Samsung is known for its signature TVs with the OLED panel. However, the company is slowly shifting towards the Quantum Dot technology. In fact, the company announced a couple of Smart TVs based on QLED technology at CES 2018. On March 7th, 2018, the company is expected to launch few more models of mainstream TVs using Quantum Dot technology.
Samsung is all set to launch the next generation Smart TV series in New York at the American Stock Exchange in Manhattan. The company is expected to launch 8K resolution smart TVs. In fact, Samsung showcased a TV with 8K resolution at CES 2018.
Features of 2018 QLED Samsung TVs
A report from Korea stated that the 2018 QLED TVs features will be centred on the Bixby. The TVs will be AI driven based on Samsung’s SmartThings technology. The Bixby will be used for the effortless content discovery and sharing. However, we are yet to see the implementation of Bixby on a TV platform.
Conclusion
The Samsung 2018 QLED TV series will showcase the power of the smart TV with an AI-enabled operating system. However, these TVs will be priced at a premium price tag.
Barcelona, Spain hosted yet another edition of MWC 2018 in February. While smartphones like the Galaxy S9 and Xperia XZ2 were heavily leaked, there were a few surprise launches that caught a lot of attention. Nokia, for instance, launched as many as 5 devices. So, what are the top five smartphones that launched at MWC 2018? Let’s find out!
Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+
Galaxy S9, S9+ Colour Variants
This is an obvious entry on the list. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ were the most anticipated smartphones of MWC 2018. Follow up to 2017’s successful flagship duo, a lot was expected from the Galaxy S9 and S9+. As was expected from the numerous leaks, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ did not look too different from their predecessors.
However, there are a few important upgrades that could be interesting. First one is in the camera department. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ now feature a variable aperture. The Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor has a dual f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X.
Also, the fingerprint sensor is finally placed below the camera module, something we saw on the Galaxy A8+ as well. The S9 has a single camera setup while the S9+ now has a dual-camera setup similar to the Galaxy Note8. Both the smartphones will be launched in India on the 6th of March and go on sale on March 16th.
This smartphone is not a consumer-ready product yet. However, it is still one of the coolest devices displayed at MWC 2018. Over the years, MWC has been a witness to some amazing concept phones. Even this year, Nokia was expected to unveil the Penta-lens concept phone. However, that did not happen. But, Vivo did turn up and one-upped its CES 2018 unveiling.
The Vivo Apex has an in-display fingerprint sensor that covers almost half the display. While the Vivo X20 Plus UD only had a regular-sized fingerprint sensor underneath the display. In fact, this is not even the most interesting feature of the Apex. To accommodate probably the thinnest bezels on a smartphone, Vivo came up with a very different implementation of the front camera. The Apex has a hidden front camera which pops out every time it has to be used.
Although it is still a concept phone, the implementation is very interesting here. Let’s hope more companies come up with consumer-ready products with such intricate and satisfying design elements.
HMD Global launched not one, not two, but five devices at MWC 2018. Apart from the smartphones, it also announced that all Nokia devices will now be Android One devices. The Nokia 7 Plus, another heavily leaked device was one of the five phones to be launched. Along with the Nokia 8 Sirocco, the Nokia 7 Plus is the only Nokia smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. A follow up to the China-only Nokia 7, the 7 Plus has a great design and build quality.
Under the hood, the 7 Plus has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset and 2.2GHz octa-core processor. That is coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage which will be expandable via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is now placed on the back and has the similar colour accents found on the Nokia 6 (2018).
If the European price of the smartphone is anything to go by, it will have a steep price in India. However, for it to work in the Indian market, HMD Global will have to price below Rs. 25000 to keep the Honor View10 at bay, which has flagship specifications and costs Rs. 28999. At under Rs. 25000, the 7 Plus will compete with the likes of the Moto X4.
At MWC 2018, companies like Sony and Samsung were expected to launch Snapdragon 845 powered smartphones. However, the most interesting device powered by the flagship chipset was unveiled by Asus. Apparently, this smartphone flew under the radars of leakers online and Asus had a worthy unveiling in its hands. From the moment you look at it, the Zenfone 5Z looks like an iPhone X lookalike.
Although Asus claims the notch on the Zenfone 5Z is smaller than that of the iPhone X, it is still a notch. Also, one thing that the iPhone X achieved was uniform bezels around the display, thanks to the notch. However, the Zenfone 5Z kind of defeats the purpose of a notch as it also carries a thicker chin. That being said, the flagship Asus device has a lot going on for it.
If and when Asus launches the Zenfone 5Z in India, it could nullify the effect of the OnePlus 5T if launched at a price of Rs. 40,000 or less. That is until the OnePlus 6 is launched.
For the past couple of years, Sony smartphones have failed to capture the imagination of many consumers. Even in 2017, when many smartphone makers made a shift to bezel-less design, Sony continued to launch its signature boxy style devices. However, that finally changed at MWC 2018. Sony unveiled the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact with an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. However, still not the thinnest bezels you’ll see this year.
The Sony Xperia XZ2 and the smaller sibling also run on the latest and greatest Snapdragon 845 chipset. Apart from the Galaxy S9 and Zenfone 5Z, they are the only devices to run on the new flagship chipset. Sony still has a single camera setup on the front and back. So, it has still clinged on to a few Sony signature features.
Even for the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact, the devices will have to be priced competitively in India.
Samsung started the OLED trend in the early smartphone days. Now, most of the premium smartphone makers including Apple and LG have shifter to OLED screens.
OLED screens are known to produce better colours, better contrast ratio and consume low energy. Similarly, they are also known for the premature burn-in issues as well. According to a leak, Xiaomi might be the next smartphone maker to make LCD to OLED technology shift on its upcoming smartphones.
A Recent report suggests that Xiaomi ordered 1.1 million 6.01 inch OLED displays in December and 2.2 million in the second month from Samsung. This means the upcoming Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S and the Xiaomi Mi 7 might feature 6.01 inch OLED displays.
Expected features of Xiaomi Mi 7
The Xiaomi Mi 7 will be the successor of the Xiaomi Mi 6, which is expected to go official in the Q2 of 2018. Considering the fact that, the smartphone features an OLED display, the smartphone might also feature an In-display fingerprint sensor like the Vivo APEX.
The Xiaomi Mi 7 will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with at least 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage. We might also see models with higher RAM and storage as well. The recent partnership with the Xiaomi and Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) indicates that the smartphone might support Qi-based wireless charging.
Expected features of Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S
Most of the specifications of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S are already known. In fact, the company announced that the Mi MIX 2S will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The smartphone will be launched in China on 27th March. Similarly, the smartphone will have a notch on the right corner, which houses the front-facing camera.
As this is a premium smartphone, we are anticipating 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. This time around, the Mi MIX 2S is expected to offer superior camera performance compared to the Mi MIX.
Unlike the Xiaomi Mi 7, the MIX 2S has a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The device will have a massive 4400 mAH Li-ion battery with fast charging. However, we are unsure about the wireless charging, as the last two Mi MIX models featured ceramic panel, which doesn’t support wireless charging.
Samsung introduced fingerprint scanner on the Samsung Galaxy S5, it made into stock android on Android Marshmallow. Samsung introduced multi-window mode on the Galaxy Note 4, it made into native Android on Android Nougat. Now Google is all set to adopt the support for Iris scanner in the Android P natively.
What does it mean?
This means that the Google Pixel 3 lineup from Google is expected to feature Iris scanner. Companies like OnePlus, Honor, and Xiaomi have already come up with the phones with face recognition. However, the technology used on these devices is not foolproof like the Iris Scanning.
In fact, the Samsung Galaxy S9 uses both Iris scanner and Face scanning to improve the over experience. Do note that, Samsung is the only mainstream smartphone maker to offer Iris scanner.
Is Iris scanner a safe authentication method?
For the most part yes. It scans different parts of the eyeball, which are very distinct even on twins. However, as of now, the one has to look at the phone from a specific distance to unlock the smartphone. Similarly, it takes an additional second more than the fingerprint scanner.
In fact, one cannot fool it using a 3D model or an identical twin like the Face ID. So, it is safe but not the fastest thing in the world. Even the hardware requirement for the Iris scanner is not as complex as Face ID, so it will be easy to mass produce.
