Samsung Galaxy S9

[MrHopsing]

The Galaxy S9's Exynos 9810 almost doubles the performance, while multicore performance increases 40% - in total, we're talking about a performance increase of ~ 65% in total. (By comparison, we saw a performance increase of ~ 15% from S7 to S8). In addition, the S9 brings the latest Samsung Experience edition to a Galaxy S model for the first time, tackling many of the issues with frame drops and lugging that TouchWiz has often been criticized for. As noted in Note 8, Samsung finally manages to provide a smooth UI software experience in the user interface. The S9 also receives stereo speakers, proper face recognition technology and major upgrades in the camera. Also moved the fingerprint scanner, thank god.

So overall, S9 is a major upgrade from S8 than the S8 was from S7, or the S7 was from S6. So yes, the upgrade is pretty big. Do not be misunderstood just because it looks a lot like S8. There are major changes in the S9 than what you see at first glance.

I'm definitely switching (fell for the iPhone X meme).

 

[IowaLynn]

I assume the S9's target customer is not those S8 Galaxy owners.

Average buyers are not trading up every model year or less.

Changed position of fps is nice. Further from the camera. A new way to use facial and iris recognition. Better AI. And boosting RAM TO 6GB along with option of 128-256GB internal storage.

Also first Galaxy models with Project Treble.

 

[nviz22]

Where is the software breakdown on YouTube? Can't seem to find a good hands on with the UI changes Samsung implemented. Oreo looks more or less the same as Nougat, so does that mean it's Samsung finally maturing to a consistent UI? I was hoping for more comments about software support from them. No Project Treble for the S8/S8+ then?

 

[4RunnerHeaven]

The Galaxy S9's Exynos 9810 almost doubles the performance, while multicore performance increases 40% - in total, we're talking about a performance increase of ~ 65% in total. (By comparison, we saw a performance increase of ~ 15% from S7 to S8). In addition, the S9 brings the latest Samsung Experience edition to a Galaxy S model for the first time, tackling many of the issues with frame drops and lugging that TouchWiz has often been criticized for. As noted in Note 8, Samsung finally manages to provide a smooth UI software experience in the user interface. The S9 also receives stereo speakers, proper face recognition technology and major upgrades in the camera. Also moved the fingerprint scanner, thank god.

So overall, S9 is a major upgrade from S8 than the S8 was from S7, or the S7 was from S6. So yes, the upgrade is pretty big. Do not be misunderstood just because it looks a lot like S8. There are major changes in the S9 than what you see at first glance.

I'm definitely switching (fell for the iPhone X meme).

That is good for Samsung, but the iPhone X still kills it in the performance.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Where is the software breakdown on YouTube? Can't seem to find a good hands on with the UI changes Samsung implemented. Oreo looks more or less the same as Nougat, so does that mean it's Samsung finally maturing to a consistent UI? I was hoping for more comments about software support from them. No Project Treble for the S8/S8+ then?

I doubt any Samsung phone that didn't release with Oreo will include Project Treble.

 

[nviz22]

That is good for Samsung, but the iPhone X still kills it in the performance.

View attachment 752422

Eh, benchmarks don't matter so much and that's coming from an iPhone 8+ owner. So what, Samsung is a little slower. If it has the features someone wants or needs, then it is a good offering. I am not too high on Samsung because of their software. Hardware wise, they're amongst the best.

 

[Cryates]

You're not going to notice a performance difference in a smartphone that benchmarks at 10k+ vs one that benchmarks 8k+.
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Not from what I've seen. The hands on from Engadget, Gadget Match and a few others I've watched so far have all been positive. To be honest, Samsung did it better. The 18 or so gifs that also get saved is absolutely something I see people actually using. Emojis that look like the user is true customization. I think for many, the camera alone is worth upgrading from an S8/S8+. Checkmate to Samsung on this one.

Ah, good to hear. I had just seen some early chatter (specifically from the iMore group I believe).

