The new Samsung Galaxy A80 smartphone comes with a rotating camera module that lets you take the best photos from both the front and the back! Here is a primer on the new Samsung Galaxy A80 smartphone!
The Samsung Galaxy A80 Smartphone
The new Samsung Galaxy A80 is a smartphone specifically designed for spontaneous pictures (selfies), live video streaming (Facebook Live, and Instagram Live. It accomplishes all that with a nifty rotating camera!
Rotating Camera
Instead of separate front and rear cameras, its has a single rotating camera module with three cameras :
A 48 MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture
An 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture
A 3D depth sensing camera with a Live Focus video capability
By default, they point backwards, like regular triple-lens rear cameras. But if you need to take a selfie, the camera module pops-up and rotates! This allows you to take high-quality selfies with Live Focus capability!
The rotating camera module also supports three other features :
Super Steady video mode to reduce video shake and ensure smooth videos.
Scene Optimizer to recognise and enhance up to 30 scenes
Flaw Detection to automatically identify glitches before a picture is taken
Better Display And Sound System
Unlike the Galaxy A70 with its Infinity-U notch, it has an Infinity Display like the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note9. This is a very large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080 x 2400 pixels.
To complement its brilliant display, It also comes with a Dolby Atmos audio system that delivers a 360-degree audio experience
Longer Battery Power
It is powered by a 3,700 mAh battery that supports 25 W Super-Fast Charging!
Enhanced Security And Intelligent Features
Its security and intelligent features have also been beefed-up :
Intelligent Performance Enhancer – AI-powered performance optimization software that manages the battery, CPU and RAM based on the user’s unique usage
Bixby Routines – automates everyday tasks and apps based on your routine
Samsung Knox keeps your sensitive information safe
Samsung Pass lets you access apps and websites using biometric authentication
On-screen fingerprint scanner
Samsung Health and Samsung Pay preloaded
Samsung Galaxy A80 Colour Options
Samsung is offering it in three colour options – Angel Gold, Ghost White and Phantom Black.
Angel Gold color includes elements of pink
Ghost White combines some blue characteristics
Samsung Galaxy A80 Specifications
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy A80
Display
6.7-inch Infinity display
- Super AMOLED panel
- 1080 x 2400 pixels
Operating System
Android 9.0 Pie
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
Processor
2 x Qualcomm Kryo 470 Gold (2.2 GHz)
6 x Qualcomm Kryo 470 Silver (1.7 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 618
Memory
8 GB RAM
Storage
128 GB internal storage
No micro SD card slot
Front Cameras
None, Uses Rear Rotating Camera
Rear Cameras
Triple-Lens Rotating Camera
- 48 MP main camera + f/2.0 aperture
- 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera + f/2.2 aperture
- 5 MP depth sensor + f/2.2 apearture
Connectivity
4G : LTE Cat15 DL (800 Mbps), LTE Cat13 UL (150 Mbps)
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
Battery
3,700 mAh lithium-ion battery
- 25 W Super-Fast Charging
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, On-Display
Other Sensors
Gravity Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Digital Compass
NFC / Samsung Pay
Yes / Yes
Dimensions
NA
Weight
NA
Colour Options
Angel Gold / Ghost White / Phantom Black
Samsung Galaxy A80 Price + Availability
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy A80 on 29 May 2019 worldwide.
The 8 GB + 128 GB variant will be available in Malaysia at a RRP of RM 2,299 / ~US$ 559 / ~£ 426 / ~€ 494.
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The 2019 Samsung Forum just kicked off in tropical Singapore with a slew of new home digital appliances!
In this article, we will share with you what they revealed – the new Family Hub 4.0 smart refrigerators and RS5000 side-by-side refrigerators, as well as the WW7800M QuickDrive washing machine and the new POWERstick Jet200 portable vacuum cleaner!
The 2019 Samsung Forum
Marking their 10th anniversary, the 2019 Samsung Forum is an annual showcase of the latest Samsung home technologies and appliances. This is where Samsung will show off their latest home entertainment products and home appliances.
The Samsung Family Hub 4.0 Refrigerator
The Samsung Family Hub 4.0 boasts enhanced AI and IoT capabilities, as well as the new Family Board – a communal display that family member can use together.
The Family Board can be used to create and share each family member’s schedules and messages. On top of that, it has a more analogue feel with a new Whiteboard that recognises handwriting, with a drawing function that can identify the objects you draw.
It will also feature a new and better Bixby digital assistant, which will offer more services and allow you to seamlessly control and monitor other IoT devices and services from your kitchen… using your voice alone!
The new Bixby can also identify each family member’s voice using its Voice ID technology. This allows Bixby to customise its responses and the information it provides to the individual’s needs.
The Samsung RS5000 Refrigerators
Samsung is also introducing a new generation of side-by-side refrigerators – the RS5000 series.
They will feature the new Space Max technology, which uses thinner insulation for ducts and the inner walls, creating more storage space for the same refrigerator size.
The Samsung RS5000 refrigerator will also offer Flex Zone, which allows you to individually control the temperature for separate compartments.
Finally, they offer All-Around Cooling using multiple cooling ducts, as well as a Power Cool / Power Freeze function to quickly cool new items that you just added to the refrigerator.
The Samsung WW7800M QuickDrive Washing Machine
The Samsung WW7800M washing machine is an IoT device, offering smart features allowing you to control it remotely and receive notifications via the SmartThings app.
It also features the Bixby smart assistant with features like a Laundry Planner, Laundry Recipe and a HomeCare Wizard to manage your laundry needs.
The Samsung WW7800M also comes with AddWash and QuickDrive technologies. AddWash allows you to add clothes at any time during the wash cycle, while QuickDrive lets the WW7800M cut washing time by 50% and reduce energy use by 20%.
The Samsung POWERstick Jet200 Portable Vacuum Cleaner
The new Samsung POWERstick Jet200 portable vacuum cleaner comes with a more powerful 200 watt digital inverter motor, a Jet Cyclone system and a new Turbo Action Brush head.
The POWERstick Jet200 also boasts a 5-layered HEPA filtration system that captures 99.999% of dust and allergens. And it has a 60-minute battery life, letting you clean your house on a single charge!
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The 2019 Samsung Smart TVs, announced at CES 2019, promises to change how we interact with our TV.
Let’s take a look at the 3 key developments that the 2019 Samsung Smart TVs will introduce, and change the way you think about content and connectivity.
1. More Content With Apple Partnership
In March 2019, Samsung’s landmark partnership with Apple will come into effect. It will allow iOS devices like iPhone and iPad to stream directly to the 2019 Samsung Smart TVs using Airplay 2, without the need for Apple TV or additional connections.
In addition, Samsung customers in over 100 countries will have exclusive access to the new Apple iTunes Movies and TV Shows app on Samsung Smart TVs, when it is launched.
2. New Bixby For 2019 Samsung Smart TVs
The 2019 Samsung Smart TVs will come with a New Bixby AI assistant, that will learn about your preferences from each interaction. This will allow the new Bixby to make informed suggestions about what to watch.
The improved Bixby assistant will cover a wider range, and can hear voices from a greater distance. As such, there is no longer a need to press the speaker button on your remote control to talk to Bixby.
3. Seamless Connectivity At Home
The 2019 Samsung Smart TVs will also act as connectivity hubs for your home. You will be able to control connected devices around your home with the SmartThings dashboard.
You can also create automated tasks to trigger certain actions when certain conditions are met. For example, you can set your air-conditioner in a room to automatically turn itself off whenever windows are kept open for a period of time.
The 2019 Samsung Smart TVs will also let you remotely control and access your PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets, using Remote Access. They can also interact seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
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One of the least talked-about features of the Samsung Galaxy Note9 is its augmented reality Live Translation capability. It is a very useful feature, actually the most useful Bixby feature in our opinion.
So we created this guide to show you how use it to quickly translate foreign languages during your travels or in the kitchen!
What Is Samsung Live Translation?
Live Translation is a key feature of Bixby Vision in flagship Samsung smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Note9. It identifies and translates 54 languages, and overlays the translated text over the original text.
The first-generation Samsung Bixby Vision was already capable of live translation, so a more accurate description of this new feature is AR (augmented reality) Translation.
In the original Bixby, the translation appears as a separate card. But in the Samsung Galaxy Note9, the translation appears as part of the image. Hence, our opinion that it should have been called AR Translation.
Samsung Live Translation In Action!
In this video, we tested Live Translation on the Samsung Galaxy Note9 smartphone.
Please note that before using Live Translation, you need to first create and log into your Samsung Account. You also need to have Internet connectivity.
Step 1 : Launch the Samsung Camera app
Step 2 : If the Camera app is not in Auto mode, switch to the Auto mode.
Step 3 : Tap on the Bixby Vision icon on the lower left corner of the screen
Step 4 : Point the camera at the text you want to translate.
Step 5 : Live Translation will automatically convert the text to your preferred language.
Step 6 : You can also tap on the Text icon to select a specific area to translate.
Note : The default automatic language detection only works for 33 languages. The remaining 21 languages require manual selection to work.
Languages Supported By Live Translation
Live Translation will visually recognise the following 54 languages
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When pictures of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus first leaked, pundits criticised how similar it looked to its predecessor – the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus. But the familiar facade hides a number of important upgrades. Find out why we think the new Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is the perfected Galaxy S8 Plus!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 & Galaxy S9+
Like the Samsung Galaxy S8, there will be two sizes – the Galaxy S9 (SM-960) with a 5.8″ display, and the larger Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-965) with a 6.2″ display. Here is a table comparing their specifications :
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung Galaxy S9
Model
SM-965
SM-960
Display
6.2" Super AMOLED Infinity Display
- 1440 x 2960 pixels (529 ppi)
5.8" Super AMOLED Infinity Display
- 1440 x 2960 pixels (570 ppi)
Dual Camera System
- Main Dual Aperture Camera with 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor, OIS lens with f/1.5 and f/2.4 variable apertures
- Telephoto camera with 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor, OIS lens and f/2.4 aperture
- dual-tone LED flash
Dual Aperture Camera
- 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor with 1.4 μm pixels
- OIS lens with f/1.5 and f/2.4 variable apertures
- dual-tone LED flash
Super Slow-mo
Yes, 720p (0.2 seconds)
Yes, 720p (0.2 seconds)
Samsung Live Focus
Yes
No
Connectivity
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 150 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Samsung Exynos 9810
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 200 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 150 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Samsung Exynos 9810
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 200 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Iris Scanner
Yes, with IntelligentScan capability
Yes, with IntelligentScan capability
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Bixby Button
Yes
Yes
Dust & Water Resistance
IP68
IP68
Audio
AKG-tuned Stereo Speakers
3.5 mm audio jack
AKG-tuned Stereo Speakers
3.5 mm audio jack
FM Radio
Yes
Yes
Battery
3,500 mAh lithium-ion battery
15 W Fast Wireless Charging Capability
3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
15 W Fast Wireless Charging Capability
Dimensions
73.8 mm wide
158.1 mm tall
8.5 mm thick
68.7 mm wide
147.7 mm tall
8.5 mm thick
Weight
189 g
163 g
Available Colours
Midnight Black / Coral Blue / Lilac Purple / Titanium Silver
Midnight Black / Coral Blue / Lilac Purple / Titanium Silver
This time around, Samsung made more of an effort to differentiate the two models. The larger Galaxy S9 Plus not only comes with a larger battery, it also has more memory and storage options, as well as a dual camera system.
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 Colour Options
Samsung is making the Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) available in four colour options – Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple, and Titanium Silver. However, not all of them will be available worldwide.
In Malaysia, only these three colours are available (at least initially) – Midnight Black, Coral Blue, and Lilac Purple.
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Up Close
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) is very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8 in design. They both boast the same glass and metal design, with an Infinity Display and IP68 dust- and water-resistance.