Conclusion
The implementation of Iris scanner has been spotted on the alpha build of the Android P. Google should officially announce this new feature at the Google I/O 2018. The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL could be the first set of non-Samsung smartphones to feature this new technology.
Samsung is expected to launch a new series of entry-level smartphones in the coming weeks. On 27th February, we covered a leak on the Samsung Galaxy J6 2018. Similarly, a new Samsung smartphone is now listed on Geekbench, which is expected to be the Galaxy J8 2018.
The interesting thing about the Galaxy J8 2018 is the fact that, the only difference between the Galaxy J6 2018 and the Galaxy J8 2018 is the amount of RAM. The J6 2018 offers 2GB RAM and the J8 2018 offers 3GB RAM. Similarly, we might see a similar design with a different screen size and resolution on the J6 and the J8.
The smartphone scores 728 points on the single core performance and 3683 points on the multi-core performance, which is similar to the other smartphones with the same chipset. In fact, the Galaxy J6 2018 scores 726 points on a single core and 3643 points on the multi-core performance.
Specifications:
The Samsung Galaxy J8 2018 is listed under the model number SM-J800FN. The device is powered by the Exynos 7870 Octa-core chipset with 3GB RAM. In fact, this chipset has been used on several smartphones including the Galaxy J6 2018 and the Galaxy J4 2018. The smartphone runs on Android 8 Oreo with expected Experience UI skin on the top.
The Exynos 7870 chipset is manufactured by 14 nm FinFET architecture with eight Cortex A-53 cores. Similarly, the chipset is equipped with Mali-T830 GPU.
Considering the chipset capabilities, the Galaxy J8 2018 might feature up to two 16 MP cameras with 1080p @30fps video recording capability. The chipset can drive displays with a max resolution of 1980 x 1200px. On that point, the smartphone might feature either 720p or 1080p full HD display unit.
Conclusion:
Samsung might launch the Galaxy J4, Galaxy J6, and the Galaxy J8 2018 in India in the next few weeks. However, we don’t expect features like 18:9 aspect ratio display and dual camera setup on these devices, as the chipset might have certain limitations on the hardware that it can support.
On the 25th of February, Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in Barcelona. In India, the devices will be launched on the 6th of March and go on sale on the 16th of March. While the prices of the smartphones will be unveiled at the launch event, they are already up for pre-orders on the official Samsung India website.
However, days before the official launch, the price of the devices was leaked yesterday. The Samsung Galaxy S9 will start a price of Rs. 62,500 and the 256GB variant will be priced at Rs. 71000. The Galaxy S9+, however, will start at Rs 70,000 and the 256GB model will retail for Rs 79000. In fact, the Galaxy S8 was launched at a price of Rs 57900 and the S8+ for Rs 64900. The smartphones will be sold online via Flipkart and the official website of Samsung India.
Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+
From the Galaxy S8 to S9 devices, the physical changes are very minimal. The fingerprint sensor is now at a much better placement and the smartphones have a dual stereo speaker system tuned by AKG. The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. The Galaxy S9+ sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be the first-ever smartphones launched in India with the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB/256GB storage for the Galaxy S9. The S9+, however, will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in India.
The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. On the front of the smartphones is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and S9+ on the 25th of February. At the time of the launch, the price of the devices in the US market was revealed. It was expected that the price of the smartphones will be unveiled at the official India launch in March. However, a leak of official documents has revealed the possible pricing of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in India.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 will start a price of Rs. 62,500 and the 256GB variant will be priced at Rs. 71000. The Galaxy S9+, however, will start at Rs. 70,000 and the 256GB model will retail for Rs. 79000. To put things into perspective, the Galaxy S8 was launched at a price of Rs. 57900 and the S8+ for Rs. 64900. The smartphones will be sold online via Flipkart and the official website of Samsung India.
Samsung Galaxy S9
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. This translates to an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which means it is slightly taller than the usual bezel-less smartphones.
Depending on the market, the Galaxy S9’s chipset will vary. For the US and South Korean market, the S9 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the first-ever smartphones launched with the new flagship chipset. For the rest of the world, it will be powered by the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. Similar to a lot of Samsung smartphones, the storage will be expandable up to 256GB via a MicroSD card.
Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy S9 will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3000 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8. The smartphone will have QuickCharge 4.0 compatibility and support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9 also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S9 also has a dual stereo speaker system tuned by AKG and Dolby surround sound.
The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
Samsung Galaxy S9+
As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.
Under the hood, it will either be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset or Exynos 9810. This will again depend on whether it is being sold in the US, South Korea or rest of the world. Unlike the Galaxy S9, the S9+ will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage, 6GB RAM/128GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in major markets across the world.
Out of the box, the Galaxy S9+ will also run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3500 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8+. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ at MWC 2018. However, the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ will come with two different processors. The Korean and US variant will feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and the rest of the market including India will feature Exynos 9810 chipset.
The performance difference between the variants with different chipsets will be very negligible. In fact, the Exynos powered Samsung Galaxy S9 leads show by scoring points on the synthetic benchmarks. In fact, in some platform, the smartphone outperforms the Apple iPhone X.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ are already available for pre-booking. However, the company hasn’t confirmed the price.
The Exynos 9810 is a true upgrade over the Exynos 8890 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. The Galaxy S9 leads the Android benchmark territory, which throws away the 2017 flagship smartphones out of the ballpark. However, the Galaxy S9 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is expected to perform better than the Exynos variant.
Samsung Galaxy S9 with Exynos 9810 chipset on synthetic benchmarks:
AnTuTu
This is the most tested benchmarking platform, which is used to test a smartphone’s potential. The Samsung Galaxy S9 scores 241470 points and leads the show. In fact, the Apple iPhone X comes in at second place by scoring 224538 points, preceded by the LG V30 174456 points.
GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 on-screen
In this platform, the Samsung Galaxy S9 scores 43 points, which is more than twice of the LG V30’s 19 points. However, the Samsung Galaxy S8 comes very nearby scoring 41 points.
GFXBench Manhattan Car Chase on-screen
The Samsung Galaxy S9 powered by Exynos 9810 scores 26 points, which is greater than the OnePlus 5T’s 23 points. This benchmark does not list other smartphones scores.
Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+
Geekbench 4 Single Core
The smartphone scores 3105 points on the single-core performance, and the LG V30 once again falls behind with 1903 points, which is similar to the points scored by OnePlus 5T and Samsung Galaxy S8.
Geekbench 4 Multicore
The Samsung Galaxy S9 scores a staggering 8750 points on this platform, whereas the OnePlus 5T scores 6638 points, which is similar to the scores of LG V30 and the Samsung Galaxy S8.
Samsung has launched its new flagship devices, the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Both the smartphones are available for pre-order in India and will go on sale from the 16th of March. However, the price of the smartphones has not been revealed yet. That is expected to happen on the 4th of March. Samsung won’t be selling the 128GB storage variant in India, only the 64GB and 256GB variant will be available.
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will carry a premium price tag for sure, and go up against the likes of the iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus and even Galaxy Note8. However, flagship specifications no longer come at a premium price tag. Android smartphones like the OnePlus 5Tand Mi Mix 2 offer top of the line specifications at a much lower cost. So, how does the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ stack up against the competition? Let’s find out!
If you are planning to get the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Galaxy S9+, then Samsung DeX Pad is a must-have accessory. The second generation DeX Pad comes with added features compared to the original iteration. The Samsung DeX was launched along with the Galaxy S9 and the galaxy S9+at MWC 2018.
However, do note that the Samsung DeX is not included in the retail package. Instead, one has to buy it separately. As of now, there is no information on the price tag. However, the last generation DeX Station retailed at US$ 100, which is expected to remain the same.
Here are the top 5 features of the Samsung DeX Pad:
Using the smartphone as Keypad + trackpad
This is the newest addition to features that were missing from the original DeX Station. With the Dex Pad, you can use your smartphone as a keypad or trackpad. However, you can also connect an external keypad (wired or wireless) using the dedicated USB port. However, when you are on the go you will appreciate precision trackpad.
Connect to external display
The USP of the Dex Pad is the ability to connect it to an external display or projector. In fact, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810 chipset can drive external monitors up to 2560 x 1440 resolution. Be it an official presentation preparation or binge-watching your favourite Amazon Prime show, your experiences will be escalated.
Backward compatibility
Samsung has also promised that the 2nd generation Dex Pad will also support older Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8 smartphones. However, the company will push an OTA update in the future to enable the same.
