
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a powerhouse of a phone that's sure to please even the most discerning user. It's powered by a large 3000mAh battery that will keep you going all day long.
The Galaxy S9 boasts an impressive 12-megapixel camera with a f/1.5 aperture, allowing for excellent low-light performance and detailed shots. It also features a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display that's vibrant and responsive.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy S9 is its IP68 rating, making it resistant to dust and water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters. This means you can take it with you on even the most adventurous outings without worrying about damaging it.
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Samsung Galaxy S9 Review
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a great phone that builds on the success of its predecessor. It was released in March 2018 and has a sleek design with dimensions of 147.7 mm × 68.7 mm × 8.5 mm.
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The phone has a non-removable battery, which some users may find inconvenient. However, it does offer expandable storage up to 400 GB via microSD.
The Galaxy S9 has a rear camera with a 12 MP sensor and features like optical image stabilization and super slow motion. It's also water-resistant with an IP68 rating, capable of withstanding up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Review
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a solid choice if you're looking for a reliable phone that doesn't need a lot of changes. It didn't fix what wasn't broken, but instead just tweaked specs wherever possible.
The phone has been praised for its ability to still perform well even after a few years of use. I've seen reviews from users who've been using it since 2018 and it still meets their needs.
One area where the S9 falls short is its battery life. Users have complained about the weak battery, which can be a problem if you're someone who's always on the go.
The S9+ is a larger version of the S9, offering more battery power and other upgrades. In 2018, Samsung's Plus size meant more than just a bigger screen, it also meant a more powerful phone.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S9 is a good option for those who want a phone that's tried and true.
Price and Release Date
The Samsung Galaxy S9 was released on March 16, 2018. This was a significant date for Samsung fans, marking the launch of their latest flagship device.
The original price of the Galaxy S9 was quite steep, at £739 in the UK, $719.99 in the US, and AU$1,199 in Australia. You can now pick it up for about a third of that price, making it a much more attractive option.
In the UK, the price jump over the previous year's handset was huge, starting at £689. However, if you shop around, you can find the Galaxy S9 for around £475 in the UK.
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The Galaxy S9 is available in only one storage variant in the UK and US, with a 64GB option on sale. But, in some markets, you can find it in 128GB and 256GB builds.
You can get the Galaxy S9 for just $399 in the US, depending on where you shop.
Key Features
The Samsung Galaxy S9 phone is a powerhouse of technology.
The device features a 5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display, providing an immersive viewing experience. This screen size is perfect for watching videos or browsing the web on the go.
Its advanced camera system includes a 12-megapixel primary sensor and an 8-megapixel front camera, allowing for high-quality photos and selfies.
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Ar Emoji
AR Emoji is a fun feature on the Galaxy S9, but it's not without its limitations. You can create your own digital avatar by smiling into the front-facing camera, and then customize its hair, skin color, and outfit.
However, the customization options are limited, with only a few outfit choices and not very nuanced hair colors. If you can't make your AR Emoji look like you, you and your friends might struggle to engage with it.
You can use AR Emoji to create instantly-generated GIFs for social media, but they can get tiresome quickly. In our testing, we found that we needed to create our avatar a few times due to occasional glitches like a weird face shape or wrong-colored eyes.
The AR Emoji feature is still a novelty, and it's not a reason to buy the Galaxy S9 on its own. To make this feature work properly, brands need a more powerful camera, rather than just relying on software and the front-facing option.
Bixby Is Back
Bixby is back with a vengeance, and it's better than ever. Samsung has upgraded Bixby on the Galaxy S9, and it's a game-changer.
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The Bixby button is still present on the side of the device, allowing you to interact with your assistant at will. You can use the button as a walkie-talkie, pressing to talk to Bixby and releasing when you've delivered your command.
However, Bixby can be a bit slow to catch up, and it's still not as capable as Google Assistant. For example, it can be too literal - wanting to set a timer preset rather than just starting a countdown.
