Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) vs Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U)
Side by side comparison between Google Pixel 3a XL vs Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6"
OLED
OLED
1080x2160
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3700
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 S9 Plus (SM-G965U)
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!
6 Advantages 
25 Advantages | 28 Common items in both devices |
| 64GB (50GB available) / 64GB (51GB available) |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| 1/2.55" inches |
| +21 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 | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Model | Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) |
| Other model names | Google Pixel 3a XL G020C (Unlocked) | Unlocked Galaxy S9+ G965U (Snapdragon) |
| Country or region available |   Canada, USA | USA |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 5/19/2019, Announced: 5/7/2019 | 3/9/2018, Announced: 2/25/2018 |
| Depth | 8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 8.5 millimeters (0.33 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 76.1 x 160.1 millimeters (3 x 6.3 in) | 73.8 x 158.1 millimeters (2.91 x 6.22 in) |
| Weight | 167 grams (5.85 ounces) | 189 grams (6.62 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Protection against water and others | Not supported | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Display type | OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6" inches | 6.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~76.3% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~83.6% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2160 pixels (18:9) | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 402 PPI | 531 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Dragontrail Glass | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | Always-On Display | HDR10 Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| System version | Android 9.0 Pie | Android 8.0 Oreo |
| Firmware update | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (SDM670) (10nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) (10nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2GHz Kryo 360 Gold (Dual-core) 6x 1.7GHz Kryo 360 Silver (Hexa-core) | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.8GHz Kryo 385 Gold (Quad-core) 4x 1.7GHz Kryo 385 Silver (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 615 | Qualcomm Adreno 630 (710MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 159110 (v7), 176612 (v8) Geekbench: 5176 (v4.4), 1307 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 265163 (v7), 344891 (v8) Geekbench: 8393 (4.2) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4X | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 64GB (50GB available) eMMC 5.1 | 64GB (51GB available) UFS 2.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) e-SIM (Eletronic) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 600/75 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 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat11/5 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| 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, 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 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 12.2 megapixels | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.41/3.4"52mm1.0µmAFOIS2x-optical-zoom |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.5 (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 | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@120fps | 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.0 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm lens | 25mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | 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 Direct, 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 | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2 |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3700 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 18W (9V/2A) Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 15W (9V/1.67A) Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2 |
| 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 | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| 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: Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish | • Colors: Black, Silver, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX • Samsung Gear VR • Samsung Pay |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020C) | Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.33W/kg (head), 1.18W/kg (body) | 0.78W/kg (head), 1.59W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |