In what ways is the Samsung Galaxy S9 the best in the world, and in what ways is it a failure and disappointment? Review and comparison with competitors. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus – an attractive evolution Unboxing and contents

Live photos

Contents of delivery

• Smartphone
• Fast charger with USB Type C cable
• SIM tray eject tool
• Wired stereo headset AKG
• OTG adapter for connecting external devices
• USB Type C to microUSB adapter
• Instructions

Specifications

• Android 8, Samsung Experience 9
• Display S9 – 5.8”, Quad HD+ (2960x1440), 570 ppi, automatic brightness control, SuperAMOLED, adaptive color and brightness adjustment, color correction, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• S9+ display – 6.2” Quad HD+ (2960x1440), 529 ppi, automatic brightness control, SuperAMOLED, adaptive color and brightness adjustment, color correction, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• Exynos 9810 chipset, 8 cores (4 cores up to 2.35 GHz, 4 cores up to 1.9 GHz), 64 bit, 10 nm, in some markets models available with Snapdragon 845
• 4 GB of RAM (LPDDR4), 64 GB of internal memory (UFS 2.1), memory cards up to 400 GB, combined slot (S9+ 6 GB of RAM), there are also versions with 128 and 256 GB of internal memory;
• nanoSIM, up to two cards, one radio module
• Li-Ion battery 3000 mAh (S9), 3500 mAh (S9+), built-in wireless charging WPC/PMA, fast charging in 70 minutes to 100 percent
• Front camera, 8 megapixels, autofocus, f/1.7
• Main camera, 12 megapixels, DualPixel, f/1.5/2.4, OIS, LED flash, 4K video recording, multiframe (S9+ has dual camera, live photo mode, background blur)
• Samsung Pay (NFC, MST)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB Type-C, NFC
• GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
• Fingerprint sensor (rear)
• Iris scanner, face scanner - unlike S8/S8+, combined, works in complete darkness
• Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Heart Rate Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Pressure Sensor
• Two simultaneous connections of Bluetooth devices, the ability to simultaneously listen to sound from different programs on different accessories
• LTE cat.18 (depending on operator support)
• Water protection IP68
• Dimensions: S9 – 147.7x68.7x8.5 mm, weight – 163 grams; S9+ – 158.1x73.8x8.5 mm, weight – 189 grams

Positioning

In 2017, Samsung revised its approach to its own product line; it was completely redesigned and rethought, although the mass consumer does not yet see this. The accelerated launch of the S9/S9+ is due not so much to competition with Apple, but to the need to clear a window for a new product that may appear later (while its fate is in question for 2018, most likely we will see small quantities in some markets and at very high prices). price). But in 2019, there will most likely be four top smartphones in the Samsung line - Sx/Sx+/Note X and a certain Z. The names are not so important here; rather, understanding the price positioning is important - the S line has been and remains in its place, does not disappear anywhere, although similar and often groundless discussions are thrown into one or another media. Next comes the Note line, which continues to exist at the same prices and positioning, and finally, the Z model, which can be called both a technological and image flagship, closes the line at the top. From a technology point of view, other companies will not have anything like this in the foreseeable future, hence the positioning as the most expensive and advanced device. It is impossible to expect that such a model will become widespread or take a gigantic market share; it is at the top of the pyramid.

In 2018, the S line receives a division that was not there before: the younger model becomes a little simpler in terms of camera, while the older model has a dual camera, as in Note 8 and subsequent devices. Here you can see the borrowing of Apple's positioning, when there is a regular iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, their difference is about the same.

For Samsung, the new flagships are models in which they retained all the developments that the company already had, plus they focused on the camera, which was heavily redesigned. In terms of software, the “9” is the company’s first attempt to make smartphones with such an emphasis on the social component, when all the camera capabilities are aimed at giving the user the simplest, if not automatic, way to share content with others. And this approach can be a winning one.

From the point of view of price positioning, we see a slight increase in prices in Russia (60 and 65 thousand rubles for each of the models), but in Europe and the USA the increase is more noticeable. It is in the ninth series that Samsung will for the first time apply what it tried in 2017 around the world, namely keeping the cost of goods at the same level, the absence of constant discounts that were offered from quarter to quarter. This is a direct borrowing of Apple’s strategy, and the irony is that today Apple’s partners, on the contrary, are reducing prices, and very dynamically, for the same iPhone X, which is associated with rather sluggish demand and large stocks on the shelves. But they do this at their own expense; Apple does not compensate for price reductions in any way; for them, this is a winning situation when sales are paid for by partners - operators and retail.

For the whole world, Samsung sets approximately the same price for the Galaxy S9/S9 Plus. If for the “eights” the difference between European and Russian prices was noticeable, which created a large gray market, then with the “nines” the company will try to avoid this. It is unclear how successful such an attempt will be; there is a feeling that at some point in some specific countries there will be price dumping on the part of partners. But globally, the company aims to maintain prices so that models throughout the year are perceived as devices of the same price.

Perhaps this is exactly what no one will talk about publicly during the announcement, but this approach from Samsung can radically change the market, as other companies with Android smartphones will try to follow this trend - not all, but some. Some will reduce prices quarterly, while others, on the contrary, will consider that it is more profitable to keep food prices at the same level.

For buyers, the S9/S9+ look like complete analogues of the S8/S8+ with minor, at first glance, differences; the situation is repeated with the transition from the sixth to the seventh generation. But in practice, the perception of the devices varies just as much as in S6/S7, but for this you need to try the devices. In terms of the richness of different functions, the S9/S9+ are the flagships of 2018; they do not yet have direct competitors in terms of the same set of characteristics. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Note 8

Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S9+

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8

Design, dimensions, control elements

You may or may not like the current design of top-end smartphones from Samsung, but you must admit that it is unique and has no analogues. Most people like this design, although there are those who claim that they will never buy a device with curved edges, since there is no point in it.

In the absence of competing solutions, Samsung decided not to reinvent the wheel and repeated the successful design; externally, the S9/S9+ are very similar in shape to the Note 8, they are more rectangular, so to speak. In any case, externally they look exactly like this, and the design has changed for the 2018 line, it corresponds to the same A8/A8+, this can be seen on the back panel and camera windows.

But at the same time, the devices are as close as possible to the previous generation; the dimensions are almost identical. It turns out that if you had an S7/S8 or their Plus version, then you know exactly how this device will feel in your hands and how much space it will take up in your pocket. Check out the photos for a comparison between the S8+ and S9+, as well as the Note 8.

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy S9

Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S9+

In terms of materials, little has changed, the coating of the metal chassis (7000 series aluminum) has changed, it has become stronger and more scratch-resistant. The glass is the latest generation of Corning Gorilla Glass, I’m not sure what it will be called at the presentation, it is somewhat different from the current one, but the changes are not fundamental. The oleophobic coating was made more durable, but this is also not important, by and large.

For those who missed the more human location of the fingerprint sensor, a holiday has come, it has moved under the camera, now even on the S9+ you can press it without looking, there is no problem with that.

The water protection level is IP68, everything is familiar here. Stereo speakers are one of the features of the device; I missed this on previous smartphones, but here everything has changed. The speakers are tuned to AKG (the brand belongs to Samsung), the sound is louder than on the S8, the devices clearly outperform previous models in this parameter, they sound very good. I can’t say that in speakerphone mode the changes are such that you’ll be pumped, but they are there, the sound has become cleaner and you can feel it being stereo.

The ergonomics of the solution are good, there was no reason to complain in the previous generation, this generation is also good. The device fits perfectly in the hand, like a glove. The fingerprint sensor is a work in progress.

As usual, we are offered different color solutions, I like all the colors. Black is a classic, but other colors are quite playful (in Russia there will be no pink in the first wave).

It is extremely difficult to distinguish the S9 from the S8 by the front panel, although one difference is still present: the eye of the iris scanner is made invisible, few people will pay attention to this, but the company is confused by such a trifle.

Display

Externally, this is an almost complete repetition of what we saw in Note 8, as well as S8/S8+, the screens are similar in their functions and capabilities, and the changes are hidden under the hood and are not visible to the average consumer (energy saving, adaptive backlighting, image analysis on a new generation screen and other “little things”). But from a consumer point of view, these are simply some of the best screens, let's briefly list what they can do.

In the S9 the screen diagonal is 5.8 inches, in the older device it is 6.2 inches, just like in the previous generation, it is SuperAMOLED with QHD+ resolution (18.5:9 geometry). The devices have two RGB light sensors (front and rear).

In the settings you will see a choice of color profile, the ability to adjust the color temperature for individual colors, everything is familiar. In the additional settings there is a high sensitivity mode (working with gloves), it was absent from the devices for some time, and now it has been returned back.

In the sun, the screens remain perfectly readable, I like the way the picture looks, it is as natural as possible, for example, when taking photographs, you see what you get in the end.

In AlwaysOn Display mode, the screen can display a clock or a picture, notifications from applications, there are no special changes compared to previous models, this mode works well. Our competitors don't have anything like it yet.

Just as before, it is possible to change the screen resolution; the default is FHD+, but the difference from QHD+ in everyday tasks is not noticeable. I advise you to install QHD+ for games or VR glasses.

Battery

Nothing has changed, the Li-Ion battery is 3000 and 3500 mAh, that is, a complete repetition of the previous generation. Fast charging allows you to charge the device in 70 and 80 minutes, respectively; wireless charging can be either fast or normal.

Due to the new chipset, the operating time of the devices did not increase dramatically, but, let’s say, they leveled out the power consumption in scenarios when the battery charge was drained before our eyes. The eighth version of Android also provides its advantages. On average, my “nines” are enough for a day with 4-6 hours of screen operation (depending on the backlight, always automatic, approximately 40% of maximum brightness). Those who squeeze 6-8 hours of screen time on the S8/S8+ will be pleased with these models, they work for a long time. I also got the impression that the power consumption of the modem was greatly reworked; when working in LTE, the power consumption is not as noticeable as before. For example, when transferring 1 GB over a mobile network, it took about 7% of my battery power on the S8+, and about 4% on the S9+. That is, for those who transfer a lot of data, the savings will be noticeable.

But you should expect, on average, the same operating time as the previous generation. And if you get some winnings in practice, then consider it a pleasant bonus. It all depends on your scenarios.

The devices have an energy saving mode, in which you can arrange the operation of smartphones in such a way as to maximize their operating time; it can literally increase several times.

Memory, chipset, performance

The basic version of the S9 will be available with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal memory (memory cards up to 400 GB). The S9+ will have different variants but 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Each model has options for 128 and 256 GB of memory, most likely they will be widely available in Asia and the USA, in Russia there will be a version with 256 GB of internal memory later.

In the USA and China, models will be released with Snapdragon 845, these are the first devices with this chip. Traditionally, Qualcomm says that operating time has increased by 30%, but other components of the phone must be taken into account. In my opinion, the gain in operating time will not be so noticeable, about 10-15 percent under the same usage scenarios. For Russia and Europe, the model comes in a version for two SIM cards with Exynos 9810. The device has a huge performance reserve, it will be enough for the next couple of years.

Look at the results of synthetic tests for each device. For starters - S9.

But these are the results for the S9+.

The devices have maximum performance, and this is not bad, as it guarantees a large margin of safety. No slowdowns in the menu or in launching third-party applications. Android 8 has redesigned the way the system processes system and non-system applications, making everything very smooth and fast thanks to the additional buffer. Even early prototypes from the end of 2017 still work quickly and smoothly, with no problems observed. Usually people complain about performance when they use third-party shells or somehow interfere with system applications, there are different options here.

Communication capabilities

Support for LTE cat.18 depends on the operators, but everything is also good here, in fact, these models are the first to be ready for new networks that are just appearing in the world.

USB 3.1 (Type C) is supported, for the first time a smartphone has Bluetooth 5.0, aptX and other audio codecs.

From the point of view of wireless interfaces, there are Wi-Fi improvements and new algorithms are used. As usual, Samsung adapted everything that appeared during this time. For example, I liked the inclusion of Wi-Fi depending on the geotag, that is, the device can remember where you used Wi-Fi and automatically connect to the network when you, for example, come to work, without having to turn it on manually. The Wi-Fi repeater function has not disappeared anywhere; it is present in this device.

Among the features of the implementation of Bluetooth 5.0, I note the ability to simultaneously connect two headsets or other audio devices, that is, you can listen to the same music or watch a movie with another person. This is just a great feature that was definitely missing, although few will need it.

Another thing I liked was the ability to select apps and which connected Bluetooth devices play audio. That is, you can choose to have the sound from the video player broadcast to an external speaker, and messages read only in the headset. Cool? Definitely yes, but you will have to spend time setting everything up for yourself. Or this scenario: you give the phone to your child so that he can watch a movie and the sound comes through a wireless speaker or wireless headphones, while you listen to music or a podcast in other wireless headphones. This function works perfectly, and it is very convenient, I tried it in practice several times, I regret that it did not exist several years ago.

Camera

One of the key features for the “nines” is a completely redesigned main camera, while the front camera, although improved, is only slightly (resolution is still the same 8 megapixels).

Let me start with the fact that both smartphones have the same main module of 12 megapixels; it, of course, has optical stabilization. The aperture is variable(!), that is, it can be either f/1.5 or f/2.4. In the S9+, the second camera module serves for optical zoom, as well as various effects. A new algorithm was used for focusing, and if phase detection autofocus in the S8/S8+ was fast, now it is just very, very fast. It should also be noted that the file format has changed, now the color is encoded in 10 bits (previously 8 bits, but available when choosing HEVC), the picture has become more natural, and sharp color transitions have disappeared.

One of the nice features is that the quality of shooting at night has increased noticeably. Even in complete darkness, the devices take excellent photographs, there is less blur, a clearer picture (there is noise, but it is also less - the company says that the number of noises due to multiframe technology has dropped by 30%, this is visible when shooting in complete darkness). The impression is that the camera in the S9/S9+ has made a significant leap, although it seemed that this was already unlikely and the current flagships are good. The percentage of high-quality photographs produced on these models is noticeably higher. Just look at some sample photos that will give you a general idea of ​​how you can shoot in complete darkness.

The interface of the “Camera” application has been redesigned, it is completely reminiscent of that on the iPhone, which raises many questions, modes can be changed by swiping on the main screen, but all settings are preserved; on the S9+, the optical zoom key has moved to the corner of the screen, which is convenient, since it there always.

For the first time for Samsung, the camera has its own memory module integrated, which allows you to record video in Super Slo-Mo, that is, 960 frames per second. Previously, Sony showed such devices; it was the first (for the iPhone it is 240 frames per second). But the difference with the "nines" is that you can't just select this mode and record videos and then do something with them, rather Super Slo-Mo is a creative mode that creates something automatically. So, you turn on this mode, a square appears, which you need to point at where you expect movement, and hold the device motionless, then it will slow down the shooting the moment it sees this movement. That is, it will do everything automatically. You don’t choose the moment when it will slow down the shooting, the device simply guesses such a moment.

And here many different points arise that will be interpreted ambiguously. There is no separate shooting mode in Super Slo-Mo, which will upset some. But at the same time, you get ready-made videos to which you can apply three different effects (repeat, loop or move in the opposite direction). Plus, the device adds music, that is, you get your own video (the music track can also be changed).

And immediately the resulting masterpiece can be posted on social networks, which will be popular. At the presentation they showed how water balloons fly apart, wine slows down in a glass, and the like, it looks very beautiful, but these are specially selected videos. Look what they showed me at the presentation.

The downside of this mode, which you figure out literally right away: you need enough light, in dimly lit rooms the mode is practically useless (I compared it with Sony, it’s exactly the same nonsense, you need light). Another point is the inability to start recording manually; the phone itself determines when it does this, and you have to catch the right moment. Also, compared to regular video recording, the quality here is still noticeably worse, but the effects help, as does the fact that such videos make an impression.

Take a look at some videos I made in Barcelona, ​​they describe the capabilities of this mode pretty well.

Since we are talking about video, we must say that recording in 4K 60 frames per second is supported, but then optical stabilization does not work; it is present in other modes. In the S9+, a second camera is needed for optical zoom and the “Live Photos” mode when the background is blurred. The difference from the regular S9 is this, and also that you can now blur the background using different patterns (for example, a light path can turn into hearts). It's interesting and curious, but it doesn't amount to anything.

Now let me show you a comparison of photos from Note 8, iPhone X and S9+.

The S9/S9+ camera left me with the most pleasant impressions - faster than before, an additional Super Slo-Mo mode, the ability to take very high-quality pictures, including in the dark. In short, this is perhaps the best camera device you can buy today. But that’s not all about the camera; there are several more modes, which will be discussed below.

AR Emoji - Apple's answer to Animoji

Samsung couldn’t stay away from what Apple did with its Animoji, and prepared a symmetrical response, AR emoji. The presentation included slides about how many people send emoticons every day, these are billions of messages around the world, I’m sure you use them all the time. And then Samsung decided to make them personal, personal.

So, you take a photo with the built-in camera, select your gender and then get a picture (avatar), which you can wear, choose glasses, hairstyle, skin and hair color. A sort of improved version of you. Unfortunately, the result obtained is still infinitely far from what real people look like (at the presentation it was more or less close, but this is rather an exception).

After the image is created, you receive a set of GIF files, these are icons that can be used anywhere, in any program on the phone. Look at the sets I have, I created them for myself and the girls.

The scope for experimentation is huge, but the fact is that you can create an unlimited number of sets of such emoji, all at your discretion. And it's cool.

Another mode is the ability to record a video with this emoji and send it to anyone in a regular format.

I don’t think that it will conquer the world, just like on the iPhone, but as an entertainment program it is very interesting and may be in demand among some buyers. The disadvantages of the implementation compared to the iPhone are that it is a little more inert, the processing of your emotions is not as smooth as on the iPhone, since only the camera is used. This is a clear disadvantage of the S9/S9+ in comparison with the iPhone, but the final result is comparable, plus or minus. There are also fairy-tale characters plus the opportunity to “pull” various masks onto your face. Do I like all this? It's a tough question, these are just extra features and should be treated as such.

