Huawei P20 pro vs Samsung S9 Plus – the battle of Asian flagships

In the year 2026, several fascinating devices in the mobile technology landscape were released. Arguably, the most formidable of these can be attributed to the new offering from Apple, as well as the flagships from Samsung and Huawei. During the unveiling of the P20 Pro, representatives of the Chinese company radiated pure jubilation, as they poured their heart and soul into creating a device that would reign supreme in the market. The device’s inclusion in the top 5 of the year is a testament to its success. On the other hand, Samsung’s design prowess left much to be desired. The model exhibited minimal deviations from its predecessor, with only hardware improvements. However, there is a logical rationale behind this decision. Previously, the Galaxy S line represented the pinnacle of the brand, leaving little room for surpassing it. Tentatively, a new line of smartphones with an as-of-yet undisclosed name will be unveiled in 2026, boasting exorbitant prices, unfathomable power, and unrivaled style. These devices will cater to a niche market segment, potentially surpassing Apple’s offerings in terms of pricing. Thus, the S9 and S9+ were released with the same price as the previous iteration of the S series phones, accounting for the hesitancy to overhaul a design that had proved wildly successful. This article showcases a comparison between the Huawei P20 Pro and the Samsung S9 Plus to determine which device reigns supreme in 2026.

Characteristics

The comparison between the Huawei P20 Pro and the Samsung S9+ will begin with the specifications, as what truly matters is what lies inside the phone, despite any design advantages.

Looking at the data, the analysis of the Huawei P20 Pro versus the S9+ indicates that the Korean flagship is marginally bigger, possesses less complex cameras (at least based on the numbers, which aren’t always indicative of quality), and has a smaller battery capacity. Concurrently, the S9+ is priced higher. Assessing each criterion will provide insight into whether large numbers are always a reliable indicator or if it’s better to prioritize factual evidence. Discover the Huawei P20 Pro on Yandex Market.

Design

• Type-C to microUSB adapter;
• OTG adapter;
• AKG headset.

Huawei includes a basic silicone bumper, a headset with a Type-C connector, and a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter in the package. However, there are noticeable differences between the devices in terms of appearance, and it is worth discussing them in depth.

Samsung

Out of the two devices, Samsung’s design can already be considered a classic. It is a slightly modified version of the previous year’s model. The previous model was not always convenient to use because it had an EDGE screen, which meant that the control was on the beveled side edge. To address this issue, the company’s engineers thickened the device, which is usually seen negatively by buyers. Some changes in appearance include:

• wider frames for a more comfortable grip;
• relocating the fingerprint scanner from beside the camera to underneath it.

Practically, the scanner has become more user-friendly, but the company did not anticipate an issue – the plastic surrounding it is prone to scratching. The device has a relatively large matrix, but the body is not overly bulky, thanks to the aspect ratio, making the phone very comfortable to hold. According to reviews, the S9+ is the most ergonomically designed for one-handed use.

Another distinguishing feature of this model compared to its competitors is the inclusion of a memory card slot and a 3.5 jack. Many manufacturers are currently experimenting by removing the jack, forcing users to connect their headsets through a single connector for both synchronization and charging, which can be inconvenient at times.

Regarding the Bixby button, there is room for criticism as it grants access to Samsung’s exclusive services. However, its usability remains inconvenient, which has not changed since the previous year.

Moving on to the Samsung C9+, this device boasts a user-friendly size, making it ideal for one-handed operation. Its construction is of high quality, utilizing nice materials. In addition, it features a dedicated headphone jack and supports memory card expansion, which is definitely a positive aspect. As for color options, the device introduces a fresh "ultraviolet" variant, which stands out as the most captivating one, as it has yet to become commonplace. On the downside, the design resembles that of last year’s model, making it challenging for non-experts to differentiate between the C8 and the C9. Furthermore, the Bixby button remains inconvenient to use.

Huawei

When it comes to the design of the Huawei P20 Pro, the situation is as follows – it has undergone changes compared to last year and its previous devices, but it still bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone. However, there is one exception – the fingerprint sensor is located under the screen. At first glance, this may seem ridiculous, but it actually proves to be convenient in terms of operation. The device boasts a slim body, which is a pleasant feature, especially considering its large battery. However, this slim design comes at a cost, as some of the flagship features had to be sacrificed. There is no wireless charging or space for a microSD card, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is also missing. As a result, the situation is rather ambiguous. The device is both intriguing and confusing, as it resembles an iPhone but is actually a Chinese product. Nevertheless, the appearance is not the most important aspect, as the internals of the Huawei P20 Pro are truly impressive. The phone offers a large and beautiful screen, an excellent battery, and a convenient fingerprint scanner.

One of the device’s drawbacks could be the limited space on the display for the camera and sensors, which might detract from its appearance and make it less appealing than Apple’s devices. However, the manufacturer has acknowledged this issue and implemented a solution by allowing users to paint black stripes on the sides of the display. This visually eliminates the cutout and makes the screen more aesthetically pleasing. However, it is important to note that disabling this function may result in residual glow on the OLED matrix, as these displays are sensitive to static.

