Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) vs Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs Apple iPhone XS Max phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
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!
23 Advantages 
7 Advantages | 30 Common items in both devices |
| Super AMOLED |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +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 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Note9 (Exynos) Dual-sim (6GB RAM), Samsung Crown | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 |
| Country or region available |    (Europe), (Global, International), United Arab Emirates | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Apple |
| Release date | 8/24/2018, Announced: 8/9/2018 | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 |
| Depth | 8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches) | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 76.4 x 161.9 millimeters (3.01 x 6.37 in) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) |
| Weight | 201 grams (7.04 ounces) | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 | Stainless steel body, 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.4" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 514 PPI | 456 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10 2.5D glass Always-On Display | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| System version | Android 8.1 Oreo | iOS 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 10 | iOS 16 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.0 / 2.5 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 9810 (10nm) | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.7GHz Mongoose M3 (Quad-core) 4x 1.79GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G72 MP18 (572MHz) | Apple GPU (4-Core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 249124 (v7), 316449 (v8) Geekbench: 9026 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR4X | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (111GB available) UFS 2.1 | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) | Not supported |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1200/150 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) | 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) |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.41/3.4"52mm1.0µmAFOIS2x-optical-zoom | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.5 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 28mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 1.4µm 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 | Digital and optical 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 | 1080p@240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 7.1 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 3072x2304 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 25mm lens | 32mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 proprietary connector |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | proprietary audio output |
| TV output | USB Type-C SlimPort® | Proprietary TV-out |
| 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 hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (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 Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 3174 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) | Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 25 hours (1 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (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, Copper, Purple, Blue • S Pen Stylus (Bluetooth) • Samsung Pay • Samsung DeX | • Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Face ID • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Apple Pay • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Fast battery charging: 50% in 30min |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 128GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.381W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) | feature not registered |