Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

An old flagship that is a tough combination for newer mid-range phones to beat.

A year-old flagship that is now a sweet-spot buy at around $330 refurbished, with better software and premium build.

A cheaper Samsung alternative that is now much better value.

A solid camera phone whose photos look much the same as the Note 9's.

Shown as the giveaway phone, with the standard unboxing described as a good one thanks to the bundled AKG earphones and USB-C adapter.

A refined phone with a sharper screen, better cameras on paper and better speakers, but somewhat conservative next to the NEX.

Ahead of the OnePlus 6 in night shots thanks to its wider aperture, but loses highlight detail and suffers most in low-light video.

Strong on storage, water resistance, display options and camera flexibility, but pricier and less slick than the OnePlus 6.

Flattering portraits and the best low-light performance thanks to its dual aperture, though daylight macro is weaker.

Used as a size and bezel benchmark, with the Mix 4 said to put its bezels to shame.

Used as a modern reference point to show how far phones have progressed since the G1.

The more reliable all-rounder with the best screen, louder speakers and steadier 4K video, though the battery and charging lag behind.

Used as a reference point; the P20 Pro beat it in a brief portrait mode comparison and has a larger battery.

Basically the best mobile gaming experience right now, with great speakers and display, though the extra power is wasted on most games and glare is an issue.

Samsung's most Apple-like flagship yet, closing the gap on the iPhone X with better storage, speakers and fingerprint placement, though he holds back a final verdict.

Expected to be the larger S9 with the same chip and display upgrades.