It's your turn Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to update to the September security patch. The manufacturer has released a new software build numbered N960FXXU3CSI3, which has become available in a number of European countries.
Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy A50 receive July update
It is reported that Samsung Galaxy Note 9 began receiving a second update with the July security patch, the firmware comes with version number N960FXXU3CSG3.
Galaxy Note 9 receives major One UI update
Today, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 phablet received one of the biggest updates in recent memory. It weighs more than 1.6 GB, and in addition to the April security patch, it includes a number of innovations in software Samsung One UI.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 receives April security update
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 phablet is now among those devices that received the latest patch Android security for April. The SM-N960F model received software number N960FXXS2CSD2 and was released in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania.
Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S8 Plus receive March security patch
The first flagship smartphone of the South Korean brand to receive the March security update was the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. After some time, it was joined by other premium devices: the Galaxy S8 Plus and Galaxy Note 9.
After the latest update, Galaxy Note 9 has new features
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the brand's top device, which regularly receives updates. This month it turns six months old, and a month ago it received an update to Android Pie.
DxOMark recognized the Galaxy Note 9's front camera as the best on the market
Recently, specialists from DxOMark began testing front cameras mobile devices, and in the first report they recognized the Galaxy Note 9 as the best in this area. It scored 92 points, but it is also worth noting that it shared the first position with the Google Pixel 3.
Android 9.0 for Galaxy Note 9 introduces a separate Dolby Atmos gaming feature
Quite recently ended Galaxy program Beta Program testing Android 9.0 Pie for the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus and Note 9, and just an hour ago the Seoulites released a beta version operating system for Note 8.
Android Pie update for Galaxy Note 9 released in South Korea and India
Despite yesterday's reports that the international release of Android Pie for the Galaxy Note 9 has been pushed back to February 1, very good news came out of India and South Korea this morning. Samsung has released the long-awaited update in these countries.
The international release of Android Pie for Galaxy Note 9 has been postponed to February 1
Last time we reported that the Galaxy Note 9 was getting a second stable Android update 9.0 Pie, but exclusively in Germany and the UAE. In other countries, users are waiting, and if today's leak is to be believed, they will have to wait until next month.
Note 9 gets second Android 9.0 update, user guide and other news
Samsung has released the Android Pie update for Note 9, but so far only in one country - Germany. The latest news suggests that the company has announced the release of a second update, which seems to be available in other countries.
Samsung releases stable Android Pie update for Galaxy Note 9
The Android Pie update for the Galaxy Note 9 was released in Germany. Although we expected this to happen on January 15, Samsung released the stable version of the operating system 11 days earlier.
When will Samsung release Android 9.0 Pie for Galaxy Note 9 in Russia?
Last week, the Turkish division of Samsung published a list of devices with update dates before latest version Android operating system. According to him, Galaxy Note 9 will receive Android 9.0 Pie on January 15, 2019.
New Android 9.0 Pie beta update for Galaxy Note 9
When did Samsung release official update Android Pie for Galaxy S9/Galaxy S9 Plus, it closed the software testing program, but not for Note 9.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 display size known
Sources have declassified the display diagonal of Samsung's next flagship phablet. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 will have a much larger display than its predecessor.
3D printed head fools Galaxy Note 9, S9, G7 and OnePlus 6 face scanner
To date, security engineers have created several technologies to protect personal data stored on computers, tablets, smartphones and even smartwatches.
Samsung has released the second beta version of Android Pie beta for Note 9
News has just emerged that Samsung has already released the third version of its Android Pie testing software for the Galaxy S9, and now Note 9 users have received the second update.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 started receiving Android Pie beta in Germany, USA and India
This morning, Samsung opened registration for the Android Pie beta program for the Galaxy Note 9 in Germany and India. In the US, the company launched this program a few days ago, but has only now released the software.
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Was it possible to believe such popularity seven years ago, when Samsung introduced the first Galaxy Note tablet phone? For the smartphone market, this is an eternity. Here, one unsuccessful device can become a real disaster. This happened two years ago with the Galaxy Note 7. Now this is in the past and Samsung is boldly offering a new model.
Galaxy Note 9 can be called the first announcement of the upcoming end-of-year holidays. Such honor also means great responsibility. Samsung sets the bar ahead of its competitors. The Galaxy Note line has always been great, and it should be this time too.
However, the smartphone market is always changing. Their prices continue to rise, so the question of price-quality ratio is becoming increasingly important. Now it is not enough just to offer a new generation processor and increase the storage capacity so that the device continues to be purchased.
Specifications
- Dimensions and weight: 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm, 201 g
- Materials: glass, aluminum
- Biometrics: fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, iris
- Protection: IP68
- Colors: black, blue, brown, purple
- OS: Android 8.1, Samsung Experience
- Screen: 6.4 inches Super AMOLED, 1440 x 2960, 516 ppi, 83.51%, HDR
- Cameras: rear 12 MP, LED flash, f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures, pixel size 1.4 microns, focal length 26 mm, sensor size 1/2.55 inches, 2x optical zoom; second camera 12 MP, f/2.4, viewing angle 45 degrees; phase detection autofocus; 4K 60 fps video, optical stabilization on both cameras. Front 8 MP.
- Processor: Snapdragon 845 8-core 64 bit, Kryo 385 2800 MHz, 10 nm, Adreno 630
- Memory: 6/8 GB, storage 128/256 GB, microSD up to 512 GB
- Battery: 4000 mAh
Design
Samsung doesn't change often appearance almost entirely of their smartphones. And this time this did not happen. The Galaxy Note 9 is almost identical to last year's Galaxy Note 8. Don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. The previous device was very beautiful and high quality, the new one is the same. It has a premium look, glass and metal with curved edges. We are considering a blue version of the device with a yellow stylus. This contrast is unusual and seems something new. Although the glass collects smudges and dirt, it is relatively easy to wipe off.
The dimensions of the device differ little from its predecessor. The smartphone has become a little wider and thicker. The location of buttons and connectors has not changed. Luckily, Samsung is listening to customer feedback and has moved the fingerprint scanner under the rear camera. Now it's easier to reach it.
The engineers paid close attention to detail. Smartphones these days are phasing out the headphone jack to make room for other components. The Galaxy Note 9 has a headphone jack. There is also heart rate monitoring, an iris scanner, two speakers, a compartment for the S Pen stylus, and even wireless charging. Protection against water and dust IP68 is not forgotten.
S Pen
The Galaxy Note line wouldn't be itself if it didn't include the S Pen stylus. This year, particular attention is paid to this accessory. The appearance is no different from last year. In your hands it feels like a real pencil or pen. Samsung has added new functionality to it. Support for Bluetooth communication standard has appeared Low Energy, thanks to which the stylus can be used as a remote control remote control. With it, you can take photos, scroll through images in the gallery and presentations, play videos and music.
All this is done without touching the smartphone screen. It will be interesting to see what use the stylus' capabilities will find from developers. third party applications. Samsung has released a development kit for them. The main purpose of the stylus remains in drawing and writing. If you have artistic talents, the 4096 pressure levels may come in handy.
