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Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
...


8.7/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy S9 currently has an Informr score of 8.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 58 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

Unless you already own the Samsung Galaxy S8, the S9 offers an experience you won’t find with many other phones on the market. Whether you’re looking to play games, take pictures, or simply have a phone that will last all day without worrying about charging, the Samsung has you covered… albeit for a premium price.

What's good

  • Blazing performance
  • Sleek design
  • IP68 waterproofing
  • Great low-light camera performance
  • All-day battery life
  • Rapid charging
  • microSD card support
  • Front-facing stereo speakers

What's bad

  • Bloatware
  • Glass front and back means you’ll want a case
  • Price
  • Not a significant upgrade over the S8 unless you want a better camera

While much of the competition is rethinking their designs or touting new features, Samsung’s latest release in their flagship series -- the Galaxy S9 -- is more of a refinement on their proven Galaxy S series formula than a whole new experience.

In fact, apart from Samsung placing the fingerprint scanner in a better spot just below the camera, most reviewers had trouble telling the S8 and S9 apart.

The phone features an aluminum frame wrapped in gorilla glass 5. It also has an IP68 rating while still keeping a 3.5mm headphone jack.

In all, it’s a slick looking device with tiny bezels, smooth curves and plenty of grip. However, you’ll want to use the case included with the phone -- or pick one up -- as all that glass means there’s shattering risks should you drop the phone.

Around front, the phone features a 5.8-inch 2560-by-1440 pixel Super AMOLED display flanked by stereo speakers. As is typical with Samsung’s displays, there were no complaints. Plenty of contrast and inky blacks from the AMOLED and tons of detail thanks to the resolution. There was also no problem with sunlight visibility.

With Dolby Atmos support and custom tuning, the audio also impressed. If you’re looking to stream movies or play games, the Galaxy S9 has you covered.

Depending on your region, the phone uses an Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 845 processor. Paired with 4GB of RAM, the phone offers the power to multitask or play the latest games with no issues. 

You’ll find 64GB of storage. However, if you need more, microSD support for cards up to 400GB makes adding more room for your apps and media fast and affordable.

The phone ships with Android 8.0. While this is behind the current Android 8.1, the software includes the latest security updates at the time of writing. Reviewers also predict that it will see an update to Android P.

Software was one of the few complaints about the phone. While changes to the interface itself are minimal, Samsung includes copies of their own apps for a range of redundant functions. Worse still, most are difficult to disable and eat up resources in the background even if you don’t use them.

As one of the first obvious improvements you’ll see from the previous generation, the 12MP rear camera features a market-first -- a variable f/1.5 aperture to improve low-light performance. It also has optical image stabilization and Super Speed Dual Pixel technology. The later adds dedicated memory to the camera to speed up capture times and improve performance.

So how does all this fancy marketing speak add up? Reviewers universally raved about the camera -- especially in low light. It captures images near instantly. Details come out crisp with accurate colors and excellent depth of field. In low-light, you get noise-free shots with excellent contrast. Many reviewers call it the smartphone camera to beat so far for the year.

The 8MP front-facing lens was well-received too. Though, the 3D emoji feature on the phone didn’t fare. Still, this is a niche use. The camera is plenty capable for a quick video chat or selfie session.

A 3,000mAh battery provides enough juice to last a day with no problems -- even with heavy use. You’ll also find top offs convenient with the USB Type-C fast charging adapter included in the box. For added flexibility, the phone also supports Qi wireless charging.

Overall, the S9 appears to be yet another example why Samsung is one of the biggest names in smartphones. Ausdroid says, “I have little hesitation in saying this is the best phone you can buy in 2018 and might be for some time.” Recombu says, “If you already own last year’s S8, we’d say take a pass… However, if you’re tempted by a Galaxy and you have money to burn, we’d say go right ahead. The Galaxy S9 is a sexy, lovable bundle of seriously premium tech, and it should certainly stand the test of time.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.8 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.8 GHz
5.8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.8"
12+ MP, f/1.5 - 2.4
Camera
Camera
12+ MP, f/1.5 - 2.4
3000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

Samsung hasn’t made any drastic changes to the Galaxy S9 compared to their predecessors, and the company didn’t really need to do much. Last year's design is still stunning, and now, it’s a little more polished.

- Roydon Cerejo, Gadgets 360
Tech.Co
Tech.Co

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is one of the best phones on the market. It’s an exceptional example of industrial design, with the glass panels on the front and back curving beautifully to make for a slimmer, handier user experience.

- Tom Fogden, Tech.Co
Mobile Syrup
Mobile Syrup

Much of what I’ve noted isn’t all that positive, but that’s not to say either of these phones are bad. They do the main things very well, like general usage, smooth performance, great photos and elegant design. It’s not the sum that’s bad, it’s some of the parts that force compromises.

- Ted Kritsonis, Mobile Syrup
Android Central
Android Central

Three months after I first reviewed it, the Galaxy S9+ feels now exactly as it did back then. Its strengths remain, and its initial shortcomings still have the propensity to annoy.

- Andrew Martonik, Android Central
Geeknizer
Geeknizer

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a head-turner and has all the right ingredients required to be a flagship phone in 2018. The amazing display, powerful processor and unique dual aperture dual pixel Camera make up the S9 the most desirable phone of 2018.

- Karan S, Geeknizer


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


The Galaxy S9 price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare Samsung Galaxy S9 prices from around the web here on The Informr.


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S9 user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Galaxy S9 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy S9 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.8"

The Samsung Galaxy S9's screen size is 5.8 inches with 1440 x 2960 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.8 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 845 Octa core 2.8 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system (OS).

Camera
12+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 12+ MP, f/1.5 - 2.4 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
64/128/256 GB

Internal memory is 64/128/ 256 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 400 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3000 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 1860 minutes, 480 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy S9 Specs

Overview
Release Date March 16, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 8.0 Oreo

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 845 Octa core 2.8 GHz
Internal Storage 64/128/256 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.63 W/kg
Body: 0.96 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 400 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels, f/1.5 - 2.4
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, Smile detection, White balance, HDR, Slow motion recording, Time lapse
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 60 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Auto focus, f/1.7
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2960 pixels
Pixel Density 570 pixels
Size 5.8 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Infinity Display, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging Yes
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 1020 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 480 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 720 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1860 minutes
Standby Time Up to 13.6 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple, Sunrise Gold, Burgundy Red
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.7 x 6.9 x 0.8 cm (5.8 x 2.7 x 0.3 in)
Weight 163 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 67
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Samsung SM-G960

Also available in dual SIM variant.

Additional Sensors: Heart Rate Sensor, Barometer, Iris Sensor, Pressure Sensor

Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S9
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