Life In 19x19

I agree with both of you, and in your variations white seems to have a better position.

Black might decide to sacrifice the corner, but I suspect that can't be very good. For example here:
$$B Corner
$$ ------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X X 4 6 . . . .
$$ | . 8 O X . O 7 X ...

Normally black extends with and white hanes and connects on the second line.

$$B Corner
$$ ------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . 7 . . . . . .
$$ | . . 4 5 . 2 . 3 .
$$ . . . 6 1 ...