Samsung Officially Launches the Galaxy Note 9

After what seemed like an endless stream of leaks, Samsung has finally made the Galaxy Note 9 official. And it’s exactly what we have expected it to be.

Featuring a 6.4-inch SuperAMOLED display with a resolution of 2960×1440 pixels, the Galaxy Note 9 includes the “largest” Galaxy Note Infinity display ever. It will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, and come with up to 8GB of RAM. For the first time ever, Samsung will offer a 512GB storage model of the device, along with the 128GB version. And with the microSD expansion option, you can bring that up to a total of 1TB.

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Specs-wise, the Galaxy Note 9 isn’t too much of a major upgrade from the Note 8. It’s more of an iterative update, just like the Galaxy S9. But there are some critical updates to the overall system. Samsung says the cameras on the device are now powered by AI, and it’s able to optimize things like the white balance and exposure based on the scenery. It even features the same variable aperture system like the S9+, where you can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture on the fly. It will also adapt intelligently depending on the scenery and time of the day. The camera app has been updated to provide suggestions in real-time when you are taking a picture, so it will warn you when it detects blurriness, or when your hand is shaking too much, for example.

Samsung is also including a new S Pen with the Galaxy Note 9. The updated S Pen now includes Bluetooth, letting users control their camera, presentations, and other apps like YouTube and Snapchat with their S Pen wirelessly — much like the Surface Pen. For the battery, Samsung is promising to offer a day of battery life with the new 4,000mAh battery, which is a significant update from the Note 8’s 3,300mAh battery. With the Note 9, Samsung’s eliminating the need for a docking station when using the DeX experience — letting users connect their device to an external monitor for a desktop-like experience with just a single cable. It’s a pretty cool upgrade for those who actually use DeX.

The Note 9 is available for pre-order today in Midnight Black, Metallic Copper, Ocean Blue, and Lilac Purple. The 128GB model is available for $999.95, while the 512GB model comes at $1,249.99. Samsung is teaming up with Epic Games to make Fortnite for Android exclusive to its new Galaxy Note 9 (and other Galaxy devices), and the company is also offering 15,000 Fortnite V-Bucks to those who pre-order the device.

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Conversation 21 comments

  • dallasnorth40

    Premium Member
    09 August, 2018 - 11:38 am

    <p>I couldn't wait. I got the S9+ and I'm very happy with it. But, this looks really, really cool.</p>

    • rfog

      10 August, 2018 - 4:08 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300580">In reply to dallasnorth40:</a></em></blockquote><p>Wait 3 months and you will get them by 600$ the big one. :-P</p>

  • Otto Gunter

    09 August, 2018 - 12:22 pm

    <p>$999.95 for 8gb and 128gb? With a phone OS? And people say the Surface Go is too expensive!</p>

  • Sébastien Michel Harvey

    09 August, 2018 - 1:00 pm

    <p>Zzzzz, smartphone are boring and basically a commodity now.</p>

    • George Rae

      09 August, 2018 - 1:17 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300594">In reply to ezk1el:</a></em></blockquote><p>Newsflash, they always were, the emotional attachment and the tingle down your leg is what has changed. Then some grew up.</p>

    • HellcatM

      09 August, 2018 - 3:03 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#300594"><em>In reply to ezk1el:</em></a><em> Hopefully the Galaxy X will change this. Who knows though.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    09 August, 2018 - 1:01 pm

    <p>My takeaways:</p><p><br></p><p>The Note 9 is truly a complete smart phone, in my opinion. I've always loved the "extras" it throws in and I like the S-Pen enhancements. They didn't state the DXOMARK grade (if there is even one unknown to the public) on the Camera but I'd be curious to know. Like Paul, Camera is huge for me. I've had the Note 5, 7 and 8 and the Camera has always been among the best, even if I "trust" the Pixel camera more. </p><p><br></p><p>Is it me or is the Galaxy Home DOA? </p><p><br></p><p>I assume this will be launched with Android 8.1. Wishful thinking for 9…</p><p><br></p><p>With the push on Bixby, Galaxy Home, Galaxy Watch and their ecosystem, I see Samsung is going to "war" with Google more than ever before. I was thinking that perhaps Bixby would be going away and the watch was going to WearOS. More than ever, they are entrenching and not backing down. </p><p><br></p><p>Random Thoughts:</p><p><br></p><p>I can't see Bixby being a success and I think Dex, while a good idea, is just too little, too late, especially on the Tab S4. Having said that, I can't help but be tempted by the idea of their ecosystem, especially because the hardware and features are so nice. </p><p><br></p><p>The Note 9 is a superior phone, but I don't want Bixby or the Bixby button. I love their Gear/Galaxy Watch line as I believe they are slick, tight and the rotating watch face is great. But I don't want to be forced to use Samsung Messages, especially since Android Messages for the web works so well and is simple to use and set up. Plus, yes, I will say this: WearOS "just works" when it comes to notifications and responses and I think it is subtly getting better. The Galaxy Home looks fine and all, but for now, it is limiting due to Bixby and Spotify only. </p><p><br></p><p>I have a Pixel 2 XL, Google Home with a Max at the center of it all. Google Assistant works great for me and I can't see ever leaving it for Bixby, which honestly, doesn't have much of a chance in the market. </p><p><br></p><p>Samsung is often frustratingly tempting. </p>

