If you own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, its Link To Windows feature is a really great way to get more work done at home during the COVID-19 crisis!
In this guide, we will show you how to set-up Link To Windows, and use it to make your work-from-home life a LOT easier! 😀
Samsung Link To Windows : What Is It?
Link To Windows is a Microsoft feature that allows Samsung Galaxy smartphones to be directly linked to a Windows 10 computer – whether it’s a desktop or laptop.
Once you link your Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you can directly access its data on your Windows 10 computer :
access up to 2,000 of the most recent photos,
view notifications,
send and receive text messages,
make calls from your computer,
copy and paste text and images, and
control your phone using your mouse!
Link To Windows is one of the features Samsung is promoting as part of their Stay Apart By Stay Together With Galaxy campaign to help users tackle the COVID-19 crisis.
Samsung Link To Windows : What Do You Need?
Samsung Link To Windows only requires you to have a Windows 10 computer, and one of these Samsung Galaxy smartphone models
Your Windows 10 computer should already have the Microsoft Your Phone app installed as part of the October 2018 Update. But on the off-chance you can’t find it, you can download it for FREE.
On Your Windows 10 PC
Open the Your Phone app (type Your Phone in the taskbar search box, and select it)
Select Android, and click Continue.
Click Sign in with Microsoft, and log in using your Microsoft account. You will be asked to provide your smartphone number, so Microsoft can send a text message to authenticate it.
Once you are done, you will see a screen saying “Please open Your Phone Companion – Link to Windows“.
On Your Samsung Galaxy Smartphone
Swipe downwards from the top of the display to reveal the Quick Panel.
Alternatively, go to Settings > Connections or Advanced features
If you can’t find it, you can download and install Your Phone Companion app from Google Play.
Tap Link to Windows.
In the welcome screen, tap the Sign in with Microsoft button.
Accept the app permissions.
When you see the screen “Set up the Your Phone app on your PC”, tap My PC is ready.
You will see the Link to Windows settings open up on your Galaxy smartphone.
Congratulations! Your Samsung Galaxy smartphone is now connected to your Windows 10 PC!
Samsung Link To Windows : How To Use
Reading + Sending Messages
Click on the Messages tab
You will see all of the text messages on your phone
Select a recipient to send your text message to
Type your message, and hit Send
Making Calls
You must first pair your PC and phone using Bluetooth
Turn on Bluetooth on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone (if it’s not already enabled)
In Windows 10, go to Settings > Bluetooth and other devices
Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
Select your Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Click on the Calls tab
You will see a log of your recent calls, as well as a bar to search your phone’s contacts
Select a contact to make your call
Using Phone Screen
Click on the Phone screen tab
You will be prompted to make sure your Galaxy smartphone and Windows 10 PC are on the same Wi-Fi network, if they are not already.
Once connected, you will be able to see your phone’s screen on your PC display and interact with it using your mouse or touchpad.
Copy + Paste
In Windows 10, go to Settings > Cross-device copy and paste
Make sure the toggle is On for Allow this app to access and transfer content I copy and paste between my phone and PC
You can now use the same shortcuts you normally use to copy and paste on both your Galaxy smartphone, and your Windows 10 PC.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Ever since Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S7 edgesmartphone, their flagship S and Note smartphones have all been IP68-certified to be dust- and water-resistant.
Let’s take a look at the engineering behind the Samsung’s IP68 rating, and clarify its limitations, so you can enjoy your Samsung smartphones for many years to come!
What Samsung introduced in their flagship smartphones from the Galaxy S7 edge onwards was IP68 dust- and water-resistance without prior preparation.
Unlike prior water-resistant smartphones, you don’t need to prepare it in any way before you dunk it into water. There is no need to cap the earphone and USB ports. It is dust- and water-resistant 24/7.
To achieve this feat, Samsung introduced a number of engineering improvements :
An unspecified “new type of water resistance technology” was used to seal the unit internally against the ingress of water,
An “exclusive type of water protective tape” was added to the back of the front and rear glass, as well as other internal parts,
Rubber linings were used on parts like the USB port, the earphone port, and the SIM card tray to prevent the ingress of water
Anti-corrosive materials like nickel and platinum and corrosive-resistant coating were used for all external metal parts and connectors like the earphone and USB ports,
The USB port has a short circuit sensor to cut-off power when it detects a short circuit due to water contact
Portable electronic vents were used to ensure a good flow of air and outflow of water and humidity
As you can see, a lot of engineering went into ensuring that Samsung smartphones are dust- and water-resistant, while remaining ultra-slim.
Teardowns by iFixit also showed considerable use of adhesive in subsequent models, all the way to the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, to maintain this IP68-rated dust and water-resistance.
Is The Samsung S Pen IP68 Rated Too?
The S Pen of IP68-rated Galaxy Note devices are also IP68-rated against dust and water. However, the S Pen requires slightly different techniques to achieve such water-resistance :
its printed circuit board (PCB) is covered with a special epoxy material
rubber seals are used to seal off vulnerable passageways
important components like the pen pressure switch are also covered by rubber seals
This allows the pen tip to move as needed, while preventing the ingress of water that will damage the internal components of the S Pen.
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Samsung IP68 Rating Clarified
All Samsung smartphones that are IP68-rated can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes.
This means you can take it for jogs in the rain, or reading in the bathtub. However, we must point out that IP68 is a rating for water immersion.
IP68-rated devices are NOT designed to withstand water pressure. We therefore do not recommend you take it into the shower or while you swim.
The IP68 certification is based on a specific set of test conditions :
Temperature Range : 15-35 °C
Pressure Range : 86-106 kPa
Maximum Water Depth : 1.5 metre
Maximum Time of Immersion : 30 minutes
If you exceed those conditions, Samsung’s IP68 measures may not prevent the ingress of water.
In fact, if you check your User Guide, you will see that Samsung warns against exposing their IP68 smartphones to “water moving with force“.
This means you should not place them under running water from a tap or a waterfall. Even ocean waves may exert enough force to drive water into their chassis.
Summary : IP68 = Water-Resistance, NOT Waterproofing
The takeaway message is this – Samsung IP68 smartphones are water-resistant, not waterproof. You need to be gentle with them when they are exposed to water.
The biggest problem is water pressure, not depth. You can leave it at the bottom of a swimming pool without worry, but the force of water from a tap can exceed the IP68 pressure rating.
Do NOT do this!!! Never pour water on your device, because it exerts pressure!
Let’s consider a real-world scenario – taking photos and videos while snorkelling.
You won’t reach a depth of 1.5 m when you snorkel. But swinging your device underwater could literally force water into the chassis!
That doesn’t mean you cannot use your device underwater. You can, but you must make sure not to exert too much force. Take it in and out of the water gently, and if you have to move, do so gently.
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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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The Samsung Galaxy S9 launch was a star-studded affair with Korean heartthrob, Park Bo-gum, flying in from Seoul, and local celebrities like Jinny Boy, Reuben Kang, Serene Lim and Serena C.
Thousands of Samsung and Park Bo-gum fans lined up for hours just to catch a glimpse of Park Bo-gum. They flooded the center concourse of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, and even caused a massive traffic jam outside!
Check out our extensive photo and video coverage of this amazing launch event!
Don’t forget to read our comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy S9, and find out why we gave it out Editor’s Choice Award!
Park Bo-gum @ Samsung Galaxy S9 Launch!
The President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, Yoonsoo Kim, kicked off the Samsung Galaxy S9 launch event.
Then Malaysian celebrities Jinny Boy, Reuben Kang and Serene Lim welcomed Park Bo-gum to the Samsung Galaxy S9 launch.
For those of you who want an even higher-resolution video, we prepared a 4K video (with additional footage) for you!
Not enough? Here are a dozen photos we took of the Samsung Galaxy S9 launch event, and Park Bo-gum. Enjoy!
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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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The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S9+ boast improved cameras with a bunch of new features. In this article, we will explain to you the new Galaxy S9 camera features, and share with you a live demonstration video and samples of the new Super Slow-mo feature!
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Camera Features Explained!
Samsung conducted a special tech briefing session on the Samsung Galaxy S9 camera features. They demonstrated the new Galaxy S9 camera features like Super Slow-mo, f/1.5 low light capability, and the new AR Emoji feature.
Dual Aperture Camera
Both models feature a new, unique dual aperture camera. The camera has a mechanical aperture that automatically switches 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.
Super Slow-Mo
Both smartphones will come with a new Super Slow-mo feature. It allows you to record slow-motion 720p video at 960 fps. Best of all – the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones can automatically detect motion and start recording when you need it to.
There are some caveats though. It is limited to 20 shots per video, with approximately 0.2 seconds of recording and 6 seconds of playback for each slow-mo shot.
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.
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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 and S9+ 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!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Samsung just launched their Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones, and you may be wondering about their prices, colour options and pre-order offers. We had earlier revealed the US, UK and South Korean prices. but what about the Samsung Galaxy S9 Malaysia prices and availability? Here are the full details!
Samsung Galaxy S9 Malaysia Prices
The Samsung Galaxy S9 will only come with a 64 GB storage option worldwide, but the larger Samsung Galaxy S9+ will be offered with larger 128 GB and 256 GB storage options outside of the US. Malaysia is one of these lucky countries.
