Samsung Galaxy S9 review

09 March 2018
It's true what they say - you don't fix what's not broken. And that's what Samsung did for the Galaxy S9 - it didn't change what was already great, it just tweaked specs wherever possible. And it has worked out just fine for them.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • Js{
  • 10 Mar 2018

AnonD-481725, 10 Mar 2018Every body are so busy discussing and comparing the camera ... moreMali gou are very weak

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • Js{
    • 10 Mar 2018

    Hayaan Mo Sila, 10 Mar 2018We have come to the point of smartphones where even the wor... moreMy G Pad with SD400 can run RR3 without lags.
    Just graphics have lower quality..

      AnonD-481725, 10 Mar 2018Every body are so busy discussing and comparing the camera ... moreWe have come to the point of smartphones where even the worst of the competition can run anything just fine.
      My iPad Air 2 from 2014 with the Apple A8X chip can play graphics intensive games like Rules of Survival in extremely maximum settings (High FPS Mode on and Excellent Graphics). In contrast, my friend who has the iPhone 6s of 2015 with Apple A9 chip, is slower to load the game, given our devices are connected to the same network; my hotspot data.

        Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this... more1/8s isn't far off from 1/15s.
        And it is possible to take a non-blurry shot with 1/8s shutter time.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • tAT
          • 10 Mar 2018

          Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this... moreExactly, 100% true. Who carries a tripod with them everywhere? Except a Pro Photographer who won’t use a camera phone anyway. Can a Tripod fit in your pocket like a mobile phone ? NO.

          Samsung has taken better hand held low light shots than Sony for years now. Its here in many reviews from gsmarena. I will probably supply the links if necessary. Typical Sony fanboys desperately trying to promote their brand. Maybe Sony should include a tripod with its phones, as obviously Sony phones only work well with a tripod.

            • S
            • Shui8
            • KZ8
            • 10 Mar 2018

            Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018Sensor of Z3 and Z5 are bigger than Motion Eye. The low l... moreWhen u use another flagship such as Huawei, Samsung, Htc...u will know its indeed software processing problem...yes iso is high but its still because of bad image processing algorithm, i've owned many flagship xperia phone...nevertheless, XZ2 indeed improve their image software processing in a good way. As for S9, we do agree its just a minor improvement over S8. Plenty high end phone is better for cheaper price.

              • D
              • AnonD-481725
              • StN
              • 10 Mar 2018

              Every body are so busy discussing and comparing the camera performance, anybody noticed the mediocre GPU performance "compared to competitors".

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • Js{
                • 10 Mar 2018

                Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this... moreSensor of Z3 and Z5 are bigger than Motion Eye.
                The low light issue has always been the high ISO since Z1.
                Nothing to do with software processing.

                The shots at low ISO ( 50) are better than any phone.

                Yes, even with f2.0 the 1/2.3" sensor can catch more light than 1/2.5" or 1/3" with bigger aperture. If all have same SS and ISO

                  • D
                  • AnonD-481725
                  • StN
                  • 10 Mar 2018

                  Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this... moreThis is not what i actually said, it gives you a tripod symbol when the smartphone is steady in general plus it wouldn't take the picture with 1/8ss and it would take it at 1ss, if you say so then why the other xperia's photos in this camera tool are taken at 1/32ss, knowing that the xz2 has the same camera as the xz1/xzp /xz1 compact.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-258449
                    • uW{
                    • 10 Mar 2018

                    Through the compare tool also check the white balance, it beats iPhone and Galaxy for better white balance.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • Js{
                      • 10 Mar 2018

                      Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this... moreTell me why XZ1 has ISO 800 under same conditions?

                      For your info. Not even on tripod any Sony goes slower than 1/15s on auto superior mode.

                        • D
                        • AnonD-258449
                        • uW{
                        • 10 Mar 2018

                        Anonymous, 10 Mar 2018To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this... moreWao what a logic that Xperia uses lower Shutter speeds that's why it has got quality.
                        Another great logic that it has bigger and better sensor that's why Xperia's image is better.
                        You are such a logical person. Even with a Nikon D850 and Sony A7r III you can't take star trails without a tripod. Get a life, and admit that Xperia is the better choice.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • vjw
                          • 10 Mar 2018

                          To the Xperia fans here: Yes, the camera comparison on this website actually shows that the low-light photos taken by XZ2 are better than those taken by S9. This is because of the higher resolution, bigger sensor size and lower ISO used by the XZ2. But check the shutter speeds. The XZ2 photo was taken at 1/8s. Without OIS and a tripod, all photos taken at this shutter speed will be blurry. This website was able to use such a slow shutter speed because all studio shots were taken on a tripod. As someone mentioned, the Xperia phones are able to detect if they are mounted on a tripod. However, people don't carry a tripod around with their phone. Under handheld conditions, which is the case for most people, the S9 will outperform the XZ2 simply because the S9 has OIS and is able to use a lower ISO. I hope this ends the debate.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-245620
                            • a4j
                            • 10 Mar 2018

                            downgrade battery life comparing other generations ...

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • gBV
                              • 10 Mar 2018

                              AnonD-468012, 10 Mar 2018Wait, 1/4 shutter speed? I think other flagships smartphone... moreIphones often use 1/4s.

                                • g
                                • gan
                                • D0d
                                • 10 Mar 2018

                                worst brittle long glass design, impractical gimmick edge curved screen, worst battery life, no flat screen choice, no dual camera for s9, pricing is too much for one year shelf life (for all so called flagship), no audiophile grade like lg v30......

                                only positive side is no notch, 3.5mm jack retention(actually common feature a year ago),slight improved camera (variable aperture) and stereo speaker(a basic feature in almost all old nokia phones) which is not worth the money.. chipset improvement is of no use if battery life and software quality is becoming worst day by day . For me a good chipset is a one that handles all software efficiently(low battery consumption) and remains cool if used in full load for very long time.

                                Improvement means, they should atleast have bigger sensor for camera, xenon and led flash, mechanical shutter, audiophile grade hardware, battery improvement with replaceable battery..I do not mind if it is 10 to 12mm fat..

                                  • n
                                  • never seattle
                                  • tZ0
                                  • 10 Mar 2018

                                  With this kind of mediocore battery performance..

                                  What samsung has archieve so far in 2018???

                                  This is embrassing for galaxy s line reputation.

                                  78 hours of endurance = nothing to be proud off..

                                    AnonD-741540, 10 Mar 2018and also let me add mate 9 scores 19:23H 3G Talk - 14:17H ... moreIt's written in the text, right above the picture, as usual.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-68902
                                      • 3WL
                                      • 10 Mar 2018

                                      The Xperia XZ1/XZ1C beats the Galaxy S9 in lowlight when shoot with a tripod..
                                      Samsung ain´t the best, neither is Sony. But it´s all down to personal preference!

                                      Found these photos, one is the XZ1C shoot with a tripod 1sec exposure and the other is the S9 and the XZ1C looks alot better, more detail and so on ;P
                                      Both are in full resolution.

                                      https://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/18/samsung-galaxy-s9/camera/gsmarena_022.jpg

                                      https://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/17/sony-xperia-xz1-compact/camera/gsmarena_019.jpg

                                        • J
                                        • JNote
                                        • vMf
                                        • 10 Mar 2018

                                        AnonD-235919, 10 Mar 2018I wish Samsung does it. But I am worried now, as bcoz OEMs ... moreIt's the standby performance that's worse than s8 or note8, the other performances for video, Web browsing etc are actually better. So it should be okay.