Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB) vs Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)

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Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

8/9/2018 7:26 PM, updated: 2/24/2023 4:13 PM

Compare Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) X Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB) 25Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.4"
AMOLED

1440x2960

12.2
MP

8mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4000
mAh

(Non removable)

04Points Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W) Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 9 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.6"
AMOLED

1080x2220

16
MP

16mp

4GB
RAM

Octa-core

3000
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)

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!

25 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	vs	4 Advantages Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
+2.7GHz 64bit Octa-core (10nm)31% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	2.2GHz 64bit Octa-core
+8GB LPDDR4X100% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.	vs	4GB LPDDR4
+512GB (482GB available)21 times More internal storage for applications and files	vs	32GB (22GB available)
+UFS 2.1Advantage Fastest write and read storage.	vs	eMMC 5.1
+HDR10Advantage The HDR10 display provides vibrant colors and more details	vs	Not supported
+1440x2960 pixels78% Higher resolution screen	vs	1080x2220 pixels
+514 PPI17% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	441 PPI
+6.4"14% Larger screen	vs	5.6"
+(dual camera) 12.2MP + 12MP52% Higher resolution main camera	vs	(back) 16MP
+Dual-LED flashAdvantage The Dual-LED flash helps in dark places or in low light	vs	LED flash
+Digital and optical zoomAdvantage The zoom allows for better focus and approach to take pictures	vs	Only digital zoom
+OIS: Optical stabilizationAdvantage Image stabilization prevents blurry photos and helps in recording motion video	vs	EIS: Digital stabilization
+1/2.55" inches10% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.	vs	1/2.8" inches
+f/1.5 (aperture)13% Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.	vs	f/1.7 (aperture)
+4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera	vs	Full HD (1920x1080)
+(front) 2K UHD (2560x1440)78% More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera	vs	(front) Full HD (1920x1080)
+Android 10Advantage Android 10 is newer and safer	vs	Android 9.0 Pie
+(4G LTE-A) 1200 Mbps100% Faster for surfing the internet and download files	vs	(4G LTE-A) 600 Mbps
+Heart rateAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+Iris scannerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+SpO2Advantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+4000 mAh33% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use	vs	3000 mAh
+Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)Advantage Wireless charging is another way to charge the battery.	vs	Not supported
+2 slots (Dual-SIM) (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot)Advantage You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.	vs	1 slot (Single-SIM) (dedicated slot)
+USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.	vs	USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
201 grams (7.04 ounces)	vs	+172 grams (6.02 ounces)17% Lighter
8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches)	vs	+8.4 millimeters (0.33 inches)5% Thinner
(front) 8MP	vs	+(dual front camera) 16MP + 8MP199% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
15W	vs	+18W20% More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.

29 Common items in both devices

Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC

Aluminum frame, glass front/back

Super AMOLED

60Hz

16 million

PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / PDAF: phase detection autofocus

HDR photo/video on both cameras / HDR photo on both cameras

+22 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

📱 Model features
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Other model names	Galaxy Note9 (Exynos) Dual-sim (8GB RAM), Samsung Crown	Galaxy A8 SM-A530W Single-Sim
Country or region available	(Europe), (Global, International), United Arab Emirates	Canada
Brand	Samsung	Samsung
Release date	8/24/2018, Announced: 8/9/2018	1/6/2018
Depth	8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches)	8.4 millimeters (0.33 inches)
Size (width x height)	76.4 x 161.9 millimeters (3.01 x 6.37 in)	70.6 x 149.2 millimeters (2.78 x 5.87 in)
Weight	201 grams (7.04 ounces)	172 grams (6.02 ounces)
Build, materials	Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5	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
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Display type	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED
Screen size	6.4" inches	5.6" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~84% (screen-to-body ratio)	~75.6% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9)	1080x2220 pixels (18.5:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points	Capacitive Multitouch
Pixel density (dot pitch)	514 PPI	441 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 5	Gorilla Glass 4
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	HDR10 2.5D glass Always-On Display	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
System version	Android 8.1 Oreo	Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Firmware update	Android 10	Android 9.0 Pie
User Interface	One UI 2.0 / 2.5	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Chipset	64bit: Samsung Exynos 9810 (10nm)	64bit: Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7885 (14nm)
CPU	Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.7GHz Mongoose M3 (Quad-core) 4x 1.79GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core)	Octa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A73 (Dual-core) 6x 1.6GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Hexa-core)
GPU graphical controller	ARM Mali-G72 MP18 (572MHz)	ARM Mali-G71 MP2
Performance (benchmark)	AnTuTu: 249124 (v7), 316449 (v8) Geekbench: 9026 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
RAM memory	8GB LPDDR4X	4GB LPDDR4
Internal storage	512GB (482GB available) UFS 2.1	32GB (22GB available) eMMC 5.1
External storage	Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot)	Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
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	600/75 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	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100	UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)	LTE Cat11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, 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 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Back camera (main camera)	(dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.41/3.4"52mm1.0µmAFOIS2x-optical-zoom	16 megapixels
Main camera resolution	4032x3024 pixels	4608x3456 pixels
Video recording (primary)	4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps
Flash	Dual-LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/1.5 (aperture)	f/1.7 (aperture)
Focal length	26mm lens	26mm lens
Sensor size	1/2.55" inches	1/2.8" inches
Pixel size	1.4µm pixel	1.12µm pixel
Autofocus	PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera	PDAF: phase detection autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	OIS: Optical stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Digital and optical zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Supported	Not supported
HDR	HDR photo/video on both cameras	HDR photo on both cameras
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Front camera (secondary)	8 megapixels	(dual front camera) 16 megapixels 8MP wide f/1.91/4"1.12µm24mm
Front camera resolution	3264x2448 pixels	4608x3456 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	2K UHD (2560x1440)	Full HD (1920x1080)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/1.7 (aperture)	f/1.9 (aperture)
Focal length	25mm lens	27mm lens
Sensor size	1/3.6" inches	1/3.1" inches
Pixel size	1.22µm pixel	1µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Loudspeaker	Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz	Supported
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	2 microphones or more
Radio	FM	FM
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 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
USB	USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go	USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	USB Type-C SlimPort®	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	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, BeiDou
NFC	Supported	Supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
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 ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity	4000 mAh	3000 mAh
Charger, watts	15W Wired fast charging	18W Wired fast charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	feature not registered	19 hours
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
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: Black, Gray, Gold, Blue • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Samsung Pay • Always-on display • 24-bit/192kHz audio
☢️ Radiation rate
	Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960F/DS 512GB)	Galaxy A8 2018 (SM-A530W)
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