With the recently introduced Google Pixel 3, we won’t say that we’ve finished the introduction of high-end smartphones this year, there are still some interesting things to see, but we have already made it clear that the Galaxy S9, the iPhone XS, and the Huawei P20 Pro are among the four most attractive phones of 2018 alongside the Google terminal. Although we could, of course, add a few more, it’s not about creating an endless list.
We analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each one and try to answer a tricky question: Which of these terminals is the best? The answer is difficult, but we highlight the crucial aspects of each one and its main shortcomings.
Google Pixel 3: This Google terminal is the equivalent to the iPhone in terms of software updates. It’s the only phone on the market that guarantees that Android is always up to date. But we’re missing a leap like the one that took place when we switched from the first to the second generation. Nevertheless, it has some interesting surprises to offer.
What we like: Although we haven’t had a chance to test it yet, it seems interesting that the software algorithms have been improved, especially when it comes to taking photos with the only rear view camera (which, if we don’t make a mistake, is similar to the previous model). It’s also interesting that a special chip has been integrated for safety reasons. In the XL model, the screen expands by filling most of the front.
What we don’t like: The introduction of an Android phone with four gigabytes of Ram memory seems a bit disappointing to us. Not so much because it now prevents smooth operation, as because it shortens its life in the long run. Well, at least this pixel 3 is equipped with the latest Snapdragon 845 processor. What disappoints us is that no dual camera was built in. The inclusion of algorithms to achieve an improved digital zoom may be fine, but certainly not as much as the integration of a camera dedicated to this feature.
The iPhone XS: Like it or not, the iPhone has been leading the way in popularity in the telephony market for a long time. This new version was not as groundbreaking as iPhone X. Even at the design level, iPhone XS is similar to X, although the screen of XS Max is bigger.
What we like: The processor, the A12, has been further improved. Remember that the Bionic A11 has already destroyed molds and the phone has been equipped with more RAM memory. This is one of the things that worry most Android cell phone manufacturers, as Apple processors are literally sweeping away the competition. Interestingly, the algorithms for image processing have also been improved. If you choose an XS Max, you will also find yourself on a spectacularly large screen.
What we don’t like: Although the S models have long been a renovation of the previous year’s terminal, we think the opportunity to provide the iPhone XS with a camera with further developed components was wasted. We would also have liked a battery with a higher capacity because, despite the fact that Apple guarantees a slight gain in battery life by optimizing the software and hardware, this would have been somewhat in favor of the company.
The Samsung Galaxy S9: It seems like an eternity ago when the Galaxy S9 was introduced, but it has actually been on the market for just over six months. This gives an idea of how fast things are going in this sector. Externally it’s hardly different from the Galaxy S8, which is deliberately offered in some stores at a termination price, but in the background, we find its main renovation.
What we like: Samsung put a lot of emphasis on the renewal of the Galaxy S9 cameras and introduced a superluminous lens (f/1.5) with optical stabilizer and a sensor with a generous pixel size. Two features that make it ideal for high-quality photos even in low light conditions. The algorithms for creating portraits with blurred backgrounds have also been greatly improved. In addition, a dual magnification zoom has been integrated into the secondary camera. In addition, the processing speed was increased by adding new, faster processors. Oh, and finally stereo sound was added.
What we don’t like: Bixby, Samsung’s assistant, still doesn’t understand many languages. But Samsung still insists on integrating it into the Galaxy S9. That may be logical to some extent. What doesn’t seem reasonable is that there is a special button next to the volume keys and that we often accidentally press Bixby’s activation at the worst possible time. Also, we would have liked a standard Galaxy S9 with more Ram memory for longer life (although the Plus model has six GB compared to the four standard models).
Huawei P20 Pro: Huawei came to the table when it presented the first telephone with three rear-view cameras, which make it possible to achieve an optical zoom with three magnifications that can be extended in some digital magnifications without significant loss of quality. It also introduced generous hardware and integrated a 4,000 mAh battery, which is very powerful.
What we like: Definitely it’s camera. With a high-resolution, stabilized main lens, a monochrome image sensor for improved shooting and a 3x zoom, it’s ideal for mobile photography. It also comes with very solvent-based software to squeeze your cameras together.
What we don’t like: Despite the use of a Huawei artificial intelligence optimized processor and six Giga’s of RAM memory, tests show that even with its rather smooth behavior, it’ s not one of the fastest phones on the market. That, as we normally say, may not be very important today. However, it will be when in the future new software upgrades and more sophisticated applications affect them.
So what’s better?
If you’ve read that far and wondered which of these phones is the best, the first thing we have to say is that software plays a fundamental role. iOS is known to be much better optimized than Android, which is logical because it works on a handful of terminals, not hundreds. So maybe the first big question is iOS or Android?
If you’re looking for an iPhone, those that are currently on sale are a good option, because since the release of version X they have become more attractive. But if we are Android users, things will get more complicated. Pixel 3 will undoubtedly allow us to benefit from a pure Android version, with a positive impact on the product’s performance. In fact, it may be an excellent phone for iPhone users who are tempted to try Android.
Conclusion
If you are interested in taking lots of photos and searching for advanced features, it seems logical to choose the Huawei P20 Pro. This 3x zoom can mark a before and after when you create our photos. The Galaxy S9 is the most symmetrical of all terminals. Added to this is the fact that it was launched a few months ago and the price reductions of which we are accustomed by Samsung make it available in the basic version in some stores for less than 550 euros. This makes it the cheapest of the terminals analyzed here for practical purposes.
But if the price is not so important, the iPhone XS and Pixel 3 can be the most interesting options. Especially because they are the only two terminals that, in addition to the excellent hardware, like the other two phones analyzed, have the advantage that we always keep your software up to date. And that’s fundamental.
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