Sony Xperia XZ3 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Which is best?

If you’re looking for a new top-end Android phone, Sony’s Xperia XZ3 and Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 are two of the most intriguing options available. Launched barely six months after its predecessor, the XZ3 looks nicer, has a dramatically better screen and retains the same relatively modest price point. On the other hand, there’s almost nothing modest about Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9. It’s extra-large and definitely in charge, tipping the price scales at a startling £899. But which is the smarter pick? Here’s what we think.

Design: A matter of polish

And at a glance, both phones look pretty similar from the front: tall, curved screens covering the front, bezel on the top and bottom, and no notch on either. Despite the Note 9’s larger screen they’re pretty much the same size too. From the back, the Xperia XZ3 is curvy and glossy with a mirror finish, while the Note 9 is a bit more restrained. Add to that the much better fingerprint sensor placement on Samsung’s phone (it’s just too low on the XZ3), and we give the Galaxy Note 9 the edge here. Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Screen: Both big and bold

The XZ3’s 6in Quad HD OLED screen is a stunner, borrowing Triluminos and X-Reality image processing tech from Sony’s TV division to deliver punchy visuals, pin-sharp clarity, and fantastic HDR support. It’s one of the best out there, but it’s not the best. The Galaxy Note 9 takes that honour, tied with Samsung’s S9, as the 6.4in Quad HD Super AMOLED panel gets even brighter on top of the excellent clarity and contrast. It’s close, but again, the Note 9 is just a smidge better. Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Camera: Good vs. great

The dual 12MP setup on the Note 9 results in a near-perfect phone camera. Along with stellar Auto HDR functionality, the main sensor can swap between f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture based on your available light, capturing more detail when it’s plentiful. The Xperia XZ3 sticks with one rear camera, a 19MP (f/2.0) snapper, but the results are pretty good. There’s plenty of colour, great contrast, and solid detail in shots, although zooming in does show a fair bit of noise, putting it a notch or two behind the Note 9 in overall prowess. Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Performance: Pretty close

Both phones house top-tier Android processors: the Xperia XZ3 runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, while the Galaxy Note 9 uses Samsung’s own Exynos 8910 chip in some regions (including Europe), while others use the very same Snapdragon. That makes them pretty even. In everyday usage, both are super fast and totally capable of doing whatever you please on your handset. And the Xperia XZ3 even has Android 9 Pie out of the box, while Samsung is still rocking Oreo as of this writing. Verdict: Draw

Battery and storage: A close shave

The Note 9 has the larger battery here, at 4000mAh vs. 3300mAh on the Xperia XZ3, and while you’ll probably pull a few more hours of uptime as a result, it’s not as beastly as Samsung’s boasts suggested. It can stretch into day two, but not that far. As for internal storage, the Note 9 packs a punch – it has 128GB in the base model or a whopping 512GB if you spend more, while the Xperia XZ3 sticks with 64GB. Luckily, both support microSD cards up to 512GB for expanded storage. Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (just)

Perks: Note-able extras

The Note 9’s most unique selling point is its S Pen stylus. It pops out of the phone and lets you sketch, scribble, and take notes, plus this year’s edition offers Bluetooth connectivity, letting you use it as a media remote, camera shutter button, and other neat tricks. There’s also support for the Gear VR headset and the ability to plug the Note 9 into an external monitor, while the Sony has a beefy vibration motor that buzzes along to music and delivers force feedback during games. Yeah, it’s pretty obvious which one wins here… Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Verdict: Surprise!

Five category wins for the Galaxy Note 9 and a draw? Well, that seems like a slam dunk for Samsung, right? Not so fast… The Note 9 is more phone than most people need, and at £899+, that makes it a very niche option. Sony’s Xperia XZ3 might be marginally outclassed in a few key ways, but at a much more reasonable £699 for a top-tier flagship phone, we still think it’s the better option for the vast majority of prospective buyers. It’s Sony’s best smartphone to date, and a true contender for your cash this autumn. Winner: Sony Xperia XZ3