Here is a table we prepared that summarises the four models that will be offered here in Malaysia, and their prices versus the cheapest US prices.
Model
US Prices
Malaysian Prices
(with 6% GST)
Malaysian Prices
(w/o GST)
Difference
(w/o GST)
Samsung Galaxy S9 (64 GB)
$ 719.99
RM 3,299 (~$ 845)
RM 3,112 (~$ 798)
$78 (11%)
Samsung Galaxy S9+ (64 GB)
$ 839.99
RM 3,799 (~$ 974)
RM 3,584 (~$ 919)
$79 (9.4%)
Samsung Galaxy S9+ (128 GB)
NA
RM 3,999 (~$ 1,025)
RM 3,773 (~$ 967)
–
Samsung Galaxy S9+ (256 GB)
NA
RM 4,399 (~$ 1,128)
RM 4,150 (~$ 1,064)
–
The Malaysian prices are a little higher than the cheapest US prices (from T-Mobile)… but let’s also remember that the other US carriers are pricing both models significantly higher.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Malaysia Colour Options
As pointed out in Samsung Galaxy S9 – Everything You Need To Know, Samsung is offering four colour options – Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue, Titanium Silver. However, Malaysians will only have three colour options – Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue.
There is an additional caveat. The top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy S9+ with 256 GB storage is only available in the Midnight Black colour.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Malaysia Pre-Order + Trade-In
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Samsung Malaysia is opening up the pre-order for both models at 10 AM on 1 March 2018, and it ends at midnight, 4 March 2018.
The pre-ordered units will be delivered starting 16 March 2018.
Samsung Malaysia is preparing a trade-in offer for Malaysian customers. The trade-in program will run from 9 March until 30 April 2018. However, they have not released the trade-in prices yet.
Free Harman Kardon Onyx Mini!
Samsung is also giving every pre-order customers a free Harman Kardon Onyx Mini bluetooth speaker worth RM 699 / ~US$ 179!
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Samsung just revealed the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ at the 2018 Mobile World Congress! Here are their key features, prices, specifications, pictures, price and availability!
Article Update History
Check out what was updated recently!
Updated @ 2018-02-26 : Updated details of its dual aperture camera, ISOCELL Fast sensor, price and availability. Also added a new section on the Enterprise Edition.
Updated @ 2018-02-20 : Updated the specifications and features of the Galaxy S9/S9+. Added new sections on the colour options, and the Samsung DeX Pad.
Updated @ 2018-01-31 : Updated details on their Variable Aperture camera. Added new sections on IntelligentScan and their new ISOCELL Fast sensor. Also posted their launch prices.
Updated @ 2018-01-20 : Added a video, as well as details on their launch details, model numbers and battery capacities.
Updated @ 2018-01-15 : Added details of the new variable aperture camera, and the Super Slow-mo feature. Also updated their specifications.
Originally posted @ 2018-01-12
The Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+ Revealed!
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.
The US and Chinese models will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, while the rest of the world will receive the Samsung Exynos 9810 SoC instead.
This year though, Samsung will increase the feature differentiation between the two sizes. Let’s take a look…
Memory & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy S9+ will come with 6 GB of LPDDR4x memory, with 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB storage options, as well as a possible 512 GB model for “select markets” on a “temporary” basis.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 will only come with 4 GB of LPDDR4x memory, and either 64 GB or 128 GB of storage.
New Dual Aperture Camera Updated!
Both models will feature a new, unique dual aperture camera. It was first used in the rare and expensive Samsung W2018 smartphone (available only in China). The 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.
For the first time as well, Samsung will also differentiate the two sizes by offering a dual camera setup like the Galaxy Note8 only in the Galaxy S9+. The second 12 MP camera (with a fixed f/2.4 aperture) adds Live Focus and Dual Capture capability to the Plus model, as well as the ability to switch lenses on-the-fly while recording videos.
The smaller Galaxy S9 will not support the Live Focus and Dual Capture capability we love so much in the Galaxy Note8. This would make the Galaxy S9+ a more enticing model for mobile photography enthusiasts.
New Samsung ISOCELL Fast Sensor Updated!
Samsung will also introduce their latest ISOCELL Fast S5K2L7/9 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.
Super Slow-Mo Updated!
Both smartphones will come with a new Super Slow-mo feature. It allows you to record slow-motion 1080p video at 960 fps / 4K video at 120 fps. However, this feature is apparently limited to models using the Samsung Exynos 9810 SoC.
IntelligentScan
Instead of using a point cloud facial recognition system like Apple Face ID, and future honor smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S9 will feature IntelligentScan. It combines the existing facial recognition and iris scanning capabilities to improve accuracy and security, even in low light or super bright conditions.