Screen
The screen differs little from its predecessor. The Super AMOLED panel has grown by 0.1 inches to a size of 6.4 inches. The resolution is 1440 x 2960 pixels. The color temperature is approximately 6400 K, providing high color accuracy in the sRGB color range. These characteristics are almost identical, which means the highest quality.
Maximum brightness has increased to 575 nits in Adaptive display mode. The screen remains very pleasing to the eye thanks to high detail, rich colors, wide viewing angles and deep blacks. Video enhancement mode makes the picture even more attractive, just like when watching HDR-enabled videos on YouTube.
The curve at the sides of the screen has long been a distinctive feature flagship smartphones Samsung. There is nothing new here in this regard. On the side panels it is still given quick access to various actions with a smartphone.
Interface
There is nothing special to say here, since everything remains the same. The device runs Android 8.1, although it would be nice to see Android Pie here. The system already applies to Google smartphones Pixel, and Samsung would receive a lot of gratitude from users if it released a device on it. The Samsung Experience shell on top of Android is no different from what is on the S9+. The interface has a minimalistic appearance. In keeping with Samsung tradition, there's plenty of extra functionality here for advanced users. The smartphone is more capable than other Android models, since it is aimed primarily at work.
The S Pen makes some difference Android interface from other smartphones. It can be very useful when you have to sign PDF document, make a note in the margins of the site, write a note on the screen, etc. The Bixby assistant has been updated, the functionality of which is gradually expanding. In particular, he understands voice commands better and better.
To turn a smartphone into a computer, there is no need to buy. Now you just need to use a regular USB-C > HDMI cable to access your desktop. In Russia, you need to pay about 7,000 rubles for this docking station, so saving this amount will be very useful. Now you simply connect your smartphone to the monitor and keyboard with a cable and it starts working like a computer.
Samsung has made changes to AR Emoji, but the functionality still remains child's play. She may look interesting in the first two minutes, but then she gets boring.
In general, in terms of interface, the Galaxy Note 9 does not bring anything revolutionary compared to the Galaxy Note 8. However, you should not break something that is not broken. No other smartphone has this level of practicality for work. With the help of the stylus, the functionality has become even wider.
Performance and Memory
Naturally, new smartphone gets the latest hardware components. In the Russian version it will be applied Samsung processor Exynos 9810, in the USA Snapdragon 845. The review considers the version with a memory capacity of 6/128 GB. The device works without problems with applications, and with many at once. Its responsiveness is at the level of other modern flagships, that is, it responds to user actions very quickly.
In terms of gaming capabilities, this device also does not disappoint. It can handle any modern mobile games without difficulty. Benchmarks show a favorable picture. In real games, you will get high frame rates and smooth performance. Much to thank for this new system liquid cooling. Despite this, even this will not save the case from heating up if you play for quite a long time.
The storage capacity has increased from the previous 64 GB. In addition, you can install a memory card up to 512 GB. The second version of the smartphone has 8/512 GB memory configurations. Thus, the storage capacity on this smartphone can reach 1 TB. Surely you have seen few computers with such value, but here you can carry so much data in your pocket.
Cameras
Smartphones often come with the same cameras as their predecessors, with minor improvements. This happened in the case of the Galaxy Note 9. It once again uses a dual camera, as in the Galaxy Note 8. In addition, there is a variable aperture, as in the Galaxy S9. As a result, the combination turned out to be the same as on the model. The main camera is a 12 MP wide-angle with optical image stabilization and an aperture of f/2.4 and f/1.5. The latter value is designed to improve the quality of pictures in low light. The second camera has a telephoto lens with 2x zoom and also has optical image stabilization. This will avoid shaking when you hold the device in your hands.
The camera works in the same way as on the Galaxy S9+. There are different shooting modes, such as panorama, Hyperlapse, slow motion, live focus, professional mode with manual settings. The only new feature is the optimization of scenes, where there are 20 different options. When the camera selects one of them, it changes the settings. If you don't like the result, you can disable this mode.
Image quality
We can say that the photographs are stunning. If you often share photos on social networks or are a mobile photography enthusiast, the Galaxy Note 9 is suitable for a variety of shooting scenarios. The device takes excellent pictures on bright sunny days, providing a wide dynamic range and the highest clarity. Even without Live Focus mode, the natural level of bokeh is impressive.
When the lighting is not the best, the variable aperture comes into play and the pictures are also good. The camera performs well even with high contrast. Shadow detail is preserved, and highlights are dimmed enough to make a neutral exposure. When there is very little light, the aperture becomes f/1.5 and the shutter speed is reduced to collect more light. Many smartphones have difficulty in such conditions and the photos would be blurry, but on the Note 9 the stabilization copes. The detail may not be as clear, but the photographs are acceptable.
The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, as in the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The detail here is also good, there are wide-angle lenses. This is more than enough not only to photograph the face, but also the entire person at arm's length. There is also a background blur mode here, but it is too aggressive. Often it blurs the face instead of the background. The quality is not as high as on the Pixel 2.
Video quality
In terms of photography, everything is excellent, in terms of video, no worse. The maximum recording resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels at 60 fps. This means incredibly clear, detailed video.
You shouldn't shoot at this speed in low light because the image will blur and create digital noise. In this situation, it is better to switch to 30 fps, the image will be of better quality. Exposure will be improved and detail will increase. You can control certain settings in Pro shooting mode, but not all of them can be changed while shooting. For example, ISO remains fixed. I wish Samsung would offer a real one manual mode shooting video, as happens in the LG V line of smartphones.
As with the Galaxy S9, the new device has super slow-motion video recording at 960 fps with a resolution of 720p. This can produce interesting shots, but detail is washed out due to the low resolution and a high ISO value is required. Standard slow motion is recorded at 240 fps with a resolution of 1080p. There is no duration limit, so there is no need to try to accurately guess the start time.
Multimedia
Thanks to the presence of dual speakers, one of which is located at the bottom next to the USB-C and the other in the phone shell, users will experience stereo sound. The quality is good, the volume of 74.6 dB is not inferior to the Galaxy Note 8. There are smartphones with more powerful speakers, but here at least there is no noticeable distortion and shrill sounds at maximum volume.
All more smartphones are losing a headphone jack, but Samsung is still faithful to them. This makes you wonder why other developers are getting rid of them. The Galaxy Note 9 is a pretty sleek device, and the presence of a headphone jack doesn't stop it from having a lot of other functionality. Usually, when manufacturers remove this connector, they say that they are using the space inside the case for other purposes.
We also need to talk about watching videos on this smartphone. Thanks to the Super AMOLED screen, it turns out to be very rich and highly detailed. YouTube supports HDR, which improves the viewing experience. A video enhancement feature is available that increases brightness and contrast.
