2020 just started and we just realized we never compared the most important flagship from the most important non-Chinese companies in the smartphones world: Google, Samsung, and Apple. All of them made a lot of steps forward with their devices in 2019, that is why we think it is worth making a comparison between their most expensive handsets. We are talking about Google Pixel 4 XL, Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ and Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. Very different devices, but all offering something unique at expensive prices. Which one should you spend on? Let’s discover it together.
Google Pixel 4 XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs iPhone 11 Pro Max
| Google Pixel 4 XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm, 193 g | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm, 196 g | 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm, 226 g |
| DISPLAY | 6.3 inches, 1440 x 3040p (Quad HD+), P-OLED | 6.8 inches, 1440 x 3040p (Quad HD+), Dynamic AMOLED | 6.5 inches, 1242 x 2688p (Full HD+), Super Retina XDR OLED |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.84 GHz | Samsung Exynos 9825, octa-core 2.73 GHz | Apple A13 Bionic, hexa-core 2.65 GHz |
| MEMORY | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB | 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB – micro SD slot | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 256 GB – 4 GB RAM, 512 GB |
| SOFTWARE | Android 10 | Android 9 Pie, One UI | iOS 13 |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Dual 12.2 + 16 MP, f/1.7 + f/2.4 Dual 8 MP f/2.0 + TOF front camera |
Quad 12 + 12 + 16 MP, f/1.5-1.8-2.4 + f/2.1 + f/2.2 10 MP f/2.2 front camera |
Triple 12 + 12 + 12 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.0 + f/2.4 Dual 12 MP + TOF camera f/2.2 front camera |
| BATTERY | 3700 mAh, fast charging 18W, Qi wireless charging | 4300 mAh, fast charging 45W, Fast wireless charging 20W | 3969 mAh, fast charging 18W with Qi wireless charging |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot, radar, waterproof IP68, Face ID | Hybrid Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging, waterproof IP68 | Dual SIM slot, waterproof IP68, Face ID |
Design
On the design point of view, Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ takes the gold medal. It comes with a punch-hole display, a very minimal glass back and the highest screen-to-body ratio. Not everyone may like the big camera module on the iPhone 11 Pro Max and its big notch, but it has a better build quality with a frame made of stainless steel and a glass back which Apple defines as the “most resistant ever mounted on a smartphone”. On the other hand, Google Pixel 4 XL offers a more compact design, but it has thicker bezels and it is less attractive.
Display
In each case, you get an incredible display. Three displays considered the best ones ever seen on a smartphone by DisplayMate. All of them received the Best Display Award and all of them feature an amazing color reproduction. My favorite one is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ as it comes with a wider diagonal, HDR10+ certification and the support to S Pen. I would give the silver medal to the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but the Google Pixel 4 XL is the only with a 90 Hz refresh rate.
Hardware/Software
iPhone 11 Pro Max is the fastest and the most stable device especially thanks to the optimization of the iOS operating system. But performance is not the most important thing when it comes to these devices as all of them are very fast flagship. You should rather consider that iPhone 11 Pro Max has iOS, Google Pixel 4 XL has the most updated Android version (close to stock) with the most advanced Android 10 features available, and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has a highly customized Android version but still based on Android 9 Pie.
Camera
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ and iPhone 11 Pro Max are among the best camera phones ever and they provide very similar camera performance. The astrophotos feature on the Google Pixel 4 XL looks very interesting, but the lack of an ultrawide lens and the inferior image quality do not let it compete with Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Battery
Apple improved the battery life of its latest iPhones a lot, especially the iPhone 11 Pro Max which finally comes with a battery close to 4000 mAh. But Samsung was able to do slightly better with its Galaxy Note 10+. It has bigger dimensions, but it also comes with a bigger 4300 mAh battery allowing it to last more on a single charge. Further, unlike its rivals, it features reverse wireless charging so that you can use it as a power bank. And it even has a faster charging (and wireless charging) technology. Google Pixel 4 XL’s battery life is nothing so exciting.
Price
Google Pixel 4 XL is a bit disappointing, especially if we consider that it costs $899/€899. For €1129/$1099 Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ offers a lot more and it is the winner of this comparison. But if you prefer iOS, iPhone 11 Pro Max is still one of the best phones you can get, despite it starts from €1189/$1099.
Google Pixel 4 XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: PRO and CONS
Google Pixel 4 XL
PROS
- Good 90 Hz display
- 3D radar and face recognition
- Good cameras
- Updates
CONS
- Worse hardware
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
PROS
- Awesome display
- Great build quality
- Waterproof
- Face ID
- Great performance
- Awesome cameras
CONS
- Price
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
PROS
- Amazing and bigger display
- Reverse wireless charging
- S Pen
- 5G (optional)
- Great cameras
CONS
- Nothing particular
