[milleniumdroid]

Today I tested the S9 and S9 plus in a few stores and there and they didn't have Google accounts preloaded. The built in browser kept kicking me off APKmirror, but I managed to download GeekBench from APK4Fun. There is no "unknown sources" setting, and attempting to install an APK just gives errors. I was really hoping to get benchmark scores. Do the consumer purchased ones have this dumb limitation? If so, then I will stay away from Samsung devices in the future. I guess my Tab S3 is the LAST Samsung device that allows freedom with APKs.

[Almeuit]

I wouldn't be surprised if they have that disabled on store demo model since they are running demo software.

[mrcrusha829]

Demo only software on store versions for show.

[anamb123]

hopefully it does work on the actual phone, it would suck a lot if APKs are not supported

[Gayle Lynn]

Unknown Sources is now showing in Oreo in Apps Setting under “...” and Special Access. And in individual app, rather than under Security.

“P” though might. How Hardware abstraction drivers and the system through new APIs in Project Treble may.

[milleniumdroid]

But hey, on other phones in those same stores I have had APKs work no problem in the past. The malware threat is obvious, but I am not a person who would do such uncivilized crap. I just wanted to see what SoC it had and how well it runs. I guess this is an even worse stupidity than the fact that my mid-range MTK powered phone opens the settings app faster than an S8+ (with animation scale a set to "off" on both devices)... Samsung really needs to fix issues with software on their newer phones. I also tried bluetoothing CPU-Z to an in-store S8 and the APK wouldn't install despite the "unknown sources" being enabled. Also, I cannot enable developer settings on in-store S9 phones, but I can on on an in-store S8.

[bakancs1]

I can certainly understand why the stores don't want anyone to come in and install malware on their demo phones.

LoL

[chanchan05]

Well, trying to Geekbench a store display isn't a good idea anyway. It's not going to give you accurate results. Neither is opening settings a good barometer, especially when an S8 can play Tekken 6 but I'm not sure any MTK powered device can even load the intro to that without stuttering. The store phones will be in demo mode with several aspects locked. And comparing it to the S8 demo mode also does not make sense because they don't have the same demo mode versions.

Just wait for the full reviews if all you want is that data. Heck Geekbench themselves publish the results. Some reviewers even video the entire Geekbench and Antutu process.

[milleniumdroid]

Yeah, GPU in MTK devices is far from those HI-end Exynos/SD devices. But the slow settings opening on an S8 IS something that just shows how Samsung Experience has too many colorful modifications that can in some UI elements make it feel a tad bit less responsive than a Helio P20 device with near-stock Android on it. Also, hiding/restricting APK installs is a very stupid thing and I hope that that was just with the in-store S9 phones. :-( Hopefully Android doesn't become iGoogle iDroid.