In most countries, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) is powered by the Samsung Exynos 9810, while in the US, it runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. It comes with 6 GB of LPDDR4x memory, and 64 GB of storage (with a 128 GB option in some countries).
Despite rumours that Samsung would be ditching the dedicated Bixby button and 3.5 mm earphone port, they will both still here.
The Front Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) retains the Galaxy S8‘s front camera with the 8 MP Samsung S5K3H1 sensor and an f/1.7 lens. It is capable of recording 4K videos at 30 fps, and has great low-light capability.
Its low-light capability will come in handy, as the front camera does not have flash support, not even screen flash. Still, we hope that Samsung will at least throw in screen flash, which costs nothing to add.
Dual Aperture Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) boasts a new dual aperture camera, that was first used in the rare and expensive Samsung W2018 smartphone (available only in China). This dual aperture camera has a mechanical aperture that lets you switch between an incredibly bright f/1.5 aperture, and the f/2.4 aperture for a deeper depth of field.
The f/1.5 aperture is the widest aperture so far in a smartphone, offering just over ⅓ stop more light than the f/1.7 aperture of the Samsung Galaxy S8‘s camera. This translates into better low-light photography with less noise.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) has an additional telephoto camera that is not available in the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check). This camera has a 12 MP sensor, but lacks the Dual Pixel capability of the main camera, and is coupled to a f/2.4 lens.
This telephoto camera does not just give you a 2X zoom capability, it actually adds Live Focus and Dual Capture capabilities. You can also switch between the two cameras in the midst of recording a video, and because they both have OIS lenses, the video will be stabilised all the way.
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New Samsung ISOCELL Fast Sensor
Samsung used their latest ISOCELL Fast SAK2L3 sensor in the new cameras. This is a 12 MP sensor with large 1.4 µm pixels for excellent low-light performance.
The Fast designation means it comes with its Dual Pixel and Super PD capabilities. It also boasts a 3-stack FRS (Fast Readout Sensor) that allows high-speed captures of Full HD video.
The Dual Pixel technology is an autofocus technology that uses the dual photodiodes in every pixel on the image sensor for phase-detection autofocus. This allows for faster and more accurate focusing, because it uses many more autofocus pixels, instead of just a few dedicated pixels (usually less than 5% of the total).
Super Slow-Mo
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) supports a new Super Slow-mo feature, which allows you to record 720p video at 960 fps.
The Super Slow-mo videos can be instantly edited, with a random selection from preloaded choices. Or you can use your own music / songs. You can also create a GIF from the recorded video, with three style of looping – reverse, forward or swing.
The new ISOCELL Fast sensor, when paired with the Samsung Exynos 9810, is said to be fast enough to record slow-motion 1080p video at 960 fps / 4K video at 120 fps. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is not fast enough, so Samsung limited Super Slow-mo capability to ensure consistent experience worldwide.
There are other caveats too – Super Slow-mo is limited to 20 shots per video, with approximately 0.2 seconds of recording and 6 seconds of playback for each Super Slow-mo shot.
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Bixby Live Translation
The original Samsung Bixby is capable of live translation, so a more accurate description of this new feature is AR (augmented reality) Translation.
In the original Bixby, the translation appears as a separate card. But in the new Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby implementation, the translation appears as part of the image. Hence, our opinion that it should be called AR Translation.
In fact, it is smart enough to take note of the font and background of the text being translated, and render the translation as if it was the original text!
This is, without doubt, a truly useful combination of Bixby and augmented reality!
AR Emoji
This is arguably one of the coolest software features in the new Samsung Galaxy S9 camera system. You can use either the front or rear camera to take a picture of anyone, to create augmented reality emojis that look like your subject!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) will automatically create an avatar that looks like you, which you can customise to your satisfaction. They will also automatically create 18 stickers showing a range of different emotions for you to use in your instant messages.
But that’s not all – the avatar will imitate your facial expressions. You can even record videos that can be shared with your friends!
Intelligent Scan
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) has a “new login method” called Intelligent Scan. This is not really a new feature, but a combination of the existing facial recognition and iris scanning capabilities.
In bright conditions, Intelligent Scan uses facial recognition to login. But when it gets too dark, the iris scanner kicks in. This allows for easier and faster logins in low light or super bright conditions.
Intelligent Scan addresses the key problem with the iris scanner – it doesn’t work in bright conditions. However, it is easier to fool than a point cloud facial recognition system like Apple Face ID, and future honor smartphones,
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New Fingerprint Sensor
Samsung moved the fingerprint sensor to a central location right beneath the main camera at the back. This is a much better location, especially if you are left-handed. But that’s not all.
Samsung also used a new swipe fingerprint sensor. It is much easier and faster to register your fingerprint with this new sensor. This addresses a major criticism of the Galaxy S8 and Note8 smartphones.
However, its close proximity to the rear camera, and its swipe functionality means you still have to regularly clean the camera lens to avoid blurry pictures.
Hybrid SIM
As it was with the Samsung Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) will be offered with a nano SIM + microSD tray, or a hybrid SIM tray, depending on region. If you want dual SIM, dual standby capability, you will need to get the model with the hybrid SIM tray.
The hybrid SIM tray allows you to either use a second SIM card, or a microSD card, but not both at the same time. The microSD slot officially supports microSD cards of up to 256 GB in size, although it should have no problem supporting larger capacity microSD cards, like the 400GB SanDisk Ultra (Price Check).
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IP68 Dust & Water Resistance
Like the Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) is IP68-rated for dust- and water-resistance. Best of all, you don’t even have to prepare it in any way before you dunk it into water! For more information how how Samsung achieved this feat, take a look at our article,Samsung Galaxy S7 IP68 Engineering Explained.
Officially, the Galaxy S9 Plus can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes. That means you can take it for jogs in the rain, reading in the shower or soaking in bath. Heck, you can even take it for a swim!
There are some caveats though. The IP68 rating applies to a specific set of test conditions : 15-35 °C, 86-106 kPa, 1.5 metre, 30 minutes. Even so, water may enter and damage the Galaxy S7 edge if it is exposed to “water moving with force“, like running water from a tap or waterfall, or ocean waves.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) has a 5.8″ bezel-less Infinity Display, so it does not feel like a large smartphone. In fact, it feels smaller than the 5.5″ Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, and even 5.2″ smartphones like HTC 10. This means it will feel more comfortable in smaller hands, and fit better in smaller pockets.