Call quality
Calling on the Galaxy Note 9 won't be a problem. You'll get pleasant sound, natural tones and enough volume to be heard in noisy environments. There is an additional volume mode if you need it. However, the standard volume will probably be enough.
Also, the interlocutor will hear you without any problems. There is a hint of distortion, but not enough to negatively impact the conversation experience. I was pleased with the speakerphone, voices can be distinguished and the volume is high.
Autonomy
Samsung tried to make the Galaxy Note 9 the longest-lasting smartphone in this line. The battery capacity has increased to 4000 mAh. Last year's Galaxy Note 8 only had a 3,300 mAh battery. Although it's hard to see by eye, the thickness of the case has increased slightly to accommodate the battery inside. It is unlikely that anyone will object to this.
In battery life tests, the Galaxy Note 9 showed good results. The operating time between charges with the screen on was 8 hours 56 minutes. This is an hour ahead of the Galaxy Note 8 and also ahead of the Galaxy S9+. In everyday work, the smartphone will be able to last a full day even under heavy load. Usually by evening there is about 35% charge left.
How more capacity battery, the longer it takes to charge. In this case, not very long. It takes 109 minutes to charge from zero to 100%, which is not much faster than the Galaxy Note 8. There is fast wireless charging.
Conclusion
At first glance, there are several reasons why the Galaxy Note 9 is a fantastic smartphone. It produces clear photos, works for a long time without a power outlet, and is one of the few that offers a stylus. Few devices can compare with it in terms of functionality. However, this is the most expensive smartphone in the history of this line with a base price of $1000. In Russia this means a price of 70,000 rubles. For most people, this will be the main factor against buying a smartphone. However, if you can afford it, the device is unlikely to disappoint you.
The Galaxy Note 9 has been improved in many ways over its predecessor. This still does not allow us to call it a revolutionary device, which many hoped for. This is a fairly predictable evolutionary update. In almost every way he has improved, as he should after a year. The stylus is better and the camera is better, but if you have a Galaxy Note 8, there's little point in buying a new one. Essentially, it's the same Galaxy Note 8 in the same packaging.
If you have an older model, you should be pleased with the upgrade to the Galaxy Note 9. It can be safely recommended if you really need this kind of power and functionality. True, many features were borrowed from the Galaxy S9+ and no longer surprise anyone. In particular, the dual variable aperture camera is one example of this. However, the Galaxy Note 9 is in its own major league, where the number of players is very limited.
While various manufacturers are looking for excuses why they can’t provide this and that, the Galaxy Note 9 makes literally everything possible. We see that you can get a smartphone with phenomenal performance without losing the headphone jack. There is also an almost frameless screen without a notch, a dual camera with variable aperture, water protection, a premium appearance and the ability to turn your smartphone into a computer. Galaxy Note 9 lives up to expectations and makes the impossible possible.
Pros
- Duration of work
- Great camera
- Base storage capacity has doubled
- Advanced S Pen capabilities
- Desktop without docking station
- Design
Cons
- Minimal differences compared to Galaxy Note 8
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Live photos
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| Specifications | |
| Dimensions and weight | 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm, 201 grams |
| Housing materials | Corning Gorilla Glass 5, aluminum |
| Display | 6.4 inches, 1440x2960 pixels, 18.5:9, SuperAMOLED, 521 ppi, Always On Display, HDR10, adaptive color and brightness adjustment, color correction, automatic brightness more than 1200 nits |
| operating system | Google Android 8.1, Samsung Experience 9.5 |
| Platform | Exynos 9810 chipset, 8 cores (4 cores up to 2.35 GHz, 4 cores up to 1.9 GHz), 64 bit, 10 nm, in some markets models available with Snapdragon 845 |
| Memory | 6 GB RAM, 128/256 GB ROM, card microSD memory up to 512 GB (8/512 GB option available) |
| Wireless interfaces | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB Type-C, NFC Two simultaneous Bluetooth connections devices, the ability to simultaneously listen to sound from different programs on different accessories |
| Net | Giga-LTE, LTE cat. 18 (depending on the operator), frequency aggregation; Dual SIM cards, nanoSIM |
| Navigation | GPS/GLONASS/Beidou |
| Sensors and connectors | Accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, heart rate sensor, proximity sensor, RGB lighting sensor, pressure sensor; Fingerprint sensor (rear); Iris scanner, face scanner - unlike S8/S8+ combined, works in complete darkness |
| Main camera | Main camera, 12 megapixels, DualPixel, f/1.5/2.4, OIS, LED flash, 4K video recording, multiframe, live photo mode, background blur, intelligent detection of shooting mode, optical zoom x2 |
| Front camera | Front camera, 8 megapixels, autofocus, f/1.7 |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, operating time in mixed mode is at least 24 hours (up to 6 hours of screen operation), built-in wireless charging WPC/PMA, fast charging in 90 minutes to 100 percent |
| Degree of protection | IP68, additional shock protection |
| Colors | black, copper, metallic blue (S Pen color varies depending on color) |
| Sound | Dolby, equalizers, effects, stereo speakers tuned by AKG (lower and upper) |
| Peculiarities | S Pen, remote control using the pen, for example, using it as a presentation remote or controlling a camera. Plus traditional S Pen capabilities; Samsung Pay(NFC, MST) |
Scope of delivery
- Smartphone
- S Pen
- Wired stereo headset AKG
- Charger (fast charge)
- USB Type C cable
- SIM tray eject tool
- microUSB to USB Type C adapter
- USB adapter Type C to USB
- Instructions
Positioning
The Galaxy Note line has always been a unique phenomenon on the market, since in fact it was these devices that set the trend for the emergence of smartphones with large screens and formed the direction of phablets, although the word has already been forgotten, just as the term “camera phone” has become a thing of the past as unnecessary. Most smartphones are trying to get larger screens, while manufacturers are removing frames, improving the display-to-surface ratio, and all this for one thing only - so that smartphones remain within the framework of the previous ergonomics, and do not turn into bricks that need to be used with two hands. The Note's advantage and strength was that these devices also had the S Pen, a stylus that dramatically expanded the capabilities of the device and set it apart from all smartphones. Attempts to copy the stylus were made many times and by different manufacturers, but they all ended the same way - it was impossible to create something even remotely similar. Therefore, perhaps the most loyal audience of the Note line are people of creative professions, artists and those who are used to using a notepad, writing by hand or sketching.
For handwriting or drawing, there is simply no alternative to Note. You can buy a tablet and a stylus for it, but, as a rule, mobility suffers; even a 7-8-inch device is noticeably larger than a Note, which fits in your pocket.
Historically, a significant part of Note buyers were those who were looking for the very best technology, that is, buying a flagship with maximum characteristics. For this audience, the Note line is gradually becoming less interesting and fades into the background, as it begins to repeat the S line, but with a number of minor hardware improvements. The approach is quite deliberate; Samsung doesn’t want to force the technology race and force itself into a six-month cycle, it’s too fast, and the Note line doesn’t have the kind of sales to warrant spending such efforts on.
Buying a device from the Note line always means purchasing the largest screen size, a high-quality camera and the maximum possible software. Whatever one may say, this is a flagship that will occupy people’s imagination until the release of the same S10+, but at the same time its cost is maximum, as a result, one should not expect widespread sales. For the first time before the release of Note 9, Samsung stopped producing Note 8 and cleared warehouses and store shelves so as not to create competition. After all, the previous device, at a price of almost half as much, may well compete with the new product and become the preferred choice; the price in this matter is everything. Therefore, Note 8 disappeared, which is a pity, since at that price it is extremely interesting. In fact, the main competitor for the Note 9 in the fight for consumer attention is the Galaxy S9+ (in six months it will be the S10+; the models are distinguished by the chipset, but not the amount of memory, as well as the improved camera of the 10 and a number of changes in the software). I will try to carefully compare the Note 9 with these models (but not with the 10, since it’s too early), and discuss with you what you get in each case. Since I constantly use Note 8 and S9+, it is logical that comparison with previous models will be the main thread in this review.
Design, dimensions, control elements
Samsung and other companies don’t want to change the design every year. If we compare the “unique” models in the S series, and also add Note, it turns out that it is absolutely impossible to distinguish them from a short distance, looking at the front panel. You need to be a professional with an eagle eye to notice the different rounding angles of the screens, note the color of the edging and count all five visible differences. I confess, I am not a professional, because in life and at a glance I cannot determine exactly what kind of device a person has lying on the table or in his hands. They have all become more or less the same, and this is a problem.
Compared to Galaxy S9+
Compared to iPhone X
Compared to Huawei P20 Pro
Compared to Pixel 2 XL and iPhone X
However, it is necessary to make a reservation that the sameness manifests itself within the Samsung line; other manufacturers do not have such screens, and therefore the design of their smartphones is different, they do not look so cool and unusual. However, this is a matter of taste; someone can challenge it and say that all this is nonsense and models should not have rounded edges. Although the debate about the ergonomics of such a solution has long died down, it is quite applicable in practice and does not cause inconvenience.
The main difference between Note 9 and Note 8/S9+ is the shape of the body; it has become more angular. With almost the same width (161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm, 201 grams), the roundings were removed, and now the device crashes into the hand. In some ways it reminded me of the Note 5, which was similar in ergonomics, but a little thinner and lighter.
Compared to Galaxy Note 8
This frame design did not appear by chance, since they tried to protect the screen as much as possible from falls and removed the roundings. Previous models survived the blows stoically and, as a rule, survived. But in this device they decided to pay special attention to this, since the weight of the phone had increased and it was necessary to maximize survivability, albeit at the expense of ergonomics.
This device is inferior in usability only compared to the Note 8/S9+, but it is quite in the market, there is nothing terrible or that could stop you from using it. Also traditionally for Samsung, the IP68 protection standard is used, the device can survive under water, you can take it with you to the pool or to the sea. Such protection from water is not a 100% guarantee that nothing will happen to it, but usually everything ends well, especially if you haven’t hit the phone before and its seal is not broken.
The location of the control elements has not changed, on the left side there is a paired volume key, just below is the Bixby button (does not interfere in any way, you can use it, you can ignore it, you can reassign it to another action), on right side– on/off button.
At the top end there is a slot for SIM cards and a memory card (it is again combined, that is, either two nanoSIM cards, or a memory card and one SIM card). IN younger models Samsung puts slots where you can use all the cards at once, and it’s a shame that this is not the case in the flagship. From conversations I realized that this is a requirement of operators, they do not want the ability to use two SIM cards, they believe that the majority will install a memory card. A naive assumption that limits our possibilities. I tried to use a homemade “sandwich” that bypasses this limitation (two SIM cards, one of which is glued to a microSD), but it didn’t work in this device (but it worked quite well on the S8).
Interestingly, the tray has been slightly redesigned; it needs to be inserted carefully, as it does not fit into the grooves the first time. If you use excessive force, it can break. It’s amazing how such a small thing can be ruined, the only good thing is that you don’t have to insert the tray every day.
At the bottom there is a 3.5 mm jack (it hasn’t gone away, although there were many prophets and karkush, confident that Samsung would copy Apple’s approach, but I don’t understand why the company had to do this, since it’s stupid, as well as the screen notch, but there it will be applicable at least in the future to increase the screen area to the maximum; now it is also not necessary). There is also a USB Type C connector, as well as the main microphone. The device has three microphones in total, the noise reduction system works perfectly, and the microphones are also used in the Voice Recorder application, where you can record interviews, that is, they are directional.
The speakers in this device, just like in the S9+, are stereo, that is, the speaker on the bottom is paired with a speech speaker. This is good because watching movies is much better than on the Note 8, the volume is higher. But there are practically no differences from the same S9+ in this aspect.
At the bottom end there is a connector for the S Pen; it is impossible to insert the pen on the wrong side; here, just like in Note 8, there is foolproof protection. We’ll talk about the S Pen separately, here I’ll just note that the pen doesn’t fall out in your pocket, there are no accidental presses. Sometimes it sticks out a little because it has a button and it can get pressed if you have a lot of stuff in your pockets.
Compared to Galaxy Note 8
The front panel is fully laminated, the device plays in the light, plus we can add an Always On Display with any picture. The model looks interesting. Regardless of what color you choose for the device, the front panel will be black. In Russia, the device initially appears in three colors - black (classic, but rather boring), blue (a beautiful device), and copper (a kind of rich and noble bronze). I have devices in two colors, blue and black, which you can see in the review. I like blue better, it's prettier. The purple color device is available in other markets and is not bad for girls. We may have one later.
Please note that the color of the S Pen also differs from the color of the case; in black it is black, in blue it is bright yellow, in copper it is bronze. Yellow suits my mood; it looks brighter and more stylish. There will be no pink S Pen in Russia.
The fingerprint sensor was moved under the camera block on the rear panel (previously it was on the side of the camera). The location does not play a big role for me, since I use face and iris unlocking. But for some, a sensor in this place is vitally important; as a rule, these are those who have never used Note.
A few words about how face unlock works. There is IR illumination on the front panel, it illuminates you and allows you to unlock the device, here not only the face is assessed, but the iris is also scanned. The more often you use this unlocking, the faster it will be. The meaning of the technology is the same as in S9/S9+, but there are differences in hardware, plus the software has been improved. During the first week, the phone “gets used” to you, then the unlocking process becomes instantaneous. In terms of speed there are no differences from the same iPhone X, in terms of security everything is also excellent, there is no way to unlock it with a picture or photo. Since I wear glasses, I can say that there are no problems with this either. Other points I would like to note are that the function requires very little light to operate, it works even on the street at night, and the recognition time increases slightly.
The build quality is excellent, there are no complaints here. Let me stop here and move on to other components of the device.
Display
The screen has increased slightly, here in each generation they rather indicate an increase in the display by 0.1 inches, which is more marketing than real differences.
