Introduction:
The Samsung Galaxy S9 wasn’t a radical redesign when it came out; rather, it improved on what the Galaxy line had already achieved. Samsung took a more measured approach, enhancing performance, enhancing ergonomics, and improving the camera, contrary to popular belief.
Release Date:
Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy S9 (alongside the S9+) at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in early 2018. In most markets, it was officially released in March 2018.
Design & Build:
- The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8-inch display but fits into a body that’s quite compact for its screen size.
- It uses glass front and back with an aluminum frame (typical of flagship builds).
- The design is curvy, with slim bezels and “edge” curved sides.
- The fingerprint sensor was relocated below the camera, addressing a common grip complaint from the S8.
Color and Water Resistance
The Samsung Galaxy S9 was available from Samsung in a variety of regional colors, including Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple, Titanium Gray, and others. The Samsung Galaxy S9 is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance meaning it can withstand immersion in 1.5 m of fresh water up to 30 minutes, and strong protection against dust ingress.
Display / Screen:
The 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display on the Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 18.5:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2960 x 1440. Samsung claims a peak brightness of 864 nits, and it supports HDR content to improve video contrast. The curved edges and deep blacks make the display vibrant, especially in dark themes.
Performance & Hardware:
Depending on the region, the Samsung Galaxy S9 either uses:
- Samsung Exynos 9810 (for many international markets)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (for markets like USA, China)
These are 64-bit octa-core processors.
RAM & Storage Options
- The Samsung Galaxy S9 typically pairs with 4 GB of RAM (some regions)
- Storage configurations often begin at 64 GB, but other variants include 128 GB / 256 GB depending on market, with microSD expansion up to 512 GB.
GPU & Performance Benchmarks
Games and graphics-intensive tasks are well handled by the GPU (Adreno 630 in Snapdragon and ARM Mali in Exynos). The Samsung Galaxy S9 achieves solid scores for 2018 standards in benchmark tests. Even with heavy apps and day-to-day tasks, real-world usage is smooth.
Camera System:
- The rear camera is 12 MP with a variable (dual) aperture: f/1.5 (for low light) and f/2.4 (for bright light) modes.
- Samsung’s sensor (ISOCELL or Sony in some variants) is optimized for sharpness, low noise, and dynamic range.
- The variable aperture allows the camera to adapt to lighting conditions open up in darker scenes, tighten down in bright ones.
Front Camera
With an aperture of f/1.7, the front (selfie) camera has 8 MP and is suitable for everyday selfies and video calls. Facial recognition and augmented reality features are also connected.
Video Recording Capabilities
- 4K (2160p) at 60 fps (duration limited, often around 5 minutes)
- 1080p at 240 fps (slow motion)
- Super Slow-Motion: 960 fps in 720p mode for very short bursts (0.2 seconds of real time)
Battery & Charging:
The standard model of the Samsung Galaxy S9 has a battery with 3,000 mAh. Despite varying outcomes in the real world, Samsung’s software was optimized to achieve greater power efficiency. A full day is typically doable with moderate use. It supports wireless charging as well as wired fast charging (via USB-C), allowing for greater adaptability when topping up.
Connectivity & Sensors:
Bluetooth v5.0 or later, dual-band Wi-Fi, and LTE/4G bands are all supported by the Samsung Galaxy S9. NFC for pairing and contactless payments in addition to standard GPS, A-GPS, and GLONASS. (In many areas, it lacks an integrated IR blaster.)
Biometrics:
- The fingerprint sensor is now situated under the camera (rather than beside it) — easier to reach.
- It also supports iris scanning and facial recognition, and later Samsung introduced Intelligent Scan which fuses iris + face under varied lighting conditions.
Speakers & Multimedia:
The Samsung Galaxy S9 supports Dolby Atmos for immersive sound and has stereo speakers tuned by AKG. The fact that the Samsung Galaxy S9 keeps the 3.5 mm headphone jack, which was removed from many flagship phones, is one feature that gets a lot of attention. This, along with strong DAC performance, is a plus for wired audio lovers.
Software & UI:
Over time, Samsung provided updates (Android 9, 10, etc.) but like all phones, software support eventually wanes.
Key Software Features
- Bixby (voice assistant) improvements, deeper integration
- Live translation via camera + Bixby
- Camera modes, AR features, customizations
- Features like “warning about blurry images / blinking eyes” were added post-launch.
Real-World Use Performance:
The S9 is still quick when browsing, using apps, and multitasking in everyday use. It performs routine tasks without a hitch thanks to effective software optimization and efficient hardware. Some lag may appear in very heavy apps or newer games.
Camera in Real Life
The camera is one of the S9’s strongest suits. The Super Slow-Motion mode produces moments that are enjoyable and can be shared, and the f/1.5 aperture is advantageous for low light shots. The AR Emoji, though novel, is hit or miss in how well it captures your likeness.
Battery Stamina in Use
The S9 can last for a day with moderate use (calls, social apps, occasional camera, browsing). But heavy users (gaming, 4K video) may find themselves recharging midday.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Strong camera with dual aperture and slow motion
- Premium build and IP68 rating
- Good audio (jack + stereo + Dolby)
- Solid performance for day-to-day tasks
- Expandable storage via microSD
Cons:
- Battery can struggle under heavy use
- Design wasn’t a big leap from previous generation
- Ageing software support
- Some features are more marketing than utility
Is It Still Worth It in Today’s Time?
By smartphone standards, the S9 is old in 2025, but it still has charm. If you find a unit that has been well-maintained and has a healthy battery, it can handle basic to moderate use (calls, social media) well. However, more recent smartphones have faster chipsets, longer software support, and longer battery life.
Conclusion:
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is an improved evolution rather than a revolutionary device. It was a strong contender in its time thanks to its audio features, compact flagship design, camera innovations (dual aperture, super slow-motion), and more. Even though it is old now, a unit in good condition still provides moderate users with value. It simply cannot compete with current flagships in terms of battery life, software updates, or raw power.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the battery capacity of Galaxy S9?
A: The Galaxy S9 has a 3,000 mAh battery for the regular model.
Q2. Can the Galaxy S9 shoot in 4K video?
A: Yes — it can record 4K (2160p) at 60 fps, though typically limited to around 5 minutes per recording.
Q3. What is the dual (variable) aperture in S9?
A: The rear camera can switch between f/1.5 (for low-light) and f/2.4 (for bright conditions) to optimize capture quality.
Q4. Does the S9 have a headphone jack?
A: Yes, the Galaxy S9 retains the 3.5 mm headphone jack, which many modern flagships dropped.
Q5. Is the S9 still usable today?
A: For basic to moderate tasks, yes — but you should accept limitations in battery life, software support, and performance compared to newer devices.
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