Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
10 Advantages 
22 Advantages | 33 Common items in both devices |
| Super AMOLED |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| BSI sensor |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +26 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Model | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 | Galaxy S8+ Duos 6GB/128GB (Snapdragon), Samsung Dream 2 |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  China |
| Brand | Apple | Samsung |
| Release date | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 | 4/21/2017, Announced: 3/29/2017 |
| Depth | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) | 73.4 x 160 millimeters (2.89 x 6.3 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) | 173 grams (6.06 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~83.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 456 PPI | 531 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen | HDR10 |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| System version | iOS 12 | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Firmware update | iOS 18 | Android 9.0 Pie |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.35GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Apple GPU (4-Core) | Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4X | 6GB LPDDR4 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 128GB (111GB available) UFS 2.0 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 1024/150 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 | CDMA2000 TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1921/A2104 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2101 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2102 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46) | LTE Cat16 (1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,20,28,29,30) TD-LTE (38,39,40,41) |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm | 12.2 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps |
| Flash | Quad-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 28mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 1.4µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@240fps | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 7.1 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3072x2304 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 32mm (lens) | 25mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Supported |
| Active noise cancellation | 3 microphones | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 proprietary connector | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | proprietary audio output | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | Proprietary TV-out | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2 |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3174 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 15W (9V/1.67A) Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) |
| Talk time autonomy | 25 hours (1 days) | 34 hours (1.4 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | 343 hours (14.3 days) |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Apple Pay • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Face ID | • Colors: Black, Silver, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Curved edge screen • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel • Samsung Gear VR compatible • Samsung Pay • 32bit/192kHz audio |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G9550 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |