Galaxy Note9: the smartphone of your dreams, now for less

A price that has dropped significantly

In this day and age, it’s no surprise when a smartphone with the features of a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 exceeded the 1,000 dollar barrier at launch. The device’s predecessor, the Galaxy Note 8, already scratched at this limit. For the basic version of the Note 9 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory, Samsung was charging $1,000, and the version with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of memory used to cost you $1,250.

Now, as 2018 draws to a close, the price has dropped significantly. At the time of writing, you can buy the 128 GB version for just $708. That brings the Note 9 down to a more than reasonable price for the overall package.

Still the winning team

Samsung’s design team didn’t have to recreate much on the 6.4-inch phablet, and it's much more focused on improving the details. The huge high-resolution Infinity display dominates the front of the panel , and on the back Samsung has finally moved the fingerprint sensor to a more convenient position.

The back stands out a little more in comparison to the previous model thanks to the repositioning of the fingerprint reader. It's now easier to reach, but as is the case with previous models, it does not stand out for its speed.

Compared to the Note 8, the Galaxy Note 9 is slightly shorter and slightly wider and thicker, but the difference is minimal. Samsung has succeeded in introducing a larger screen and a larger battery capacity. And as a result, the device is a bit heavier.

Attractive and elegant design

Due to its size, it is virtually impossible to use with one hand. The Note series has always been a representative for the world of phablets and this is nothing new. Interestingly, Samsung has added a touch of originality to the S-Pen by introducing new colors. The Ocean Blue coloring with the yellow S-Pen is truly unique and aesthetically pleasing.

The best Infinity display ever

With a 6.4-inch display, the Galaxy Note 9 is 0.1 inches larger than its predecessor. In terms of visualization technology, Samsung is known and acclaimed for its SuperAMOLED panels characterized by absolute contrasts, brilliant and accurate colors as well as unparalleled brightness.

The infinity display is all the more impressive because the screen is 0.1 inches larger, but also because the top and bottom edges of the device have been further trimmed. According to our colleagues over at DisplayMate, the Note 9 mounts (surprise, surprise) the best display on the market. In our article you can learn more about the Galaxy Note 9's display:

• Samsung Galaxy Note9 display review

The S-Pen makes the Note 9 unique

The S-Pen has always been the distinctive feature of the Note series. The Note 9 is no exception and is coming to the market with a stylus. Equipped with the Bluetooth 5.0, the S-Pen incorporates new useful features . You can use the button as a remote control for photos.

Samsung has opened the API for S-Pen functions so that app developers can integrate the stylus functions in their app programming. The S-Pen is designed for about 200 minutes of autonomy, and it takes just 40 seconds of charging to get 30 minutes of use. To charge the S-Pen, just insert it in the dedicated slot at the bottom of the device.

• My first weekend with the Note 9 as a reluctant S-Pen user

Bixby and Dex: two delights from the Korean flagship

The Bixby button is located on the left side and can no longer be deactivated. Get ready to crash into the Bixby interface every time you unlock your smartphone after pulling it out of your pocket, just like on the previous Galaxy models. Bixby is still Bixby: don't expect much more.

One of the more appreciated novelties, especially for professional people who want to carry their workplace in their pocket, is the option of using DeX without any special accessories. All you have to do is connect the Note 9 to a display using a USB Type-C / HDMI cable and you can start using desktop mode.

You can connect your mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth or use the Note screen as a trackpad and keyboard. The rest remains unchanged from what we have already seen from Samsung thanks to the DeX pad Galaxy S9.

• Samsung DeX review

Same old story, same old UI

The Note 9 comes with Android 9.0 and has the One UI version of Samsung Experience. The Samsung interface has improved in recent years, and the new software has been a breath of fresh air.

The Note 9 is reactive and snappy like no Galaxy before it. Samsung has worked hard to optimize its OS, which is now pleasant to use, although at first glance it could confuse inexperienced users.

The device has all the possible functions imaginable and almost all of them are configurable or can be deactivated. It's true, not everyone will use the million functions present, but as a fan of being able to make personal choices, I was pleased to be able to configure the smartphone the way I wanted to. 