The large Super AMOLED display is beautiful as always. However, the WQHD+ resolution of 1440 x 2960 results in a non-standard 18.5:9 display ratio. Watching movies will result in some pillarboxing– a black bar on each side of the movie.
The Gorilla Glass 5 back looks fabulous… at first. It is easily smudged by oily fingerprints, because it lacks the oleophobic coating of the front Gorilla Glass 5 cover protecting the display.
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Setting Up The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) comes with Android 8.0 Oreo installed. The setup process is the same as the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check), whose setup video can be seen below.
Available Memory & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) comes with 6 GB of LPDDR4x memory, of which 3 GB (50%) is available for use. That is a lot of bloat, equal to that of the Galaxy S8. But seriously, 3 GB of memory is more than enough memory to run many applications simultaneously. In fact, it is more memory than what many mid-range smartphones ship with!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) comes with 64 GB of internal flash storage, with 50 GB of free space for you to use. That is enough space to store about 11,000 photos, or 6 hours of 1080p videos, or just over 2 hours of 4K videos. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).
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Camera Performance – Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) uses the 12 MP Samsung ISOCELL Fast SAK2L3 sensor in the dual aperture camera. It is capable of switching between the f/1.5 aperture, and the f/2.4 aperture.
The maximum 12 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4032 x 3024 pixels, and a file size of between 3 MB and 5 MB.
Here are 10 high-resolution samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
Telephoto 2X Zoom Capability
Here are two pictures to show you the additional reach the secondary telephoto camera gives you.
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
Like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) is capable of recording 4K videos from both front and back cameras. However, Samsung still limits the 4K recording time to just 10 minutes. This was likely done to ensure that the sensor does not overheat the battery.
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano (1080p)
In this video, you can see the amount of detail the sensor captures, even at just 1080p. There is a good control of the highlights – you can see into the Padini Concept Store in the background.
You can also see how well its OIS capability worked, even when we switched between the main camera and the telephoto camera.
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano (4K)
The resolution at 4K is incredible. You can even see some of the price tags deep inside the Padini Concept Store. There was some seeking issues with the telephoto camera at 0:17, but they were only present at this particular angle – where there are other subjects behind the pianist, Mr. Yang.
Video Recording Test #3 : Japanese Band (1080p)
This was taken with the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) mounted on a DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal. You can see a lot of wobbling. This sadly appears to be the camera’s OIS trying to compensate for the stabilisation already provided by the gimbal.
The highlights were slightly overblown, but it was still an admirable effort for such bright spotlights in a dim environment.
Video Recording Test #4 : Japanese Band (4K)
Again, there was significant wobbling from the OIS, when used with a gimbal. But we can’t help but admire the sharpness and detail captured in this video.
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Video Recording Test #5 : Street Market (1080p)
The combination of OIS and EIS allowed the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) to deliver really good image stabilisation.
Video Recording Test #6 : Street Market (4K)
Its image stabilisation capabilities were not diminished with the higher resolution. Overall – very good OIS and EIS performance.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Samsung Galaxy S9’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
The Samsung Exynos 9810 powering the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) is about 5.5% faster than the Exynos 8895 used in the Samsung Galaxy S8. This is not a high score by any means, being slightly slower than the Snapdragon 625 powering the ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro.
Battery Life – PCMark
We then tested the Galaxy S9 Plus’ battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) lasted as long as the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check). Despite having a 16.7% larger battery, it was only sufficient in making up for its larger display and memory capacity.
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Battery Recharging Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus comes with an adaptive fast charger with a power output of 18 W. Take a look at how fast it recharged its 3,500 mAh battery.
It took the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) about 95.5 minutes (1 hour 35.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. This is just 8.5 minutes longer than it takes the Galaxy S8 to recharge its 3000 mAh battery.
This gives it a rather disappointing battery life : recharging ratio of 5.7 : 1. Its recharging performance is good, but Samsung needs to improve its battery life.
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Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the Galaxy S9 Plus’ gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
What the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) lacked in work performance, it more than made up in gaming performance. Its ARM Mali-G72 MP18 graphics processor was 44% faster than the ARM Mali-G71 MP20 used in the Galaxy S8.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus’ CPU cores also delivered 32% faster physics processing than those of the Galaxy S8.
Our Verdict & Award
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S8. While some see it as a “lack of innovation“, others point out that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Whatever we may think of its familiar design, there is no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is the best Galaxy smartphone ever made.
Samsung basically fixed every major criticism of the Galaxy S8 smartphone. They moved the fingerprint sensor to a better position, and used a much better swipe-type sensor. They buttressed the iris scanner with the facial recognition system, allowing easy login in bright and low-light conditions.
The biggest hardware change was the addition of a dual aperture camera, coupled with a telephoto camera. The dual aperture camera allows you to switch between an incredibly bright f/1.5 aperture and a f/2.4 aperture for greater depth of field. The telephoto camera not only offers 2X optical zoom, it also enables the Live Focus and Dual Capture capabilities.
Samsung also introduced a new Samsung ISOCELL Fast sensor in the main camera. It has large 1.4 µm pixels with Dual Pixel and Super PD capabilities. It also has a 3-stack FRS (Fast Readout Sensor) that enables the new Super Slow-mo mode – the ability to record 720p video at 960 fps.
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The other new Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Price Check) features like AR Emoji, Bixby Live Translation and Intelligent Scan are software in nature.
The downside? The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus comes with the same 3,500 mAh battery, but has a shorter battery life and longer recharging time.
With the exception of the shorter battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is better than the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in every possible way. This is why we think it deserves our Editor’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Samsung!