Face and iris scanner – smart mode

For the first time, the “nines” use both a face scanner and an iris scanner at the same time. The sensor is located to the left of the speaker; during operation it lights up red (you should not bring the device close to your face). Unlocking also works in the dark, the speed is quite high. In the light everything is very fast, in the dark it takes a second or so, the main thing is to look at the device, through this peephole. I liked the improvement in technology, I didn’t even bother setting up a fingerprint, since it’s not needed.

Multimedia capabilities – AKG stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and other highlights

All Samsung devices did not have stereo speakers, they simply did not exist - the sound was clear and quite loud, but not at all the maximum in its capabilities. For example, if there was only one stereo speaker, it made no sense to add operating modes from the Dolby laboratory, which, in fact, no one did. After stereo speakers appeared in the iPhone X, Samsung set out to do something similar, but louder and better. And this was completely successful.

The speakers are located the same as in previous models, one above the screen, the second on the bottom end, the slot has changed, and the speakers themselves are tuned by AKG (before that this was done only for a tablet from Samsung).

Compared to the Galaxy S8/S8+, the volume of the device is increased by 1.4 times. In practice, this feels just fine, no matter how the phone is in your pocket, you can hear it, and you can hear it very well. But the benefit primarily occurs when watching a video or listening to music, the sound is loud and clear, there is no distortion. Additionally, you have Dolby Atmos settings that allow you to customize the sound of the device to suit you.

Comparing the sound of the S9/S9+ with the iPhone X, I can say that the volume is a little higher than the Samsung, but the sound quality of the Samsung is noticeably better than the iPhone.

The included headphones are from AKG, they are exactly the same as in previous devices.

In terms of the sound quality of music in headphones, this is a typical device from Samsung; it will suit almost any person, especially if there are no established beliefs. In the latter case, everything is very individual, and, as always, I advise you to listen to the device to understand how suitable it is for you.

DeX – new docking station option, additional operating modes

Along with S9/S9+, a new version of DeX appears, which does not replace the previous one, but acts as an additional one, giving a choice for those who are looking for this kind of solution. We had a review about DeX and the capabilities of the station, which turns your smartphone into an almost full-fledged computer, so I won’t repeat it, but will only focus on the most basic features.

Ideologically, DeX has not changed, but the docking station has become flat and more compact; in this connection mode and provided that you do not have a mouse connected to the ports, you get a phone screen in the form of a touch panel, that is, a kind of touchpad.

A number of simple Android games with touch controls have been adapted for DeX; now you can play them comfortably; it was still not the same with a keyboard or mouse. With the software update, a keyboard will also appear on the screen; in fact, DeX will turn into a device that will allow you to work in one form or another without a mouse or keyboard, only with a station and an HDMI cable. In subsequent versions, wireless connection to Samsung TVs will be possible, but this will clearly not happen this year.

I like the way DeX is developing. Russia has become one of the markets where this docking station has received significant penetration, but, interestingly, the company also evaluates not just sales, but the number of those who actively use the station; in our country the percentage of such people is maximum. Why do people use and love DeX so much? The answer is simple - this is a fairly simple device that can really replace a computer for many.

Impression

There are no complaints about the quality of the connection; the call volume has increased so that the device can be easily heard in any, even the most difficult, conditions. Watching movies now is a pleasure, since there are Dolby effects, the ability to get the most beautiful sound, and it’s exactly the same with music.

I’ve had the S8+ as my main device for a whole year, and I like it, I talked about my impressions over the year and what I encountered in the video.

And compared to the S8/S8+, the new devices are perceived as good friends; you get exactly the same ergonomics, but at the same time greatly improved cameras, faster processors, and better sound. Some may think that there are few improvements, but in everyday life they are enough to get a new user experience. Powerful devices with a maximum range of capabilities, with which you can do anything. Excellent by all standards. And I believe that these models will deservedly be in demand no less than the “eights” (a year ago they were predicted to fail, but they feel great and have good sales).

From March 16, the devices will be on sale in Russia, the price is 59,900 rubles for the S9 and 64,990 rubles for the S9+. This is higher than the prices for S8/S8+ a year ago (50 and 60 thousand, respectively). But the price increase in Europe is greater; now the company is trying to equalize prices in all markets where it operates. In the pre-order, which started along with the announcement, the first buyers are given wireless charging.

A few words about competitors. First of all, this is definitely the iPhone X as the most expensive device. But the choice of iPhone X is the choice of Apple’s loyal audience, which doesn’t look at other models anyway. The device has not taken off, it is already being sold for less money than at the start, although only a quarter has passed - there is not much demand. Considering that the “nines” come at a different price, they are more affordable. And, of course, they are fundamentally different in everything. There will be a separate comparison, as usual, but I’m afraid that the iPhone X will not stand up to it, since it has no special advantages for anyone except loyal Apple fans (in the comments you will clearly see this for yourself by their tone and intensity, the better the product from Samsung, the sadder and ruder the comments from Apple fans).

In the Android smartphone market, the Galaxy line no longer has direct competitors; all models are offered slightly lower in positioning (but not always in price). In fact, only models from Samsung have become undisputed flagships, which is not bad for the Android world.

For Note 8 owners, upgrading to the S9+ is only necessary in one case - if you are very demanding of the camera (but you shouldn’t do this, since Note 9 is just around the corner and there will be a couple of new features). Owners of all Galaxy generations, except the eighth, should take a closer look at the devices, as they provide new experiences and may be very pleasant. The devices turned out to be cool, but to understand this, you don’t need to read the specifications, but simply hold them in your hands.

Last year, Samsung released its first series of revolutionary smartphones with “limitless” screens. This year, the manufacturer is trying to build on its success with older designs that focus on internal changes, especially in the camera. Using the older model as an example, I will try to find out how significant these changes are and whether they can impress potential buyers.

Several materials that we made before testing the smartphone:

Video review of Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Thanks to TOLOKA coworking for the space for filming:

Design, materials and assembly

I don't think there is any need to criticize the manufacturer for the lack of changes in the appearance of flagship devices. Suffice it to remember that one eminent competitor has been using the same design for 6 years and nothing, quite successfully.

Read also:

In fact, last year's design has not gotten any worse over the year. It's still just as chic and innovative. The wow effect is present, the appearance is irresistible. Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are extremely beautiful smartphones made of metal and glass.

Yes, the effect of complete novelty is lost at this stage, and this will certainly stop almost all owners of Galaxy S8 series smartphones from updating. I can also assume that this fact does not stimulate new buyers and many of them will decide to buy one of last year’s devices because they are cheaper and look almost exactly the same.

Nevertheless, Samsung decided not to break what already works perfectly, limiting itself to only minimal cosmetic changes - the main camera unit is now vertical. Actually, at least something makes it possible to clearly distinguish the smartphones of the current series of Galaxy flagships from last year’s, and precisely in that area that is almost always turned towards the audience, and this is already good - for those buyers for whom only “show-off” is important.

Now for the assembly. I am glad that in recent years the manufacturer has taken this issue responsibly - there are no complaints here at all. The smartphone is made perfectly. The case is also protected according to the IP68 standard, which means it can last under water for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1 m.

Layout of elements

Actually, this question is somehow awkward to even voice, because it directly follows from the design that remains the same. The arrangement of the elements also remains unchanged.

In front there is an infinite screen. In fact, I don't understand the term "frameless" at all. There are limits here. There are both sides and margins at the top and bottom. And thank God, without any distortion, we managed to place a speaker, a front camera, light and proximity sensors, an LED for notifications, as well as 2 Iris sensors for scanning the iris of the eyes. There is nothing below the screen.

On the right is the power button. On the left is the ill-fated Bixby button and the volume key. All buttons are metal.

On the bottom edge there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a USB-C port, a speaking microphone and a slot for the main speaker. On top is a tray for 2 SIM cards (the second slot is hybrid and accepts a microSD card) and an additional microphone.

On the back panel at the top are the main changes to the flagship line - a vertical block with two cameras and a fingerprint scanner underneath them. The frame of the unit is metal and protrudes slightly above the body, and the glass of the cameras is slightly recessed. To the right is a flash and under it several more sensors - light, heart rate and, according to some information, for measuring blood pressure. However, this function requires additional software and does not work in my test copy (and this is a late engineering sample) (or I did not understand it).

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of the device remain essentially unchanged - the smartphone fits perfectly in the hand due to the curved glass on the back. Of course, it is slippery, you have to solve this problem yourself somehow (there are a lot of accessories). The power button is conveniently located and fits right under your thumb or index finger.

But the volume key on the left is too high and the device has to be intercepted. The Bixby button is also very close and in 1-2 out of 10 cases you will definitely press it. In general, you will often press it, just when you pick up your smartphone. And this is terribly infuriating. And since the service is completely useless in our area, it is better to completely disable this button or reassign it, fortunately there are possibilities.

