Samsung Galaxy S9

146 'Samsung Galaxy S9' stories April 2017 - July 2018

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S9 and S9+, the successors to 2017’s top-selling smartphones. This year, though, besides repositioning the horribly placed fingerprint sensor, the overall hardware design goes unchanged. Instead, Samsung focused on improving the onboard camera(s) and software-based productivity features.

Accessories

Learn More About the Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+

	Samsung Galaxy S9	Samsung Galaxy S9+
Android Version	Android 8.0 Oreo	Android 8.0 Oreo
Screen size	5.8-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED	6.2-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED
Resolution	2960×1440 pixels	2960×1440 pixels
PPI	570 ppi	529 ppi
Camera	Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor with OIS (F1.5/F2.4)	Dual Camera with Dual OIS, Wide-angle: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor (F1.5/F2.4), Telephoto: 12MP AF sensor (F2.4)
Front Camera	8MP AF (F1.7)	8MP AF (F1.7)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (Exynos 9810 internationally)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (Exynos 9810 internationally)
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Expandable storage up to	400GB	400GB
RAM	4GB	6GB
Battery	3,000mAh (nonremovable)	3,500mAh (nonremovable)
Ports	USB Type-C, headphone jack	USB Type-C, headphone jack
Weight	163 g	189 g
Dimensions	147.7mm x 68.7mm x 8.5mm	158.1mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm
Other features	Rear-facing fingerprint sensor, iris sensor, pressure sensor, IP68, Fast Wired Charging compatible with QC 2.0, NFC or MST payment compatibility	Rear-facing fingerprint sensor, iris sensor, pressure sensor, IP68, Fast Wired Charging compatible with QC 2.0, NFC or MST payment compatibility
Color options	Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Titanium Gray, and Coral Blue	Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Titanium Gray, and Coral Blue
Carrier availability	AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, others \| March 16, 2018	AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, others \| March 16, 2018
Base price off-contract	~$719.99	~$839.99
In-box accessories	USB-C charging cable, Fast Charging wall adapter, wired AKG headphones	USB-C charging cable, Fast Charging wall adapter, wired AKG headphones

Samsung updates Galaxy S9’s AR Emoji w/ characters from Disney’s ‘Frozen’

Ben Schoon Jul 31 2018 - 8:40 am PT

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One of the more notable additions to Samsung’s Galaxy S9 lineup earlier this year was AR Emoji, but the feature never really took off for customers. Despite that, Samsung has made a point of updating the product, and this week, new characters from Disney’s Frozen are arriving…

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Samsung admits disappointing sales of Galaxy S9, warns tough times will continue

Ben Lovejoy Jul 31 2018 - 3:54 am PT

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Samsung has admitted that sales of its Galaxy S9 flagship were disappointing, explaining a 34% drop in operating profits for the company’s mobile division …

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Samsung’s Galaxy S9 sales lower in Q2 versus Q1, Note 9 to launch early to compensate

Ben Schoon Jul 20 2018 - 9:10 am PT

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Samsung’s bottom line has been struggling a bit when it comes to smartphones for the past few months. Now, sales figures are showing just how much worse the S9 is doing compared to its predecessors.

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Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ pick up 480fps super slow-motion video mode in July update

Ben Schoon Jul 20 2018 - 8:19 am PT

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Samsung is generally not the quickest to delivering monthly security updates, but when they do, it often comes with an extra feature or two on top. For July’s security patch, Samsung has added a new option for super slow-motion videos on the Galaxy S9.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 sees ‘lowest sales since Galaxy S3’ as record profit run ends

Ben Schoon Jul 6 2018 - 9:58 am PT

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After nearly a year of breaking profit records, Samsung has today released earnings guidance for Q2 with a notable dip attributable to lackluster Galaxy S9 sales.
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Samsung Galaxy S9 sales lagging behind last year’s S8, say analysts

Ben Lovejoy Jul 4 2018 - 4:24 am PT

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2018 sales of Samsung’s Galaxy S9 are lagging behind 2017 sales of the S8, say analysts. This year’s flagship Samsung smartphone is said to be facing tougher competition from Chinese models …

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Samsung brings ‘video lockscreen’ feature to Galaxy Note 8 and S8 from Galaxy S9

Ben Schoon Jul 2 2018 - 8:38 am PT

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Samsung hasn’t made any drastic changes to its hardware or software for the past year or so, but the company has been doing great with bringing new features to older devices. Recently, the company quietly brought its “video lockscreen” from the S9 to last year’s crop of devices.

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FM radio support now live for unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+

Justin Duino Jun 26 2018 - 2:44 pm PT

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Back in January, Samsung announced that its phones in the US and Canada would have an active FM chip for listening to the radio. But the unlocked models didn’t have the software to support this functionality until the most recent update rolled out.

