The Samsung S9 Plus became a sensation during its presentation at MWC 2018. The smartphone looks gorgeous both on the back and front covered with Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass. Its front panel has curved side edges, which appeals to users very strongly. It is even more powerful and has a better camera. Moreover, its functionalities have been enriched thanks to new features like animated avatars and artificial intelligence support. To this we must add the high-quality materials from which it is made and its excellent appearance.
Samsung Galaxy S9+ Specifications
- Release date: 2018, February
- Colors: Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Titanium Gray, Lilac Purple, Burgundy Red, Sunrise Gold, Ice Blue, Polaris Blue
- Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm.
- Weight: 189 g.
- Screen: 6.2" in, 1440 x 2960, Super AMOLED
- Camera : Dual, 12MP
- Chipset: Exynos 9810 Octa (10 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA
Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) - USA/LATAM, China - Memory: 64/128/256 GB, 6 GB RAM - China
128 GB, 6 GB RAM - LATAM - Battery: 3500, Non-removable Li-Ion
- Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
- Operating system: Android 8.0 (Oreo)
- Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Samsung Galaxy S9+ Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Design
The Samsung S9 Plus has a sympathetic look that has been achieved by cleverly combining all the elements. Attention should be paid to the metal frame, which is made of special aluminum. The device itself is elongated and smooth and one can say quite slick. It is desirable to put it in a case for more security.
This model of the South Korean company can be described as frameless. It should be noted that the content of the screen is also visible on the curved pages and sometimes this can seem uncomfortable, especially if you are reading text.
The casing is IP68 certified, which means you can safely use the device in the rain and even dip it briefly in fresh water.
Display
In the spirit of what we know from Samsung's other flagships, the display matrix in this one is Super AMOLED technology. Its diagonal is 6.2 inches and the resolution is 2960 x 1400 at a density of 529 pixels per inch. This metric clearly demonstrates the class of the smartphone and the amazing picture you will witness. And it's juicy, bright and with excellent contrast. Just what you'd expect from an AMOLED display. From the settings, you can change the colour profile. You can also choose the resolution - HD+, FullHD+ or QHD+.
With the Samsung S9 Plus in hand, you'll have no problem deciphering information when you're outdoors and it's sunny. The screen brightness is ample.
Performance
The smartphone is one of the first to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 for the US and Asian markets and the Samsung Exynos version 9810 for the European market. It comes in 3 modifications - always with 6 GB of RAM and 64, 128 or 256 GB of storage. The latter can be expanded with a memory card up to 512 GB. For the graphics is responsible Adreno 630 or Mali-G72 MP18.
Regardless of its processor, the Samsung S9 Plus can offer an excellent stock of performance. For years, it will meet the demands of heavy games and applications. This is what makes the flagship highly sought after and reliable in terms of its service life.
It runs on Android 8 Oreo operating system and the company's Experience 9.0 at the factory. The processes run smoothly and without hitches. They literally fly.
Among the improvements in Experience, we must mention the feature to limit the work of background processes and the feature to autofill passwords of the applications you use.
If the topic of safety is your priority, the Samsung S9 Plus has a fingerprint scanner and a retina scanning feature. In both cases, you have a quick method to unlock the device. You can also opt for a third way - through facial recognition. It also works flawlessly and accurately.
Cameras
The focus on cameras is a top priority for Samsung. We are convinced of this by looking at the features of the flagship. It features a dual rear camera, with both lenses being 12 MP. The first one is a wide-angle, with an aperture of f/1.5-2.4 and is equipped with optical stabilization. A key feature is the fact that it can change the aperture within the specified limits. To focus the module, the company has used a new algorithm. It is capable of focusing objects at times faster than competitors. The result for the user is that he can more easily than ever create perfect shots in complete darkness. In normal shooting conditions, the new algorithm manifests itself in the picture being more natural.
The dual rear camera allows you to create excellent portrait shots with a bokeh effect. This mode is noticeably improved compared to last year's smartphones. While not ideal, it will provide you with interesting footage to share on the web. The mode can also be used for subjects with blurry backgrounds. The degree of blur can be adjusted for the best end result.
We also see an improvement in the camera app. It has been completely redesigned. You now have the ability to change shooting modes by flipping through the main app window.
The Samsung S9 Plus is also special in that it can record video in Super Slow Motion mode - 960 frames per second. A disarming benchmark for competitors!
Meanwhile, when recording regular videos, you can rely on 4K support at 60fps.
The front-facing camera also does an excellent job. It is 8-megapixel and has autofocus support provided. With it, you can create 1440 pixel resolution videos at 30 frames per second. Auto HDR mode is also supported.
Autonomous operation
In terms of battery, we don't find anything new in the Samsung S9 Plus. Autonomy is at the level of previous models in the series. Underneath the beautiful casing is a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 3500 mAh. Given the new processor and optimization, the device will offer you about a day and a half before you reach for the charger.
The company has provided a fast recharge feature. With its help, you can restore the charge from 0 to 100% in an hour and 20 minutes.
Useful functions and features
You have the AlwaysOn Display mode, which allows you to set the time or picture display even when you are not using the phone. You can also tick to see notifications from apps.
In response to the latest trends in the market, Samsung S9 Plus lets you create AR emoji. Introduced by Apple, these have appealed to many users. You need to take a selfie to create the base of the emoji. Then you can adjust the hairstyle, skin color, change clothes and add special effects. Get animated gifs you can use in various applications.
The Samsung S9 Plus is one of the latest flagships to feature a 3.5mm audio jack. The sound is excellent and loud enough.
Conclusion
The Samsung S9 Plus is definitely one of the most exciting smartphones of late 2018 and early 2019. It is superb looking at all sides. It sets high bars for all its competitors. Despite its high price, it's worth it.
Pros:
- Camera features
- Loud and clear sound
- IP68-standard housing protection
- Excitingly beautiful display, and it's big enough
- Excellent performance
Minuses:
- Price
- Autonomous operation
- No manual mode to turn on the Slow Motion feature
Competitors
In 2018 and the immediate aftermath, the Samsung S9 Plus is in direct collision with the iPhone X and Huawei Mate 10 Pro. Xiaomi Mi7, Zenfone 5, ZTE Nubia Z19, Nokia 8 Sirocco and Sony XZ2 also deserve your attention.
Samsung Galaxy S9+ video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Samsung.