Multiple ports
The Samsung Dex Pad offers one USB type C port, two USB type-A port, and a full-sized HDMI port. Using this device, one can connect additional peripherals like external hard discs, pen drives etc. With the DeX, you will get a fully fledged PC experience. However, the DeX Pad misses out on the ethernet port.
Powered by Samsung Galaxy S9 charger
The DeX Pad needs to be hooked up to the charger via USB type C port to work. However, it will not work with any USB type C charger but the output ratings are in line with the power required for the DeX. Similarly, the smartphones also get charged up when it is connected to the Dex.
The 2018 iteration of the Samsung Galaxy J6 was spotted on Geekbench, which provided information on the insights of the smartphone. The smartphone comes with the model number SM-J600F. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by Exynos 7870 Octa-core chipset, which is also used in the Samsung Galaxy J5 2017. The smartphone scores 726 points on single core performance and 3643 points on the multi-core performance.
The maximum display resolution supported by the chipset is limited to 1980 x 1200px. So, we might see a 720p or 1080p display panel. The listing does not reveal any information on the aspect ratio of the smartphone. Going by the Samsung’s track record, the phone might feature an older 16:9 aspect ratio.
Benchmark details:
As mentioned earlier, the Exynos 7870 chipset is based on a 14nm architecture with Octa-core CPU configuration. The Samsung Galaxy J6 2018 is powered by Exynos 7870 chipset with 2GB RAM. Similarly, the smartphone is expected to have at least 16GB storage with a dedicated micro SD card slot.
The smartphone also runs on the latest Android 8 Oreo OS with custom Experience UI on the top. Which means, the smartphone will launch with the Google’s latest operating system.
The device is expected to have a single primary camera and a single front-facing camera with no fancy portrait mode or X2 optical zoom. The Samsung Galaxy J6 2018 will have dual SIM card slots with 4G LTE and VoLte support on both the SIM slots. However, the 4G standby will be limited to one active SIM card at a time.
After weeks of multiple leaks, Samsung has launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ at an event in Barcelona. The design, specifications, and a lot of the features were leaked ahead of the launch. The Galaxy S9 is priced at US$ 719.99 for the unlocked version in the US. However, the starting price of the Galaxy S9+ is US$ 839.99. The smartphones will go on sale on the 16th of March globally. In India, the devices will be launched on the 6th of March and go on sale on the 16th of March along with the rest of the world.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and its bigger sibling, the Galaxy S9+ succeeds the Galaxy S8 and S8+ as the 2018 flagship phones. Unlike the previous generation smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have more differences than just the display and battery sizes. Samsung has made the Galaxy S9+ a bit more feature-packed to justify the higher price tag.
Subsequently, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ look extremely similar to their predecessors. The bezels are slightly thinner but, it is hard to differentiate between the two generations, at least from the front. To the back of the devices is where you see the difference. While the Galaxy S8 and S8+ were two of the most successful Android smartphones of 2017 and were lauded for their looks, there was an issue with the design.
Due to the decreased bezels, Samsung had to move the fingerprint sensor to the back of the phone. However, the execution left a lot to be desired as the sensor was placed next to the camera module. It looks like Samsung took the criticism into consideration. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with a fingerprint sensor placed below the camera module. This is a much more ergonomic placement for a rear-facing fingerprint sensor.
Samsung officially launched the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ at MWC 2018. In the US, the Galaxy S9 is priced at US$ 719.99 and the Galaxy S9+ retails for US$ 839.99. In fact, the direct conversion to Indian rupees comes to around Rs 46,600 and Rs 54,400. However, the price will be higher than that in the Indian market.
Samsung is yet to make an announcement about the retail prices of these phone in India. However, these phones are already up for pre-booking on the Samsung India official website. The 64GB variant will be available in Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple and the 256GB variant is limited to Midnight Black as of now. However, there is no information about the inclusion of complimentary wireless charging dock for the pre-orders like the Galaxy S7 and S8 pre-booking.
Once the phone goes official, you will receive a text message with the complete pricing details
Apply the pre-book coupon, which adjusts Rs 2000 from the final amount
Specifications of Galaxy S9:
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. This translates to an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which means it is slightly taller than the usual bezel-less smartphones.
