Top Smartphone Releases of 2018: Google Pixel 3, LG V40 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and Apple iPhone XS Max Comparison

2018 has seen the release of several new smartphone models—with improved technological capabilities—from trusted brands. Given the wide range of options available in new smartphones this year, we’re comparing some of the top releases of 2018, including the Google Pixel 3, LG V40 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and Apple iPhone XS Max.

Samsung released the Note 9 this past July. Apple will release their newest iPhone on September 21. Two of these phones will become available in October. The expected release date for the Pixel 3 is October 9 and the V40 ThinQ is October 18 (international market).

Price

Pixel 3

The price is currently unknown, although it is expected to be steep since the cost of smartphones has been rising throughout the past year. For comparison, the price of one Pixel 2 option started at USD$649; it is expected that the Pixel 3 will exceed this cost. Other releases from competitive companies this year place their 64GB (internal memory storage) option phones in the $900-$1,000 range.

V40 ThinQ

Carriers have not officially released prices yet, although it is expected that the phone will cost roughly $900 for a 64GB option and roughly $1,000 for a 128GB option.

Galaxy Note 9

Prices vary depending on the carrier, but the average price is roughly $999 for the 128GB option and roughly $1,249 for the 512GB option.

iPhone XS Max

For this iPhone, prices are roughly as follows: $1,099 for 64GB, $1,249 for 256GB, and $1,449 for 512GB.

Camera

The new smartphones of 2018 have upgraded their cameras—from emphasizing AI technology to help capture better shots to updating lenses—making these smartphones much more desirable for both selfie-aficionados and photography enthusiasts alike.

Pixel 3

Although there is speculated to be only one lens on the rear camera, sources say that the camera takes amazing shots in low-light environments, thanks to its upgraded Visual Core. Visual Core is a chip that came with the Pixel 2 models to improve the processing of HDR+ pictures. But in the Pixel 3, it will most likely bring greater capabilities. Sources also state that the cameras at the front will be 8MP, but one lens will have a f/1.8 aperture, while the other lens will have a double aperture.

Several sources state the front-facing camera will have better portrait mode effects than previous models and one of the lenses will be wide angled. The front-facing camera will also apparently have a “super selfies” feature; details about what exactly this feature is are unknown at the moment, however.

V40 ThinQ

The rear shooter will include a triple lens camera measuring in at 12 megapixels with impressive wide-angle and zoom functions. The main, rear-facing camera has exceptional low-light abilities and lots of creative features, such as bokeh effects and, most likely, AI abilities as well.

The front camera, meanwhile, includes a dual lens that should more than satisfy everyone who enjoys snapping selfies.

Galaxy Note 9

The back camera will feature 12-megapixel dual lens, both with 2X optical zoom and digital zoom. The front camera is 8 megapixels.

iPhone XS Max

The rear camera is 12 megapixels and has both a telephoto and zoom lens, and it has a sensor that supports Smart HDR, which lets users snap photos with a greater range. Like the camera in the iPhone X, it can also shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second; this means that it will be better able to capture pictures that have a lot of motion.

The front camera is 7 megapixels. This camera, which includes face-identifying technology, uses True Depth technology to blur backgrounds. It’s faster at recognizing faces than previous models, improving this type of AI technology from before.

Size, Display, and Resolution

Newer releases tend to have sleek designs with greater quality display. Generally speaking, the releases this year vary greatly in size.

Pixel 3

Based on rumors, it appears that this phone will have a 5.5-inch, 1080 x 2160 screen that has 440 ppi and 18:9 aspect ratio.

V40 ThinQ

With an edge-to-edge display, the screen has an impressive 6.4-inch Quad HD+ pOLED display (2880 x 1440 resolution at 538 pixels per inch density) and a notch that will apparently mimic that of the iPhone X. The screen size makes the V40 competitive with its fellow large-screen flagships like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the newly announced iPhone XS Max.

Galaxy Note 9

This smartphone features a 6.4-inch screen. As for screen resolution, the Note 9 has Quad HD+ display with 561ppi pixel density and Mobile HDR.

iPhone XS Max

The iPhone XS Max’s display has a resolution of 2,688 x 1,242 pixels. It also includes Apple’s True Tone technology, which measures the lighting around it to adjust the display’s color temperature. As for size, the device is 6.2” (157.5 mm) tall, 3.05” (77.4 mm) wide, and 0.3” (7.7 mm) thick, and it weighs 7.34 ounces (208 grams).

Battery

Not all details of battery life for each new top release this year is available, but it seems as if these batteries will either have a longer life or charge faster, generally speaking. Using some of the phone’s more advanced technology (like camera features), will drain the phone at a faster rate, however.

Pixel 3

The phone is rumored to have a 2,195-mAh battery; there is not yet any official confirmation on this information, however.

V40 ThinQ

This phone will supposedly have a stronger battery at 3,300-mAh.

Galaxy Note 9

This phone features a 4000-mAh inbuilt battery, designed to last for up to 24 hours. Also of note is that the Note 9’s S Pen—while not included with the initial purchase of the phone itself—will have its own battery. This function differs from the Note 8, whose S Pen drained the Note’s battery.

iPhone XS Max

While Apple has yet to release exact specifications of the battery in the iPhone XS Max, the company says that it will last 90 minutes longer than the one included in the iPhone X. It will also support wireless Qi charging, and it will charge faster than the battery in the iPhone X; they have yet to specify exactly how much faster.

Conclusion

This year boasts a wide variety of products that should cater to almost everyone’s smartphone preferences and needs. For the most part, these phones feature updated batteries, cameras, and other notable features. Plenty of phones this year are also sturdier, with many boasting an IP68 rating; this rating means that the device can resist water up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) for about 30 minutes.

Disclaimer: This article is neither endorsed nor reviewed by Google, LG, Samsung, or Apple.

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