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When pictures of the Samsung Galaxy S9 first leaked, pundits criticised how similar it looked to its predecessor – the Samsung Galaxy S8. But the familiar facade hides a number of important upgrades. Find out why we think the new Samsung Galaxy S9 is the perfected Galaxy S8!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 & Galaxy S9+
Like the Samsung Galaxy S8, there will be two sizes – the Galaxy S9 (SM-960) with a 5.8″ display, and the larger Galaxy S9+ (SM-965) with a 6.2″ display. Here is a table comparing their specifications :
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung Galaxy S9
Model
SM-965
SM-960
Display
6.2" Super AMOLED Infinity Display
- 1440 x 2960 pixels (529 ppi)
5.8" Super AMOLED Infinity Display
- 1440 x 2960 pixels (570 ppi)
Dual Camera System
- Main Dual Aperture Camera with 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor, OIS lens with f/1.5 and f/2.4 variable apertures
- Telephoto camera with 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor, OIS lens and f/2.4 aperture
- dual-tone LED flash
Dual Aperture Camera
- 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor with 1.4 μm pixels
- OIS lens with f/1.5 and f/2.4 variable apertures
- dual-tone LED flash
Super Slow-mo
Yes, 720p (0.2 seconds)
Yes, 720p (0.2 seconds)
Samsung Live Focus
Yes
No
Connectivity
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 150 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Samsung Exynos 9810
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 200 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 150 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Samsung Exynos 9810
- LTE Cat18 : 1.2Gbps DL / 200 Mbps UL
- WiFi : 802.11ac (2x2)
- USB Type C
Iris Scanner
Yes, with IntelligentScan capability
Yes, with IntelligentScan capability
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Bixby Button
Yes
Yes
Dust & Water Resistance
IP68
IP68
Audio
AKG-tuned Stereo Speakers
3.5 mm audio jack
AKG-tuned Stereo Speakers
3.5 mm audio jack
FM Radio
Yes
Yes
Battery
3,500 mAh lithium-ion battery
15 W Fast Wireless Charging Capability
3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
15 W Fast Wireless Charging Capability
Dimensions
73.8 mm wide
158.1 mm tall
8.5 mm thick
68.7 mm wide
147.7 mm tall
8.5 mm thick
Weight
189 g
163 g
Available Colours
Midnight Black / Coral Blue / Lilac Purple / Titanium Silver
Midnight Black / Coral Blue / Lilac Purple / Titanium Silver
This time around, Samsung made more of an effort to differentiate the two models. The larger Galaxy S9+ not only comes with a larger battery, it also has more memory and storage options, as well as a dual camera system.
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 Colour Options
Samsung is making the Galaxy S9 (Price Check) available in four colour options – Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple, and Titanium Silver. However, not all of them will be available worldwide.
In Malaysia, only these three colours are available (at least initially) – Midnight Black, Coral Blue, and Lilac Purple.
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 Up Close
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) is very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8 in design. They both boast the same glass and metal design, with an Infinity Display and IP68 dust- and water-resistance.
In most countries, the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) is powered by the Samsung Exynos 9810, while in the US, it runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. It comes with 4 GB of LPDDR4x memory, and 64 GB of storage (with a 128 GB option in some countries).
Despite rumours that Samsung would be ditching the dedicated Bixby button and 3.5 mm earphone port, they will both still here.
The Front Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) retains the Galaxy S8‘s front camera with the 8 MP Samsung S5K3H1 sensor and an f/1.7 lens. It is capable of recording 4K videos at 30 fps, and has great low-light capability.
Its low-light capability will come in handy, as the front camera does not have flash support, not even screen flash.
Dual Aperture Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) boasts a new dual aperture camera, that was first used in the rare and expensive Samsung W2018 smartphone (available only in China).
This dual aperture camera has a mechanical aperture that lets you switch between an incredibly bright f/1.5 aperture, and the f/2.4 aperture for a deeper depth of field.
The f/1.5 aperture is the widest aperture so far in a smartphone, offering just over ⅓ stop more light than the f/1.7 aperture of the Samsung Galaxy S8‘s camera. This translates into better low-light photography with less noise.
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New Samsung ISOCELL Fast Sensor
Samsung also used their latest ISOCELL Fast SAK2L3 sensor in the new cameras. This is a 12 MP sensor with large 1.4 µm pixels for excellent low-light performance.
The Fast designation means it comes with its Dual Pixel and Super PD capabilities. It also boasts a 3-stack FRS (Fast Readout Sensor) that allows high-speed captures of Full HD video.
The Dual Pixel technology is an autofocus technology that uses the dual photodiodes in every pixel on the image sensor for phase-detection autofocus. This allows for faster and more accurate focusing, because it uses many more autofocus pixels, instead of just a few dedicated pixels (usually less than 5% of the total).
Super Slow-Mo
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) supports a new Super Slow-mo feature, which allows you to record 720p video at 960 fps.
The Super Slow-mo videos can be instantly edited, with a random selection from preloaded choices. Or you can use your own music / songs. You can also create a GIF from the recorded video, with three style of looping – reverse, forward or swing.
The new ISOCELL Fast sensor, when paired with the Samsung Exynos 9810, is said to be fast enough to record slow-motion 1080p video at 960 fps / 4K video at 120 fps. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is not fast enough, so Samsung limited Super Slow-mo capability to ensure consistent experience worldwide.
There are other caveats too – Super Slow-mo is limited to 20 shots per video, with approximately 0.2 seconds of recording and 6 seconds of playback for each Super Slow-mo shot.
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Bixby Live Translation
The original Samsung Bixby is capable of live translation, so a more accurate description of this new feature is AR (augmented reality) Translation.
In the original Bixby, the translation appears as a separate card. But in the new Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby implementation, the translation appears as part of the image. Hence, our opinion that it should be called AR Translation.
In fact, it is smart enough to take note of the font and background of the text being translated, and render the translation as if it was the original text!
This is, without doubt, a truly useful combination of Bixby and augmented reality!
AR Emoji
This is arguably one of the coolest software features in the new Samsung Galaxy S9 camera system. You can use either the front or rear camera to take a picture of anyone, to create augmented reality emojis that look like your subject!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) will automatically create an avatar that looks like you, which you can customise to your satisfaction. They will also automatically create 18 stickers showing a range of different emotions for you to use in your instant messages.