    • rmlounsbury

      Premium Member
      09 August, 2018 - 1:56 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300595">In reply to wolters:</a></em></blockquote><p>I have to agree. I typically use Samsung phones mainly because I use the T-Mobile Jump on Demand allowing me to move between devices/platforms as I see fit.</p><p><br></p><p>I'm on a Note 8 today and it is a fantastic device with the biggest drawbacks being underwhelming battery and all the crapware that Samsung forces on their users. It would be great if I could remap the Bixby button to Google Assistant or even if you don't want me to use it for other assistants allow me to map it as a dedicated camera button or something. </p><p><br></p><p>If Samsung would allow their users more choice they would be my go to without question. Funny part is that the majority of Samsung phone owners would happily use the default options from Samsung instead of electing to turn off/remove those apps during phone setup. I don't think Bixby, S Health, S Notes, S Other-Apps really sell anyone on the phone. </p><p><br></p><p>Ultimately I have the same deal… I'd go all in on the Samsung eco-system but if I do that it means I have to use the default Samsung software and I'd rather not do that. </p><p><br></p><p>Here is hoping for a great Pixel Watch a long with the Pixel 3 and new Pixelbook this Fall. </p>

      • wolters

        Premium Member
        09 August, 2018 - 2:20 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#300602">In reply to rmlounsbury:</a></em></blockquote><p>Indeed "<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">frustratingly tempting." Their hardware is so good!! And not that their software or ecosystem is bad, but I don't want to have to use it if I want to use their other devices. </span></p><p><br></p><p>I tried Gear Watches before…beautiful and slick but it just didn't seem to feel like a complete product because, again, they need Samsung apps to "work best." </p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Side note – WearOS gets a bad reputation. Behind the scenes, the last 3-6 months have seen subtle and needed improvements and I think the next generation of WearOS watches are going go be great. </span></p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      10 August, 2018 - 2:10 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300595">In reply to wolters:</a></em></blockquote><p>I would assume the Samsung services is an attempt to get people use to using them instead of Google, before they dump Android and use their own OS… Otherwise it doesn't make much sense, at least not outside their home market.</p>

      • wolters

        Premium Member
        10 August, 2018 - 8:46 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#300595">In reply to wolters:</a></em></blockquote><p><em>I would assume the Samsung services is an attempt to get people use to using them instead of Google, before they dump Android and use their own OS… Otherwise it doesn't make much sense, at least not outside their home market.</em></p><p><br></p><p>That makes sense but without a viable app store, they would be doomed, just like our beloved Windows Phone. But agreed…the more they can take away from Google, the better for them. I just can't see myself going all in with Bixby, Galaxy Home or Dex, even if the hardware (and yes, software) is pretty slick. </p>

  • GT Tecolotecreek

    09 August, 2018 - 5:08 pm

    <p>$999.99 for 128 GB and $1,249.99 for 512GB! </p><p>Man, they are really overpriced, but those Apple Sheepe will buy any overpriced crap that Apple puts out cause Apple marketing is so good and it's just a status and lifestyle product. Look at me, I'm cool! </p><p><br></p><p>Oh wait, it's a Samsung? Wow, Samsung is the value leader in the smartphone marketplace! So much for so little $$$$. /s</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      10 August, 2018 - 2:07 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300682">In reply to GT_Tecolotecreek:</a></em></blockquote><p>value leader? Well, the Galaxy A series isn't too bad, but there are certainly better phones at each level with much lower prices than Samsung.</p>

  • Martin Pelletier

    Premium Member
    09 August, 2018 - 7:48 pm

    <p>I know that that phone hardware is top of the line. They have to get rid of their duplicate services. No one want to use them. Bixby still not available in french after 2+ years. Siri and Google Assistant have this support for a long time. Even Cortana was available this year finally. </p><p><br></p><p>And no monthly security updates. Not buying another Samsung phone.</p>

    • Daekar

      09 August, 2018 - 9:59 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#300690">In reply to MartinusV2:</a></em></blockquote><p>What do you mean, no monthly security updates? I'm still rocking an S7 and I get security patches almost every month… even though I am on Verizon, too. I've been absolutely shocked at the regularity of the patches, and it's one reason why I will feel completely comfortable buying another Samsung when this one finally bites the dust. </p>

      • wright_is

        Premium Member
        10 August, 2018 - 2:06 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#300731">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>That is certainly an improvement. At my last employer, we had a fleet of S3, S4, S5, S6 and S7 phones and the S6 and S7 were about 5 – 6 months behind on updates, that was last summer.</p><p>They newer (S6, S7) phones did get regular updates, but they were still well behind the official Android updates i.e. the Samsung update in August was the March Android security roll-up.</p>

      • Martin Pelletier

        Premium Member
        10 August, 2018 - 9:47 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#300731">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>Simple, when I got my S9+ in march directly from Samsung. Got one update in march. Other update was in July and even at that time, update had security patches from June. So it's not monthly updates. </p>

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