Of course - the main external improvement that the Galaxy S9+ brings to the user compared to last year's version of the smartphone is the relocation of the fingerprint scanner to a more convenient location right under the cameras. However, the bottom main camera is still too close and you will often get caught in it, so it is better to wipe the glass before shooting every time.

Galaxy S9 Plus screen

To be honest, I didn’t notice any significant differences in the screen from last year’s version of the flagship. But the manufacturer claims that they exist, and naturally for the better. This may be true, but to be sure, you need to compare the displays directly, and I don’t have a Galaxy S8 in my hands.

As for the characteristics, they are exactly the same as before - 18.5:9 format, resolution 1440 x 2960 pixels (density about 529 ppi).

In practice the screen is good. Actually - a typical Super AMOLED from Samsung of the latest generation. Bright, contrasting, rich. In actual use, I don’t have the slightest complaints about it. It is easy to read in the sun and does not strain the eyes in the dark. In addition, there is a night vision protection mode that includes a blue light filter.

Also in the settings you can switch color rendering profiles, adjust color temperature and even separate color correction for the most advanced users.

Performance

To be honest, I already hate writing this section in reviews of flagship smartphones. I will say this - the smartphone shows some of the highest results in synthetic benchmarks. Which is not surprising, since the performance of the Galaxy S9+ is provided by the top eight-core Exynos 9810 processor paired with the Mali-G72 MP18 graphics accelerator, 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. The manufacturer also decided not to give up support for memory cards and the second slot in the SIM tray is hybrid.

It is worth noting that for the Chinese and US markets, the devices come with different hardware - a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and an Adreno 630 graphics accelerator. Of course, many “understanding” buyers would prefer such a solution, but ordinary users are unlikely to feel the difference when performing everyday tasks. Although in heavy 3D games it can be quite noticeable - Adreno video cores have always been much more productive than Mali.

In practice, I simply can’t imagine where the average user could utilize all this power. And we are talking not only about the Galaxy S9+, but in general about the segment of top-end smartphones. It’s good that manufacturers come to our aid and literally come up with new tasks in order to somehow use these limitless resources. And at the moment it’s artificial intelligence, augmented reality and in-camera image processing algorithms. It is worth noting that all these aspects are present in the Galaxy S9+ and work perfectly in terms of performance solutions.

Cameras

It is on improvements in cameras that the manufacturer places its main emphasis when promoting a smartphone. Purely technically: the main module is double. The first is the main, wide-angle, with a resolution of 12 megapixels with a variable aperture f/1.5-2.4 and a focal length of 26 mm, matrix size 1/2.55", pixel size 1.4 µm. The second is the so-called “telephoto lens” 12 megapixels, f/2.4, 52 mm, 1/3.6" matrix, 1 µm pixel. Optical stabilization is used for both modules, Dual Pixel PDAF phase autofocus works when shooting, and due to the use of a dual camera, we have a 2x optical zoom without loss of quality.

Of course, the main feature of the main module is an innovative solution for the smartphone market - a variable aperture. In fact, it works simply - it is a mechanical curtain that opens in low light conditions and closes when there is too much light. This way you can get great photos in any lighting level. Learn more about how variable aperture works in our video:

Changing the aperture occurs automatically or can be done manually in professional shooting mode. By the way, when using it, you can also save pictures in RAW format for subsequent manual processing in photo editors.

In addition, the dual module allows you to take excellent portrait photos with background blur. This mode is a noticeable improvement over last year's smartphones, but it's not perfect and subject edges may blur. You can use this mode not for portraits, but simply shoot objects while blurring the background. In this case, the degree of blur can be adjusted with a slider during shooting.

In general, the smartphone takes pictures just fine in any conditions. There is no doubt that the Galaxy S9+ has one of the best cameras on the market right now. I don't want to say too much about this, I just suggest you look at the example photos below. I'm also doing a comparison with the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, which I'll publish soon.

The smartphone also shoots video excellently in any conditions with a maximum quality of 4K 60 fps, but without stabilization. In other modes (except 1:1) stabilization works and works great. Here is an example - handheld (Full HD 30 fps). I also provide (loud music in the car) while shooting a video. Some video sources are also available at the link below.

The front camera also takes excellent pictures. It has the following parameters: 8 MP (f/1.7, focal length 25 mm, matrix 1/3.6", pixel 1.22 µm), autofocus support, video shooting 1440p@30fps, and, importantly, also has support for Auto HDR mode.

As for the camera software, it seems to be good, simple and quite convenient, but it has one unpleasant feature. Shooting modes are located in the form of tabs, which can be switched with right-left gestures. And very often switching occurs unintentionally, it is enough to touch the screen a little or unsuccessfully indicate the focus point. You can also switch tabs simply by squeezing the smartphone tightly in your hand and touching the edge of the screen - and this is definitely not a feature. Personally, I constantly switch camera modes without meaning to.

When you start the camera, we find ourselves in the most important automatic shooting mode. To the left is “live focus” - portrait mode and background blur, “professional” with manual settings, “panorama” and “food” with a pronounced central focus and blurring the area around. To the right - super slow-motion video shooting at 960 fps without sound, creation of AR emoji with various effects and hyperlapse.

The camera settings are simple and straightforward. Here you can change the resolution settings for photos and videos, switch the HDR mode, enable tracking focus, grid, geotags, shooting with the volume button and configure other parameters.

Sound

AKG stereo speakers with Dolby Amos support are all you need to know about the sound of a smartphone. The second speaker is the conversational one. Yes, it doesn't sound as loud as the main one. Or rather, it is very quiet and produces only mid frequencies. And rather, it simply adds volume to the sound. But compared to regular smartphones, this is good. The speaker is also good - the interlocutor can be heard clearly and loudly.

The Galaxy S9+ is one of the last flagships to retain a 3.5mm audio jack (thank the Korean gods). The sound in the headphones, by the way, is excellent; the music chip supports playback of audio files with a maximum bitrate of 32-bit 384 kHz (Hi-Res Audio). You can also improve the sound quality using an advanced audiophile utility using various effects and adjusting the equalizer.

AR Animoji

This thing has a separate tab in the camera application, in addition, the manufacturer at the presentation really emphasized this function and devoted a lot of airtime to it, as if everyone was looking forward to it, and when they saw it, they would immediately rush to buy a new smartphone.

In fact, this is a toy that might be interesting to play with for once. But I can’t imagine a mature adult who would be in his right mind to use this function constantly. Rather, this topic is for children and teenagers. However, who will buy a cool flagship smartphone for a child? As a result, we have a killer feature for one time, to show off to colleagues and impress friends.

In short - you can create your own animated cartoon avatar. You take a selfie, creating the basis of the emoji. Correct your hairstyle, skin color, change clothes, add special effects. You get a set of emoji that you can send to other users in the form of pictures or GIF animations. Something like telegram stickers that can imitate your emotions.

Autonomy

The smartphone is equipped with a 3500 mAh battery. This is not very much, but not small either. With sufficiently active use, the device will last a whole day stably and will have a little left in reserve. In some cases, you can last one and a half to two days if you don’t strain the device too much.

The release of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus truly revolutionized the mobile gadget market. With the release of this model, the fashion for frameless smartphones declared its right to a dominant position. What has the manufacturer pleased us with in its new flagship generation of phones? Read the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Price and main characteristics

You can buy today and get a smartphone before anyone else in Svyaznoy or in the official Samsung store. The starting price of the new product is 59,990 rubles, Galaxy S9+ will be available at a price of 66,990 rubles.

Specifications:
display: 6.2”, sAMOLED QHD+ 2960*1440 px (529 ppi);
processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.8 GHz) + Adreno 630 video accelerator, a modification with Exynos 9810;
RAM: 6 GB;
internal memory: 64/128/256 GB + micro SDXC flash cards up to 400 GB;
camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 8 MP;
communication: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX), GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, LTE, NFC;
battery: 3500 mAh;
dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm;
weight: 189 g

Initially, it may seem that there is practically no difference between the S8 Plus and the new generation. In fact, the developers have made a lot of improvements that can significantly improve the user experience. The smartphone differs from the younger version of the Galaxy S9 in its screen diagonal and the presence of a dual main camera.

Equipment and appearance

The Galaxy S9 Plus is a premium smartphone that should set the tone for sales of other Samsung mobile devices for the entire year. Accordingly, such a product needs premium packaging. The production team did not forget about this and placed the gadget in a beautiful dark box with a blue model logo on the front side. On the reverse side are the main technical characteristics and differences from the previous generation. In the list of accessories of the new product you will find: charger, USB Type-C cable, headset from AKG, microUSB + USB adapters, paper clip and documentation.

As we mentioned above, it is quite difficult to find the main differences between different generations of flagships by eye. From the front, the device is practically no different from its predecessor, the same 6.2-inch Infinity Display, which occupies most of the front panel. But from the back you can already see the first correction - the fingerprint scanner has been moved under the dual camera. Its awkward placement in the S8 Plus was perhaps its only serious drawback.

