Looking at just the latest Galaxy S9 and S9+ you might think that this time the South Korean giant Samsung wasn’t even trying – they looked a lot like last year’s model. But as you know, the devil is in the details. And before us is another obvious example of this expression.
Yes, we are models, visually not unlike the S8 and S8+. The same screen size, same rounded edges. But upon closer examination it becomes clear that we really the new devices. This is especially noticeable on new camera experience, despite the fact that structurally, they had not changed much.
Younger new flagship of the Galaxy series offers a 5.8-inch screen. Older features the larger, 6.2-inch display. The aspect ratio of the screen, made by technology Super AMOLED, each of the devices is 18.5:9. Both have the same resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels. The pixel density of the model S9 is 570 per inch, S9+ a little smaller – 529 ppi. Screens, as is always the case with Samsung is very bright, crisp and juicy.
It’s all in the details
The fingerprint scanner, the location of which complained of the owners of last year’s models, now is not the side of the camera module, and moved under him. Before it was really difficult to get, especially if you have short fingers. The result was frequently to fluff and to get a finger on the glass of the camera. In the new models the problem is solved.
Now the fingerprint scanner is in the correct place – right in the middle, under the camera
In Samsung note that have worked to improve the sound quality of the stereo speakers devices. The product has AKG dynamics that are 40 percent louder than the Galaxy S8. In addition, speakers support Dolby Atmos 3D, simulating surround sound. Journalists, which was earlier than everyone else to get to the new smartphone note that the direct comparison between S8 and S9 latest speakers sound “richer” and louder.
The S9 model has stereo speakers. Hearing is the second
The company also improved the scanner face recognition that have appeared in S8. Last year’s model offered the user two types of lock screen: use the retinal scan, or facial recognition. A retinal scanner, although considered a more secure method, and even works with Samsung Pay, but often due to very bright lighting is not working as I would like. On the other hand, facial recognition is faster but less secure. And again, does not support Samsung Pay. And not friends with bad lighting.
To solve these problems in the new products Samsung introduced the technology of “smart scanning” (Intelligent Scan), which incorporates the best features of the above two technologies. Now the phone decides what technology to unlock to use. Bad lighting is going to work a retinal scanner. On the contrary, too bright – work scanner face recognition. It would seem, a trifle, but nice. Most users of this innovation might not even notice, but those who are more attentive to new things – should be like. Because ultimately, it is these subtle details give the right to be called one or another flagship device.
Photo, slow motion mode and Emoji AR
S9 – the first phone with a single camera with dual aperture
The biggest changes in the new models S9 and S9+ were subjected to their back camera. While all the smartphones currently on the market, have a fixed aperture lens, 12-megapixel camera S9 and S9+ got the camera “Super Speed Dual Pixel” with two diaphragms and optical stabilization.
The model S9 camera switches the aperture according to the shooting conditions. If there is sufficient lighting (such as when shooting day), it switches to aperture of f/2.4. The photos are crisp from corner to corner. But if the scene has bad lighting, the camera switches to aperture of f/1.5, adding photographs of light. The opportunity to choose a particular aperture is not. The system works automatically. In theory it makes the camera devices are more like real cameras that typically come with adjustable apertures.
Model S9+ has the same 12-megapixel camera with dual aperture, as in S9. As additional used 12-megapixel telephoto lens
Model S9+ has a system of dual camera. The second lens is located above the main, has an aperture of f/2.4 and a built-in optical image stabilizer. Dual camera generally works the same as the Note 8. It has the function of a “living focus” which allows you to adjust the background blur in real time, which helps to find the right mix between realism and effect. The new product also has function “multicade”. It creates sets of four frames and make them last the image is already minimized noise. The effect is similar to the one used for creating HDR photos. A function composes multiple images with different effects for the final image with a wider dynamic range. In General, the function multicade allows a 30 percent reduction in noise in the images compared to the same parameters of the model S8.
Sensor camera Super Speed Dual Pixel allows shoots slow-motion video is 960 frames per second at HD resolution. The same iPhone X can remove “slomo” only at 240 frames per second. Japanese brother in the face Sony Xperia XZ does not lag behind the innovations of Samsung, and also can capture video at a rate of 960 frames per second, but it has no AI system, which determines movements in videos and slow them just for this moment.
Fans of “selfie” will find on the front panel of the device is 8-megapixel camera with aperture of f/1.7 and the AF. And they have like the new AR function Emoji, the answer Animoji iPhone X.
The AR function Emoji allows you to turn your selfie into custom GIF avatars
A function scans your face, but you can change a few things, like hairstyle and appearance
Make a picture of yourself and the camera will create on its basis a new “Emoji”. Thing something similar to the 3D function, Bitmoji for Snapchat. The user is allowed to change the shape of face, hairstyle and even appearance. Then based on your Emoji AR software creates 18 GIF-images with different expressions, which can be shared anywhere. As well as Animoji feature allows you to record short video clips based on your Emoji AR that scans a few specific points on your face for synchronization.
