YouTube Names Handsets Offering 'Best Experience', Shows Samsung Galaxy Note 9 on Top With No iPhone on List

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 not just has top-notch specifications but is also touted to be a "YouTube Signature Device" for 2019. Samsung at the Galaxy Note 9 event in New York revealed the latest achievement. Following the formal announcement made on stage in Brooklyn, New York, a YouTube Device Report emerged that highlights the Galaxy Note 9 as well as some other premium smartphones as "Signature Devices" that are claimed to deliver the "best-in-class YouTube experience". Interestingly, while the report includes models such as the Google Pixel 2 XL, HTC U12+, and OnePlus 6 - alongside the Galaxy Note 9 as the leader, it doesn't mention any iPhone model - not even the top-end iPhone X.

YouTube in the Device Report states that to qualify as a Signature Device, the handset must support high dynamic range (HDR), 360-degree video playback, high frame rate (greater than 60 frames per second), reliable DRM performance, 4K decoding, and use next-generation video codecs along with hardware VP9 profile 2 decoding. "We've worked with manufacturers to verify these devices meet or exceed our performance expectations," the team writes in the report.

The list of YouTube Signature Devices includes as many as 18 Android smartphones. There are models such as the Galaxy Note 9, Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium, HTC U12+, OnePlus 6, LG G7 ThinQ, Xiaomi Mi 8, Nokia 8 Sirocco, Google Pixel 2 XL, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, and LG V30.

However, there isn't any iPhone model, as noted by The Verge. The prime reason behind the absence of the Apple iPhone models in the list of YouTube Signature Devices is the lack of VP9 video codec support that has been developed by Google to enable a high-quality video playback experience. The lack of VP9 support notably prevents Safari users from watching YouTube videos in 4K.

It is unclear whether the 2018 iPhone models will come with necessary hardware and software support to reach the list of YouTube Signature Devices in the future. This also isn't likely to be a major factor to influence customers. Having said that, companies such as Samsung are likely to use the latest development to market their offerings including the newly launched Galaxy Note 9.