Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) vs Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Google Pixel 9a phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.3"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3300
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.3"
POLED
POLED
1080x2424
48
MP
MP
13mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5100
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB)
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!
13 Advantages 
21 Advantages | 30 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back / Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| 16 million |
| 6.3" |
| Dual-LED flash |
| PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| BSI sensor |
| +23 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note8 Dual-Sim SM-N950FD, Samsung Baikal | Google Pixel 9a GXQ96 |
| Country or region available |      (Latin America), (Europe), (Global, International), Australia, Brazil |  USA |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 9/1/2017, Announced: 8/23/2017 | 4/10/2025, Announced: 3/19/2025 |
| Depth | 8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.8 x 162.5 millimeters (2.94 x 6.4 in) | 73.3 x 154.7 millimeters (2.89 x 6.09 in) |
| Weight | 195 grams (6.83 ounces) | 186 grams (6.51 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | P-OLED |
| Screen size | 6.3" inches | 6.3" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~82.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~83.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) | 1080x2424 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 522 PPI | 421 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10 Always-On Display | 2700nits[peak] HDR8 Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| System version | Android 7.1.1 Nougat | Android 15 |
| Firmware update | Android 9.0 Pie | feature not registered |
| User Interface | Grace UX UI | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 8895 (10nm) | 64bit: Google Tensor G4 (4nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.3GHz M2 Mongoose (Quad-core) 4x 1.7GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.1GHz ARM Cortex-X4 (Single-core) 3x 2.6GHz ARM Cortex-A720 (Triple-core) 4x 1.92GHz ARM Cortex-A520 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G71 MP20 (546MHz) | ARM Mali-G715 MP7 (940MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 262850 (v8) Geekbench: 6748 (v4.4) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 1030262 (v10) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 64GB (53GB available) UFS 2.1 | 256GB (220GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 3000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 41, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 41, 48) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.452mm1/3.6"1.0µmAF2x-optical-zoom | (dual camera) 48 megapixels 13MP ultrawide f/2.2120°1/3.1"1.12µm |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 8000x6000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 25mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/2" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| 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 | feature not registered | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 8 megapixels 2MP irisscanner | 13 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 4128x3096 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 25mm (lens) | 20mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | 1/3.1" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 1.12µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound (not stereo) 32-bit/384kHz | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones |
| Radio | FM | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + 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/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | feature not registered |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2 | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3300 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2 | 23W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) | 7.5W Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 22 hours | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| 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, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Curved edge screen • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel • Samsung Gear VR compatible • Samsung Pay | • Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony • Google Cast |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.99W/kg (head), 1.39W/kg (body) |