Based on the reputable reviews I'm not optimistic.

[ThrottleJohnny]

Played with the S9+ today and was impressed. Yes, it's an S8 refresh (if you have an S8+ you shouldn't even be here anyway), but it is a fantastic reminder of why Samsung really does release some of the best phones around.

Does it have to have the absolute best camera on the market? I don't think so. Samsung cameras always take great phones both in day and nighttime shots. The fact that it's in the top 3, along with everything else this phone offers is reason enough to get it.

Again, if you already have an S8 plus you need not apply. Everyone else will love what Samsung has done here.

Btw, the speakers on this thing are better than both the Pixel 2 and the iPhone X.

 

[edubb256]

Wow, that was a great comparison. Hard to choose I think based on that. Both hold their own depending on the situation. I have to admit the optical zoom would be really nice for kids sporting events and plays etc.

Yes, that is why I said in an earlier post, it depends on what is important to you. I have a Note 8 (which also has optical zoom) and use the optical zoom a LOT for my daughter's soccer games. I like the Pixel 2 camera a lot, but it wouldn't work for me because of the lack of optimal zoom.

 

[gadgetfan]

I think we're at a point where the high-end phones, and even some of the mid-range phones, are so good that the nits we're able to find and pick are pretty minor. Is the camera the best ever, or just phenomenal? Of course, that's what forums like this are for...

 

[br77494]

In my opinion, there's not nearly enough difference there to make it worth the while to purchase the S9+ if you already have the Pixel 2XL. Very marginal improvements, but takes a slight step back in other areas.

 

[sleepnclass]

I don't know, something about the reviews on this phone thus far do not have me excited. I pre-ordered on launch day.

Presently I have the pixel XL 2. I have not red one review so far that is made me think that the S9 plus camera is going to top my pixel XL 2. Of course I am trying to be hopeful, but the reviews are leading me in a different direction.

I'll give it two weeks of fair usage. Anyone else get this vibe from the reviews? I watched as many reputable side-by-sides as I can on YouTube. Hands-On is the real test. I'll know within minutes if the camera is going to pass my tests. My tests are very basic point-and-shoot but I like to take quality photos easily. No manual mode for me. I had the v30 for about 6 hours before I returned it a few weeks ago.

eh, I mean it's an S/T update. It will sell well for sure. People will buy it. I agree though that there isn't a lot new. An S8+ updated to Oreo will pretty much get you an S9+. But they still made decent hardware improvements.

To me the underwhelming reviews for the camera are more of a concern. Samsung would lead to believe it's blow away and it sounds like the pixel 2 line and iPhone X have it beat. Time will tell I guess. Mine comes sometime early this week so fingers crossed.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

eh, I mean it's an S/T update. It will sell well for sure. People will buy it. I agree though that there isn't a lot new. An S8+ updated to Oreo will pretty much get you an S9+. But they still made decent hardware improvements.

To me the underwhelming reviews for the camera are more of a concern. Samsung would lead to believe it's blow away and it sounds like the pixel 2 line and iPhone X have it beat. Time will tell I guess. Mine comes sometime early this week so fingers crossed.

I hope it's awesome

 

[chanchan05]

It's not so much expecting perfection. Just improvement enough that I can justify ditching a phone I just paid 850$ for less than 6 months ago.

By my book ditching a phone flagship bought at near launch in less than a year is never justifiable anyway. Tech doesn't move that fast enough anymore. Heck even 2 years right now is a bit of a stretch since the S7, S6, Pixel 1, V20, OP3Tand some others still perform better than some of the top midrangers released this year.

There is no real justifiable reason right now that I can see to ditch a perfectly working flagship phone in less than a year. It's all about impulse buying and expendable income at that point, or certain specific situations (moving to a work place where the ip68 of other brands might make a big difference against the Pixel for example).

