Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ Hands-on Review: Camera Reimagined?

Samsung’s S series smartphones always have been their top of the line, flagship segment smartphones. Coming with a top of the line performance and exceptional features. In 2018, the company launched their Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are set to replace the S8 and S8+. The S9 series comes with exceptional features like dual aperture and super slo-mo cameras, first in mobile phones. Also, the S9+ is the first Samsung S series smartphone with a dual camera setup.

The Galaxy S9 comes with a 5.8-inch Quad HD+ Curved Super AMOLED screen for increased productivity but keep the size down by using an 18.5:9 resolution display. The bigger S9+ sports a 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Curved Super AMOLED display. The design language is too similar to the S8 series but a bit more refined. It is powered by an Exynos 9810 processor along with Mali-G72 M18 GPU. The smaller S9 comes coupled with a 4GB of RAM and the bigger S9+ packs 6GB of RAM. It also has Bluetooth 5.0 and a massive 3,000mAh battery for the S9 and 3,500mAh battery for the S9+. Also, it supports Samsung pay and the fingerprint sensor is below the camera and not at the side of it which is a lot better. Also, both of these smartphones back dual-stereo setup.

Design and Display

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ boost upgraded displays to their predecessors. The display is 15 brighter compared to the S8 series and the bezels are even less. However, the bezel difference is not easily noticeable. Like the  There is a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom which a lot of companies have recently decided to kill. There is also a USB Type-C charging port at the bottom enabling fast charging. The S9 series also supports fast wireless charging like their predecessors. The Galaxy S9+ boosts dual vertical camera setup at the back, while the S9 only has one. The company also decided to change the fingerprint sensor location to below the camera, instead of its side. This makes it easier to reach and saves the camera from accidental smudges. However, the devices still carry the Bixby Button.

The device feels durable in hand even with front and back glass panels. Although Samsung didn’t mention which variant of Gorilla Glass it was using, it is safe to assume that it will definitely hold up the test of time. Also, the device is IP68 water resistant which we will need to test once we get our hands on it. Also, the S9 series will be available in Midnight Black, Purple Lilac, Coral Blue.

Camera

On the optics front, the Samsung Galaxy S9 sports a dual aperture rear camera with 12-megapixel and an aperture changing from f/1.5-f/2.4 and OIS. These are the first smartphones ever to do it. The bigger S9+ sports a dual rear camera setup. It consists of a 12-megapixel dual aperture with same apertures are the S9, Wideangle sensor. Along with it is a 12-megapixel f/2.4 Telephoto sensor, both with OIS. Both the smartphone sports an 8-megapixel f/1.7 aperture front cameras.

The Dual aperture camera enables the S9 series of smartphones to take exceptional low light photos along with sharp daylight photos. These are the first smartphones with this feature. The normal light photos by the smartphones are great and with the Dual camera setup on the S9+, the live focus is great providing exceptional photos.

The results from the front camera are equally impressive, the photos are great, with great colour and sharpness. Also, the Live Focus also works great on the front camera.

Price

The Galaxy S9 is available for purchase at the price of Rs 57,900 and the S9+ and Rs 64,900. Interestingly, these were the launching prices of the S8 and S8+. However, these are only 64GB base model prices. The 256GB variant costs Rs 65,900 and Rs 72,900 respectively for the S9 and S9+. There is various launch offers available with the device. You can check them out at here. With their camera performance, they are one of the best smartphones money can buy right now.