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Pixel 2 or S9?

Started Nov 1, 2018 | Discussions
Soob Junior Member • Posts: 38
Pixel 2 or S9?

If I mainly want a phone for the camera, is there a clear answer on which to choose?

The Pixel 2 is better for photography from everything I've read and samples posted but that seems to be mainly due to the software. Given that the S9 can run GCAM (for which the ports should only improve from this point) and that it has better camera hardware and better hardware overall does that negate the Pixel 2's advantage? And possibly give you a best of both worlds choice? Or is that wishful thinking?

Google Pixel 2 Samsung Galaxy S9
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Goatruckus Contributing Member • Posts: 609
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
1

Soob wrote:

If I mainly want a phone for the camera, is there a clear answer on which to choose?

The Pixel 2 is better for photography from everything I've read and samples posted but that seems to be mainly due to the software. Given that the S9 can run GCAM (for which the ports should only improve from this point) and that it has better camera hardware and better hardware overall does that negate the Pixel 2's advantage? And possibly give you a best of both worlds choice? Or is that wishful thinking?

Look for samples a GCAM running on other devices. They seem to get better IQ than their native cams but not quite as good as the actual Pixel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7V92Rlygzk

Jonsi
Jonsi Veteran Member • Posts: 6,262
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

Not sure why you're considering the Pixel 2 instead of their latest (unless you've researched the camera already, then I get it) but between the 2, I'd recommend the S9.

I went with the LG V40 because of it's excellent audio. I rarely use phone cameras.

Here is a video I saw of a comparison between S9, V40 and Pixel 3, but the Pixel has serious problems with color accuracy.  Close call between the other 2, but the S9 seems best.

https://youtu.be/eVlIqXfk-4g

OP Soob Junior Member • Posts: 38
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
1

Mainly due to price, around here the Pixel 2 and S9 are effectively the same price, the Pixel 3 is around 20% more. The V40 is not even available but is expected to be nearly 30% more than those 2.

OP Soob Junior Member • Posts: 38
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

From everything I've seen the S9 native sometimes performs better than GCAM, but seems mostly GCAM is better, hence the best of both worlds thought bubble. But if GCAM is better then I worry a bit about unofficial (unsupported software) being critical to my happiness with it as a camera. I was kinda hoping photography types around here might be using their S9 with GCAM and give their opinion.

PhotoFactor Veteran Member • Posts: 4,171
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
2

I would say that the Pixel 2 hardware is not as good overall as the S9. The S9's screen is gorgeous and I believe the overall HW reliability may be better on Samsung.

However I did have an S8 briefly (very similar to the S9) and then a Pixel 2 XL.

The camera with native processing is clearly better on the Pixel. The software overall (not just camera) is fluid and smooth on the Pixel. The Pixel gets monthly security updates right on time every month and gets major OS updates as soon as they come out (probably for another year for the Pixel 2).

Samsung's software is full of bloat IMHO. Duplicate browsers, messaging, store, etc. And uninstallable. Bixby is inferior and the hardware button is a pain and easy to hit when you reaching for the volume controls. The fingerprint sensor is rectangular instead of round and is much more finicky to register than the Pixel.

For these reasons, for me, I prefer the Pixel. If you are more into the fancier screen and hardware then you might also prefer the S9. Also consider the warranty and support for each brand in your country.

 PhotoFactor's gear list:PhotoFactor's gear list
Sony a6400 Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN 7artisans 25mm F1.8 Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | C (X-mount) +3 more
phil from seattle
phil from seattle Veteran Member • Posts: 3,699
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

PhotoFactor wrote:

I would say that the Pixel 2 hardware is not as good overall as the S9. The S9's screen is gorgeous and I believe the overall HW reliability may be better on Samsung.

However I did have an S8 briefly (very similar to the S9) and then a Pixel 2 XL.

The camera with native processing is clearly better on the Pixel. The software overall (not just camera) is fluid and smooth on the Pixel. The Pixel gets monthly security updates right on time every month and gets major OS updates as soon as they come out (probably for another year for the Pixel 2).

Samsung's software is full of bloat IMHO. Duplicate browsers, messaging, store, etc. And uninstallable. Bixby is inferior and the hardware button is a pain and easy to hit when you reaching for the volume controls. The fingerprint sensor is rectangular instead of round and is much more finicky to register than the Pixel.

For these reasons, for me, I prefer the Pixel. If you are more into the fancier screen and hardware then you might also prefer the S9. Also consider the warranty and support for each brand in your country.

a bit late to this but though I would put it out there anyway.

I have a pixel 2 and my wife has the S9.  Both of us dislike the S9 because it has control buttons everywhere (well, in a lot of places) on it's screen.  She can't hand it to me (like to read something or use the map or ...) without one of us inadvertently putting it in some other mode.  It's a real pain. I can hand her my P2 and it doesn't go off somewhere else. The camera on the P2 is better than the S9.

 phil from seattle's gear list:phil from seattle's gear list
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Lan Veteran Member • Posts: 4,047
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

Is there any reason you're not considering the Huawei P20 Pro?