 

[jtcannonball]

By my book ditching a phone flagship bought at near launch in less than a year is never justifiable anyway. Tech doesn't move that fast enough anymore. Heck even 2 years right now is a bit of a stretch since the S7, S6, Pixel 1, V20, OP3Tand some others still perform better than some of the top midrangers released this year.

There is no real justifiable reason right now that I can see to ditch a perfectly working flagship phone in less than a year. It's all about impulse buying and expendable income at that point, or certain specific situations (moving to a work place where the ip68 of other brands might make a big difference against the Pixel for example).

Excellent breakdown.

 

[ScottsoNJ]

eh, I mean it's an S/T update. It will sell well for sure. People will buy it. I agree though that there isn't a lot new. An S8+ updated to Oreo will pretty much get you an S9+. But they still made decent hardware improvements.

To me the underwhelming reviews for the camera are more of a concern. Samsung would lead to believe it's blow away and it sounds like the pixel 2 line and iPhone X have it beat. Time will tell I guess. Mine comes sometime early this week so fingers crossed.

An S8+ can't compare to the S9+ No way. 6gb ram vs 4 dual speakers vs. 1 dual cameras vs 1 dual aperture camera lens and snapdragon 845 vs 835

 

[chanchan05]

An S8+ can't compare to the S9+ No way. 6gb ram vs 4 dual speakers vs. 1 dual cameras vs 1 dual aperture camera lens and snapdragon 845 vs 835

I think the point was, sure the S9 is the better phone, but if you were coming from an S8, would the performance difference be worth the cost? Coming from an S6 or earlier, it's an easy yes. Coming from an S7, its, take a look at your finances and how your phone is holding up to your needs. Coming from an S8, it's a big question if you're not on a yearly upgrade plan. For me the cost won't be worth it if I was coming from an S8. But I'm coming from an S7 Edge with a 2 year upgrade plan. Lol. But honestly I'm waiting until end of March for a possible sale on my carrier. When the Note 3 came out they sold the Note 2 + Tab 4 for less than the Note 3. When the S7 Edge came out they had a 40% off sale for upgraders, when the iPhone X came out my sister was able to score an iPhone 8 due to a sale at cheaper than the iPhone 7. Lol. I'm hoping for either an awesome deal on the S8/+ or a recontract sale again. Lol.

 

[rushmore]

I would take my 8 Plus over the Pixel 2, yet alone debating the S9 Plus. Camera is not enough difference to lose the SD slot and headphone jack.

 

[GTZR]

By my book ditching a phone flagship bought at near launch in less than a year is never justifiable anyway. Tech doesn't move that fast enough anymore. Heck even 2 years right now is a bit of a stretch since the S7, S6, Pixel 1, V20, OP3Tand some others still perform better than some of the top midrangers released this year.

There is no real justifiable reason right now that I can see to ditch a perfectly working flagship phone in less than a year. It's all about impulse buying and expendable income at that point, or certain specific situations (moving to a work place where the ip68 of other brands might make a big difference against the Pixel for example).

I'm using an s7 edge which is still better than most of the mid rangers of 2018.. upcoming Note 9 might be the upgrade worth considering. Let's wait and see

 

[chanchan05]

I would take my 8 Plus over the Pixel 2, yet alone debating the S9 Plus. Camera is not enough difference to lose the SD slot and headphone jack.

Sorry, language barrier maybe. For some reason I read that like you seem to think the S9 doesn't have those either.

 

[Blues Fan]

An S8+ can't compare to the S9+ No way. 6gb ram vs 4 dual speakers vs. 1 dual cameras vs 1 dual aperture camera lens and snapdragon 845 vs 835

The 6gb ram IMO is the only noticeable upgrade from s8 Plus to S9 Plus if you're a power user. Otherwise for many the phone won't seem much different.

J Will and Saki both say if you got the Note 8 to not purchase the S9 plus and wait until Sept and buy the Note 9. Very little different between s9 Plus and Note 8. The trade off of slightly new processor over the Spen IMO not worth it.

