In Barcelona, Spain, Samsung introduced their latest flagship mobile devices at Samsung Unpacked 2018, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S9+. The new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ has many similarities brought over from their Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices. However while much of the core specs are either similar or slightly improved, the core leap for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ is in the devices’ camera. “Camera Reimagined” was the theme of this Samsung Unpacked event, and these devices aim to take the mobile camera to the next level.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ Specs
| Galaxy S9 | Galaxy S9+ | |
| OS | Android 8 (Oreo) | Android 8 (Oreo) |
| Display | 5.8-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:99,10 (570ppi) |
6.2-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:99,10 (529ppi) |
| Body | 147.7mm x 68.7mm x 8.5mm, 163g, IP68 | 158.1mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm, 189g, IP68 |
| Camera | Rear: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor with OIS (F1.5/F2.4) Front: 8MP AF (F1.7) |
Rear: 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: 8MP AF (F1.7) |
| Processor | 10nm, 64-bit, Octa-core processor 2.7 GHz Quad (or 2.8 GHz Quad) + 1.7 GHz Quad) |
Processor for each phone may differ depending by country |
| Storage | 4GB RAM 64GB/128GB/256GB12 + Micro SD Slot (up to 400GB) |
6GB RAM 64GB/128GB/256GB12 + Micro SD Slot (up to 400GB) |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 3,500mAh |
| Connectivity | Enhanced 4X4 MIMO / CA, LAA, LTE Cat.18 | Enhanced 4X4 MIMO / CA, LAA, LTE Cat.18 |
| Sensors | Iris sensor, Pressure sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint sensor, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, HR sensor, Proximity sensor, RGB Light sensor | Same |
| Audio | Stereo speakers tuned by AKG, surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology | Same |
*Specs acquired from Samsung’s Press Site.
The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ come running the latest Android 8 (Oreo) OS and receive minor spec bumps in their processors over their S8 and S8+ predecessors. Similar to their predecessors, you have the same size batteries, the same amount of RAM, and the same Infinity Display that curves around the front of the devices. Each device continues with Samsung’s latest flagship standards, having IP68-rated water and dust resistance and supporting high-speed wireless charging.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ also bring back Bixby from last year’s devices, again complementing their hardware with Samsung’s very own integrated and self-learning assistant. Each device sports a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD Card slot that’s ready to support up to 400GB of storage. Also outside of the new camera, one of the most notable additions to the S9 and S9+ are the inclusion of Dolby Atmos-ready stereo speakers, tuned by AKG. Samsung aims to ramp up the overall media enjoyment experience of their new flagships by adding the effect of 360 degree sound to their already highly-touted Infinity Display.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Shots
Samsung Galaxy S9+ Shots
As for the biggest splash of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, the rear cameras for each device sport a Super Speed Dual Pixel sensor and Samsung’s Dual Aperture, supporting F1.5 mode and F2.4 modes. Thanks to the cameras’ high speed capabilities, videos can be recorded in Super Slow-mo, with or without Motion Detection. Through Motion Detection, automatic recording can be triggered when movement is detected in the user-specified frame. Samsung’s Dual Apeture mimics the expanding and contracting behavior of the human eye’s iris and automatically lets in more light in darker shooting settings.
On the software side, Samsung even added the new AR Emoji to the S9 and S9+. Now users can take selfies and a create a 3D avatar of themselves. The avatar’s appearance and clothing can be customized and be used as a new way of expressing emotions in chat. The user-specific AR Emojis can even be shared across most 3rd-party messaging apps.
We can’t wait to get our hands on one of these bad boys and take them for the long haul, putting them through a proper review. Per Samsung, “The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be available starting in March 16, 2018 in select markets and will be offered in Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, Coral Blue and a new hue, Lilac Purple.” – Samsung Press Release.
In the meantime, do check out the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ for yourselves here.
Click here to see closer shots of the S9 and S9+.
Samsung’s “Camera Reimagined” Commercial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI2CpNdaJAc
†Non-watermarked Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ stock photos used from Samsung Press Site.