The screen diagonal is 6.4 inches, the geometry is the same 18.5 by 9, the resolution is 2K, or, more precisely, QuadHD+. You can also change the screen resolution; the lower the resolution, the longer the device will work.
In the settings you can not only adjust color temperature, but also adjust the colors if you think something is wrong with them.
The screen is perfectly readable in the sun.
Compared to the iPhone X, where the screen was created by Samsung, the matrix in Note 9 is perceived noticeably better, both in terms of picture quality, diagonal, and display resolution.
The Always On Display operating mode allows you to display a picture or screensaver in standby mode. In two days, the device spends approximately 400-500 mAh to operate this function for 20 hours. The brightness of the AOD has increased compared to the S8+, and you can adjust the brightness directly from the screen. In your pockets or bag, the device understands that there is no need to show this screen and turns it off.
The AOD feature is great because it allows you to see notifications and time without having to take your phone off the table, everything is visible at a glance. You can also customize the background, choose different designs or your photos. From this screen you can click on the icon to quickly go to the selected application.
For a curved screen, you can configure different panels to quickly access applications or specific functions. The presence of such panels makes life easier, since on any screen you can call it up with one touch, for example, this is how I use a calculator or launch those applications that I use constantly. It is also very convenient that pictures from the clipboard are shown on the side and you can immediately select them and use them in any of the open applications.
Finally, it is important to note that the presence of a large screen allows you to comfortably work in two windows; you can simultaneously launch two applications and work in them in parallel or simply see what is happening in them. Double shortcuts have been added to the sidebar, meaning you can launch two applications at once with one click. This is a great feature because it saves time. Samsung's implementation of working in two windows is much more convenient than anyone else's. You can drag files from one window to another, copy text, and so on.
Battery
The battery capacity has increased, both compared to the S9+ (there was 3500 mAh) and compared to the Note 8 (3300 mAh). Li-Ion battery 4000 mAh, fast charging allows you to charge the device in 90 minutes, wireless charging can be either fast or normal.
My Note 9 operating time was comparable to the S9+, with a 15-20% advantage over the Note 9, which is at least a full workday with 6-6.5 hours of screen operation. Or two days with more moderate work scenarios. Note's operating time largely depends on your scenarios and how you configured the device. There is maximum scope for your creativity, since the combination of a SuperAMOLED screen and a fairly economical chipset allows you to achieve good results.
The video playback time at maximum brightness is lower than in previous devices - about 14 hours, which is a record for the market, but not at all a record for Samsung. Why this is so, obviously the brightness has increased.
The devices have an energy saving mode, in which you can arrange the operation of smartphones in such a way as to maximize their operating time; it can literally increase several times.
Memory, chipset, performance
The base version of Note 9 will be available in a 6GB variant RAM, 128 GB built-in (memory cards up to 512 GB). The older version has 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB (!) of internal memory.
In the US and China, models will be released with Snapdragon 845, just as it was for the S9/S9+. For Russia and Europe, the model comes in a version for two SIM cards with Exynos 9810. The device has a huge performance reserve, it will be enough for the next couple of years.
Look at the results of synthetic tests.
Communication capabilities
Support for LTE cat.18 depends on the operators, but everything is also good here, in fact, these models are the first to be ready for new networks that are just appearing in the world.
USB 3.1 (Type C) is supported, Bluetooth 5.0, aptX and other audio codecs are available.
In terms of wireless interfaces, there are Wi-Fi improvers. For example, I liked turning on Wi-Fi depending on the geotag, that is, the device can remember where you used Wi-Fi and automatically connect to the network when you, for example, come to work, without the need to turn it on manually. The Wi-Fi repeater function has not disappeared anywhere; it is present in this device.
Among the features of the implementation of Bluetooth 5.0, I note the ability to simultaneously connect two headsets or other audio devices, that is, you can listen to the same music or watch a movie with another person. This is just a great feature that was definitely missing, although few will need it.
Another thing I liked was the ability to select apps and which connected Bluetooth devices play audio. That is, you can choose to have the sound from the video player broadcast to an external speaker, and messages read only in the headset. Cool? Definitely yes, but you will have to spend time setting everything up for yourself. Or this scenario: you give the phone to a child so that he can watch a movie and the sound comes through wireless speaker or wireless headphones, while you listen to music or a podcast in other wireless headphones. This function works perfectly, and it is very convenient, I tried it in practice several times, I regret that it did not exist several years ago.
Camera
Despite the fact that the cameras are identical in hardware to those in the Galaxy S9+, they still have a number of changes, which we will discuss below. Front camera 8 megapixels, f/1.7, 1/3.6” matrix. The quality of the photos is normal, it is possible to use facial enhancements. Just like for the main camera, there are different effects when you can attach inserts of bows, mustaches, and the like to your face. A good feature that diversifies the use of the camera. But it’s impossible to say anything special about this camera.
And this is how the front camera shoots compared to the iPhone X.
The main module is 12 megapixels; it, of course, has optical stabilization. The aperture is variable(!), that is, it can be either f/1.5 or f/2.4. The second camera module provides x2 optical zoom, as well as various effects, such as background blur.
By and large, the Note 9 takes photos, plus or minus, the same way as the S9+, but there is a difference: the software has intelligent settings, when the device itself determines the scene and shows an icon on the right.
This is painfully reminiscent of the presets in Huawei products, where it is called AI mode. In my opinion, the speed and quality of scene detection are quite acceptable, but if you wish, you can turn them off in the settings. The camera has also acquired other intelligent functions, for example, if the person being photographed blinks, they will write to you about it or tell you that the lens is dirty. That is, the device begins to learn something about itself and tells the user how to achieve more. This is just the beginning of the journey; further such functions will appear more and more often. In theory, adding these functions to other models of the company is not difficult, but, alas, marketing will not allow this to be done.
The camera interface looks like this:
Check out sample shots from the Note 9.
And this is what the pictures look like on Note 9 and S9+.
And add to iPhone comparison X.
In Slo-Mo mode (960 frames per second), you can record videos either automatically (detecting movement in the frame field) or manually (starts immediately). In my opinion, this mode is good, but there are always problems with focusing if shooting at a short distance. To shoot Slo-Mo you also need as much light as possible; nothing will work in twilight or darkness. Watch an example of such a video.
Since we're talking about video, we must say that recording in 4K 60 frames per second is supported, but then optical stabilization does not work; it is present in other modes. The second camera is needed for optical zoom and the “Live Photos” mode when the background is blurred. The difference from the regular S9 is this, and also that you can now blur the background using different patterns (for example, a light path can turn into hearts). It's interesting and curious, but it doesn't amount to anything.
S Pen – new and old features
For most, the S Pen is an additional feature that people use from time to time. For example, I can’t draw, and therefore I need the S Pen as a pen for a notebook, and here it helps one hundred percent. For those who draw, this is an indispensable tool that is always with you. But putting use scenarios out of the picture, I’ll say that the S Pen can only be called useless by a person who firmly believes that trucks are not needed in this universe, and for exactly the same reason that he cannot find a use for them in his life.