The Galaxy S9 Plus feels slightly better in the hands than the previous model. The roundness of the display edges has been improved so that even such a relatively large flagship can be comfortably used with one hand. The color range of the range of versions of the device is presented in four options: Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, Titanium Gray and Coral Blue. Of course, support for moisture protection according to the IP68 standard is declared.

A small insert above the 6.2 display is occupied by a standard set of functional elements: earpiece, sensors, front 8-megapixel camera and LED indicator for missed notifications.

On the right is the power button.

On the left side there is space for a volume rocker and a separate button for calling the Bixby voice assistant.

A USB Type-C connector is located in the middle of the bottom edge. Next to it you can find a second speaker (together with the speaker it forms a stereo system), a 3.5 mm headphone input and a small hole for a microphone.

The tray for two SIM cards and another noise-canceling microphone are located at the top end.

The main dual camera is located in the middle of the rear panel, with space allocated underneath for a fingerprint scanner. To the right is a peephole with dual LED flash and laser autofocus sensors.

Overall, Samsung again managed to pleasantly surprise the public with its new flagship. The company took all the best features from the S8 Plus and transferred it to the S9 Plus, fixing all sorts of minor flaws along the way. We were also pleased with the modified side edges of the device, which make it even more pleasant to hold.

Screen

Galaxy S9 Plus has a 6.2-inch display with QHD+ resolution and a pixel density of 529 units per inch. Infinity Display has become even better in terms of color reproduction and viewing angles. It is based on a sAMOLED matrix, which has been slightly improved since the S8 Plus. In a word, the screen looks 10/10, it can easily be placed even higher than the iPhone X display.

Actually, with this same iPhone, the competition clearly weighs in favor of Samsung. The screen design format proposed by the company in some ways looks noticeably better than Apple's flagship solutions. The functionality of the Galaxy S9 Plus screen remains virtually unchanged; here you will find the already familiar AlwaysON Display and support for HDR content. The lower part of the touchpad with keys is pressure sensitive. It is possible to change the screen resolution to save battery power.

Performance

The hardware platform of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus may vary depending on the region of delivery. In the USA and China, buyers will have access to a version with a new generation of chipsets from Snapdragon; in the rest of the world, sales of a device based on the proprietary Exynos 9810 Octa processor are being prepared. Both smartphones also differ in video accelerator, the first will be equipped with Adreno 630, and the second with Mali-G72 MP18. In general, the performance level of both phones is practically the same; you can only notice the difference in the benchmark.

But the increase in power compared to the previous generation is noticeable; a direct comparison shows a slight lag in the S8 Plus when running applications and heavy games. The S9 Plus copes with the latter with a bang; during testing we did not notice any problems with fps. This flagship is the perfect gift for a gamer, the gaming experience is enhanced many times over on a widescreen 6.2-inch display with support for HDR content.

Camera

Perhaps the main element that has undergone extensive processing is the main camera. On the rear panel there are two 12-megapixel photosensors with an aperture of f/1.5-2.4 and f/2.4, both with optical stabilization. There is phase detection autofocus, dual optical zoom and dual LED flash. On the front there is an 8-megapixel front camera with f/1.7 aperture and autofocus.

The Galaxy S9 Plus has noticeably more capabilities for night photography, thanks to the f/1.5 aperture the camera captures even more light for high-quality shots. Optical stabilization of both sensors makes 4K videos from a smartphone amazingly smooth, with no sharp distortions.

Another interesting feature is Slow-Mo shooting at 960 frames per second (FullHD resolution only). We saw this opportunity in last year’s flagship Sony Xperia, but the Koreans have significantly improved the principle of video recording. Now artificial intelligence is responsible for capturing an interesting moment; it will begin slow-motion filming when the desired movement occurs in the frame. The area of ​​future action can also be marked with a square; when any movement appears in it, slow motion will also begin.

Video examples:

We should also talk about some interesting software features. The Galaxy S9 Plus has a kind of answer to the animated emoji on the iPhone X; the new feature is called AR Emojis. Using the front camera, you can scan your face, and artificial intelligence algorithms will create a miniature 3D model of you. It can be animated at your own discretion and used as a live sticker in correspondence. The list of technical capabilities also includes facial recognition of the owner and retinal scanning.

Speaker, sound quality

The gadget is equipped with two speakers to create a stereo sound effect. Samsung engineers really managed to find the perfect balance across the entire frequency range of the speakers, they sound very good. Paired with a large display, stereo speakers may well turn the Galaxy S9 Plus into some kind of portable cinema.

Music lovers will also be pleased to see the AKG branded headset included in the package. It fully reveals all the capabilities of the flagship DAC and sets the highest bar for sound quality.

Battery

The smartphone was equipped with a 3500 mAh battery. They did not build in a larger battery, as this would have greatly affected the dimensions of the S9 Plus.

As the developers assure, the device will work for about 1.5 days without recharging. Using the proprietary charger, the smartphone charges in an hour and a half.

Communication and Internet

The flagship supports all the latest wireless standards, including dual-band Wi-Fi. There is Bluetooth 5.0 with support for file transfer using the aptX standard.

The Galaxy S9 Plus finds navigation satellites almost instantly, there are no problems with determining the location.

Video review of Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Competitors, conclusion

• Great camera;
• Top processor from Snapdragon;
• New functionality;
• Facial recognition system;
• Minor improvements.

• The cost is higher than its predecessor.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus turned out to be exactly what fans of the brand wanted it to be. Already in the last generation, the manufacturer practically achieved perfection, but the new product turned out to be amazing. Samsung has fixed all those minor problems that were so annoying in the S8 Plus. Overall, the smartphone has the potential to be the best flagship of 2018, and you can buy it at a discount of almost

Of the competitors, the only one that can compete with the Koreans is Apple. For more accurate comparisons, you need to wait for the release of new flagships from other competing companies.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

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: Undoubtedly, the most interesting device of the Korean company at the moment is the Samsung i9100 Galaxy S II, which heads the line of Android models. It replaced last year's flagship Galaxy S, which, without a doubt, had a huge impact on the emergence of a class of top-end solutions on Android.

This season, a smartphone with an index such as i9001 appeared, and the device is called Galaxy S Plus.

Externally, it copies the model from a year ago, but its filling is somewhat different. Samsung Galaxy S Plus has a 4-inch SuperAMOLED WVGA screen, a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, a 1.4 GHz processor, and is also equipped with all the usual functions for an Android communicator in this price range.

Contents of delivery

• Telephone


• Battery


• Cable


• Charger

Design

Whether it’s good or bad, the appearance of the model remains exactly the same. If you put the Galaxy S Plus next to each other, the difference between them will only be felt by a pedantic lover of Korean design, who monitors every millimeter of the body of smartphones from different years of production. At the same time, you can put the company’s new flagship next to it.

In our case, the edging of the front surface has changed. Before that, it had a dark gray tint, but now it has become just silver. Another equally important touch can be considered a change in the shade of the rear panel. Deep blue has been replaced by black. Moreover, the pattern in the form of numerous dots decorating the surface has been preserved.

This is where all the external differences between smartphones end. The cases are identical; the rear panels are completely interchangeable.

The dimensions of the smartphone are 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm, weight 119 g. The device is quite thin, it also weighs a little, so it does not cause any particular inconvenience.

There is a light sensor on the front panel, as well as a camera for video calls. The speaker is hidden under a decorative black mesh that matches the body.

At the bottom, in the center, there is a large Home key, slightly recessed into the body. The button is mechanical, the clicks are clear, the travel is small. By holding it down for a few seconds, you can display a list of running applications.

On either side of it are two other functional controls for the phone. On the left and right of the touch panel there are symbols: the Menu button and the Return key. They are given a large enough space to avoid erroneous or inaccurate clicks.

There is a small hole at the bottom end - this is a microphone.

On the top edge of the smartphone there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and not far from it there is a microUSB port covered with a practical plastic sliding cap. With its help, the phone is connected to a computer or to a wall charger.

On the left side, at the top, there is a strap mount, and just below there is a paired volume key. The rocker button is flush with the body, protruding only slightly beyond it.

On the right side there is a small button to turn off the device, which also functions as a screen lock.

The Samsung Galaxy S Plus is comfortable to hold in your hand due to the small protrusion at the bottom of the back panel. The cover, closer to its very base, has a bend, and thanks to this the phone does not slip out of your hands.

The back panel is made of thin plastic, which is covered with a glossy layer. Dust and fingerprints quickly accumulate here. Also, the surface gets scratched, and over time it becomes completely covered with abrasions. They are not striking, but they are easy to see from a slight angle.

In the upper left corner there is a camera lens, which is inscribed in a square and bordered by a silver frame. On the right there is a slot on the body, under it there is a speaker.

Inside there is a battery and a SIM card slot. There is also a slot for microSD memory cards. Access to it is free; there is no need to remove the battery to change the flash drive; hot swapping is supported.