But that’s not all – the avatar will imitate your facial expressions. You can even record videos that can be shared with your friends!
Intelligent Scan
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) has a “new login method” called Intelligent Scan. This is not really a new feature, but a combination of the existing facial recognition and iris scanning capabilities.
In bright conditions, Intelligent Scan uses facial recognition to login. But when it gets too dark, the iris scanner kicks in. This allows for easier and faster logins in low light or super bright conditions.
Intelligent Scan addresses the key problem with the iris scanner – it doesn’t work in bright conditions. However, it is easier to fool than a point cloud facial recognition system like Apple Face ID, and future honor smartphones,
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New Fingerprint Sensor
Samsung moved the fingerprint sensor to a central location right beneath the main camera at the back. This is a much better location, especially if you are left-handed. But that’s not all.
Samsung also used a new swipe fingerprint sensor. It is much easier and faster to register your fingerprint with this new sensor. This addresses a major criticism of the Galaxy S8 and Note8 smartphones.
However, its close proximity to the rear camera, and its swipe functionality means you will have to regularly clean the camera lens to avoid blurry pictures.
Hybrid SIM
As it was with the Samsung Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) will be offered with a nano SIM + microSD tray, or a hybrid SIM tray, depending on region. If you want dual SIM, dual standby capability, you will need to get the model with the hybrid SIM tray.
The hybrid SIM tray allows you to either use a second SIM card, or a microSD card, but not both at the same time. The microSD slot officially supports microSD cards of up to 256 GB in size.
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IP68 Dust & Water Resistance
Like the Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) is IP68-rated for dust- and water-resistance. Best of all, you don’t even have to prepare it in any way before you dunk it into water! For more information how how Samsung achieved this feat, take a look at our article,Samsung Galaxy S7 IP68 Engineering Explained.
Officially, the Galaxy S9 can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes. That means you can take it for jogs in the rain, reading in the shower or soaking in bath. Heck, you can even take it for a swim!
There are some caveats though. The IP68 rating applies to a specific set of test conditions : 15-35 °C, 86-106 kPa, 1.5 metre, 30 minutes. Even so, water may enter and damage the Galaxy S7 edge if it is exposed to “water moving with force“, like running water from a tap or waterfall, or ocean waves.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) has a 5.8″ bezel-less Infinity Display, so it does not feel like a large smartphone. In fact, it feels smaller than the 5.5″ Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, and even 5.2″ smartphones like HTC 10. This means it will feel more comfortable in smaller hands, and fit better in smaller pockets.
The large Super AMOLED display is beautiful as always. However, the WQHD+ resolution of 1440 x 2960 results in a non-standard 18.5:9 display ratio. Watching movies will result in some pillarboxing– a black bar on each side of the movie.
The Gorilla Glass 5 back looks fabulous… at first. It is easily smudged by oily fingerprints, because it lacks the oleophobic coating of the front Gorilla Glass 5 cover protecting the display.
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Setting Up The Samsung Galaxy S9
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) comes with Android 8.0 Oreo installed. Let’s boot it up, and see how easy it is to set-up!
Available Memory & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) comes with 4 GB of LPDDR4x memory, of which 1.5 GB (37.5%) is available for use. That is a lot of bloat, equal to that of the Galaxy S8. With that in mind, 1.5 GB of memory is plenty of memory to run several applications simultaneously. In fact, it is more memory than what some low-end smartphones ship with!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) comes with 64 GB of internal flash storage, with 48.8 GB of free space for you to use. That is enough space to store about 11,000 photos, or 6 hours of 1080p videos, or just over 2 hours of 4K videos. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).
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Camera Performance – Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) uses the 12 MP Samsung ISOCELL Fast SAK2L3 sensor in the dual aperture camera. It is capable of switching between the f/1.5 aperture, and the f/2.4 aperture.
The maximum 12 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4032 x 3024 pixels, and a file size of between 3 MB and 5 MB.
Here are 6 high-resolution samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
The new camera is just amazing. The detail and colour are top-notch, and the noise level is really low.
A word of caution – the f/1.5 aperture may offer great low-light performance, but it has a very narrow depth of field. If you don’t focus properly on your subject, it will end up blurred.
Too bad there’s no way to switch to the f/2.4 aperture for greater depth of field in the Auto mode. You can only switch apertures in the Pro mode.
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
Like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) is capable of recording 4K videos from both front and back cameras. However, Samsung still limits the 4K recording time to just 10 minutes. This was likely done to ensure that the sensor does not overheat the battery.
Below are four video samples, all taken without the use of gimbals.
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano (4K)
The camera’s resolution is really good. You can pick out the tiny signs in the background very clearly. It also demonstrated good control of the highlights – you can see into the Padini Concept Store in the background.
The optical and electronic image stabilisation capabilities also appear to have improved. It was almost as good as mounting the Galaxy S9 on a gimbal!
The recorded audio was clear, but still lacked the wider dynamic range of the HTC 10 (when HiRes Audio is enabled).
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano (1080p)
Even at this lower resolution, the amount of details captured by the Samsung Galaxy S9 is amazing. We also love how well it was able to control the highlights in the bright background. You can see the details that are usually washed out in other smartphones.
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (4K)
Look at how stable the recorded video was, even as we walked down this street market and looked around. It may not be as good as mounting the Galaxy S9 on a gimbal, but it comes real close!
Video Recording Test #4 : Street Market (1080p)
The 1080p walk-through appears to be even smoother than the 4K walk-through. So if you want the best-possible image stabilisation for your video, try recording in 1080p.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Samsung Galaxy S9’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
When it comes to work applications, the Samsung Exynos 9810 powering the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) is about 6% faster than the Exynos 8895 used in the Samsung Galaxy S8. This puts it at par with the Snapdragon 625 powering the ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro.
Battery Life – PCMark
We then tested the Galaxy S9’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Note : All four smartphones compared here have a 3,000 mAh battery.
