For most, the iPhone X’s ecosystem advantages outweighed minor hardware gains.

Can these phones still be used today?

Yes, but with caveats. Basic tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing work, but app compatibility, security risks, and slow performance make them unsuitable as primary devices in 2024.

Checklist: Before You Upgrade Between Flagships

1. Assess your current phone’s performance—is it truly inadequate or just showing age?
2. Evaluate ecosystem lock-in: Do you use AirPods, iCloud, or Samsung DeX?
3. Compare update policies: How many years of OS support does each brand offer?
4. Test the user interface in-store or via return window.
5. Calculate total cost, including accessories and data transfer.
6. Check resale value of your current device.
7. Determine if new features solve actual problems you have.

Final Verdict

Upgrading from the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus to the iPhone X—or the reverse—wasn’t inherently “worth it” in a universal sense. For early adopters craving Face ID or escaping Touch ID, the iPhone X was revolutionary. For those wanting a headphone jack, expandable storage, or vivid displays, the S9 Plus delivered tangible benefits.

But when viewed through the lens of long-term ownership, the iPhone X held its ground better. Stronger app optimization, longer software support, and higher resale value made it a more sustainable investment. Samsung matched Apple in hardware, but Apple’s ecosystem and update discipline gave it an edge in lasting value.

🚀 Still debating your next move? Reflect on what truly matters: raw specs or long-term usability. Your next upgrade should solve real needs—not just follow trends.