The smartphone is powered by the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 256GB of onboard storage. Similar to a lot of Samsung smartphones, the storage will be expandable up to 256GB via a MicroSD card.
The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
Specifications of Galaxy S9+:
As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.
Under the hood, it is powered by the Exynos 9810 chipset. Unlike the Galaxy S9, the S9+ will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in major markets across the world. Similarly, the phone does support external micro SD cards up to 256GB.
The main difference between the two S9 models this year is in the camera department. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Note8 back in August 2017 to a great reception. It built on the success of the Galaxy S8 devices and offered a lot more at a slightly higher price. However, it was still the most expensive Samsung Android device almost touching thousand dollar mark. The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, according to early rumours were going to be these radically different smartphones with almost no bezels on the display.
However, that seemed too good to be true and as we moved closer to the imminent launch, we saw more accurate renders. The renders revealed something that will hold true for the smartphone industry in general. As we approach the future of completely bezel-less smartphones, the difference in design between two generations will be minimal. The Galaxy S9 and S9+, represent that future.
Galaxy S8
On the 25th of February, Samsung finally launched its two new flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. As is with almost every launch these days, there was barely anything for Samsung to tell us that would be a surprise.Right from the volume rockers placement to the stereo speakers, everything about the devices was leaked well in advance. However, the Samsung flagship phones will dominate smartphone sales this year and these are two of the most important Android smartphones of 2018.
So, from the Galaxy S8 of 2017 to the Galaxy S9 of 2018, what really has changed, and what remains constant?
Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ were some of the best-looking smartphones of 2017. Samsung incorporated its edge design with thinner bezels and called it the “Infinity Display”. The glass on the front and back with a metal frame meant that the smartphones looked stunning. However, they were also fingerprint magnets. Somebody once said, “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken,” and someone at Samsung followed the philosophy.
The Galaxy S9 and S9+, barring slightly thinner bezels, look very similar to their predecessors. In fact, it is hard to pick the correct one out when put side by side, at least from the front. To the back is where Samsung has made a necessary change. The Galaxy S8 and S8+, while lauded for their design, had a very suspect fingerprint sensor placement. With the new flagship phones, Samsung has fixed that and moved the sensor below the camera module.
Also, the Galaxy S9+ now has a dual-camera setup which is similar to the Galaxy Note8. However, the Galaxy Note8 had a horizontally placed setup while the S9+ has a vertically placed dual-camera setup.
Galaxy S9, S9+ Colour Variants
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have the exact same displays as their predecessors. Smaller of the two siblings, the S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display while the S9+ has a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display. Both smartphones have a 2960 x 1440 px resolution which translates to an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. This means that the Galaxy S9 devices are slightly taller than the usual 18:9 devices. The smartphones have a curved display where the edges can be used for shortcuts. This has become a standard for Samsung flagship phones now.
Under The Hood
It is understandable if the design and display don’t get an upgrade over a generation. However, seldom do you see a company launching a new generation smartphone with the same hardware. Same is the case here as well. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are powered by the new and faster chipsets. For the US and South Korean markets, the S9 and S9+ will have the Snapdragon 845 chipset under the hood. For the rest of the world, they will be powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 9810 chipset.
The Galaxy S9 has 4GB of RAM while the Galaxy S9+ has 6GB of RAM. Both the smartphones will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage variants which will be expandable via a microSD card. Also, for the first time in the Galaxy S series, Samsung has included a dual stereo speaker setup. These speakers are tuned by AKG and come with Dolby Atmos integration as well. Samsung has also decided to stay away from the herd and include a 3.5mm headphone jack which is great for people who still prefer wired headphones over Bluetooth ones.
Galaxy S9+
Similar to the predecessors, the Galaxy S9 is powered by a 3000 mAh battery while a 3500 mAh battery powers the S9+. Both devices support QuickCharge 4.0 and wireless charging as well. This time around, the iris scanner is more advanced and there is a Face Unlock feature called Intelligent Scan. If someone is not a fan of the rear-facing fingerprint sensor, there are more ways to unlock their smartphone now.