Platform

The filling of the model is different; different components are used here. This is a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255T processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz and an Adreno 205 graphics accelerator. The amount of RAM remains the same, it is 512 MB. There is 2 GB of internal memory available for storing applications. The flash memory of my sample was 4 GB. In addition, the card slot allows you to expand this volume up to 32 GB inclusive. The smartphone worked well with the maximum size card. The operating system is Android 2.3.3 and the proprietary TouchWiz shell.

In order to evaluate the performance of the smartphone, I present the test results along with the Samsung Galaxy S, flashed on Android 2.3.4.

Screen

The Samsung Galaxy S Plus has a 4-inch display with a resolution of 480x800 pixels. The first generation SuperAMOLED is used, so PenTile has not gone away. The display is capacitive, multi-touch supported, and displays up to 16 million colors.

The device responds perfectly to pressing. The protective layer is made of fiberglass and protects the surface from damage.

The picture is still very bright, with excessive color rendition when the image goes beyond the usual shades. There are no such colors in nature, but many people like this image. Although the notorious “toxicity” of paints cannot be ignored.

The performance of the screen in the sun is average - the image fades and it is better to set the maximum brightness level - otherwise the information will not be visible.

When comparing the display with a similar one in the Samsung Galaxy S, the difference is almost impossible to feel. It's the same picture. Samsung Galaxy S Plus is at the top and Samsung Galaxy S is at the bottom.

Interface

The shell uses the proprietary TouchWiz interface, which is slightly different from the version that was installed in the Samsung Galaxy S model. At the top of the screen there is a service line where the time, battery charge, and signal reception level indicator are displayed. Active connections and other data are also displayed there. By clicking on it, you can find out in more detail about what programs were downloaded, what messages and letters were received, or what files were received via Bluetooth. The inclusion of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, silent mode and GPS is highlighted in a separate line.

You can use both standard widgets for Android and original elements from Samsung. For widgets, seven desktops are allocated, on which you can place additional functional elements at your discretion.

When you add a new widget to your desktop, a new panel may appear along with it. If desired, you can remove any part of the interface that has become unnecessary.

You can add application shortcuts to the desktop, create folders and change the background image, using both animated images on the desktop and installing static images from the gallery.

When the phone screen is locked, it displays the date and time, as well as service information. To unlock, you need to pull the top dark layer covering the desktop. If there were missed calls or SMS, they will be displayed on the screen in the form of puzzles. By dragging it to a free cell, you can view information about the unattended event in more detail.

To enter the menu and launch an application, you need to click on the icon located at the bottom of the screen. There is a line of four icons that are constantly displayed on the screen in any menu item. These are Phone, Contacts, Messages and Applications. The last one cannot be changed, but the other three can be assigned at your discretion.

The most noticeable changes affected the icons in the menu. They became less colorful, and the overly bright and flashy outlines around the icons disappeared. The decor has become more relaxed. The menu is presented in the form of 4x4 icons, and an option in the form of a vertical list is also available. If desired, it is permissible to move icons to other tables, thus arranging applications to your liking.

When you add new programs, they are automatically placed on the screen. They can be deleted directly from the menu; you just need to go into edit mode. But you can only delete programs that you added yourself; those installed by the manufacturer are not subject to such an operation.

When you hold down the menu button, a pop-up window will open, which will display shortcuts to six recently launched applications.

Phone book

The general list shows stored contacts both in the phone memory and SIM card, as well as data from your Google account. You can choose among them by setting the ability to display subscribers only from the selected memory type. In the settings, you select your preferred method for sorting names.

By clicking the field reserved for the subscriber's picture, you can make a call, send him a message or email, and also view information about him. There are many fields provided for additional data. It includes various types of telephone numbers, email addresses, instant communication tools, residential addresses and other information.

If the subscriber is assigned an image, it will be displayed on the screen. To simplify the search, you can use the vertical line on which the alphabet is depicted. Thus, by sliding your finger over it, the letters pop up and you can quickly find your way around. Of course, there is also a standard search function among contacts. There is a quick call to 8 selected subscribers. Contacts can be divided into different groups, which are assigned an individual signal.

From the phone book, you can quickly call or write an SMS to a person - you just need to swipe your finger left (call) or right (message) on the line with the subscriber's name. As soon as you click on the space reserved for the subscriber’s picture, a quick menu is called up, with the help of which you can send a message, mail, or make a phone call to the selected person.

Call log

You can access the call log directly from the phone book; it is highlighted in a separate tab. There the dialed numbers are sorted by date. But they are not the only ones who appear. It contains information about messages, email, IM, Facebook and Twitter - so you can track all your activity in one list. If desired, the amount of displayed data can be reduced to a minimum or, conversely, the most complete informational list of events of recent days can be obtained.

Having selected a subscriber, you can see which calls were made and how many times - such a collapsed list is much more convenient than a long string of dialed numbers of the same type. However, in the general list of calls there is a duplication of identical numbers, which overloads the log with identical data. The smartphone can display frequently used numbers in a separate group, which is convenient.

Dialing a number is carried out using a virtual keyboard, while entering numbers, the smartphone automatically displays on the screen contacts saved in the device’s memory with similar initial numbers in the number.

Messages

For SMS and MMS there is a common folder where received messages go. When sending, by adding various objects to the text, you can automatically transform it into a multimedia message.

When sending a message, the phone can display the last used numbers, thereby greatly simplifying the search for the recipient. A message can be sent simultaneously to several subscribers or to a group created in the smartphone’s memory. There is a set of funny android emoticons.

The device combines correspondence with subscribers into dialogues. A smartphone can automatically delete old SMS if there is no desire to store thousands of archives on the device. As you type text, you can cut, copy, and paste it.

Entering text is convenient. It offers not only the Samsung keyboard option, but also the modern Swype function. Its essence is that you just need to move your finger along the layout with signs. The device will independently generate words based on which characters were touched by the user’s hand. For clarity, during such input, a blue bar is displayed on the screen, which allows you to avoid confusion when typing text.

The function is very convenient, it independently places problems between words, selects words well, and most importantly, you can type text very quickly. If the word is short and a combination of several possible options is possible, then the phone will display them, then you need to choose between them yourself. You can add new words to her vocabulary.

Email

To work with email, the mailbox is automatically configured (if it is not Gmail, which connects immediately after the email address is entered during the initial activation of the phone). It includes entering basic information (login, password).

The phone perfectly understands various encodings, supports loading attachments (you must insert a memory card, otherwise this function will not work) in familiar formats.

When creating a letter, you can also attach various files from the device memory to it. The function of copying text and automatically checking the mailbox works (the interval is set manually). Sorting mail by date, subject, sender and size works.

Gallery

Photos and videos stored in the smartphone's memory are displayed here. The gallery works in both vertical and horizontal orientation. Working with files is accompanied by nice animation effects. Working with files is fast, image previews are generated without delay. Pictures are displayed in a 2x3 or 3x2 grid, depending on the position of the device.

The preview folders contain smaller pictures, so that not 3, but 4 pictures can be placed vertically. The image opens in full screen, scaling works using multi-touch. Files can be sent via email, Bluetooth, SMS or hosted on Picasa. You can assign images as desktop wallpaper or assign them to a contact. It supports rotating pictures, reducing their size, and also displays additional information about a specific file, and also shows the place where the picture was taken if geotagging is working.

Images are shown both in folders (for example, received via Bluetooth, photo section) and ordered by date. This makes it very convenient to view photos - there are several sections in the same folder. You can scroll either using the bar displayed at the bottom of the screen or by simply touching the screen with your fingers anywhere on it.

Player

The player's interface is simple and intuitive. A general list displays all the songs in the smartphone’s memory. There are also additional columns. Playlists of several types, albums, artists, genres, composers, years. While music is playing, the cover specified in the file tags is displayed on the screen; if there is none, there will be a multi-colored picture instead.

The volume can be changed both from the player menu using the vertical adjustment scale, and by using the side volume keys. The screen displays the name of the artist, the name of the album and the song being played. Tracks can be put on repeat (song, album, all songs) or listened to in shuffle mode.

Virtual keys are used for navigation (forward, backward and pause), and you can also switch between songs by flipping through the file cover image. While listening, you can set your favorite song as a ringtone, contact or alarm.

The user has access to numerous equalizer settings: auto, normal, pop, rock, jazz, dance, classical, live sound, other. This is a self-changing audio profile. You can select the audio effect: normal, wide range, concert hall, music clarity, bass boost, externalization. There is a visualization function, but it does not go well with album covers, so it is more interesting to use it if they are not specified in the file properties.

When the keyboard is locked, a semicircle disk is displayed at the top of the screen, by clicking on which you can display a large player control line - it will display navigation keys, information about the song being played and the cover image. It is not necessary to pull out this “virtual” disk every time; it is enough to do it once, after which the phone will remember the position of the line. To switch, you just need to press a key so that the screen lights up, and the navigation controls ready for use will be displayed there. The smartphone plays music no better than its predecessor. Among Android smartphones, there are more attractive models with audio filling.

Radio

The receiver supports RDS, can work in the background and turn off after a set time period (30 minutes, 1 or 2 hours). The automatic search function for radio stations works. You can display 6 of your favorite radio stations on your desktop and quickly switch between them.

