Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs Galaxy Note 8: Which One to Buy?

Galaxy S9+ vs Galaxy Note 8: Software & Performance

What's more important to you? Better performance and longer battery life, or a phone with an S-Pen stylus. That's a call you'll have to make. Samsung's Note 8 has some neat software that takes advantage of the S-Pen stylus, but a lot of buyers simply want the big screen and never even use the stylus.

If you don't nee a stylus, the Galaxy S9+ is the better choice. That's because it's 6 months newer, has the latest specs and runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. Furthermore, Samsung has some neat new Live-focus controls and auto bokeh filters built into the S9+ camera. That's exclusive to the bigger Galaxy S phone. 

Additionally, the new Snapdragon 845 processor should improve performance, battery life, gaming, camera features, VR, and other things. Bundle that with the latest Android 8.0 Oreo battery enhancements and the S9+ will easily outlast the Note 8 in the battery department. 

In fact, combine all that together and it's safe to say the only reason we recommend someone get the Note 8 over the new Galaxy S9+ is strictly for the S-Pen stylus. As Samsung's newer phone is just a little better in every other category.