 

[Ralfi]

It looks good & seems like the specs are refined & improved where needed. Hope it sells well & makes many competitors (Apple) up their game.

 

[csurfr]

I didn’t notice in the announcement.. is it running Oreo?

 

[Klyster]

Yeah it runs Oreo.
It also does 240fps @ 1080
And 4K @ 60fps

So really, big improvements there, my Note 8 only does 4K @ 30fps
960fps @720 is just a bonus, thanks Sony

It has VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), I wonder if it's a big improvement?
Looking good for the Note 9.

I just watched a vid of a Vivo concept phone with a full screen display, tiny lower bezel.
They had a motorised pop up selfie cam but the lower third of the screen was a fingerprint scanner, please Samsung, by all means, copy Vivo.

 

[jamezr]

Yeah it runs Oreo.
It also does 240fps @ 1080
And 4K @ 60fps

So really, big improvements there, my Note 8 only does 4K @ 30fps
960fps @720 is just a bonus, thanks Sony

It has VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), I wonder if it's a big improvement?
Looking good for the Note 9.

I just watched a vid of a Vivo concept phone with a full screen display, tiny lower bezel.
They had a motorised pop up selfie cam but the lower third of the screen was a fingerprint scanner, please Samsung, by all means, copy Vivo.

I would love love to have a Note 9 with FPS like the Vivo

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Yeah it runs Oreo.
It also does 240fps @ 1080
And 4K @ 60fps

So really, big improvements there, my Note 8 only does 4K @ 30fps
960fps @720 is just a bonus, thanks Sony

It has VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), I wonder if it's a big improvement?
Looking good for the Note 9.

I just watched a vid of a Vivo concept phone with a full screen display, tiny lower bezel.
They had a motorised pop up selfie cam but the lower third of the screen was a fingerprint scanner, please Samsung, by all means, copy Vivo.

That selfie camera though .....

 

[The Game 161]

interesting tarrifs on EE still very expensive. £83 a month if you want an annual upgrade.

the slow mo feature is neat if you use video a good amount.

 

[jamezr]

interesting tarrifs on EE still very expensive. £83 a month if you want an annual upgrade.

the slow mo feature is neat if you use video a good amount.

I want to use the slow mo feature to capture some good stills from them!

 

[Zaft]

Looks like a solid refinement of the S8.

 

[Aneres11]

interesting tarrifs on EE still very expensive. £83 a month if you want an annual upgrade.

the slow mo feature is neat if you use video a good amount.

Crazy prices.
I don't understand this annual upgrade. Seems like a money making scheme. Probably better off with a normal tariff and just selling the phone that you own whenever you want to change and using the funds to go towards the new device.

Having said that, I've never actually worked it out, so it might be more cost effective, just seems ridiculous. I also can't keep a phone for a year so that's me out.

Mobiles.co.uk with more sensible tariffs.

£37.00 a month, 20gb of data and £150 upfront.

Not bad at all for a new flagship.

 

[The Game 161]

Crazy prices.
I don't understand this annual upgrade. Seems like a money making scheme. Probably better off with a normal tariff and just selling the phone that you own whenever you want to change and using the funds to go towards the new device.

Having said that, I've never actually worked it out, so it might be more cost effective, just seems ridiculous. I also can't keep a phone for a year so that's me out.

Mobiles.co.uk with more sensible tariffs.

£37.00 a month, 20gb of data and £150 upfront.

Not bad at all for a new flagship.

I'm on an annual upgrade as I simply got got tired of selling it and often not getting amazing value for it while having to wait to sell it until I got my new device. least now I hand my old one in store and get my new one. just an easier process.

Money wise it would cost you more to do the 24 months than upgrade every year with the EE plan. EE are always more expensive than every other carrier here due to 4G in more places.

I think Samsung priced the S9 fairly well really this year so I think for many it is a more manageable price compared to the note line which will always be a good amount more.