If you do not like a three-dimensional avatars of people we can turn, for example, in a Bunny
It’s definitely very strange, silly, but very cool. If you don’t want to create AR Emoji on your face, the function has a few presets with filters and characters.
Characteristics and iron
Slot for microSD memory card still in place, and supports cards up to a volume of 400 GB
While many smartphone manufacturers are starting to refuse from such “retro” features, like a headphone Jack and a microSD slot, Samsung with their new nines remains true to itself and its customers. In the end, they asked the company about getting these features in the new devices was retained.
Work novelties S9 and S9+ on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 845. The Junior model has 4 GB of RAM, S9+ with 6 GB RAM. Both devices have 64 GB of memory. But as mentioned above, due to the presence of slot microSD free space can be increased to 400 GB.
Samsung is almost one of the last companies in the market, which still does not want to abandon the 3.5 mm audio connector
Perhaps the only thing that did not play in the Samsung, so it is with the battery size. Battery capacity at S9 is 3000 mAh, from S9+ to 3500 mAh. Exactly the same characteristics have a model S8 and S8+. Given that the last attempt to increase the battery capacity turned self-igniting Note 7 – the desire to leave all as before is justified and obvious.
And of course both models have all the safety certifications and features, common to almost all modern flagship and not only devices. Here and under the protection of IP68 (dust and water), and fast charging, and… a 3.5 mm audio Jack.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ are on the latest version of the Android operating system Oreo with add-Samsung TouchWiz UI
Come to S9 and S9+ are preloaded with Android Oreo and a proprietary UI TouchWiz. Owners of previous models of the company will understand everything without words. Then repeat does not make sense.
DeX Pad is now flat and is backward compatible with the S8, and will also support future models of Samsung smartphones
Experienced users will appreciate the new DeX Pad. The accessory can turn an S9 and S9+ in some semblance of a desktop computer. Only need to connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse. New flat design the docking station chosen by chance. Placed in a smartphone can be used as trackpad or a virtual keyboard, if you have just a monitor or TV. Real mouse of course does not replace, but in certain circumstances can be useful.
S9 and S9+ DeX are connected to the Pad via the USB port. by connecting the Additional monitor, you can use the device as a desktop computer
Looks like the new station DeX Pad certainly not as respectable as last version for S8 and S8+, but has a number of advantages over the previous model. For example, it supports the output resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (the previous version supported only Full HD-resolution), and has redundant audio Jack.
In Samsung say that the accessory is backward compatible with previous flagship models, and will also support future devices of the company. The price of a new dock DeX Pad were not disclosed, but most likely it will cost as the previous version — something around $ 150.
The screen of the smartphone docking station turns it into a trackpad. Operate conveniently, but it is certainly not an adequate substitute for a real mouse
Bixby is still in service
Whether you like it or not, but AI assistant Bixby has not disappeared in the new devices. The “Niners” is still a separate dedicated physical button for call (left side). The reassign button to something else is impossible. As you can not assign it to another virtual assistant, for example, from Google.
In Samsung note that made your virtual assistant smarter. Added support for new stores, selecting merchandise which Bixby will be able to talk about different things in more detail, and then another directly to buy it.
Glass back cover “nines” is still very fragile. Make sure you buy the cover, if you fear for the safety of the device
In addition, Bixby has become smarter in identifying places. Sending Bixby Vision, for example, at the hotel he using hautegaronne data will tell you what attractions in the area you can find. The same applies to food. Aim Bixby Vision on various products and he will tell you about how much calories they contain.
Perhaps the most useful update for Bixby is Live Translations. Now feature allows you to translate foreign languages in real time using augmented reality technology. Want to translate, say, a menu with Spanish just send Bixby Vision on the Spanish text and its translation immediately appears right above him.
It is necessary to take?
The phone functions first and foremost should be useful. In this respect, a “nine” to cope in many aspects. A new iron. Camera. The correct location of the scanner to unlock it. More intelligent AI assistant. New “selfimage”. Silly, but fun. The older model has all the same, but a little more powerful and has two cameras. This is the only difference. Choose any flavor. Who more, who less.
On sale model Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ will arrive on March 16. Pre-orders for the device will be open from 2 March. Color choice: Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue and Titanium Gray. The price of the device will be 719,99 dollars for S9 and 839,99 $ S9+. For the Russian retail price is will be higher. Another question, is it worth all this to give that kind of money and change in fact, the S8 and S8+ (which is still very good) slightly improved the S8 and S8+. Leave this question for the consumer.
Samsung introduces the Galaxy S9 and S9+
Nikolai Khizhnyak