Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S9
Starting at
£116.50£449.00 new
iPhone 8 Plus
Starting at
£100.56£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S9 and iPhone 8 Plus?
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 8 Plus starts at £100.56, £15.94 less than the Galaxy S9. The Galaxy S9 is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- The Galaxy S9 has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.
- The Galaxy S9 has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2691 mAh.
- The Galaxy S9 has a bigger screen: 5.8 inch vs 5.5 inch.
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus specs
The Galaxy S9 and iPhone 8 Plus differ in screen technology, camera setup, and storage options. The Galaxy S9 offers a slightly larger, higher resolution Super AMOLED screen with a single main camera and more RAM, suiting those who value screen sharpness and multitasking. The iPhone 8 Plus features a dual main camera and a larger maximum storage size, which suits users who want more photo versatility and storage space. Both phones run different operating systems and have unlocked 4G connectivity, making each suitable depending on your preference for Android or iOS and storage needs.
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus price
Colour
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and build features. These affect how long the phone runs between charges and the operating system you will use.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S9 has a 3000 mAh battery, which may offer longer use between charges compared to the iPhone 8 Plus's 2691 mAh battery. If you often need your phone to last throughout the day, the Galaxy S9's battery size could be an advantage.
Operating System
The Galaxy S9 runs on Android while the iPhone 8 Plus uses iOS. Your preference for either operating system will influence your choice.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus screen
Screen quality includes size, resolution, and type, which affect how you view content and interact with your phone.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch screen with a resolution of 1440 by 2960 pixels, providing a sharper and more detailed image. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 5.5 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 by 1920 pixels, offering a slightly smaller and less sharp display. If you watch videos or read on your phone often, the Galaxy S9's screen offers more room and detail.
Screen Type
The Galaxy S9 uses a Super AMOLED screen, which typically delivers vibrant colours and deep blacks. In contrast, the iPhone 8 Plus has a Retina IPS LCD screen, known for accurate colour reproduction and consistent brightness. Your viewing preference for richer colours or natural tones may guide your choice.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and front camera resolution, important for photography and video calls.
Main Camera Setup
The iPhone 8 Plus has a dual main camera system, which can provide more versatility in photography, such as optical zoom or portrait effects. The Galaxy S9 features a single 12 megapixel main camera, which still captures detailed images but with fewer options for different shots.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S9 has an 8 megapixel front camera, offering slightly higher resolution for selfies and video calls compared to the iPhone 8 Plus's 7 megapixel front camera. This may be noticeable if you frequently use the front camera for video chats or selfies.
Main Camera Resolution
Both phones have a 12 megapixel main camera. This means you can expect similar detail levels in photos from either device.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus size and design
Miscellaneous features include physical size, weight, connectors, storage options, and expandable memory. These affect how the phone feels to hold, what accessories you use, and how much data you can store.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy S9 is smaller and lighter at 147.7 mm height, 68.7 mm width, 8.5 mm depth, and 163 g weight. The iPhone 8 Plus is taller, wider, and heavier at 158.4 mm height, 78.1 mm width, 7.5 mm depth, and 202 g weight. If you prefer a more compact and lighter phone, the Galaxy S9 fits better in the hand or pocket.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S9 comes in 64GB and 128GB storage variants and supports microSDXC cards for expandable storage. The iPhone 8 Plus offers 64GB and 256GB options but does not support microSD cards. Choose the iPhone 8 Plus if you want the highest built-in storage, or the Galaxy S9 if you prefer adding memory later.
Connectors
The Galaxy S9 uses a USB-C connector and also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. The iPhone 8 Plus uses a Lightning connector but does not have a 3.5mm jack. This affects what cables and headphones you can use without an adapter.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S9 or iPhone 8 Plus: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S9 if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3000 mAh vs 2691 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (5.8 inch vs 5.5 inch)
Buy the iPhone 8 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £100.56, £15.94 less than the Galaxy S9
What our customers say
Customers appreciate the Galaxy S9 for its condition and performance. Many find it looks like new even in fair to good condition with minimal marks and smooth operation. The 128GB storage and good screen size suit users with many apps and media. Some mention the battery needs topping up by evening and occasional overheating but overall they find the phone meets their needs well. The lighter weight and compact size are also noted positively.
Users of the iPhone 8 Plus praise its excellent condition and reliable build. The dual camera is valued for photography and the larger 256GB storage suits those needing more space. Some customers find the battery life less strong and note the phone does not receive the latest iOS updates which affects app availability. The size and weight suit those who prefer a larger phone with a familiar iOS experience.
Both phones are well received when matched to user preferences. The Galaxy S9 suits those wanting a bright, sharp screen and expandable storage. The iPhone 8 Plus is a good choice for those who need more built-in storage and prefer iOS with a versatile camera.
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus FAQs
Galaxy S9 vs iPhone 8 Plus comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S9 has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB. The Galaxy S9 has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2691 mAh.
The iPhone 8 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £100.56 compared with £116.50 for the Galaxy S9.
The Galaxy S9 has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2691 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S9 ended in Apr 2022. Updates for the iPhone 8 Plus ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 16.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S9 comes in 64GB and 128GB, and the iPhone 8 Plus in 64GB and 256GB.