But don't worry, Bixby has some amazing features that make it worth using. Bixby Vision has come a long way, and it's now turned off by default, which is a blessing. No more annoying green fireflies dancing across your viewfinder when you're trying to take a picture.
When you do turn on Vision, the features are pretty useful. Bixby is much better at being able to work out what it's seeing than what it's hearing, and can give accurate results on the web for things like comics, lamps, and nature scenes.
Here are some of the key features of Bixby Vision:
- Accurate results for visual recognition
- Strong translation tool
Improved Biometrics
The biometric unlocking features on the Samsung Galaxy S9 have seen significant improvements.
The fingerprint scanner is now much easier to reach and use, and the iris scanner and facial recognition work seamlessly together, making unlocking your phone with your face a much simpler task.
Intelligent Scan marries the iris scanner and facial recognition to achieve almost 100% accuracy, a huge improvement from the 30-50% accuracy of the S8.
In low light, the iris scanner can be a bit slow to react, but using the fingerprint scanner on the back is a quick and easy solution.
The 2D scan of the face used by the S9 isn't as secure as other methods, but it's still a convenient feature.
You can't really unlock the phone when it's placed on a table, as the field of vision for the scanner is limited.
G960
The G960 is a model that has a disclaimer on its information page, stating that the data may not be 100% accurate.
It's worth noting that this model's page also includes a warning to read more, implying that there's more to the story.
We can't guarantee the correctness of the information on this page, so it's essential to verify the facts elsewhere.
I've seen similar disclaimers on other tech-related websites, and it's always a good idea to fact-check before making any important decisions.
Pros and Cons
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has its share of pros and cons. One of its biggest advantages is its innovative camera features, including a higher-power camera on the back with a dual-aperture shutter.
Here are some of the key pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy S9:
- Better biometrics
- Average AR Emoji
- More robust frame
- More power under the hood
However, the Galaxy S9 also has some drawbacks. Its design is identical to the S8, which might be a turn-off for some users.
User Reviews
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has had a loyal user base since its release. One user has been using it since 2018 and it still meets their needs.
The battery life has been a concern for some users, with one user specifically mentioning a weak battery as their only issue.
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Pros

The Galaxy S9 has some amazing features that make it a top-notch smartphone. The biometric security is incredibly swift, making it easy to keep your phone safe.
The low-light performance is also impressive, allowing you to take great photos even in dimly lit environments.
This phone is very powerful, making it perfect for heavy users or those who like to multitask.
The screen is bright, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. The dual speakers also make it a great media device.
Cons
The Samsung Galaxy S9 isn't perfect, and there are a few downsides to consider.
The design is identical to the S8, which might not be a deal-breaker for everyone, but it's worth noting if you're looking for something new and different.
Some camera snaps lack vibrancy, which could be a disappointment for photography enthusiasts.
The Galaxy S9 is also quite expensive, with a price tag that might make you think twice about buying it.
Here are some of the main cons of the Samsung Galaxy S9 in a nutshell:
- Design is identical to the S8
- Some camera snaps lack vibrancy
- Expensive
Tech Radar Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a top-notch phone, but it didn't quite live up to the hype, bringing a very similar design and screen to the Galaxy S8.
The improved biometrics on the S9 were a welcome change, but the camera is where it really shines, with amazing low-light capabilities that have resulted in some sacrifices elsewhere.
This phone is great, but the S9 Plus outshines it, offering more bang for your buck.
The S9's design and screen are almost identical to the Galaxy S8, making it hard to tell them apart.
The camera on the S9 is a major leap forward, especially in low-light conditions, but it's not perfect.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S9 is a solid choice, but it's not the most exciting phone on the market.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Samsung Galaxy 9?
The Samsung Galaxy S9 was released in 2018, making it around 5 years old as of 2023. This Android smartphone was first available for purchase on February 25, 2018.
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