In previous generations, the S Pen was passive, it did not have a battery or any additional features, immediately added Bluetooth support, as well as a small battery. The S Pen is charged in the phone slot, on full charge takes 40 seconds. The distance at which it works is up to 10 meters (BLE no longer allows). There is now an option to turn on an alert; if you leave and forget your S Pen somewhere, the phone will scream and warn you. There are also settings related to the operation of the button on the S Pen, it just requires connection to the phone, it’s a kind of control panel. Supports short and long presses, which are assigned different actions in different applications. For example, in Chrome you can go back one page or, conversely, go back. I prefer working with the camera; you can put your phone on it and use the S Pen as a remote control.
One charge supports up to 200 button presses, which is enough for your eyes. Initially I was skeptical about this possibility, but then I tried it and got a taste for it. Other features of the S Pen remain unchanged, these are the same 2048 degrees of pressure on the screen, a comfortable pen with which you can both write and draw.
For me, the S Pen is the ability to leave a quick note, write on the screen, without even unlocking the phone. This is very useful in meetings when you need to remember something and don't need to write it down in a notebook. Short notes on the run, which are also synchronized with the cloud. Now you can record not only one screen, it can be endless, you scroll through it vertically, plus there is the ability to leave it on the waiting screen, pin it in one place.
Another important point– this is an opportunity to take a screenshot anywhere on the screen and immediately draw something on it, cut out a piece. It's also interesting for those who work with graphics and the like.
For a long time, the Galaxy Note family was something of a field for careful experiments for Samsung. If there is any performance improvement or upgrade software functions could prove themselves positively, these innovations were immediately applied in the more popular Galaxy S series. For example, it was on the Galaxy Note Edge that it was tested curved display, and last year the Galaxy Note 8 set new standards with the manufacturer's first dual camera, which has now found its way into the Galaxy S9 Plus.
However, there is nothing about the Galaxy Note 9 that claims to be an experiment. When releasing the Note 9, Samsung focused on product development and small optimizations. At the same time, it turned out that not much needs to be done to gain an advantage over competitors, because already at the beginning of the year the manufacturer took a strong lead with the Galaxy S9 Plus.
Design and quality
Visually, Note 9 is practically no different from its predecessor. The bottom frame has become a little thinner, the main camera on the back side is located slightly differently. The most important difference should be the fingerprint scanner, which is now located not next to the camera lenses, but just below. This will protect the lenses from accidental touches, especially since they are now clearly perceptible thanks to decent protective rings.
But the scanner turned out to be quite small, so finger unlocking was not really optimal. An optional combination of an iris scanner and a facial recognition system is available, which are generally very reliable.
The quality of workmanship here is at a high level: both the display and the glass back panel surrounded by a continuous aluminum frame that is almost invisible on the sides, as in other Edge models (for example, Galaxy S9 and Note 8). The buttons are in the usual places: the power is on the right, and the volume rocker and Bixby call key are on the left side. Note 9 is IP68 certified and fully protected from water and dust.
What's new here compared to Note 8 is stereo sound (Dolby Atmos), but only forward-facing top speaker. The second one is built into the bottom edge. This practice has become widespread among many manufacturers, although Sony, using the example of the Xperia XZ2, has proven that even with extremely thin frames, two speakers can be placed on the front side.
Large memory reserve
In terms of Samsung memory takes a serious step forward: the user can choose between models with 128/6 or 512/8 GB of internal and RAM. (8 gigs of RAM is the same as a regular computer!) Both versions also offer a slot for micro-SD memory cards, which supports chips with a capacity of up to 512 GB. So, in theory, you can store 1 TB of data on your phone - an incredible amount of capacity that should be enough for any photographer.
However, memory comes at a price. Note 9 with 128 GB comes to the market with a manufacturer's recommended price of 999 euros, and the 512 GB version is priced at 1249 euros. In Russia, you can already order Note 9 with 128 GB for 69,990 rubles and with 512 GB for 89,990 rubles. In addition, the largest memory card (currently “only” 400 GB) will cost the buyer another 13,000 rubles.
The toughest Samsung device yet
Galaxy Note 9 is a smartphone with the most large capacity battery among the Samsung model. The Galaxy S9 Plus offers, for example, 3500 mAh, while the Note 8 offers 3300 mAh. B O A larger battery allows the gadget to work longer than 11 hours in video playback mode - this is 1.5 hours more than related models. . Using Quick Charge technology, it takes 134 minutes to fully charge the Galaxy Note 9 - that's just 10 minutes longer than the S9 and about 20 minutes longer than the Note 8. Wireless charging is also optionally supported, but the corresponding " station" is not included in the delivery package.
With a weight of 201 grams, the Note 9 is heavier than the Eight, but not so much that it becomes too heavy. The difference with the Note 8 is mostly under the hood. The pace of work has become faster thanks to a modern processor with high speed clock frequency(2700 MHz, eight-core Exynos 9 9810). Now the gadget supports LTE Cat 18, however, this is only a theoretical advantage, since it is not possible to use this network everywhere.
Stylus as a remote control
Small but useful functionality received a stylus (S-Pen), which can now be used as a Bluetooth remote control for some applications. For example, from a certain distance you can command the camera to take a photo, start and stop music and movies, move forward and backward in the browser, and something else. However, applications and functions are not freely selectable, but rather determined by the system. But you can set up an application that will be launched by pressing the stylus button.
Remote control becomes especially useful if you connect the Note 9 to a projector, TV or monitor via a DeX station or HDM adapter, and then start a presentation or movie on your smartphone. The S-Pen receives the energy required for this function from the Note. By according to Samsung, From 0 to 100 percent the S-Pen charges in 40 seconds, and then it is ready for use within 30 minutes. For drawing on a smartphone screen, the stylus is suitable even with a completely empty battery.
Other S-Pen functions were adopted from the previous model. The ability to take notes when the screen is off is still available here: to do this, simply remove the stylus from the “mine”, after which you can take a note without unlocking the smartphone. The pressure-sensitive stylus is recognized very well. When entering handwritten text There's no noticeable line drag or delay, and sketches on the Note come out very quickly. However, due to its design, the pen turned out to be bulky and is hardly suitable for long-term use. If you want to spend hours drawing and writing on the Note 9, we recommend purchasing the optional S-Pen in the classic pencil shape.
New Note display
The really noteworthy difference in hardware is the display, which is minimally larger compared to the Note 8, measuring 6.4 instead of 6.3 inches while maintaining the same body dimensions. With screen sizes like these, it makes sense to use the Multi Window feature that comes standard with Android. One-handed operation with such a gigantic display is, of course, impossible. But if this is still necessary, you can use one gesture or click to enable one-handed control mode, which reduces the image on the screen.
Samsung has reduced the resolution of the OLED panel. But with 1440 x 2960 pixels, it still allows the image to remain sharp. At the same time, the fonts look acceptable even in the preset Full-HD+ resolution (2220x1080 pixels). Unlock more high resolution in most cases it is not necessary and will require additional energy consumption.
