Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Vs Google Pixel 3 XL

Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Vs Google Pixel 3 XL

Samsung came in swinging with its new S10 range yesterday.

The largely-overhauled device has been given some huge upgrades – from the camera to all of the specs under the hood. But all of those shiny new features come at a price, especially in the flagship S10+.

But is it actually worth it? We’ve compared it to one of the other most popular Android phones on the market – the Pixel 3 XL.

[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/02/samsung-s10-plus-vs-iphone-xs-max-which-is-better-value/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_lfill,w_768,q_90/bw1cedbp34jpwhgyzamn.jpg” title=”Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Vs iPhone XS Max” excerpt=”Over the past six months both Apple and Samsung have released flagship devices with massive specs and the price tag to match. It’s been awhile since the iPhone XS Max launched, so we thought it was time to refresh our memories, and see how it stacks against the Galaxy S10+.”]

Much like the iPhone XS Max, the Pixel 3 XL came on towards the end of 2018, so it was already at the risk of running at a disadvantage when it comes to having the latest and greatest specs.

Samsung Galaxy S10+ Google Pixel 3 XL
Display 6.4-inch, 3040 x 1440 6-inch, 2880 x 1440
Body 6.20 x 2.92 x 0.31-inches, 177g 6.20 x 3.00 x 0.30-inches, 181g
Rear Camera 12MP telephoto, 12MP wide, 16MP ultra-wide 12MP
Front Camera Dual 10MP/8MP selfie cams Dual 8MP/8MP-wide selfie cams
Processor Exynos 9820 (Snapdragon 855 in the U.S.) Snapdragon 845
RAM 8GB, 12GB 4GB
Storage 128GB, 512GB, 1TB 64GB, 128GB
Battery 4,100mAh 3,430mAh
Wireless Charging Yes, with wireless PowerSharing Yes
Water Resistance IP68 IP68
Ports USB-C (plus a headphone jack!) USB-C
Primary Sensor In-screen fingerprint scanner Rear fingerprint scanner
Starting Price $1,499 $1,349
High-End Price $2,399 $1,499

If pricing is your primary concern, the clear winner here is the Pixel 3 XL. The entry-level XL is $150 cheaper than its S10+ counterpart, and at the high-end the XL is a massive $900 cheaper than the 1TB S10+. Plus, it’s a good phone that can cop some serious misuse.

However, the pricing is at relative to the specs here – unlike the iPhone XS Max, which is barely cheaper than the S10+ on the high end and far more expensive on the low end, despite having inferior specs.

Both the entry-level RAM and storage on the XL are exactly half of what the entry-level S10+ has. It also has a smaller battery, smaller screen and is a little heavier.

In fact, the changes between the 2018 and 2017 Google Pixel XLs are incremental. Although the CPU got a bump, the RAM and storage options for the 3 XL are the same as the 2 XL.

In terms of phone releases, the 3 XL is the equivalent of an iPhone ‘S Year’.

We won’t pass judgement on the camera setup until we have actually had a hands-on with the S10, but on paper the Pixel 3 XL sounds less sophisticated. That being said, its my second favourite 2018 model phone camera after the Huawei Mate 20 Pro. The portrait mode and low-light capabilities are particularly impressive.

[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/02/samsung-galaxy-s10-s10-plus-s10-e-s10-5g-range-australian-price-specs-and-release-date/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/wnio7cizyllkpb9aba6w.gif” title=”Samsung Galaxy S10 Range: Australian Price, Specs And Release Date” excerpt=”Samsung Unpacked has finally happened. No more rumours. No more speculation. Over the past six months the Galaxy S10 arguably became the most leaked flagship phone ever. It made the Pixel 3 details look airtight. But it is now officially out in the ethos, and we’re to deliver all the details – including when it will land in Australia and exactly how much it’s going to cost you.”]

On the plus side for Google, Australia will not be getting the shiny Snapdragon 855 in our Galaxy S10 models. Instead we have to make do with the Exynos 9820 which, which generally isn’t considered to be as good.

Still, the S10+ undoubtedly has the better specs.

So if you’re someone who cares about having a more powerful device, this may give you pause. You’re definitely not getting the latest and greatest down in the guts of the Pixel.

If you’re still weighing up between price vs specs, I would recommend considering a slight downgrade – the ordinary S10.

It has the same rear camera setup as the S10+, 8GB RAM and the entry level storage option is 128GB. And that particular model has the exact same price as the 64GB Pixel Xl – $1,349. If you’re wanting more internal storage, a bump to 512GB is going to cost $1,699.

But if your heart is set on a Pixel and you don’t mind waiting until later this year – we expect the Pixel 4 to be injected with some serious upgrades.

[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/02/the-google-pixel-3-xl-is-rugged-af/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/google-pixel-3-xl-stream-1-410×231.jpg” title=”The Google Pixel 3 Is Rugged AF” excerpt=”Something you should know about me is that I’m a klutz. One of the nicknames that my parents bestowed upon me during childhood was ‘Super Spiller’. The other was ‘Possum’. I’ve never been able to shake either moniker. My penchant for dropping shit has carried over into adulthood, and has resulted in a myriad of cracked and waterlogged phones over the years. Yeah, I even dropped an iPhone 4 in a toilet once. Okay, twice. When it comes to handsets I’m a walking stress test – a fact that was reinforced when I recently took a Google Pixel 3 XL on an 18km hike in the Blue Mountains.”]