PhotoFactor Veteran Member • Posts: 4,171
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

phil from seattle wrote:

PhotoFactor wrote:

I would say that the Pixel 2 hardware is not as good overall as the S9. The S9's screen is gorgeous and I believe the overall HW reliability may be better on Samsung.

However I did have an S8 briefly (very similar to the S9) and then a Pixel 2 XL.

The camera with native processing is clearly better on the Pixel. The software overall (not just camera) is fluid and smooth on the Pixel. The Pixel gets monthly security updates right on time every month and gets major OS updates as soon as they come out (probably for another year for the Pixel 2).

Samsung's software is full of bloat IMHO. Duplicate browsers, messaging, store, etc. And uninstallable. Bixby is inferior and the hardware button is a pain and easy to hit when you reaching for the volume controls. The fingerprint sensor is rectangular instead of round and is much more finicky to register than the Pixel.

For these reasons, for me, I prefer the Pixel. If you are more into the fancier screen and hardware then you might also prefer the S9. Also consider the warranty and support for each brand in your country.

a bit late to this but though I would put it out there anyway.

I have a pixel 2 and my wife has the S9. Both of us dislike the S9 because it has control buttons everywhere (well, in a lot of places) on it's screen. She can't hand it to me (like to read something or use the map or ...) without one of us inadvertently putting it in some other mode. It's a real pain. I can hand her my P2 and it doesn't go off somewhere else. The camera on the P2 is better than the S9.

That is all consistent with my experiences as well.

 PhotoFactor's gear list:PhotoFactor's gear list
Sony a6400 Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN 7artisans 25mm F1.8 Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | C (X-mount) +3 more
PhotoFactor Veteran Member • Posts: 4,171
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

Lan wrote:

Is there any reason you're not considering the Huawei P20 Pro?

If they're in the USA, the Huawei is not sold directly or by carriers. While available from some international sellers, there's really not anywhere that a carrier supports it directly. Some radio bands could be different and warranty service would be very difficult.

 PhotoFactor's gear list:PhotoFactor's gear list
Sony a6400 Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN 7artisans 25mm F1.8 Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | C (X-mount) +3 more
linden7179 Regular Member • Posts: 187
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

I am on the same boat. P20 pro screen is pretty coarse compare to my S6. Due to Oled screen pixel pentile arrangement, 1080p is not true 1080P. I am near sighted, without glass and hold the screen close, I can see pixel dots on P20 pro.

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Simonx

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liopleurodon Senior Member • Posts: 1,664
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
1

PhotoFactor wrote:

I would say that the Pixel 2 hardware is not as good overall as the S9. The S9's screen is gorgeous and I believe the overall HW reliability may be better on Samsung.

However I did have an S8 briefly (very similar to the S9) and then a Pixel 2 XL.

The camera with native processing is clearly better on the Pixel. The software overall (not just camera) is fluid and smooth on the Pixel. The Pixel gets monthly security updates right on time every month and gets major OS updates as soon as they come out (probably for another year for the Pixel 2).

The Pixel 2 will get Android 10 and 11.  It gets 3 years of OS and security updates.  2 years remain.

Samsung's software is full of bloat IMHO. Duplicate browsers, messaging, store, etc. And uninstallable. Bixby is inferior and the hardware button is a pain and easy to hit when you reaching for the volume controls. The fingerprint sensor is rectangular instead of round and is much more finicky to register than the Pixel.

For these reasons, for me, I prefer the Pixel. If you are more into the fancier screen and hardware then you might also prefer the S9. Also consider the warranty and support for each brand in your country.

Samsung's launcher is a bloated unusable POS as well.  Samsung also bends over for carriers and preinstalls tons of garbage from them as well.  Samsung devices are gorgeous hardware with bargain basement software support.  An Android One S9 would be a killer phone.

I just got a Pixel 3 to replace my 2.  It closes the hardware gap significantly.  The tiny bezels it does have are worth it to keep front firing stereo speakers.

 liopleurodon's gear list:liopleurodon's gear list
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MrB1n New Member • Posts: 2
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?

definitely Pixel 2

RedFox88 Forum Pro • Posts: 30,738
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
1

Neither. Android stinks.

PhotoFactor Veteran Member • Posts: 4,171
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
1

RedFox88 wrote:

Neither. Android stinks.

That's an opinion.

From my point of view, iOS is kind of limited and stinky.

 PhotoFactor's gear list:PhotoFactor's gear list
Sony a6400 Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN 7artisans 25mm F1.8 Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | C (X-mount) +3 more
Jonsi
Jonsi Veteran Member • Posts: 6,262
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
3

RedFox88 wrote:

Neither. Android stinks.

Quite a reply after only 1 month of thinking..

phil from seattle
phil from seattle Veteran Member • Posts: 3,699
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
3

Jonsi wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

Neither. Android stinks.

Quite a reply after only 1 month of thinking..

Yes and I picture it being said with the smug superiority of the deluded.

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RedFox88 Forum Pro • Posts: 30,738
Re: Pixel 2 or S9?
1

Jonsi wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

Neither. Android stinks.

Quite a reply after only 1 month of thinking..

Who said I read it a month ago? I rarely go in the mobile forums 🙄🤔

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