Unfortunately, there are still duplicate apps that are redundant. Even if these aren't uninstallable, you can at least deactivate them. It's too bad Samsung doesn't let you just uninstall apps.

Powerful but not overblown

In the new Galaxy Note 9, users can again rely on the performance of Samsung’s own Exynos 9810 , at least in the international variant of the design. In North America, Samsung relies on the Qualcomm 845 SoC, as it did with the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The working memory configuration is 6 or 8 GB. If you’re storing data on the Note 9, the device will have 128 GB or 512 GB, which can even be expanded to 1 terabyte with microSD cards.

• How to pick the best microSD card

Unfortunately, we haven't gotten to test the North American version of the device, which should have impeccable graphics. The international Note 9 has proven be a true flagship and never suffered from issues with dropping apps. It could also multitask very well in demanding situations. 

Under extreme conditions, the Note 9's performance maintains consistent thanks to its new and improved heat sink. The Samsung optimization on the software also definitely played a role in this. For more details, I'll refer you to our specific performance test where I compared the Note 9's performance to the competition.

• Samsung Note9 performance test

Audio functions for audiophiles and everyone else

There's good news about the audio . Samsung also implants audio features from the Galaxy S9+: stereo speakers that can output Dolby Atmos sound. The Note 9 speakers will satisfy everyone, ranging from hardened gamers to Netflix and YouTube fans.

The volume is high and the quality is good, although the stereo isn't perfect due to the less powerful ear capsule on the main speaker, but this also applies to other flagships with pseudo/stereo speakers. The ear capsule is mainly used for mid-high frequencies while the speaker places more emphasis on the mid-bass frequency range.

• The best music streaming apps for Android

There's also a headphone connection available and AKG headphones come with the device. Lovers of of high quality audio will once again find an advanced equalizer with specific effects and the option of changing the audio to their liking: a feature similar to the one introduced on the HTC U11.

The device comes with the codecs AptX, AptX HD and LDAC as well as the ability to control two Bluetooth devices simultaneously thanks to the advanced audio management from Samsung SmartThings.

Cameras are among the best you can find

Samsung didn't give us any surprises with the camera and instead opted for the same configuration as the Galaxy S9+. The Note 9 incorporates a dual 12MP camera with variable aperture between f/2.4 and f/1.5. This isn't a bad choice considering the photographic skills on the S9+.

The Note 9 also features Super Slow Motion, which allows you to shoot up to 960 frames per second without the need to press the shutter release button. You can take a look at the shots from the Note 9 in our in-depth article:

• Galaxy Note 9 camera review

Loads of autonomy but you'll still need to charge it every evening

The biggest improvement Samsung has made in its (probably) last Galaxy Note concerns the battery. After the Note 7 battery debacle, the electronics company just tried to be as safe as possible with the next Note. The Galaxy Note 8’s battery capacity was just 3,300 mAh. The Note 9 now has an energy cell with a full 4,000 mAh , which according to Samsung, should last an entire day of intensive use.

The ability to change the screen resolution is useful to better manage consumption. The Note 9 offers FullHD+ resolution, but you can take it up to 2960x1440 pixels. Personally, I think it's a waste not to make the most of the fabulous display and the difference in battery life isn't so extreme.

I have to admit that my personal experience with the Note 9 has been confusing with respect to the battery life. I've managed several times to get more than one day of battery life (I never made it through two days though) with more than 8 hours of screen time. The Note 9 battery is a considerable upgrade compared to the Note 8 or S9+, but you still can't get through a whole weekend without seeking out an outlet.

• Power Delivery, Quick Charge and more

Luckily, the device is once again equipped with a Quick Charge 3.0 charger. It charges quickly, but the charger is a bit bulky. We would have expected more from Samsung, since they're always been at the forefront of fast charging, either with or without cables. It might be obvious, but it's better to be certain: the Galaxy Note 9 supports wireless quick charging.

In our battery test, the Note 9 placed near the top of our list with 10 hours and 25 minutes of battery life. In everyday life, it's perhaps not the smartphone that I would recommend to people who want a smartphone that can last more than a day. I managed to reach the end of the day with 15-20% of the charge remaining, but in many cases, I had to recharge my smartphone at dinner time.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 technical specifications