 

[noobinator]

Were you looking to pick the device up then?
It doesn't seem to be a huge deal better than the S8. I mean, the S8 is obviously still a fantastic phone, so it's not as if it needed a huge spec / feature upgrade.

This design just doesn't seem to do anything for me really. Maybe it's the curved glass or the narrow width I'm not sure.
I definitely much prefer a stock Android experience these days anyway.
I do love the look of that personal emoji though! Very cool!

I wanted to try out the S9+ since I have tried out the S series that last 4 years or so. But this year just felt like not that interesting. It's probably just me because the jump from the S6 to S7 to S8 wasn't that huge either. The FP sensor moving is a good move as is the variable aperture camera. But other than those along with some speed improvements I just am not feeling the desire to try it out. I also think that since I've used the Pixels I'd rather just get another Pixel 2 / 2 XL again if I wanted to go Android again vs trying out the S9+. I don't see the S9+ doing much the Pixel can't (outside of a better screen).

 

[Macalicious2011]

I wanted to try out the S9+ since I have tried out the S series that last 4 years or so. But this year just felt like not that interesting. It's probably just me because the jump from the S6 to S7 to S8 wasn't that huge either. The FP sensor moving is a good move as is the variable aperture camera. But other than those along with some speed improvements I just am not feeling the desire to try it out. I also think that since I've used the Pixels I'd rather just get another Pixel 2 / 2 XL again if I wanted to go Android again vs trying out the S9+. I don't see the S9+ doing much the Pixel can't (outside of a better screen).

My S6 Edge+ contract expired in September but have yet to be convinced I wouldn't gain much from upgrading to a S7 or S8. Sure camera upgrades are nice but they don't outweigh paying £62/month over 2 years when I can't pay £7/month for 15GB data, unlimited call and texts.

I'm wait for real world reviews to make an assessment whether the S9 is worth an upgrade or whether I should wait for the Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 2 XL is compelling but the screen and somewhat the design, are too much of a downgrade for me.

 

[mclld]

Without a doubt the camera will be amazing, I will be curious to see sample pics when reviews start getting hand's on outside of a press room

 

[Vegastouch]

Also would of liked it to have a white front on them or at least teh same color as the back. Not a fan of black phones.
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Ugh very much a minor spec bump.

Don’t think any s8 or s8 plus user should be any hurry to upgrade and certainly not note 8 users.

Agree, but i have a S7 and my Wife has the S6. I skipped the S8 because of the price and it didnt have a flat screen. Still would rather have the flat screen so not sure if ill get this one either but it is on the list to check out since it is cheaper this year.

 

[nviz22]

Also would of liked it to have a white front on them or at least teh same color as the back. Not a fan of black phones.
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Agree, but i have a S7 and my Wife has the S6. I skipped the S8 because of the price and it didnt have a flat screen. Still would rather have the flat screen so not sure if ill get this one either but it is on the list to check out since it is cheaper this year.

I have a nice compromise for you once it drops in price: S8 Active.

Flat screen, good specs, strong durability, same software for the most part, and bigger battery.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Without a doubt the camera will be amazing, I will be curious to see sample pics when reviews start getting hand's on outside of a press room

I want to see if there's really is a sinifigant reduction in noise with low light shots.

 

[Vegastouch]

I have a nice compromise for you once it drops in price: S8 Active.

Flat screen, good specs, strong durability, same software for the most part, and bigger battery.

Yeah I've looked at those but they are still normal price,over $800. But I do like them. Doubt they will ever be a buy one, get one deal.

 

[nviz22]

Yeah I've looked at those but they are still normal price,over $800. But I do like them. Didn't they will every be a buy one, get one deal.

Could be to clear out inventory. T-Mobile priced them way too damn high to begin with. If not, then Samsung set its MSRP way too high because $800 for a phone that was halfway into its yearly update cycle is not something I like. But wait for a price drop and you're set with a terrific phone.