Essential Phone PH-1 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Essential Phone PH-1 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
5.71"
IPS
IPS
1312x2560
13
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3040
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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!
7 Advantages 
26 Advantages | 31 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (114GB available) / 128GB (111GB available) |
| UFS 2.1 |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| (front) 8MP |
| +24 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 | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Change model | ||
| Model | Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) |
| Other model names | Essential PH-1 Unlocked | Galaxy Note9 (Exynos) Dual-sim (6GB RAM), Samsung Crown |
| Country or region available |     (Europe), Canada, USA, Japan |   (Europe), (Global, International), United Arab Emirates |
| Brand | Essential | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/1/2017, Announced: 5/8/2017 | 8/24/2018, Announced: 8/9/2018 |
| Depth | 7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71.1 x 141.5 millimeters (2.8 x 5.57 in) | 76.4 x 161.9 millimeters (3.01 x 6.37 in) |
| Weight | 185 grams (6.48 ounces) | 201 grams (7.04 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Titanium frame, glass front, ceramic back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Protection against water and others | IP54 certified: protection against dust and splashing | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Display type | LTPS IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 5.71" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~84% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1312x2560 pixels | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 504 PPI | 514 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 500nits[typ] | HDR10 2.5D glass Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Firmware update | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 2.0 / 2.5 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 9810 (10nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.45GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.7GHz Mongoose M3 (Quad-core) 4x 1.79GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz) | ARM Mali-G72 MP18 (572MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 249124 (v7), 316449 (v8) Geekbench: 9026 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4 | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (114GB available) UFS 2.1 | 128GB (111GB available) UFS 2.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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 | 1200/150 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, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43) VoLTE | LTE Cat18 (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, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
📷 Camera | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 13 megapixels 13MP mono f/1.91/3.1"PDAF/Laser | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.41/3.4"52mm1.0µmAFOIS2x-optical-zoom |
| Main camera resolution | 4128x3096 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.9 (aperture) | f/1.5 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 1.4µm pixel |
| Autofocus | LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus | PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Not supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | feature not registered | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 25mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound with dual speakers | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | Not supported | USB Type-C SlimPort® |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect 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 | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3040 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 27W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 15W Wired fast charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 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: Black, White, Stellar Gray, Ocean Depths | • Colors: Black, Copper, Purple, Blue S Pen Stylus (Bluetooth) • Samsung Pay • Samsung DeX |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.381W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) |