Review of flagship smartphones Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 +

On February 25, 2018, Samsung launched the flagship Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 + smartphones. The "older" model slightly differs from the "younger" in size, RAM and battery capacity, as well as the presence of a dual camera. The rest of the characteristics are practically the same for the two devices, so we will combine information about them in one review and talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the new products.

But first, let's say a few words about how to choose a reliable and suitable “smart phone” for you.

The main criteria for choosing a smartphone

• Decide how much money you can allocate from your budget for the purchase. Thus, the circle of potential “applicants” will be significantly narrowed. After all, there are a lot of smartphone models in the world, their price difference can vary from 9,000 to 200,000 rubles.
• Even if you can afford not only budget models, think about which phone functions you definitely need, and for which there is no point in overpaying. Why do you need a new device? For calls and taking pictures, for games and watching movies, for being active on the Internet? It is possible that an active user will need the full functioning of all these options. For a buyer focused only on calls and communication, there is no point in paying more for a device with a "fancy" camera.
• How and where it is profitable to buy a smartphone is an equally important question. Many consumers prefer the traditional way - to purchase equipment in specialized hypermarkets and salons, where you can get a guarantee and advice from a seller on which device is better to buy. However, there is also a minus: talented salesmen are able to persuade the buyer to purchase a more expensive model with unnecessary options. Online shopping is an increasingly popular method. This makes it possible to purchase devices directly from the manufacturer or on the trading floors of their China. The choice of models here is quite wide, but not all of them can be operated in Russia due to their characteristics. Again, there is a risk of a lack of warranty and possible sellers' bad faith.

Parameters worth paying attention to:

Which company is better to buy a smartphone

The popularity and recognition of models is not the last criterion for many buyers when choosing a device. At the same time, there is no need to overpay for a brand today: in addition to well-known and status brands, there are also fairly inexpensive brands from Chinese corporations on the market.

Top manufacturers

• Fly (UK-India);
• ZTE (PRC);
• Xiaomi (PRC);
• Meizu (PRC);
• Huawei (PRC);
• ASUS (Taiwan);
• LG (South Korea);
• Lenovo (Hong Kong);
• Apple (USA);
• Samsung S series (South Korea);
• Sony (Japan).

Popular smartphone models of 2018

• Samsung Galaxy S8;
• Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 +;
• Huawei Nova 2;
• HTC U11;
• Lenovo K6 Note;
• Xiaomi Mi 6;
• Sony Xperia X Compact;
• Huawei Honor 9;
• Apple iPhone 8.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 +

Samsung is positioning new models as smartphones that include all previous developments, but equipped with an improved and redesigned camera. Particular emphasis is placed on making it easier for the user to share his photo and video content with others. A wide range of various options allows us to say that in terms of functionality, these phones are still bypassing their potential competitors.

Dimensions: 158.1x73.8x8.5 mm.

Weight: 189 g.

Average price: 60,000 rubles.

Equipment

• Smartphone;
• Instruction;
• A clip for opening the SIM card tray;
• Wired stereo headset;
• Charger;
• Adapter for external devices;
• USB Type C adapter.

The main differences

Design and ergonomics

In appearance, smartphones are very similar to the previous generation devices - S7, S8, there have been no fundamental changes here. Their dimensions are almost identical, so those who own "old" models can understand how convenient the new device is.

The color scheme of the model offers the user a choice between black, silver, lilac and blue. The once popular golden hue is no longer used.

For the manufacture of the metal frame, a new material is used - aluminum AL 7003. It is durable and resistant to scratches. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and a durable oleophobic coating.

A distinctive feature of the model - the fingerprint sensor is now located under the camera, and not on the side of it, as was the case with its predecessors.

The headphone jack has been preserved, which is perceived very positively by users.

The rounded body fits well in the hand, but the smartphone is quite slippery, and in vibration mode it can easily “crawl away” and, as a result, fall, so a protective case will not be superfluous.

Screen

The diagonal is 5.8 inches for the S9 and 6.2 inches for the S9 +. The models are equipped with a Super AMOLED matrix, which has the highest color and picture quality. Compared to previous releases, the maximum screen brightness has been increased by 20%. In the sun the information on the display is readable perfectly, the picture remains natural.

The screen settings allow you to work with color temperature and other standard settings. There is an option to work with gloves, which was removed from the set of functions for some time.

A special AlwaysOn Display mode assumes that the information that the user needs (for example, notifications or a clock) is reflected on the display even when the screen is locked.

The smartphone plays video in HDR-standard, but does not know how to shoot in it.

Interface

In this area, the new smartphone has significant differences from its predecessors. Operating system - Android 8.0 Oreo plus Samsung Experience proprietary shell added a number of new features for the user, namely:

• You can easily remove almost all unnecessary applications;
• The Dual Messenger application makes it possible to clone a number of instant messengers and social network clients (except for VKontakte);
• Landscape orientation support.

An interesting new feature is sending gif animations to instant messengers, both already available in the online catalog and those that you can create yourself. The AR-Emoji option invites the user to scan a face through the front camera and present it as an animation hero. True, the result does not always have a reliable resemblance to the original.

How it works? You take your photo, choosing the desired gender, you get an image that you can edit to your liking - choose the color of the skin, eyes and hair, a suitable hairstyle.Then you can create an unlimited set of gifs expressing different emotions and use them in your messages and even record videos with them.

