The Samsung Galaxy S9 is just an update to the Galaxy S8. It is a great phone and having on the shelves for a few months now, one can get it at an attractive price. The Galaxy S9 makes a good and more alternative to the iPhone XS and Google Pixel 3. The design of the S9 is identical to the S8, and if Samsung would adopt AppleÕs naming strategy, then the S9 would have been the ÔSÕ variant of S8.
S9 has a powerful camera which is very new in Samsung devices and has utilized some great and first-hand innovation in the dual-aperture shutter as well as a high-quality frame. The S9 has a brighter screen and is equipped with dual speakers which make it an excellent media device. You can actually unlock the phone with your face or finger, a feature that the S8 doesnÕt support.
Design
In 2017, Samsung introduced a new phone design in the Galaxy S8. This was in form of larger screen that was extended right to the edges of the phone. Galaxy S9 still was built with the same design. This design was a real shift from the traditional designs that are still being used in other smartphones.
The S9 has been built with a much-reduced bezel thickness above and below the display. Also, its fingerprint sensor is located in a better location beneath the camera and not beside it. The S9 retains a curved display, microSD card slot and IP68 water-resistance rating. It has thicker Gorilla Glass 5 coating the screen than the S8.
Screen
The S9Õs display is very attractive given its rich colours and incredible contrast, things that we have experienced with all of SamsungÕs recent flagships. The 5.8-inch AMOLED quad-HD+ panel is slightly curved and offers the best brightness you have ever seen in other devices. Better yet, the screen offers customization options which give you a truly amazing experience when using the phone.
Bixby
Galaxy S8 seems to have failed terribly by introducing Bixby on the phone. The digital assistant could not work properly in terms of starting and controlling apps. The phone seemed incapable of handling the feature. However, Samsung has updated Bixby on the Galaxy S9 and its button is placed on the side of the phone thus allowing you to interact with your assistant. You can press the button to talk to Bixby and release it when you are done delivering your command. The assistant, however, is not 100% accurate but offers a pretty good experience.
Improved Biometrics
The biometric features of the Galaxy S9 are better and more functional than those in the Galaxy S8. The fingerprint scanner is placed just below the camera making it easily accessible. Samsung did a good job in improving the iris scanner and facial recognition on the Galaxy S9 which have made unlocking your phone with your face a very simple task. As mentioned you can reach the fingerprint scanner to unlock your phone.
Improved Speaker Set Up
The improved speaker set up is a key feature in the Galaxy S9. The speakers can support Dolby Atmos sound which you gives you a sense of space emanating from your phone. The volume and sound of the speakers are fantastic.
Interface
Samsung Galaxy S9Õs interface isnÕt that different to the S8. It runs on Android 8 Oreo out of the box, which we expect to see faster upgrades happening is signed up to GoogleÕs Project Treble. The S9 utilizes 3D Touch feature on the home screen which allows you to long press an app and a selection of menu pops up.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S9 is a good upgrade to the Galaxy S8. They are so different from each other, but it is still an excellent phone. Its greatest win is the biometric unlocking feature, in which the fingerprint scanner is located in a suitable position just below the camera. The fingerprint scanner, iris and face sensor are more effective than those in the S8.