Conclusion. The design evaluation of this product leads to the visual measures, making Samsung appear more attractive. While the device may not appear novel from the outside, it is visually pleasing. On the other hand, Huawei falls short by taking inspiration from Apple. Furthermore, the gray body is easily marred, and its sides are unattractive with fingerprints. Therefore, Samsung takes the lead in the Huawei P20 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S9 plus race, earning one point.

Display

Samsung has long been recognized as the top manufacturer of smartphone displays. The AMOLED technology developed by the Korean company excels in every aspect. While Samsung has started selling their panels to other manufacturers for some time, they always provide them with a generation or two older than what they use in their own models. This ensures that Samsung remains the leader in display technology. It is worth mentioning that a high-quality display does not always guarantee a good image. It still requires proper calibration. Many brands struggle with this, but in recent years, significant progress has been made.

If we revisit the discussion topic regarding the S9+ and P20 Pro, the only aspect where the Chinese device falls short is in terms of image clarity. This should not come as a surprise because the company opted for a lower resolution on a larger screen diagonal, resulting in a loss of pixel density. The Huawei P20 Pro boasts 408 ppi, while the S9 Plus boasts 529 ppi. The difference is noticeable – Samsung’s display is crystal clear, while Huawei’s is not as crisp.

On the other hand, Huawei’s display is quite impressive. In comparison to last year’s model, the company recognized the importance of not just having a bright screen with high contrast that strains the eyes, but also delivering colors as accurately as possible. The P20 Pro achieves this.

When it comes to specific comparisons, Huawei outshines Samsung in terms of maximum brightness level. Samsung intentionally toned it down, but the Korean phone excels in automatic backlight adjustment. Samsung, on the other hand, offers superior qualities in various aspects.

1. Even in bright light, Samsung still provides a more legible display.
2. The screen’s matrix is calibrated to deliver a cinema-like color palette, granting users the same visual experience as watching a movie in a good theater, albeit on a smaller screen.
3. Samsung employs Gorilla Glass 5 for its display, while Huawei’s glass manufacturer and generation remain unspecified.

In conclusion, Samsung remains the leader thanks to its flawless AMOLED screen, resulting in a score of 2:0.

Hardware

Every flagship smartphone should first and foremost be known for its remarkable performance. Both of these devices possess that quality. However, there is a difference. Huawei has equipped their phone with a chip from last year, which performs well in terms of speed and overall performance, but will eventually become inadequate for gaming. The issue here is not just that the processor will struggle to handle tasks, but also that the screen’s pixel density is already inferior, which is crucial for the quality of the gaming experience. Nevertheless, this device is worth noting for its ample RAM capacity, enabling users to open numerous applications and minimize them for easy access.

Important! In terms of performance rating in Antutu, the Huawei device scored 203,000 points, whereas the S9+ scored 245,000 points.

Compared to its predecessor, the S8, Samsung’s latest phone, the S9, features a more powerful processor and a less moody demeanor. However, what truly sets it apart is its impressive 6 gigabytes of memory. In contrast, the S9 only has 4 gigabytes of RAM, resulting in significantly slower performance. On the other hand, the S9+, equipped with the same processor but more memory, delivers the same speed as the Huawei. Notably, the device excels in rendering stunning graphics for gaming. However, it’s worth mentioning that switching to Quad HD+ resolution may lead to notable heating of the phone’s body.

The sound quality of the headphones in these models is quite distinctive, although Samsung seems to have a more favorable approach to this aspect. Firstly, it is satisfying to know that the headset is connected through a specially designed connector for this purpose. On the other hand, the Chinese device relies on adapters or a wireless headset. Both models have a mediocre sound quality, but after some adjustments to the equalizer and settings, Samsung can produce decent sound, while Huawei can only achieve an average level compared to Samsung. Therefore, when it comes to sound quality, Samsung is clearly superior. In terms of sound produced by the speakers, both models are satisfactory, but experts still consider Samsung to have a cleaner sound. The volume is generally the same for both models.

When it comes to wireless interfaces, the devices are relatively similar. While Huawei includes an IR port, it may not be as popular or in high demand, but it does exist. On the other hand, Samsung offers a newer version of Bluetooth, but it does not offer any significant advantages.

The Huawei devices have a main memory of 128 GB, while Samsung offers variations of 64/128/256 GB. However, Samsung still allows for the insertion of a memory card of up to 400 GB in place of one of the sim cards. Therefore, in terms of memory capacity, the Samsung device is the leader.

In conclusion, when considering the overall performance, the P20 Pro is on par with the S9+ but may lag behind in games over time. Additionally, it has a weaker memory reserve and sound quality. Samsung earns another point in terms of these aspects. The score is 3:0 in favor of Samsung.