Software
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with Experience UI 9.0 on top. Samsung’s custom skin has come a long way since the days of TouchWiz. It definitely holds up for a longer period of time and looks much better. There will be a lot of customisation options as well. In fact, this also means that smartphones like the Galaxy Note8 will also finally start receiving Android 8 Oreo update.
Cameras
Before even unveiling the new smartphones, Samsung revealed what will be new in them. The teaser poster clearly stated that the Galaxy S9 and S9+ will have much better cameras than their predecessors. On paper, that is definitely true but, we will test out the cameras in detail before giving our two cents on it. However, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ do have improved specifications in the camera department.
The Galaxy S9 has retained a single camera setup on the back. It is a Dual-Pixel 12MP camera with a variable aperture of f/1.5 to f/2.4. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
The Galaxy S9+ gets a dual-camera setup on the back. The primary 12MP camera is the same one found on the Galaxy S9. The secondary telephoto lens is a 13MP camera with OIS and an f/2.4 aperture. This telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8. As is with S9, it records 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps. This is one more feature where the Galaxy S9 devices will go head to head with the iPhone X.
Some people might call it an Animoji rip off but, Samsung is calling it AR Emoji. Basically, the smartphone captures the face data, analyses it, which allows users to make animated versions of themselves. These can later be customised further. It is a fun feature to have on your smartphone but, you probably won’t spend all that money just for AR Emojis. However, it is something that Samsung demoed at the launch and believes it has enough customisation options to make it interesting.
Conclusion
While there is no information about the exact pricing of the two devices in India, they will be pricier than their predecessors. The pre-booking for the S9 and S9+ has already begun India and will go on sale from the 16th of March. Will you be buying one?
After weeks of multiple leaks, Samsung has launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ at an event in Barcelona. The design, specifications, and a lot of the features were leaked ahead of the launch. The Galaxy S9 is priced at US$ 719.99 for the unlocked version in the US. However, the starting price of the Galaxy S9+ is US$ 839.99. The smartphones will go on sale on the 16th of March globally. In India, the devices will be launched on the 6th of March and go on sale on the 16th of March along with the rest of the world.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and its bigger sibling, the Galaxy S9+ succeeds the Galaxy S8 and S8+ as the 2018 flagship phones. Unlike the previous generation smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have more differences than just the display and battery sizes. Samsung has made the Galaxy S9+ a bit more feature-packed to justify the higher price tag.
As expected, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ look extremely similar to their predecessors. The bezels are slightly thinner but, it is hard to differentiate between the two generations, at least from the front. To the back of the devices is where you see the difference. While the Galaxy S8 and S8+ were two of the most successful Android smartphones of 2017 and were lauded for their looks, there was an issue with the design.
Due to the decreased bezels, Samsung had to move the fingerprint sensor to the back of the phone. However, the execution left a lot to be desired as the sensor was placed next to the camera module. It looks like Samsung took the criticism into consideration. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with a fingerprint sensor placed below the camera module. This is a much more ergonomic placement for a rear-facing fingerprint sensor.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ have a new feature similar to Apple’s Animojis. It is called AR Emoji. Basically, the smartphone captures the face data, analyses it, which allows users to make animated versions of themselves. These can later be customised further.
Samsung Galaxy S9
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. This translates to an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which means it is slightly taller than the usual bezel-less smartphones.
Depending on the market, the Galaxy S9’s chipset will vary. For the US and South Korean market, the S9 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the first-ever smartphones launched with the new flagship chipset. For the rest of the world, it will be powered by the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. Similar to a lot of Samsung smartphones, the storage will be expandable up to 256GB via a MicroSD card.
Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy S9 will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3000 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8. The smartphone will have QuickCharge 4.0 compatibility and support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9 also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S9 also has a dual stereo speaker system tuned by AKG and Dolby surround sound.
The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
Samsung Galaxy S9+
As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.
Under the hood, it will either be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset or Exynos 9810. This will again depend on whether it is being sold in the US, South Korea or rest of the world. Unlike the Galaxy S9, the S9+ will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage, 6GB RAM/128GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in major markets across the world.
Out of the box, the Galaxy S9+ will also run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3500 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8+. The smartphone will have QuickCharge 4.0 compatibility and support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The main difference between the two S9 models this year is in the camera department. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