The Note 9's standard brightness is 427.7 cd/m2, which is good but not great. However, in direct sunlight, the Note 9's screen can automatically expand to as much as 721 cd/m2. Problems with dark screen you will definitely never have it outdoors. White balance is top-notch, colors are OLED-typically saturated. If you wish, in the screen settings you can set a more natural color scheme and adjust individual colors in detail.
What about dual camera?
The dual camera setup surprised us a bit during our testing, as the Note 9 uses essentially the same technology as the Galaxy S9 Plus. This means that the main 12-megapixel camera works with an aperture of F2.4 or F1.5, depending on the situation. In theory, this should provide a higher level of detail in twilight, that is, in low-light conditions. Additionally, the optical image stabilizer, which was introduced in Note 8, helps reduce the risk of blurry photos.
We expected a small but visible increase in quality compared to the Note 8, or in other words: we expected photos at the level of the S9 Plus. However, comparison of images showed a different relationship, at least in poor lighting conditions. In daylight, the images produced by the Note 9 and Galaxy S9 are almost identical in terms of detail clarity. In poor lighting conditions, on the contrary, the Note 9 is noticeably inferior not only to the Galaxy S9, but even to the Note 8.
The photos here are better than most of the smartphones in our test sample, but upon closer inspection, it's striking that the Note 9's photos are more noisy and retain fine details a little less well than in photos of older Samsung models. Most likely the problem is in the software, which is not 100% adapted to the new hardware, and Samsung will be able to correct the situation with a firmware update. But for now we have to conclude that the Note 9's camera is on the same level as the Note 8's.
Photos taken in low light: Note 9 (left), Note 8 (center) and Galaxy S9 The second lens, behind which there is also an optical image stabilizer, is used for 2x zoom. This makes switching between the two lenses seamless.
They didn't do anything special with the front 8-megapixel camera. The photos come out well, although they lack clarity a little. An interesting feature is the extended selfie mode, in which you can slightly rotate the smartphone so that a larger scene, for example with a group of people, gets into the frame, as in panoramic shooting. You can also use the AR-Emoji known from the S9, place stickers, and add other creative effects and settings for shooting portraits, food, landscapes, and more.
Front camera: right at 100% zoom For greater control, the Pro mode known from previous Samsung models is available, which has manual aperture and ISO settings. Additionally, the Note 9 gives photography tips. For example, the camera recognizes whether someone blinked or moved their head too much at the time of the photo, triggering a corresponding warning. If such text tooltips become annoying after a while, they can be easily turned off in the corresponding settings menu.
There are also several features available for videographers that have been carried over from the Galaxy S9. 4K video can be recorded at speeds up to 60 frames per second (fps), and in Full-HD resolution – up to 240 fps (Slow-Motion, that is, slow-motion video). Super-Slo-Mo recording is also possible: in a resolution of 720p (1280x720 pixels), but with an extreme 960 fps.
Samsung Android System
Operating system adapted by Samsung Android system 8.1 may seem familiar to fans of the brand for a long time, because essentially nothing has changed in it. The manufacturer continues to offer applications (its own and from third party developers), which can optionally be installed during the first setup. Some applications will be on board by default, and you can only remove some of them manually.
With the extremely large size of the built-in memory, you can completely ignore a couple of additional applications. And if icons bother you unnecessary programs, just darken them.
In general, the software set here is self-sufficient and, thanks to numerous assistants and search functions, will make life easier even for novice users.
The only annoying thing is that it was developed by the manufacturer voice assistant Bixby still can't be used with voice commands in Russian. Therefore, the above-mentioned button and Bixby software are unnecessary, just like on the S9 and Note 8. At the same time, you won’t be able to uninstall or completely deactivate Bixby either.
Does it make sense to buy Note 9?
The answer to this question depends, of course, on the initial state of affairs. For Note 8 owners, the difference between the devices will be so insignificant that the purchase of a new product can hardly be called justified. Yes, the stylus has received a useful feature in the form of a remote control function, the performance has become better, the battery is thicker, and the display is 0.1 inches larger. The built-in memory can hold a lot of data and the sound here is played in stereo mode.
All these are very useful innovations, but they are not worth the additional payment of 30-50 thousand rubles, which will have to be paid depending on the version of Note 9. So owners of Note 8 or Galaxy S9 can calmly wait for the release of the tenth version of the smartphone.
Photo: Samsung, CHIP, Manuel Schreiber
Review Samsung smartphone Galaxy Note 9
The dimensions of the smartphone are 161.9x76.4 mm. The thickness of the main part of the case is 8.8 mm.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is one of the most massive flagships of 2018, weighing 201 grams and this is especially felt at the beginning of use.
The body consists of two plates of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with curved edges (both on the front and on the back), and in the middle there is a metal frame made of aircraft-grade aluminum, the ends are very thin. Due to the weight of the device and the sloping glass edges of the screen, the smartphone slips a little in your hands. Therefore, it seems to us that a necessary option when purchasing will be the purchase of a cover or a guarantee that includes a one-time free glass replacement. From a design point of view, it can be noted that the contours of the Galaxy Note 9 are less rounded than those of other flagships - the Galaxy S9 and S9+.
At the top end there is a hole for an auxiliary microphone. There is also a hybrid tray there. Installation of two nano-SIM cards or one SIM card and a memory card is supported. The maximum supported volume is 512 GB.
At the bottom there is a ringing speaker grille, a USB Type-C connector for connecting to a computer and charging, a hole for the main microphone and a jack for a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset.
The package includes a very decent in-ear headset AKG (part of the Harman/Kardon holding, which was recently acquired by Samsung). The wire is braided with fabric; there is a small control panel on it: volume, answer/end call. Works with most software players. Pressing - pause, double - rewind to the next track.
The sound path of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smartphone is also very good, especially since it can be customized. It features a 9-band equalizer, high-low balance, and a pseudo-acoustic high-harmonic enrichment effect (this is said to help poorly encoded audio files with low bitrates). You can also “tune” the sound of specific headphones: you will have to pass a short test, indicating which frequencies are optimally reproduced in a particular case.
The front of the smartphone is almost entirely devoted to the screen. Content is also displayed on curved slopes, which is not always convenient, especially if the text spans the entire width of the screen. It is worth noting that the bevel radius here is slightly smaller than that of the Samsung Galaxy S9+, but sometimes the beveled edges catch glare and reflections, and the smartphone has to be turned to see details or read text.
On the right beveled edge there is a barely noticeable shortcut, by pulling it you can call up an auxiliary panel with widgets (they float out about a third of the screen). These panels are customizable at your own discretion. Additionally, they can be downloaded, paid or free, from the store Samsung applications. Options include a selection of recent contacts, settings, frequently used programs, stock quotes, a ruler with centimeters and inches, a building level and a compass.