As with the player, there is a pop-up window at the top of the screen for quick navigation between stations. To end the radio broadcast, a separate “stop” key is provided.

Video

Despite the change in graphics chip, support for the DivX and XviD codecs remains, so the smartphone will allow you to watch unconverted video. Videos are played here in 720p quality.

The video library is displayed in the form of a list with a small preview image of the film, its name and duration are also indicated. During viewing, controls may be displayed on the screen, including rewind and pause keys. A scroll bar appears, allowing you to quickly navigate through the movie being played. While watching, you can change the screen brightness and color shades (normal, warm or cold). There is an additional image enhancement function. Also, using the lock key on the side of the phone, you can protect yourself from accidental presses while watching a movie.

Camera

The camera is 5 megapixel, with autofocus, but without flash, as in its predecessor. Shooting starts exclusively from the smartphone menu. The interface is simple and convenient: in the upper right part there is an icon where photos are saved (to the phone memory or to a card), and the number of photos for which there is enough space to save them. Below is a large vertical key – this is the descent.

Samsung Galaxy S Plus will offer autofocus, which is quite fast and works without a miss. You can also use manual focusing - by pressing your finger on the display, the phone will focus on this place and highlight the desired object. For clarity, the process is accompanied by color: if the frame is green, focusing was successful; if it is red, it is better to repeat the procedure so as not to spoil the frame.

Camera settings:

White Balance: Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent.

Effects: Normal, Negative, Black and White, Sepia.

Shooting Mode: Single Shot, Self Portrait, Beauty Face, Smile Detection, Continuous, Panorama, Vintage, Motion Shot, Add Me, Cartoon.

Shooting conditions: Portrait, Landscape, Night, Sports, Party, Beach\Snow, Sunset, Dawn, Autumn colors, Fireworks, Text, Twilight, Backlight.

Exposition.

Timer: 2, 5, 10 seconds.

Focus: Auto, Macro, Face detection.

Photo size: 5M (2560x1920), 3.2M (2048x1536), 2M (1600x1200), 0.3M (640x480 pixels), and also offers a widescreen aspect ratio.

ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800.

Metering: Center-weighted, Spot metering, Matrix.

Quality: Best, Good, Normal.

Image stabilization is turned on, contrast, saturation and sharpness are adjusted. The geotagging function is supported, you can select one of the three available shutter sounds or turn it off completely.

The shooting quality remained at the same level as on last year's flagship. Here are examples of shooting the same scenes on both devices.

On the left is Samsung Galaxy S, on the right is Samsung Galaxy S Plus:

Camcorder

Films the phone in maximum resolution, which is 1280x720 pixels, 30 frames per second with stereo sound. Other available formats: 720x480, 640x480, 320x340 and 176x144 pixels.

Videos are recorded both in normal mode and in quality suitable for sending via MMS. The function of improving visibility on the street is available, the white balance is changed, effects are applied, and exposure is adjusted.

Example video:

Organizer

The calendar in the device is made in a traditional style; the display of information for a whole month, a week or a specific day can be configured. You can set the alert type and tone for recorded events and meetings. There is a division of information by storage location, each option has its own color label.

When creating a new record, it is given a name, period and location. You can specify which calendar it will be synchronized with, and you can send invitations to contacts from your address book. The repetition period is set (every day, weekly, monthly, yearly). A reminder will help you not to lose sight of the recording - the alarm will go off in advance. Additionally, the alert type is set.

Watch

The smartphone allows you to save several alarms in memory. The repeat can be set either once or every day, only on weekdays or weekly. You can also set specific days. The signal melody is set, you can add a vibration alert and a text file to it. The period for the signal to be triggered again is set.

There is also a pre-alarm function. It boils down to the fact that the phone begins to make quiet sounds in advance, gradually forcing the owner of the phone to wake up. A pleasant soundtrack of nature sounds has a pleasant effect and helps you wake up in a welcoming mood.

The smartphone displays time in different time zones.

There is a stopwatch.

There is a timer.

The docking station, together with the desk clock function, will allow you to use the phone as a desktop solution. Despite the fact that the gadget’s connectors completely coincide with those of the Samsung Galaxy S, for which I have a cradle, the new model refused to charge in it.
The voice recorder is simple and convenient; it saves recordings both in the phone memory and on a card. The recording time is set by the user. Maximum duration is 12 hours.

Designed as a wooden board with a sheet of paper attached, notes allow you to create notes.

The calculator works in both portrait and landscape orientation. In the latter case, more functions are available.

The smartphone has Google search, which searches both among the contents of the device and through the browser. Recent queries that were entered on the computer may also be displayed; the phone will use the account.

It will always be difficult for Samsung to outdo themselves and improve an already nearly perfect phone. However, the Galaxy S9 Plus corrects several shortcomings identified in last year’s model, which earned the status of “Smartphone of the Year 2017” according to many publications.

Advantages:

• leaves a good impression despite its massive dimensions;
• OLED screen with high-quality images and many options;
• multifunctional camera.

Flaws:

• differs little from S8;
• ridiculous AR Emoji;
• Samsung software pauses.

General information aboutSamsungGalaxyS9Plus

The design remains largely unchanged, but the phone will easily compete with the iPhone X and Google Pixel 2. However, the Korean company could have worked harder on the S9 Plus - but instead took the easy route of attracting customers with useless marketing gimmicks.

Design

Last year's radical redesign of the S-series set a new trend in the industry. Attempts to abandon the thick frame around the display of smartphones have been made before, but none of them turned out to be so thoughtful and natural. For example, the poorly rounded edges of the LG G6's screen left the device feeling unfinished, and Xiaomi sacrificed usability for the sake of appearance of the Mi Mix 2, forcing users to turn the phone over to take a selfie.

However, Samsung did manage to develop a phone with a large screen and a thin body. Therefore, while most manufacturers mindlessly copy the notch from the iPhone X, the Korean company left last year's design almost unchanged.

Although there are still a few differences. The frame at the top and bottom of the screen has become slightly thinner, the aluminum body has become stronger, and even the thickness of the Gorilla Glass 5 protective coating has been slightly increased. It is the last change that the author sees as the most critical: the screen of my S8 broke from a simple fall from the sofa onto the carpet. The S9 Plus is also heavier and thinner than the previous model - although the difference is subtle.

Perhaps the most significant design difference is the repositioning of the fingerprint scanner. If previously the sensor was located on the side of the camera, now it has moved under it - it has become more convenient to use. By the way, the device remains rather mediocre: there is a noticeable pause between touching and unlocking the screen. The sensor area is also small, so you will often miss the first few days.

Despite the secondary design, the Galaxy S9 Plus looks and feels great. I remain a fan of the screen's curved edges that "dissolve" into the aluminum rim. This is a big smartphone (for those who like smaller models, I would recommend the S9), but it doesn't feel like one at all thanks to its thoughtful design.

The back panel is made in minimalism: there is a Samsung logo, next to which there is a dual camera and a heart rate monitor. My copy with a black case is just a magnet for dust and grease stains from fingers: it gets dirty much faster and more severely than the case of the black version of the iPhone X. And although I believe that the advantages of glass outweigh the disadvantages, it’s difficult to put up with this situation.

Next to the volume control, you'll find a dedicated button for calling Bixby. I didn’t like that it can only be used to work with a virtual assistant: I completely turned off this function after the first day of owning the phone. I was hoping Bixby wouldn't return to the Galaxy S9 Plus, but it looks like the company has big plans for it.

Samsung smartphones have always been feature-rich, and the Galaxy S9 Plus continues that tradition. The device has a waterproof case with IP68 protection, the Home button is equipped with a tactile response, there is a microSD slot, wireless charging (QI and PMA) is implemented, and, finally, there is a headphone jack. That's right: the traditional 3.5 mm jack has been preserved, and when ordering a smartphone directly from Samsung, you can purchase an S9 Plus with a hybrid slot for two SIM cards.

Screen

After bad experiences with LG and Google devices, it's nice to finally see an OLED screen that lives up to expectations. The 6.2" display with an 18.5:9 AMOLED matrix has the same QHD+ 2560 x 1440 resolution, but has become noticeably brighter and more impressive.

Samsung produces the best OLED matrices, and the screen of the Galaxy S9 Plus also allows you to flexibly customize the image characteristics. The default automatic mode does an excellent job, but I felt even more comfortable after switching to the option for watching movies (with a DCI-P3 palette and a rich color gamut).

I would say that with these settings, the screen is reminiscent of the iPhone X: the blue shades are slightly muted, and the end result is “warm” colors that are pleasing to the eye. There is also a basic mode with an sRGB palette and a photo editing mode that sets the Adobe RGB gamma.

Sometimes the image still seems a little oversaturated - but this is easily corrected with the help of settings. The screen has wide viewing angles, the image is clearly visible in conditions of intense natural light - although in this case, the emphasis on blue shades characteristic of OLED matrices is felt.