Fingerprint Sensor
The position of the fingerprint sensor was, finally, brought into central alignment. This makes it easier to use, especially in the Galaxy S9+ because the dual camera setup means the fingerprint sensor is positioned even lower.
The fingerprint sensor’s close proximity to the main camera though means you are still very likely to smudge the lens with your oily fingers.
Bixby & Earphone Port
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Despite rumours that Samsung will be ditching the dedicated Bixby button and 3.5 mm earphone port, they will definitely be part of both devices.
Same Batteries
Both devices will come with the same battery capacities of their predecessors – 3000 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S9, and 3,500 mAh for the larger Galaxy S9+.
However, they should have a longer battery life, thanks to their more efficient processors. They will also support the new 15 W fast wireless charging capability.
AKG-Tuned Stereo Speakers
The two new Samsung flagship smartphones will feature stereo speakers tuned by AKG.
Samsung will also be offering an Enterprise Edition of both devices. These are basically specially-configured Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ smartphones for corporate clients.
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Samsung DeX Pad
Samsung will be introducing a new DeX docking station called the Samsung DeX Pad. It will have a flat design, which allows the display to be used as a touch pad. It also lets you make use of the Galaxy S9’s earphone port.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+ will be available with four colour options – Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue, Titanium Silver. Here are three of them, as provided by Evan Blass.
Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+ Specifications
Here are the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones that we managed to obtain.
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
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The Most Credible Leaked Pictures
There are many “leaked pictures” on the Internet, but these are the most credible photos we found. They all tie in with what we know so far about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones. Check them out!
The Olixar Cases
These cases were leaked by Olixar. The clear case designs, in particular, offer the clearest look at the two Samsung smartphones.
Pictures Leaked From China
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Box Sleeve Leaked From Vietnam
This picture of the outer sleeve for the Samsung Galaxy S9‘s box, which was purportedly leaked from Vietnam. It seems to be genuine, with the specifications matching what we know so far. Notably, it confirms the variable aperture camera, and the Super Slow-mo feature.
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We had earlier revealed everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S9+ ahead of the official Galaxy UNPACKED event in Barcelona. Now, we will share with you details and the official Samsung video for the Samsung Galaxy S9 Enterprise Edition and the Samsung Galaxy S9+ Enterprise Edition smartphones.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Enterprise Edition
As part of the Samsung For Enterprise (SAFE) initiative, many Samsung smartphones have the enterprise-grade encryption capabilities in the form of Samsung Knox built-in. This allows users to securely protect sensitive data using My Knox and now, Secure Folder.
Samsung appears to be extending their Knox capabilities to introduce Enterprise Edition versions of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones. Check out the Samsung Galaxy S9 Enterprise Edition video that was just leaked.
In addition to Samsung Knox 3.1 and biometric authentication in the standard Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Enterprise Edition and Samsung Galaxy S9+ Enterprise Edition will feature :
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Knox Configure
24/7 technical support
Samsung E-FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) updates by the corporate IT department
Maintenance support, and extended device warranties
Security updates for up to 4 years
The video also confirmed the new Samsung DeX with a flat design, and gave us a first look at how the variable aperture camera works.
The variable 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.
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The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S9 promises a big upgrade in photographic capabilities, but that’s not all Samsung will be revealing soon. To be paired with the Samsung Galaxy S9 – a new DeX docking station called the Samsung DeX Pad.
Introducing The Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9!
The Samsung DeX dock was originally designed for the Samsung Galaxy S8, allowing for a desktop-like working experience. All you need to do is hook up the DeX to a display, a mouse and a keyboard.
Thanks to serial leaker Evan Blass, we now have the actual pictures and details of the new Samsung DeX Pad dock, which will complement the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S9.
The Samsung DeX Pad will retain these ports :
two full-size USB 2.0 Type A ports,
a full-size HDMI 2.0 port, and
a USB 3.1 Type C port (for power input).
There are some changes over the original Samsung DeX though :
The smartphone will lay flat on the DeX Pad.
The 100 Mbps Ethernet port has been removed.
The flat layout is said to allow the Galaxy S9 to be used as a touch pad, or virtual keyboard.
However, that may not be very practical, since the Galaxy S9 will be significantly elevated above the table. The dock connector, which appears to jut above the base of the docked smartphone, will also get in the way.
The missing LAN port is no real loss. Some hotels still offer Internet over LAN cables, but the vast majority will offer WiFi access as well.
Although it will be marketed at Galaxy S9 users, the DeX Pad will likely work with Samsung Galaxy S8 devices as well.
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