Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus maintains the sleek and stylish design that the brand is known for, with subtle but significant improvements. The back now features a vertical double camera setup and a more ergonomically placed fingerprint reader, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. The phone's angular sides and less pronounced curved edges make it more comfortable to hold and type on, addressing previous ergonomic concerns.
Improved Fingerprint Reader
The placement of the fingerprint reader below the camera setup is a significant improvement over its predecessor, making it more natural and convenient for users to access.
Enhanced Durability
While the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus remains a glass sandwich design, the glass is now 20% thicker and supported by stronger aluminum inside, enhancing its durability. Additionally, the IP68 rating ensures protection against water damage, making it a reliable choice for daily use.
Display and Audio
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus boasts a stunning 6.2-inch AMOLED display that offers an immersive viewing experience. The absence of a notch further contributes to the phone's sleek and seamless design, providing an uninterrupted display.
Enhanced Media Experience
The phone's display features excellent resolution, pixel density, and color rendering, offering a vibrant and visually appealing experience for media consumption. Furthermore, the addition of stereo speakers elevates the audio quality, delivering louder and clearer sound with improved bass, enhancing the overall multimedia experience.
Audio Capabilities
For those who prefer wired headphones, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus retains the headphone jack, catering to a wide range of users. Additionally, for wireless headphone users, the inclusion of high-quality audio codecs in Oreo ensures a premium audio experience. The option to create personalized sound profiles further enhances the audio capabilities of the device, offering a tailored audio experience.
Performance and Storage
When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is a powerhouse. Equipped with either the Snapdragon 845 or the Exynos 9810, it stands as one of the fastest phones available. With 6GB of RAM, multitasking and gaming are seamless, even with numerous apps open simultaneously. However, extended use of the camera may lead to the device getting warm.
Storage Options
The internal storage of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus can go up to 256 gigabytes, catering to users with extensive local music libraries or large media collections. Additionally, the microSD slot allows for expansion, potentially reaching an impressive 656 gigabytes of storage, offering ample space for diverse storage needs.
Battery Life and Charging
The 3500 milliamp battery of the S9 Plus provides extended usage compared to its predecessor, although not as long-lasting as the S8 Plus. While the fast charging feature is not the fastest, wireless charging capabilities, including compatibility with faster 9 watt chargers, offer convenient and efficient charging options.
Software and User Interface
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus features Android Oreo with the latest Samsung Experience 9.0. Despite Samsung's UI being previously criticized for being bloated and slow, the latest iteration allows users to delete unnecessary pre-installed apps, resulting in a cleaner and more streamlined user interface. App shortcuts are easily accessible through a long press, and the task switcher offers a ListView option, enhancing user experience.
Customization and Features
While the UI changes are subtle, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus offers a plethora of hidden features and customization options without compromising day-to-day usability. Users can customize the device's appearance with edge lighting, transparent notifications, and various design and color options for the always-on display. Additionally, color-coded folders and the ability to create app shortcuts further enhance the user experience and personalization options.
Camera: The Main Attraction
One of the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is its double camera setup, which includes a main lens with a variable aperture that can adapt to different lighting conditions, resulting in exceptional image quality. The telephoto camera allows for two times optical zoom and produces impressive portraits in daylight. The device excels in capturing photos with excellent detail, dynamic range, and minimal noise, offering a compelling photography experience.
Low-Light Performance
In low-light conditions, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus delivers images with remarkable detail, minimal noise, and no blurry spots, thanks to its variable aperture that enables shooting with low ISO. This results in cleaner shots with fewer artifacts, setting it apart from its competitors.
Video Capabilities
Videos captured with the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus exhibit a great dynamic range, vivid colors, and accurate white balance. While the footage is generally free of noise, it may struggle with capturing grass and foliage. Additionally, the inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS) for both the wide and telephoto cameras ensures smooth footage, with the option to further enhance stability through electronic image stabilization (EIS).
Slow Motion and Selfies
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus introduces a captivating feature with its 960 frames per second slow motion capture, offering the ability to capture stunning slow-motion shots in well-lit environments. This feature elevates the device's capability to capture creative and visually captivating moments, adding a unique dimension to the user's photography and videography experience.
Selfie Quality
Selfies taken with the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus exhibit exceptional detail, providing users with the ability to capture high-quality self-portraits. The portrait mode for selfies also yields impressive results, further enhancing the device's appeal for users who prioritize front-facing camera performance.
Is the Galaxy S9 Plus Worth the Price?
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is undeniably a top-tier smartphone, offering impressive features and performance. However, its high price may deter some potential buyers. While the updated chipset and stereo speakers are notable enhancements, the older Galaxy models provide more value for the cost. It's advisable to consider waiting for a price drop before making a purchase, as the current pricing may not be competitive compared to its predecessors.
The Galaxy S9: A Smaller, Cheaper Alternative
For those seeking a more budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, the standard Galaxy S9 presents a compelling alternative to the S9 Plus. While it may not offer the same expansive screen and battery capacity, the Galaxy S9 still delivers exceptional performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience at a more accessible price point.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus offers top-tier features and impressive performance. However, the high price may not provide enough value compared to its predecessors.
FAQ
Is the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus worth the price?
The Galaxy S9 Plus offers impressive features, but its high price may not be competitive compared to older models. It's advisable to consider waiting for a price drop before making a purchase.
What is the alternative to the Galaxy S9 Plus?
The standard Galaxy S9 provides a more budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, delivering exceptional performance and camera capabilities at a more accessible price point.
