Samsung has added another interesting option to its lineup with the all-new Samsung Galaxy S9, and on paper it looks like a device that wants to be your daily driver. Announced in 2018, February 25. Released 2018, March 09, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
On the front you get a 5.8 inches, 84.8 cm 2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) panel, pushing a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~570 ppi density), and in real-world use it looks bright, crisp and easy on the eyes. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Midnight Black.
Performance & Software
Powering the Samsung Galaxy S9 is the Exynos 9810 (10 nm) - EMEA Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) - USA/LATAM, China, paired with 4GB of RAM, which means smooth scrolling, quick app switching and no real hiccups in normal use. It runs Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, One UI 2.5 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 12 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. Expect solid detail in good light, with the usual softness creeping in once the sun goes down.
Battery
Battery duties are handled by a Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable (11.55 Wh) unit. With moderate use you can expect to end the day with charge to spare.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. This is a phone that does not try to be the flashiest option on the shelf, and honestly that works in its favour. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. In day-to-day use it feels like the kind of device you can rely on, whether you are replying to messages, scrolling through social media, watching videos or taking the odd photo. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. But taken as a whole, the Samsung Galaxy S9 is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