Cameras

Comparing cameras is always a challenging task as it involves subjective judgments that may vary from person to person. Evaluating the camera performance for taking selfies should be the first step, and in this aspect, Samsung excels regardless of the lighting conditions. On the other hand, Huawei tends to lose details in low-light situations. However, when it comes to daytime portrait photography, Huawei offers more aesthetically pleasing results.

By the way! One downside of the P20 Pro is that even when the background blur is turned off, it still blurs occasionally, which can be frustrating.

Speaking about the primary camera, there is a notable difference between the two. Huawei offers the buyer a unique triple rear camera with a large triple zoom (8 MP) and a sizable sensor. Additionally, there is a black-and-white sensor (20 MP) that captures night shots, a background blur feature, and a main sensor with 40 megapixels. It’s worth mentioning that the 40 megapixel claim is a marketing tactic, as only 10 megapixels are truly responsible for the photo’s quality, while the rest serve supporting roles.

The Huawei sensor effortlessly captures stunning images at night, thanks to its impressive ability to handle a wide range of ISO settings. This allows for capturing photos with high parameters, while still maintaining an incredible level of detail. The company recognizes that most users prefer the convenience of auto mode, rather than manually adjusting the matrix. Therefore, they have implemented a remarkable Night mode that produces flawless images in any low-light situation. During the day, Huawei continues to impress with its exceptional image quality, seamless zoom capabilities, and lightning-fast laser autofocus.

The S9+ is equipped with a pair of 12-megapixel cameras, each serving a distinct purpose. The primary module boasts an upgraded optical stabilizer with a refined algorithm, resulting in improved and quicker performance. The secondary module, on the other hand, is responsible for enabling optical zoom functionality and facilitating the creation of various visual effects.

In a noteworthy development, the company has also made a significant change to the device’s data encoding system. Specifically, they have transitioned from an 8-bit system to a more advanced 10-bit system. This modification has had a positive impact on the device’s color reproduction, resulting in more natural-looking colors.

While the S9+’s low-light photography capabilities have seen notable enhancements compared to its predecessor, there are still occasional instances where the device produces subpar images in such conditions.

The "Camera" app underwent another modification and now bears a resemblance to Apple’s version. Users have found it to be quite ambiguous and occasionally inconvenient, although this is largely a matter of personal preference and familiarity. During daylight hours, the smartphone’s photography capabilities consistently deliver outstanding results.

It is noteworthy that Huawei has successfully implemented manual and automatic settings, resulting in a seamless user experience. On the other hand, Samsung prioritizes simplicity, allowing users to effortlessly capture and share content on social media. In today’s fast-paced world, it is logical that users prefer to focus on the task at hand rather than spending time on intricate settings.

To sum up, the P20 Pro undeniably excels in photography, whether it’s day or night. Huawei takes the lead in this aspect, with a score of 3:1. However, the S9+ still maintains its overall superiority.

Autonomy

When it comes to battery capacity, the Huawei P20 Pro outperforms with a capacity of 4000 mAh compared to 3500 mAh. Real-world tests demonstrate that this Chinese smartphone can easily withstand approximately 20 hours of intensive usage, including internet browsing, gaming, messaging, phone calls, and navigation. The device utilizes various power-saving modes, resulting in improved battery life. Additionally, a full charge can be achieved in just 2 hours.

The Samsung C9+ has been equipped with a battery capacity similar to last year’s flagship model, which is 3500 mAh. It takes approximately 80 minutes to fully charge the device, making it faster than its competitors. Despite the fact that the phone is powered by a new processor that is more energy-efficient, there hasn’t been a significant increase in the device’s battery life. However, it has managed to optimize power consumption in processes that previously drained the battery quickly. On average, the device can last for 9-10 hours with active usage, including playing games. If the smartphone is used for non-intensive tasks, the battery can last for a full day.

The Huawei P20 Pro emerges as the most appealing option in terms of battery life, as it lasts longer even when playing games. However, one downside that may frustrate users is the extended charging time. Taking 2 hours to reach 100% is quite lengthy for a contemporary flagship device. Thus, the final tally stands at 3:2 in favor of the Huawei P20 Pro.

Conclusion

The victory in the battle between the two leading smartphones of 2026 goes to Samsung, and rightfully so, considering the brand’s extensive experience. When it comes to deciding between the Huawei P20 Pro and the Samsung S+, it’s impossible to provide a definitive answer – both devices are exceptionally high-quality.

1. When it comes to performance and multitasking, there’s virtually no difference between the two.
2. The camera and battery life are more impressive with Huawei.
3. The screen and design are in favor of the Samsung device.

Despite the 10 thousand price difference, the Huawei phone is still more preferable for purchase. However, it is worth considering that this device is often mistaken for an Apple phone. If this doesn’t bother the buyer, then the combination of price and features here is ideal. The Samsung phone is also excellent, but it could be cheaper. Unfortunately, there will always be an additional payment for the brand, which we have to accept.

Samsung S9 Plus on Yandex Market