Performance

There are many reasons to call the Galaxy S9 Plus one of the best Android smartphones on the market, but performance is not one of them. Not because the phone has weak characteristics: they are excellent. There's just a wide variety of fast devices out there now, so performance isn't the deciding factor: What's more important is how well the device performs after a year or two (something Samsung phones have had a bit of trouble with lately).

As expected, the hardware of the S9 Plus has been modified. Now it consists of the Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 platform, 6 GB of RAM (4 GB on the “younger” S9 model) and 64 GB of internal storage. The new chipset is characterized by modified central and graphic processors, has the ability to produce high-speed video shooting and has undergone some other improvements.

Performance tests showed an improvement over the Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8890 (last year's S8 chipset), but couldn't beat the iPhone X's results.

I'm more interested in how the device behaves in everyday use. And I can say that there is a huge difference between the performance of the Galaxy S9 Plus and S8. Apps open quickly, games run without lag or FPS drops, and overall the device runs very smoothly.

However, there are slight delays when launching the Bixby assistant, and some Samsung apps take a little longer than usual to complete operations. It's strange to see such pauses on such a high-tech device, especially when everything else works perfectly.

The audio system is an area where Samsung engineers have really worked on it. Firstly, the Galaxy S9 Plus is one of the few 2018 flagships to have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Secondly, the built-in speaker system has been modified.

The bottom speaker from the S8 has been preserved, but now a second one has been added to it, located on top of the screen. The principle is similar to the operation of the audio system of the latest iPhone models: the sound wave is directed directly at you, and is not muffled in the depths of your palm.

The difference with last year's model is clearly visible: in addition to improved sound quality, the overall volume has also increased. However, distortion is still possible at high levels, and the system does a better job of playing video than playing music - but I can live with that.

The new smartphone also includes support for Dolby Atmos. This technology is typically used in a room with separate speakers positioned above you. It then provides the viewer with an immersive experience that really adds something to the film. In the case of the Galaxy S9, the function is more of a software one: using a separate button, you can enable a simulated 360-degree sound environment. Sounds good, but artificial.

As with many flagship models, there is support for LTE connections with speeds up to 1 Gbps, Bluetooth 5, and the internal memory is 64 GB. Samsung will sell a modification of the S9 Plus with 256 GB, but instead of overpaying, you can install a high-speed microSD card in your smartphone (the phone is capable of working with storage devices up to 400 GB).

The call audio quality is fantastic and significantly better than the iPhone X or Pixel 2 XL, which I use all the time. The signal reception level is also impressive, as is the speed of the Wi-Fi connection.

Operating system and software

Although the Samsung Galaxy S9+ runs Android 8.0 Oreo, the operating system has undergone a lot of changes. It is more reminiscent of Samsung's own development than Google's original version, and this can be found in its pros and cons.

The S9's software features a sleek design, attractive icons, and seamless switching between the app screen and notification panel. Google Now window space has been given over to Bixby, but if you don't like the voice of Samsung's assistant, you can always turn it off.

Bixby remains virtually unchanged, except that it is now able to translate text when you point the camera into a foreign language. We'll find out whether the virtual assistant will get better a little later this year with the release of the new version of Bixby 2.0.

Android on Pixel devices looks “bare”, but here the operating system is packed to the brim with various additional functions. I appreciated the range of options provided, including: changing the screen resolution, monitoring battery consumption, adjusting game performance and others.

Samsung's energy saving mode remains one of the best. There is also an extensive list of security tools; the ability to simultaneously launch two copies of messengers and an excellent “Secure Folder” for storing personal files. There is so much that at first your eyes run wild.

Not much has changed in terms of how you can unlock your device. In addition to the fingerprint sensor, the user has access to authentication methods using facial recognition and iris scanning - but all of them look less technologically advanced compared to Apple Face ID. When it focuses on your eyes or face, the phone produces a noticeable vibration, and if you use an iris scanner, it sends a bright red beam of light into your retina.

I also wish Samsung would implement gesture controls like the iPhone X. Once you get used to it on iOS, navigating the operating system using fixed soft buttons already feels a little dated.

Camera

A significant part of the success of the Galaxy S9 Plus is the camera. This is the only area where the improvement is truly noticeable, and if you own an S8, it's probably the only area that will make you want to upgrade your phone.

To speed up work, a certain amount of RAM is now built into the new camera module. In addition, the device has autofocus and image stabilization functions. The pixel size remains the same - 1.4 microns.

The significant change is due to the lens aperture. Its value is not fixed (unlike other mobile cameras), but has two levels: f/1.5 and f/2.4. In theory, this means that the phone will use a wide aperture (f/1.5) to take photos in low light conditions, and switch to f/2.4 in all other cases.

At first glance, f/2.4 is a very wide aperture, but it absolutely makes sense to have it as an optional extra on top of f/1.5. We tested several phones with wide apertures, notably the LG V30 and Huawei Mate 10, which both use f/1.6 lenses. Landscape shots from both models had a characteristic drawback: closer to the edges, the image began to be blurred. Using a lens with an interchangeable aperture allows you to avoid this.

In automatic mode, you are unlikely to notice a change in aperture. During the daytime, the camera will shoot in f/2.4 mode, and when the light falls below 100 lux (for example, inside a restaurant or bar), the aperture will expand to f/1.5. For more precise settings, you can switch to the “pro” mode, which allows you to manually switch between two values. And unlike many Huawei and Honor smartphones, this isn't just a software simulation: the S9+'s camera lens actually physically changes its aperture.

However, if the quality of the images was low, all this would not matter. Luckily, photos taken with the Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus look good most of the time. The focusing system is fast and accurate, and pictures have rich colors and good detail.

The variable aperture allows you to take really good photos in low light conditions. I don't think I've ever gotten photos this bright on any other phone in the absence of sufficient light.

The Google Pixel 2 is the camera I'm most excited about at the moment - and in most cases the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is hot on its heels. In my opinion, the dynamic range of Pixel photos is wider, and the exposure and white balance are more accurate.

(Shot on Google Pixel 2)

(Shot on Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus)

Camera functionality is an area where the Galaxy S9 Plus really excels. Pro mode provides a wide range of settings and options. In addition, 4K video shooting at 60 frames per second is perfectly implemented.

A new high-speed shooting option can capture a short “splash” in 960 FPS video. It turns on automatically if it detects fast movement in the frame - and it doesn't seem to always work. I would also like to have manual mode switching. The video is saved in 720p quality, and for good results you need to shoot in bright conditions. In any case, most users will rarely use this feature: after the first few attempts, you will realize that not everything looks beautiful at this rate.

One of the few exclusive features on the Plus model is a second 12-megapixel lens with 2x zoom. It looks like this is the optically stabilized camera with an f/2.5 aperture that was previously used on the Galaxy Note 8. The variable zoom allows for some variety of shots, and the Live Focus portrait mode can take some pretty eye-catching photos. The quality is still somewhat inferior to the iPhone X or Google Pixel 2, but the very presence of such an option cannot but rejoice.

The front 8-megapixel selfie camera has not changed from the previous model. It has a wide viewing angle, autofocus, and takes good pictures.

Finally, there is AR Emoji. If we were asked to choose the worst feature of Samsung smartphones, it would be the one that would receive the main award. It's just a cheap copy of Apple's Animoji, but with creepy-looking 3D faces that are supposed to mimic your facial expressions.

Battery capacity is another significant difference between the S9 and S9 Plus. The 3,500 mAh cell in the Galaxy S9 Plus is a clear improvement over the 3,000 mAh cell in the standard flagship version. But (given the larger 6.2" screen) you will still have to charge your smartphone every day.

The failure of the Note 7 (at that time, due to problems with batteries, smartphones spontaneously combusted en masse) put an end to Samsung’s experiments in increasing battery life, so the new flagship has the same level of endurance as its predecessor.

However, with certain settings you can slightly increase the battery life. If you want to make the most of it, you can lower the screen resolution (1080p by default) or limit performance when gaming. In addition, there are several excellent power saving modes that can significantly extend the life of the phone - if you are willing to make some sacrifices.

However, keep in mind that other modes, on the contrary, can significantly increase energy consumption. For example, Video Enhancer, which increases the brightness of the screen to simulate the HDR effect in applications like YouTube or Google Play Movies. An hour of watching videos with this option will consume almost 20% of the battery charge.

Energy replenishment is carried out using the USB-C port or via a Qi wireless charger (you will have to purchase the accessory separately). Charging with a cable is twice as fast, but it is much more convenient to simply place the phone on the Qi panel.

Verdict

Of course, the Galaxy S9 Plus is only a minor step forward compared to the previous model. There are significant improvements in some areas, but if you own a Galaxy S8, you won't be surprised by the new flagship.

The photo quality is still somewhat inferior to the Google Pixel 2, but given the versatility of the camera, you can turn a blind eye to this. Battery life is excellent (if not great), but Samsung's software remains a bit lackluster in some cases.

Despite all this, the Galaxy S9 Plus is a great phone and we're sure it will be nominated for the best smartphone of the year award at the end of the year. The device has an unrivaled screen, an attractive design and has all the qualities expected from a smartphone in the highest price category.