Samsung Galaxy Note9 review

20 August 2018
How time has passed - we're at nine now. Seven years after the original, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 stands before us. The numbers don't add up, no, because Samsung chose to skip the 6, and it didn't really quite work out splendidly with the Note7. But that's all in the past and we're looking ahead.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 0TK
  • 21 Aug 2018

In the bezeless era Samsung makes the bezels thicker over its own last gen.

Shame on you Samsung. You just made this phone unusable by making it too tall/unpocketable

    Anonymous, 21 Aug 2018LMAO One Plus = no sd card, no ip rating, no stereo sp... moreWhile Galaxy Note 9 has:
    -The world most color accurate 3K HDR AMOLED panel which is perfectly calibrated to all sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spaces
    -HD 480fps/960fps super slowmo with predictive capture + FHD 240fps regular slowmo + 4K 60fps very well stabilised HDR video recording capability
    -Video Enhancer which upscales SDR video to near-HDR level of saturation and brightness
    -A headphone jack with integrated high quality Cirrus Logic DAC
    -4000mAh battery which lasts the full day no matter how you use it

    Note 9 comes with just as much as marketing buzzwords as XZ2 Premium does, but the difference here is that Note 9 actually delivers them in practical forms which people can actually see the differences, while XZ2 Premium just throw them around all over the place to create massive hype and end up being a disappointment due to its features being too niche to average consumer/unnecessary. Now, does your XZ2 Premium have any of those features? Nope.

      Syuser, 21 Aug 2018Having same camera processing for 2 years now, same design ... moreAs soon as I read "camera sensors copying Snapdragons" I noticed that your comment isn't worth reading.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • JT5
        • 21 Aug 2018

        Shootergod, 21 Aug 2018Bro, who still uses Sony smartphones? that is the question,... moreLMAO

        One Plus = no sd card, no ip rating, no stereo speakers, cheap midrange screen, useless 2nd camera, no HDR screen, no hdr recording

        Huawei = old cpu, weak video skills, no BT 5.0, no 4K stabilization


        If you hate Sony it is okay, do not say there is nothing new.

        I doubt your phone has 4K HDR screen with BT 2020 support, 4K HDR recording, sdr to hdr video playback, high res audio, qnovo 960fps Full HD.

          Rhadoo, 21 Aug 2018I had a look over photo and video comparison. Note 9 has w... moreThey are correct and match up the review sample shots

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            • AnonD-632062
            • nCd
            • 21 Aug 2018

            Droidtard, 21 Aug 2018Not really. It didn't even have Android 9 Pie out-of-the-bo... moreNope, you're wrong. All Opinions, reviewers, specifications and facts, point to the Note9 being the most complete phone of all time, until now.

            You just pointed out the 1% of objective drawbacks it has, compared to the 99% of good features. Those are minor niggles not deal-breakers. Like, I said no phone is 100% perfection.

            There are no phones with Android 9.0 out of the box. Not even Google-released ones. So that point is redundant.

            Design is tick-tock model. One year you update the design, next year you refine it. This year is evolution, next is revolution. It's a known model. And to begin with, the Note8 design was pretty great with minimal bezels yet no ugly notch.

            People are going to complain about the FP position no matter what. Last year, they complained it was too high & off-center, so Samsung listened and put if below & center. Samsung listens to customers unlike Apple, who remove the FP scanner altogether from the iPhone X.

            It's not the same camera as last year. It has dual aperture F1.5 - F2.4. That's the lowest aperture in the market - F1.5. Awesome for night-time shots, as it lets in more light, without needing long exposures. The telephoto cam has a larger sensor too. And don't forget the best solution for recording slo-mo videos.

              Hi GSMArena Team,
              The way I can see battery endurance chart for all phones is really great. That makes it really easy for me to look at once and see the results. I just want to know, like to samsung galaxy note 9 you have given 4.7 rating, Is there a way I can see the ratings chart for all phones at once. Also I want to know which phone has got the highest rating from you so far.. Please help.. I really go with your reviews before buying any phone.
              Thanks!!

                Shootergod, 21 Aug 2018Bro, who still uses Sony smartphones? that is the question,... moreYep, I just 'adore' when I get the most subtle approval... Like I said: some guys are crazy and some stars are blind!

                  The most complete phone till date. ❤

                    Droidtard, 21 Aug 2018It uses the same camera as the S9+ which is not better than... moreYeah but it has AI assist, plus who says Pixel 2 XL's camera is better than both Note 9 and S9+? some youtubers? but to most of customers around the world, pixel 2 XL design and camera output is less appealing than what Samsung is offering right now, sad but truth again! :(

                    Pixel 3 XL will be an auto pass for many users including me also if they make a display with fugly notch,they should think of something and stop becoming a lazy-ass,trend follower (which is the fugly trend)

                      Syuser, 21 Aug 2018Having same camera processing for 2 years now, same design ... moreBro, who still uses Sony smartphones? that is the question, they are cheaper yet they are missing out many premium flagship features plus they do not have many unique selling points like Samsung,Oneplus,Vevo, Huawei, Apple etc , let alone the bloody ugly design, they keep failing year after year, Sony and HTC are going down the drain,sad to say but it is the truth!

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                        • Droidtard
                        • Q0y
                        • 21 Aug 2018

                        AnonD-632062, 20 Aug 2018No, not just in opinions. But according to reviews, specifi... moreNot really. It didn't even have Android 9 Pie out-of-the-box. Same design as last year. Hideous camera and fingerprint position at the back. Same camera as last year.

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                          • Droidtard
                          • Q0y
                          • 21 Aug 2018

                          Peewee, 20 Aug 2018Check guys the photo tool. Samples of Note 9 are not bett... moreThey're using the same camera since Note 8. That's why.

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                            • Droidtard
                            • Q0y
                            • 21 Aug 2018

                            Shadow Snypa786, 20 Aug 2018Well done Sammy you made the most feature rich phone made t... moreDon't forget that it won't receive Android 9 Pie until early next year or until they release S10. Lol

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                              • Droidtard
                              • Q0y
                              • 21 Aug 2018

                              AK, 21 Aug 2018The thing I love about Note9 is 1TB and the camera and S penIt uses the same camera as the S9+ which is not better than the Pixel 2. Lol

                                BrokenLawShaw, 20 Aug 2018Best phone money can buy on the planet. PERIOD!Having same camera processing for 2 years now, same design for at least one year, having in house made motherboards or camera sensors copying Snapdragons, Sony's battery design and camera IMX sensors and still do you think it's innovation do you think it makes it best buy on the planet? Geez, some guys are crazy and some stars are blind!

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                                  • s-pen pusher
                                  • PMT
                                  • 21 Aug 2018

                                  taz-chaz, 21 Aug 2018a huawei phone is closes to the things u r lookin for but n... morethat's the thing. i was considering the nova 3 or nova 3i but was presented with the Razer Phone and I went with the Razer, being better specced.

                                    s-pen pusher, 21 Aug 2018Was compelled to buy a Razer Phone yesterday to replace my ... morea huawei phone is closes to the things u r lookin for but not everything is covered...

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                                      • AK
                                      • 6p}
                                      • 21 Aug 2018

                                      The thing I love about Note9 is 1TB and the camera and S pen

                                        I'm really fed up with the amount of Sony fans on this site. They make up ridiculous s#*ts to bring down other phones. It's annoying to read their comments. Their beloved Sony phones are vastly superior but only in their imaginary world. I haven't seen any fan base as annoying as this one. Just look at all these negative comments here smh.