This side-by-side review of the Samsung Galaxy Note9 and OPPO Find X lands on a clear conclusion: OPPO built the prettier phone, but Samsung made the more complete one.
The Find X draws attention immediately because of its edge-to-edge front and retractable camera system. That design gives it a cleaner screen-to-body ratio than the Note9, but it also introduces a moving part that could be more fragile and complicated over time. Both phones use glass on the front and back, so both are prone to scratches and damage without a case.
Display and design ¶
On appearance alone, the OPPO device is the more dramatic handset. Its front panel looks more modern, while the Galaxy Note9 keeps a more conventional frame. Even so, the Note9 is the stronger phone when the focus shifts from style to panel quality.
The Samsung handset offers a 2K display with higher brightness and more pleasing colours. The Find X uses a 1080p screen, which is still attractive, but it does not match the Note9 for sharpness or overall image quality. Neither phone has a notch, which remains a plus for both.
Camera performance ¶
The camera battle is tighter on paper than it is in practice. The OPPO Find X carries a 16MP and 20MP rear setup, plus a 25MP front camera. The Note9 uses two 12MP rear lenses and an 8MP selfie camera.
Despite those numbers, the Samsung phone produces better photos overall. In daylight, both phones handle detail well, but the Note9 delivers stronger results. At night, the Find X struggles more with noise and colour accuracy. The OPPO does have an edge in selfies, while portrait shots are close enough to make the choice less obvious.
Performance and battery ¶
Inside, the Find X comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, while the Note9 ships with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage in its standard configuration. The Find X is powered by a Snapdragon 845, while the Note9 runs on an Exynos 9810. In benchmark terms, the OPPO phone comes out ahead, although the review notes that the difference in day-to-day use is not dramatic.
There were still software hiccups on both devices. The Find X showed occasional stutters and lags, which were blamed on software, while the Note9 had issues with Instagram. Battery life was close, with the Note9’s 4000mAh cell and the Find X’s 3730mAh battery both lasting through a heavy day of use and averaging more than seven hours of screen-on time.
Charging speed is where OPPO pulls ahead. Thanks to VOOC Flash Charge, the Find X can go from zero to full in about an hour. The Note9 takes roughly 30 minutes longer, though it is still fast by normal standards.
Extra features tilt the contest ¶
This is where Samsung stretches the gap. The Note9 includes wireless charging, IP68 water resistance, stereo speakers, a stylus, and Samsung DeX support for turning the phone into a desktop-like setup when connected to a monitor. The Find X does not offer those extras.
That difference matters when the price is considered. At 100 thousand shillings, the review argues that the OPPO Find X is hard to justify if buyers want more than design. The Note9, by contrast, offers enough hardware and features to make its price easier to defend.
In the end, the verdict is straightforward: the OPPO Find X is the better-looking phone, but the Samsung Galaxy Note9 is the better all-round device.