Smartphone owners can use the Bixby digital assistant. Unfortunately, it does not yet support voice and written commands in Russian, but you can work with it in English without restrictions. The assistant will translate the inscriptions on the signs, the menu in the restaurant, tell you about the sights, just point the camera at the desired object. "Chips" available in the new S9 and S9 + are the ability to calculate the calories of a dish from a photo taken or virtually apply decorative cosmetics on the face that the owner of the smartphone would like to buy. The assistant can help not only change the settings of the device, but also work with a number of popular third-party applications, for example, post a post on Instagram. There is also a special Bixby Hello panel for working with it. Some of the functions of Bixby are found in other smartphones (for example, Honor View 10, Huawei Mate 10 Pro), as well as Google Assistant, which largely duplicates Bixby, on any Android device.

Filling and performance

If in China and the USA the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip is used for the smartphone, then in the rest of the world, including Russia, the Exynos 9810 processor is used.

Main processor parameters

• 8 cores: 4 high performance Samsung Mongoose M3 (2.7 GHz) and 4 low-power Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz);
• High-speed modem that transmits data at speeds up to 1.2 Gbps;
• Mali-G72 graphics.

The "nine" has 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of built-in memory (expandable to 128 or 256 GB).

Both devices have maximum performance, applications, both system and non-system, open and work quickly, without slowing down.

Autonomy

As in previous releases, the smartphone has a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 3000/3500 m / Ah. There is a fast charging option, which allows you to "feed" the device in 70-80 minutes, and wireless. The device can withstand 5-6 hours of screen operation (the level of its backlight matters here). In active games mode, it will work for about 5.5 hours, while watching videos in Full HD format - 12.5 hours. With average amusement - making calls, browsing the Internet, watching news and going out on social networks, taking pictures, checking mail, etc. - by the evening, about 30-40% of a fully charged battery remains.

Cameras

The redesigned rear camera is one of the main announced features of the new smartphones. The front camera has not undergone significant changes.

Key Features

• For the first time, the S-line models have a dual main module (12 megapixels). The principle of operation is that a second one is added to the standard camera, which provides optical zoom in 2x the size and various effects. There is an optical stabilization function.
• Variable aperture with two values. The first, f1.5, allows the camera to capture as much light as possible. The second - f2.4 - helps to eliminate overexposure in certain areas of the photo when working in bright sunlight, allowing you to achieve higher details. You can select the desired mode both manually and automatically.
• Shooting super slow motion video (Super Slo-Mo). The frequency is 960 frames per second. To capture the right moment - after all, a segment lasting 0.2 seconds is filmed and then “stretched” - a special system for motion recognition is installed in the camera. Those. the smartphone "waits" for the right moment and, having caught it, automatically slows down the shooting. You cannot shoot video yourself in this mode, this is a minus. On the other hand, you get ready-made videos, to which you can apply various special effects (repeat, movement in the opposite direction) and add musical accompaniment to them.
• New focusing algorithm which is now very fast.
• 10-bit color encoding (previously 8-bit), which adds naturalness to the picture.
• The quality of shooting at night has improved significantly.Instant autofocus, optical stabilization, f / 1.5 aperture and noise reduction help to create low-noise night shots.
• The ability to take panoramic selfies and ultra-wide panoramas.
• Good level of capturing text.
• The camera allows you to record video, including in 4K mode - up to 60 framesper second, in Full HD format - with the same time parameters.

Examples of photos:

• in daylight

• under artificial lighting

• sample photos with blurred background

Communications

As flagship models, new smartphones from Samsung have a full range of wireless interfaces:

• Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac;
• LTE-A Cat18;
• Bluetooth 5.0 (allows you to connect two acoustic devices at the same time). At the same time, it became possible to choose in which connected device the sound in the application will be played. Thus, one user can watch video using wireless devices, while another can listen to music;
• Dual Sim Dual Standby mode (either two nano-sims can be inserted into the combined tray, or one of them can be combined with a memory card);
• Navigation systems: GPS, BDS, Galileo and GLONASS;
• NFC and MST to make Samsung Pay work;
• ANT + to work with sports accessories.

Sound and multimedia

The increase in the capabilities of the smartphone also occurred due to the installation of stereo speakers in it. The volume of the device has become 1.4 times higher than in previous models. The phone is always well heard, no matter how deeply it lies in your pocket or bag. Clear sound is also heard when watching a video or listening to audio files. The Dolby Atmos setting system lets you customize the sound of the unit. The kit includes a quality headset AKG EO-IG955.

Unlocking

In addition to standard unlocking, the user can use a fingerprint scanner and smart scan. The latter of these methods, through recognition of the iris of the eyes and the face, allows you to unlock the smartphone in low light conditions.

Outcome

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 + smartphones are undoubtedly in the ranking of high quality and popular models. They have a set of new options that can be called evolutionary rather than revolutionary: the camera shoots slightly better, the processor has become a little faster, a number of functions have appeared that can attract the user's attention at a presentation and remain unclaimed in everyday life. It is unlikely that those who purchased last year's "eight", it makes sense to change it to a model that does not have fundamentally new differences, unless there are increased requirements for the quality of photos.

• Stylish design;
• Improved camera;
• Productive and more "nimble" in comparison with its predecessors;
• Bright screen;
• Biometric identification with new features;
• The presence of stereo speakers;
• Great sound;
• There is water protection;
• Build quality;
• Ergonomics.

• According to some users, the battery gets very hot and can be rather weak for fans of active games and long video views;
• Scratches easily appear on the case without a cover;
• Marked case;
• Bixby function, almost useless in Russia;
• No FM radio;
• High price.

The new devices can be designated as the leading models among the premium segment smartphones based on the Android OS. Users who are thinking about purchasing a new "smart phone" can consider them as an option, since they have not yet appeared competitors in terms of the advanced technologies.