The top and bottom bezels of the display are very narrow and, as we said, less rounded compared to the S9 family. At the top there is a front camera, a face and iris recognition sensor, and a speaker grille. There are no hardware keys on the front of the Note 9.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 simultaneously uses a face and iris scanner. When activated, it is easy to notice - the sensor lights up with a red dot. It works quite quickly, even in the dark, but is slower than a fingerprint sensor.
On the back are located: a camera module, a two-tone flash, a heart rate sensor, and below them is a fingerprint sensor. Note 9 also inherited this placement configuration from the Galaxy S9 and S9+ family of smartphones. True, the cameras on the new product are located next to each other, while in the S9+ they are one under the other.
On the left side there is a volume rocker and a button to call the Bixby virtual assistant. It does not yet support the Russian language, so it should be disabled. If this is not done, then if you accidentally press it, the smartphone will turn on and report that the service is not supported in our country.
On the right is the on/off button. The travel of all keys is pleasant and clear.
The smartphone has the ability to reproduce stereo sound through speakers. In the case of a portrait arrangement, the ringing speaker is responsible for the middle and low spectrum, and the conversational speaker plays the role of the high-frequency speaker. When playing a video, the speakers act as right and left speakers, in accordance with the location of the smartphone.
The Samsung Note 9 case is IP68 certified. This means that you can talk in the pouring rain or even submerge your smartphone briefly in fresh water without dramatic consequences.
In Russia on at the moment Three colors available: indigo, black and copper. Note that each body color has its own stylus color. The blue feather goes with a yellow feather, which, in our opinion, looks very interesting and attractive. The black smartphone comes with a strict black pen, and the copper one comes with a bronze-colored stylus.
The screen diagonal is 6.4 inches, with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. The maximum resolution is 1440x2960 pixels, but to save battery power, the interface is drawn in Full-HD, which you can change yourself in the settings.
The display is made using SuperAMOLED technology. Adaptive color adjustment and HDR10 format are supported. The color temperature and hue can be changed in the settings to your liking.
I would like to note the excellent screen brightness. It remains readable even in direct sunlight. Just as in the case of the S9 and S9+, when automatically adjusting the brightness, it even “twists” this parameter higher than is available with manual settings. The declared maximum level is 1200 cd/m2!
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 also has a familiar proprietary feature - Always On Display (AOD). When the screen is turned off, a clock with a graphic background and the necessary icons with service information and notifications from applications are displayed. This option does not consume much battery, but makes using the smartphone easier and practically replaces a watch or even a smart watch.
It is obvious that Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is positioned as the most productive smartphone. It runs on a chipset own development and production - Exynos 9810.
This is an eight-core solution (four cores with maximum frequency 2.7 GHz, the other four - 1.7 GHz). The eighteen-core Mali-G72 MP18 is responsible for the graphics.
The hardware and performance of the smartphone is also close to that of another flagship model - Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+. During the entire period of use, we did not notice any slowdowns in the interface or delays when launching applications. This is expected, given that the smartphone is positioned as a device aimed at professionals, and comes with the most optimized shell at the moment - Samsung Experience 9. Android version - 8.1.
The volume of built-in storage is 128 GB. The amount of RAM is 6 GB. The top configuration has 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. Once again, the storage can be expanded using microSD cards(up to 512 GB). A terabyte in a smartphone is impressive!
Thanks to the proprietary DeX docking station, you can use your smartphone as a small computer. An HDMI monitor, mouse and keyboard are connected to the station (via USB ports), as well as Bluetooth peripherals. It is obvious that working with tables and text editors more convenient on big screen. Applications can open in multiple windows that can be moved around the desktop. And office applications on Android run very smoothly and reliably, at least the package Microsoft Office 365. It is worth noting, however, that many games designed for vertical placement of a smartphone are not optimized for a large screen.
The camera is similar to that installed in the Samsung Galaxy S9+. It consists of two modules. The main one, portrait, also has a hardware discrete aperture. There are two aperture values - f/1.5 and f/2.4. The second module is telephoto, with 2x optical zoom. Both have a resolution of 12 megapixels and are equipped with optical stabilization.
The photo quality is one of the best on the market at the moment. This also applies to shots taken in dark conditions, as well as dynamic shots, thanks to the bright lens and very fast autofocus system. Portrait lovers can get interesting results using special modes and settings on the camera itself. I would also like to note the excellent detailing without deliberate autosharping. The camera menu is very convenient, there are filters and additional modes.
Clicking on the thumbnail will open the full-size original image.
Supports 4K video shooting with optical stabilization. By the way, while shooting a video, you can take photos without interruption. The smartphone shoots 4K video 2160p at 60 fps.
In 720p mode, you can enjoy ultra-slow motion shooting at a frame rate of 960 fps.
The camera itself detects the moment of movement in the specified area and films a short fragment (fractions of a second), and then goes into normal mode. In Full-HD 1080p, the maximum slow-motion video speed is 240 fps.
Permission front camera- 8 MP (f/1.7, 25mm), has autofocus, and the ability to shoot animated avatars, also known as “animoji”. A whole folder appears in the gallery with GIF images for different situations, which you can supplement with text or drawings, and then use as “stickers” when corresponding. Naturally, such a resolution will be sufficient for high-quality selfies and video conversations in instant messengers.
This year, the company's engineers rethought the functionality of the pen. In addition to the usual capabilities, a Bluetooth module has been built into it, thanks to which the stylus can now be used as a wireless control panel. It can act as a remote camera shutter button or rewind tracks, presentation slides or video clips. As for the usual scenarios, as before, up to 4096 degrees of pressure are processed, and the speed of drawing the image completely makes you believe that you are drawing with a pen or brush on paper.
In the box, in addition to the smartphone itself with the S-Pen inserted, there is a wired stereo headset AKG, charger with support fast charging(100% in an hour and a half), USB Type-C cable, clip for removing the SIM card tray, adapters from micro-USB to USB Type-C and USB Type-C to USB, warranty card, instructions.
Among the wireless interfaces, we note the presence of Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.0 (A2DP, LE, aptX), NFC with support for Samsung Pay and wireless charging. By the way, the fifth version of Bluetooth makes it possible to simultaneously broadcast audio to two devices.
Galaxy Note 9 additionally has a huge array of sensors. These are an accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, Hall sensor, geomagnetic sensor, heart rate, proximity, pressure and RGB lighting sensors.
The capacity of the built-in battery is 4,000 mAh. During testing, which included installing and running numerous synthetic tests with a critical load on the processor and graphics chip, interacting with a pen, working with browsers, applications, and frequently changing settings, we received a guaranteed day of device operation. It is logical that in normal mode the load on the smartphone will be more gentle, so you can count on a longer lifespan from a single charge. But given the unpredictable circumstances of a hectic digital life, we believe your smartphone should be charged daily. But you can be absolutely sure that it will not let you down.
The cost of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smartphone is currently 69,990 rubles for the version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. But the top configuration - 8 GB + 512 GB of storage will cost 79,990 rubles.
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