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Samsung adds nearly 30 new clockfaces to ‘Always-On Display’ on S8, S9, Note 8 w/ app

Ben Schoon Jun 26 2018 - 6:51 am PT

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Samsung packs its devices full of features, some useful, some not. One of my personal favorites for the past few years has been the “Always-On Display” which debuted on the Galaxy S7. In recent releases and updates, Samsung has continually improved the feature. Now, Samsung is adding quite a few new customizations.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 gets June security patch on unlocked and carrier units w/ first update in months

Ben Schoon Jun 25 2018 - 8:29 am PT

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Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and S9+ are some of the best phones we’ve seen hit the market in 2018, but the company hasn’t been doing a great job when it comes to updates, unfortunately. Since launch, Samsung has only pushed one update to these devices, but this week, that’s changing.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 launches in ‘Sunrise Gold,’ coming to US on June 24th

Ben Schoon Jun 20 2018 - 11:03 am PT

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While it didn’t change much from its predecessor, one of the best Android phones to hit the market this year has been the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+. Now, Samsung is launching its flagship devices in a new colorway.

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Samsung updates its AR Emoji feature with 18 new animated stickers, even more coming soon

Ben Schoon May 31 2018 - 10:46 am PT

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Samsung’s Galaxy S9 family is made up of two really impressive smartphones, but one of the biggest missteps is that of AR Emoji. Despite that, though, Samsung isn’t giving up on the feature, releasing a new update that adds more animated stickers.

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Exynos-running Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+ in select regions gain a built-in call recorder

Justin Duino May 29 2018 - 10:18 am PT

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With the latest security update that just rolled out to Galaxy S9 and S9+ users, Samsung included a new call recorder feature that’s baked directly into the phone’s default phone app. Don’t get too excited if you’re in the US, though, because it’s only available for handsets powered by the Exynos CPU that are sold in select foreign countries.

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Samsung’s AR Emoji adds characters from The Incredibles, includes Mr. Incredible, Frozone, more

Ben Schoon May 23 2018 - 9:29 am PT

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Samsung didn’t deliver on a ton of new things with the Galaxy S9 family, but one notable new feature was AR Emoji. The feature launched with largely negative feedback, but its one shining feature is the ability to let you pretend to be another character. Now, Samsung is continuing its Disney partnership with characters from The Incredibles.

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Samsung unveils the Sunrise Gold & Burgundy Red Galaxy S9/S9+, but they won’t reach the US

Justin Duino May 15 2018 - 7:56 pm PT

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Last week Samsung quietly started selling a Burgundy Red Galaxy S9 and S9+ without any sort of announcement. Now, the South Korean company has officially announced the new color alongside a Sunrise Gold.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ finally, officially, support ARCore

Ben Schoon May 15 2018 - 6:48 am PT

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Augmented reality technology has gotten much more popular over the past couple of years, and with the arrival of ARCore, it’s gotten a whole lot better on Android. Now, Samsung’s latest flagships finally offer support.

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Hands-on pictures show off Samsung’s stunning ‘Burgundy Red’ Galaxy S9 and S9+

Ben Schoon May 10 2018 - 7:28 am PT

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Earlier this week, Samsung quietly launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in a new color variant, “Burgundy Red.” Now, some hands-on photos are showing us just how gorgeous that color is in person…

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Samsung just released a red Galaxy S9/S9+, likely only for the Chinese market

Justin Duino May 8 2018 - 3:35 am PT

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Just like in years past, Samsung has just released a new color variant of its flagship smartphones. This time around, the South Korean company is releasing a new red Galaxy S9/S9+ colorway, but it will likely be exclusive to China.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 picks up 128GB and 256GB storage options starting May 1st

Ben Schoon Apr 30 2018 - 9:48 am PT

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If you’re looking for the best all-around Android smartphone right now, you don’t need to look much further than Samsung’s Galaxy S9 family. The two phones are solid across the board, and today, Samsung is announcing the addition of two new storage tiers…

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Best cases & screen protectors for the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

Justin Duino Apr 23 2018 - 1:26 am PT

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Despite the Galaxy S9 supposedly being tougher than last year’s model, the handset’s glass front and back are still extremely easy to break when dropped. To help prevent potential damage, here are the best cases and screen protectors for your Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+.

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Review: Kerf’s real-wood cases for Pixel and Galaxy phones get even better over time

Justin Duino Apr 17 2018 - 5:52 pm PT

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Despite there being dozens of different case companies on the market, almost every offering looks just like the one before it. If you’re looking for something other than the standard plastic and rubber options, Kerf, a company based out of Pittsburgh, hand makes wood cases for Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones…

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Samsung’s AR Emoji partner explains why the feature is so terrible

Ben Schoon Apr 16 2018 - 8:18 am PT

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The Galaxy S9 is a pretty amazing smartphone. It might not change much from the phone that came before it, but it impressed me so much that it stayed in my pocket far longer than expected. One thing that we all agree was bad, though, is AR Emoji. Now, the creators have explained why the feature is so terrible…

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Remap the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+’s Bixby button with bxActions

Justin Duino Apr 9 2018 - 6:52 pm PT

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If you’re like most Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners, you probably never use the physical Bixby button found on the side of your device. Thankfully, instead of just disabling the button altogether, an app called bxActions works surprising well at remapping the button to launch different apps or actions.

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Comment: I’m not rushing back to the Pixel 2 XL after using the Galaxy S9+, here’s why

Ben Schoon Apr 4 2018 - 12:33 pm PT

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Last month I published my full review of Samsung’s Galaxy S9+, and if you read it, you’ll know I enjoyed the phone. If not, the TL;DR is that the Galaxy S9+ is a solid upgrade from what came before it, but isn’t anything ground-breaking either. Now, over a month later, this phone is still what’s in my pocket day-by-day, and that doesn’t usually happen…

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