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Battery Recharging Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S9 comes with an adaptive fast charger with a power output of 18 W. Take a look at how fast it recharged its 3,000 mAh battery.
It took the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) about 108 minutes (1 hour 48 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. This is 21 minutes longer than it takes the Galaxy S8 to recharge the same battery capacity.
This gives it a battery life : recharging ratio of 5 : 1 – a rather disappointing performance.
Note : Our Samsung Galaxy S9 sample did not come with its charger. We used the Samsung Galaxy S8‘s charger instead. We will retest when we receive the official Galaxy S9 charger.
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Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the Galaxy S9’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
What the Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) lacks in work performance, it more than makes up in gaming performance. Its ARM Mali-G72 MP18 graphics processor was 37% faster than the ARM Mali-G71 MP20 used in the Galaxy S8.
The Samsung Galaxy S9’s CPU cores also delivered 28% faster physics processing than those of the Galaxy S8.
Our Verdict & Award
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S8. While some see it as a “lack of innovation“, others point out that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Whatever we may think of its familiar design, there is no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S9 is the best Galaxy smartphone ever made.
Samsung basically fixed every major criticism of the Galaxy S8 smartphone. They moved the fingerprint sensor to a better position, and used a much better swipe-type sensor. They buttressed the iris scanner with the facial recognition system, allowing easy login in bright and low-light conditions.
The biggest hardware change was the addition of a dual aperture camera. It allows you to switch between an incredibly bright f/1.5 aperture and a f/2.4 aperture for greater depth of field. The dual aperture camera also appears to have improved image stabilisation.
Samsung also introduced a new Samsung ISOCELL Fast sensor in the Galaxy S9. It has large 1.4 µm pixels with Dual Pixel and Super PD capabilities. It has a 3-stack FRS (Fast Readout Sensor) that enables the new Super Slow-mo mode – the ability to record 720p video at 960 fps.
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The other new Samsung Galaxy S9 (Price Check) features like AR Emoji, Bixby Live Translation and Intelligent Scan are software in nature.
The downside? The Samsung Galaxy S9 comes with the same 3,000 mAh battery, but has a shorter battery life and longer recharging time.
With the exception of the shorter battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S9 is better than the Samsung Galaxy S8 in every possible way. The Samsung Galaxy S9 is the Samsung Galaxy S8 perfected, and unreservedly deserves our Editor’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Samsung!
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One of the key features of the new Samsung Galaxy S9 is the improved Samsung Bixby capabilities. What’s new in the Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby? How about AR translation and AR assistance?
Yes, it’s all about augmented reality with the new Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby virtual assistant! But how useful are they? Check out the two videos and find out!
Samsung Bixby
Samsung Bixby was first introduced with the Galaxy S8 as a replacement for S Voice. Samsung even introduced a dedicated Bixby button for quick access. However, it was panned for its limited utility, and Samsung eventually allowed users to disable the Bixby button (but not repurpose it).
Critics expected Samsung to quietly ditch Bixby in the Galaxy S9, or at least the dedicated Bixby button. But as we shared in our early coverage and leaks on the Galaxy S9, it will come with a dedicated Bixby button.
The New Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby Features
Instead of just admitting defeat, Samsung doubled down on Bixby. Not everyone gets things right the first time, after all; and virtual assistants like Bixby are the future. The pressure was on the team to make sure the Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby will actually be useful to its users.
Live Translation
The original Samsung Bixby is capable of live translation, so a more accurate description of this new feature is AR (augmented reality) Translation.
In the original Bixby, the translation appears as a separate card. But in the new Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby implementation, the translation appears as part of the image. Hence, our opinion that it should be called AR Translation.
In fact, it is smart enough to take note of the font and background of the text being translated, and render the translation as if it was the original text!
This is, without doubt, a truly useful combination of Bixby and augmented reality!
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Improved Bixby Vision
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby Vision has been improved. Again, it makes use of augmented reality (instead of separate information cards), to help you locate the information you need.
Point Bixby Vision at an object to get information on it, like the calorie count of a food item. Point it at a landmark, and it identifies the location and tells you about prominent establishments nearby. Point it at the sky and it gives you the current temperature and weather report.
While many of these features are already present in the original Bixby, the presentation of the information in augmented reality in the Galaxy S9 Bixby implementation makes it more intuitive to use.
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In the digital age where technology and exercise collide, wearables have transformed society’s approach to fitness and have the ability to keep us informed, motivated and on track to accomplishing our fitness goals. To that end, Samsung just introduced the new 2018 Gear IconX wireless earphones to their portfolio of wearables.
The Samsung Gear IconX
The 2018 Samsung Gear IconX (Price Check) are cord-free earbuds that provide a secure and comfortable fit, making daily commute more enjoyable and helping active users get more from their workout. The updated design comes in Black and is even more ergonomic and lightweight, making it effectively secure, comfortable and stylish to use.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Running Coach function with voice feedback is readily available to motivate users based on the pace set, just like a personal fitness coach.
Furthermore, an improved long-lasting battery ensures that users always have access to the features they need and music they love. Music can be enjoyed on and offline by transferring songs from a Samsung smartphone or PC, or accessing favourite tunes through Bluetooth connectivity.
The Gear IconX (Price Check) is also the newest connection to Bixby. With a simple tap and hold of the earbud, users can control their music, playlist and smartphone through voice command – without even having it in your hand. The Gear IconX is available in 3 colours – black, gray and pink.
Samsung Gear IconX Price & Availability
The new 2018 Samsung Gear IconX will be available in Samsung Experience Stores from 1 December 2017 onwards, at a retail price of RM 799 / ~US$ 189.
In the US, you can get it at Amazon for US$ 149.99.
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Fans of the Samsung Galaxy Note7, and those who prefer a front fingerprint sensor, rejoice! The Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition, Galaxy Note FE for short, is coming to Malaysia! Samsung Malaysia has officially announced the price and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Note FE! Get the full details here!
Updated @ 2017-10-12 : Added the confirmed price and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Note FE. Added a discussion on the price, additional information on Bixby, and pictures of the first Galaxy Note FE units in Malaysia!
