Samsung Galaxy S9+ long-term review

25 June 2018
To find out how easy or frustrating it is to live with the Galaxy S9+, we used it as our one and only smartphone for an extended period of time and we are ready with the verdict. Once we go past the superficial aspects (such as looks), there are a lot of new things crammed into this glass and metal package, which are worth talking about. So join us over the next pages as we take a look at what makes Samsung's latest flagship tick, where it delivers more than we expected, and where it falls short.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • n5i
  • 26 Jun 2018

I disagree with the s9 plus being first samsung flagship to be smooth as can be. For the first year of my s7 edge it was awse and as smooth as it could be. Its not smooth now after many updates. I'll be buying a s9 plis but if in two years time it becomes sluggish like my s7 edge then I will leave Samsung.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • vjw
    • 26 Jun 2018

    What's the point of doing a review one year later when people have moved on to newer and shinier phones? Some people here lack logic.

      • S
      • Steve Max
      • Fcm
      • 26 Jun 2018

      Dual aperture is not a first on the S9. The Nokia N86 had it almost a decade ago.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 6js
        • 26 Jun 2018

        imRGZ, 26 Jun 2018It’s been a very comfy stay in the cave all thru the eras f... moreWhich does it have a remvable back that doubles as a charger?

        Oh wait this is a future tech which would be with us if Samsung was not to return to the caves...

        How do you like having to charge your phone twice in a day? Beautifuk isn't it? Last I done this was in 1990s... you live 20 years in the past and think it is the present.

        No wonder that you fav company is dying...

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 81X
          • 26 Jun 2018

          "That said, quite a few small scratches have appeared in a lot of places on both the front and back glass of our unit, even if we've taken extra care not to put it in a pocket with keys or anything sharp."

          I don't know why reviews so often mention this; in a pocket with keys is exactly the scenario Gorilla Glass is designed for. When demoed, usually they attack it with a metal knife because they know that material is softer and won't do damage.

          What scratches these screens so easily are small particles of sand and grit that find their way into your pockets or even on your fingers as you use the phone - the things you don't even notice and can't really guard against except by using a screen protector.

            long term would be 1 year for me. After 1 year most batteries seem draining faster, stutters begin, mybe the screen already cracked. Less then 1 year - every !800-1000€! phone should work just fine ;)

              I hope GSMARENA will review this device next 9 months to really get the full experience with this device, since Samsung is susceptible to slow UI when used over and over.

                I have Note 8 and S9+, I feel S9+ is really super smooth, excellent camera, great UI, dual SIM, THE BEST Display so far, clean design in the front, excellent build quality (maybe iPhone X is a winner here though), competitively priced in our region.I could not recommend any other mobile in this price range. It has all the features combined. IP, Wireless charging, Dual Camera, bigger display, Super AMOLED. Software-wise, I do not need frequent irrelevant updates, though I require security patches atleast one or two months once. Some of the themes and customization makes the mobile looking fresh.

                Three years, you are good to go!

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 3Yb
                  • 26 Jun 2018

                  ERICK., 26 Jun 2018great phone . love the design without notch. but sales are ... moreSamsung should get rid of that edge screen it reflects a lot under sun light screen are bright, but not as iPhone X and still I do prefer notch over edge, but in big screen not on iPhone X size.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • vjw
                    • 26 Jun 2018

                    Anonymous, 26 Jun 20184-5 hrs average on screen time as of June 2018. Released Ma... moreYou must be using your phone at full brightness. I worry for your eyes.

                      Moved from S8 to 1+6. I miss the Samsung shape and 'system look', but it was getting very slow, battery draining too much and those updates taking forever...
                      Maybe when S9+ costs half.

                        I moved from s7 to s9. the Bixby button is very disturbing though i have disabled it.

                        finding volume up down button is not instant. Samsung should add a small bump or slope in the middle of the single piece volume button

                          • a
                          • andy
                          • Mx@
                          • 26 Jun 2018

                          after living with the note 8 since launch, i can say that accidental palm touches on the screen arent an occurrence that happens a few times a day, as you state in this article. i find if you use a case, especially a samsung clear view case or official case, you gain a slightly better grip on the device and your hand is orientated in a slightly different way versus no case. However, Im just providing my 2 cents and a follow up opinion, this website and your articles are invaluable, I work in a UK phone shop, and we use your website a lot for training and product knowledge, yours is by far the best website in the field.

                            • D
                            • Daany
                            • Nue
                            • 26 Jun 2018

                            Robbie, 26 Jun 2018Since when did an update change anything drastically on a p... moreFrom your 1st sentence, you should know you will not be making a reasonable sense in relation to the topic and my comment.

                              • E
                              • ERICK.
                              • Uiw
                              • 26 Jun 2018

                              great phone . love the design without notch. but sales are not so impresed. hope samsung will learn that they are not apple , they have to do something deferant each year to sell.

                                • c
                                • chester
                                • CDp
                                • 26 Jun 2018

                                Shootergod, 26 Jun 2018I couldn't agreed with you more, Huawei is playing simple t... moreActually some of us need the high ppi display for VR and it makes a difference...

                                Try VR with a low ppi display FHD+ and compare its with QHD....you'll notice the difference.

                                We need higher ppi for VR...S9 comes with 570ppi which is okay for VR...hopefully they'll bring 1200ppi in the next flagships to make VR content crystal clear but that will need a more powerful GPU to push a those pixels.

                                For now Mali G72 + 570ppi display will do...great for gaming

                                  the title should have been called "3 months review" and not "long-term review"...long-term would have better been after 7-9 months....

                                    • R
                                    • Robbie
                                    • n5u
                                    • 26 Jun 2018

                                    Daany, 26 Jun 2018Absolutely no need to celebrate this review... The phone ju... moreSince when did an update change anything drastically on a phone?
                                    On every phone I've ever had I've never noticed anything other than minor tweaks even after a major software update.
                                    I had a Sony Z2 a few years back, certainly didn't want another Sony after that thing.

                                      Anonymous, 25 Jun 2018Right. What's the point of the long term review if everythi... moreFirst I won't call this long term because its been only 3 months since the phone launch and no phone shows mahor problems within a year so long term reviews should wait a year or atleast 6 months
                                      Second it has frustrations, niggles and annoyance but its hidden in those long section which you will have to read completely to find which I doubt a few people do. I and probably many other people usually skip to frustration section in long term (which is actually short term) which we can't do now and I thing that section is important

                                        • S
                                        • Samsung ussser
                                        • ucw
                                        • 26 Jun 2018

                                        It is problematic phone really... basic feature calling not clear. Sometime people cannot hear what i say. Need to bring service ctr. At these price i advise buy other brand not s9+

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