Head-to-Head: Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro VS Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro

Head-to-Head: Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro VS Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro

Samsung’s new Galaxy C9 Pro phablet is now available in the Philippines. Samsung already has a similarly-specced 6-incher in the local market right now, though, and that’s the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) which launched in August last year. It’s only natural to compare the two phabs and find out which is the better buy, so here’s our take.

Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 octa-core processor
  • Qualcomm Adreno 510 GPU
  • 6GB RAM
  • 6-inch FHD Super AMOLED display, 1920 x 1080 resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass
  • 64GB of expandable storage, via microSD
  • 16-megapixel rear camera, f/1.9 aperture, PDAF, dual-LED flash
  • 16-megapixel front camera, f/1.9 aperture
  • Dual SIM
  • 3G, LTE
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS
  • Fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C
  • 4000mAh battery, fast charging
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (TouchWiz UI)
  • Php 25,500

Read: Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro Hands-on, Initial Review: First Samsung Phone With 6GB of RAM

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor
  • Qualcomm Adreno 510 GPU
  • 4GB RAM
  • 6-inch FHD Super AMOLED display, 1920 x 1080 resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 4
  • 32GB of expandable storage, via microSD
  • 16-megapixel rear camera, f/1.9 aperture, OIS, LED flash
  • 8-megapixel front camera, f/1.9 aperture
  • Dual SIM
  • 3G, LTE
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS
  • Fingerprint scanner
  • 5000mAh battery, fast charging
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow (TouchWiz UI)
  • Php 23,500

Read: Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) Review: Big Batt, Big Performance

The C9 Pro outplays the A9 Pro, except in battery capacity

The C9 Pro’s Snapdragon 653 octa-core CPU is the latest iteration of Qualcomm’s top mid-range SoC. According to the company, the SD653 boasts up to 10% higher performance over the last-gen SD652 found in the A9 Pro. 10% more isn’t exactly a big leap, but it’s still an improvement, nonetheless. The C9 Pro and A9 Pro both have the same GPU, but the former’s is a little faster, thanks to frequency tweaks.

The C9 Pro’s much-vaunted 6GB RAM is essentially the cornerstone of the phablet’s marketing efforts. It’s the first ever Samsung handset to feature that much RAM. The A9 Pro only has 4GB of RAM, so it’s at a clear disadvantage in that aspect – not that the average smartphone user needs more than 4GB RAM. As for internal storage, the C9 Pro has twice the base capacity of the A9 Pro at 64GB.

The A9 Pro’s only triumph in core hardware is its large 5000mAh power pack, which trumps the C9 Pro’s lesser 4000mAh battery. That extra 1000mAh is a big deal, given both handsets having mostly similar specs, and translates into a lot more uptime for the A9 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro

The C9 Pro has a better selfie snapper and USB Type-C support

Both handset’s rear shooters share the same 19-megapixel rating but differ in features. The C9 Pro has phase detection autofocus and dual-LED flash, while the A9 Pro features optical image stabilization and a single LED flash. The better choice here depends on the user’s photography habits and needs.

For selfie snappers, the C9 Pro takes the lead with a powerful 16MP front-facing camera. The A9 Pro’s 8MP front shooter pales in comparison.

Moving on to other features, both phones have a fingerprint scanner, but only the C9 Pro has a USB Type-C port. That’s a plus for the C9 Pro, in terms of forward compatibility.

Verdict: Performance goes to the C9 Pro, uptime to the A9 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro officially retails at Php 27,990. The A9 Pro came out last year with a relatively-close price tag of Php 25,990. The handsets’ price difference isn’t that big, so it all boils down to consumer preference.

The C9 Pro features upgraded hardware and higher performance, as well as a significantly better selfie camera. The A9 Pro is generally weaker in terms of internals, but not remarkably so. Where the A9 Pro shines is its huge 5000mAh battery pack, which means higher uptime for its users.

If you want to snap up the A9 Pro though, now is the time to do it – Samsung said it’s slowly phasing out the A9 Pro from the market and gradually replacing them with the C9 Pro. Why not a price cut instead, Samsung?

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