When Samsung recalled their Galaxy Note7 phablets, they were left with about 2.5 million of them. That’s not a lot by their usual sale volume, but still a very large number of devices to dispose of.
Instead of disposing them, Samsung refurbished approximately 400,000 of them for sale in South Korea as the Samsung Galaxy Note FE. The only hardware difference was the replacement of their original 3,500 mAh battery to a slightly smaller 3,200 mAh battery that has undergone their new 8-point battery safety check protocol. On the software end, it comes with Android 7.0 Nougat, and supports Samsung Bixby, albeit without Bixby Vision and Bixby Voice.
To their surprise, the Samsung Galaxy Note FE was very well-received – completely selling out in South Korea. That led to Galaxy Note7 fans to call for it to be introduced to other countries as well. And now, the Galaxy Note Fan Edition is coming to Malaysia!
Introducing The Samsung Galaxy Note FE!
Take a look at the first Samsung Galaxy Note FE phablets in Malaysia!
The Samsung Galaxy Note FE Specifications
In this table, we compare its specifications to the Samsung Galaxy Note7 :
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Note FE
Samsung Galaxy Note7
Display
5.7" Super AMOLED dual-edge display
- 1440 x 2560 pixels (577 ppi)
5.7" Super AMOLED dual-edge display
- 1440 x 2560 pixels (577 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front & back panels)
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front & back panels)
Operating System (At Launch)
Android 7.0 Nougat
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
System Platform
Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa
Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa
Memory
4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
Storage Options
64 GB / 128 GB internal flash storage
One microSD slot (shared with SIM 2) - supports up to 200 GB
64 GB / 128 GB internal flash storage
One microSD slot (shared with SIM 2) - supports up to 200 GB
Front Camera
5 MP sensor with f/1.7 lens
5 MP sensor with f/1.7 lens
Rear Camera
12 MP Sony / Samsung (1.4 µm) sensor with f/1.7 lens, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and LED flash
12 MP Sony / Samsung (1.4 µm) sensor with f/1.7 lens, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and LED flash
3,200 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capability (wired & wireless)
- wireless charging (WPC and PMA)
3,500 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capability (wired & wireless)
- wireless charging (WPC and PMA)
Dimensions
153.5 mm tall
73.9 mm wide
7.9 mm thick
153.5 mm tall
73.9 mm wide
7.9 mm thick
Weight
169 g
169 g
Colour Options
Blue Coral, Silver Titanium, Gold Platinum, Black Onyx
Blue Coral, Silver Titanium, Gold Platinum, Black Onyx
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The Samsung Galaxy Note FE Price & Availability
When we leaked the news, we expected the Samsung Galaxy Note FE to be priced between RM 2,599 and RM 2,699, based on the original July launch price, and the current exchange rate. The difference in the discount when it was launched in South Korea, and when it’s launched here in Malaysia, is due to the change in currency rates.
Samsung Galaxy Note7
Samsung Galaxy Note FE
Difference
Launch Price (USD)
$849
$610
$239 (28%)
Launch Price (MYR)
RM 3,199
RM 2,599 (Confirmed)
RM 600 (19%)
Samsung Malaysia has just confirmed that the Galaxy Note FE will be sold at RM 2,599 / ~US$ 619, including the 6% GST. Although some argue that it should be cheaper, we didn’t think so, because the new Samsung Galaxy Note8 is priced significantly higher at RM 3,999 / ~US$ 949.
The Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition is not just RM 1,400 (~US$ 333) cheaper than the Galaxy Note8, it will also appeal to Galaxy Note fans who prefer a front fingerprint sensor. Dashken, your wish has been answered!
The Samsung Galaxy Note FE will be available for purchase at all Samsung Experience Stores, authorised dealers and selected channel partners, beginning 25 October 2017. Two colour options will be offered – Coral Blue and Black Onyx.
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Arguably the most interesting feature in the Huawei Kirin 970 SoC is its NPU. The Kirin 970 NPU allows for much faster AI processing, with lower power consumption. But just how fast is the Kirin 970 NPU? And does it really matter that the Kirin 970 has an NPU? Read on and find out!
The Kirin 970 NPU offers 25X the AI processing performance of the CPU, at half the size. More importantly, it only consumers 1/50 the power of the CPU. It allows the Kirin 970 to recognise about 2005 images per minute, or about 33 per second. That is more than twice as fast as the new Apple iPhone 8 Plus, and 21X faster than the Samsung Galaxy S8.
Here is another video demonstrating how fast the Kirin 970 is compared to the Samsung Galaxy S8+ smartphone in AI image recognition :
Although Huawei is reticent about what apps will actually use the NPU, since it is not an industry-standard implementation (there are none so far). But they revealed that one feature that would use the NPU, and presumably appear in the Huawei Mate 10, is the AI Noise Reduction feature. They promise that it would increase the voice recognition rate from 80% to 92% even with background car noise.
Another feature they showcased was a Samsung Bixby-like app which uses AI algorithms to “guess” the size and weight of a food object, in order to give you an estimate of its caloric content. While this certainly is an interesting use of artificial intelligence, it is far from accurate, as the video shows:
Does It Matter?
While the Huawei Kirin 970 NPU speed is impressive, we have to point out that it is a proprietary implementation because there is no industry standard at the moment. Huawei has also stated that the NPU will be restricted to their flagship SoCs, and will not be added to lower-end SoCs.
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In other words, there will be little impetus for developers to spend time and effort to develop apps specifically to make use of the Kirin 970 NPU.
Huawei has offered their HiAI API, as well as the HiKey 970 developer’s kit, so developers can quickly add AI computing capability to their apps. But until there is a substantial number of smartphones with the Kirin 970 NPU, we will not likely see third-party NPU-optimised apps being developed.
The Huawei Mate 10 will definitely ship with some built-in apps to make use of the Kirin 970 NPU, of course. However, it is more than likely they will be the only Kirin 970 NPU-optimised apps most users will be able to enjoy. It will take a few more years before NPU-optimised apps become commonplace.
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