The way Samsung has been working it seems every 2 years is when a phone gets a new re-design and makeover. The s6 and S7 looked very similar design wise. The s8 and S9 are very similar as well.

I would expect next year the S10 and Note 10 get a chassis makeover and look a lot different and get new features.

 

[chanchan05]

The way Samsung has been working it seems every 2 years is when a phone gets a new re-design and makeover. The s6 and S7 looked very similar design wise. The s8 and S9 are very similar as well.

I would expect next year the S10 and Note 10 get a chassis makeover and look a lot different and get new features.

You could go all the way back to S1 and S2, then S3 and S4 being very similar to each other. The S5 is the odd child out. Lol.

 

[Blues Fan]

You could go all the way back to S1 and S2, then S3 and S4 being very similar to each other. The S5 is the odd child out. Lol.

Yea the S5 lol. It was an odd phone but I didn't think it was that bad. It at least had some water resistance. I didn't like how they took water resistance away from the s6 then brought it back. I liked the idea of the port cover too. They just needed to make it a bit easier to open.

I would die to have a flat screen, large phone and a plastic type build like the s5 and earlier have. I don't care about the all glass back because I slap a case on it and never see it. Even though I use a Defender I still worry about dropping it and at the right angle the glass will still shatter. I used Defenders on my s5 and older phones as well but I didn't really worry at all about dropping it. I hardly ever see anyone carry their phones around naked anyway. Who cares about fancy glass back.

So I'd love the chassis of a Note 4 with a flat, larger screen and no glass back but with the internals of what we have right now.

Oh and then throw in 4k, IR blaster, 8GB ram, under screen finger print reader lol along with removable battery! If I designed these things they would probably run about 2k after I got done with it!

 

[Joshua Luther2]

Yea the S5 lol. It was an odd phone but I didn't think it was that bad. It at least had some water resistance. I didn't like how they took water resistance away from the s6 then brought it back. I liked the idea of the port cover too. They just needed to make it a bit easier to open.

I would die to have a flat screen, large phone and a plastic type build like the s5 and earlier have. I don't care about the all glass back because I slap a case on it and never see it. Even though I use a Defender I still worry about dropping it and at the right angle the glass will still shatter. I used Defenders on my s5 and older phones as well but I didn't really worry at all about dropping it. I hardly ever see anyone carry their phones around naked anyway. Who cares about fancy glass back.

So I'd love the chassis of a Note 4 with a flat, larger screen and no glass back but with the internals of what we have right now.

Oh and then throw in 4k, IR blaster, 8GB ram, under screen finger print reader lol along with removable battery! If I designed these things they would probably run about 2k after I got done with it!

You make some great points about the S5 and also the Note 4. Those were more durable phones. But they felt cheap. Android hardware manufacturers are always trying to compete with the quality of Apple hardware. Even though a lot of people would love to have all those things, there's a perceived value attached to a phone with a glass back and curved screen. It feels more premium than a plastic flat screened slab.

 

[chanchan05]

You make some great points about the S5 and also the Note 4. Those were more durable phones. But they felt cheap. Android hardware manufacturers are always trying to compete with the quality of Apple hardware. Even though a lot of people would love to have all those things, there's a perceived value attached to a phone with a glass back and curved screen. It feels more premium than a plastic flat screened slab.

Thing is, you don't need glass to feel premium. Thr N9 felt premium.

 

[Guyinbox]

You make some great points about the S5 and also the Note 4. Those were more durable phones. But they felt cheap. Android hardware manufacturers are always trying to compete with the quality of Apple hardware. Even though a lot of people would love to have all those things, there's a perceived value attached to a phone with a glass back and curved screen. It feels more premium than a plastic flat screened slab.

I loved the feel of the note 4. That's my favorite designed phone to date. The flat aluminum sides and soft touch back plate felt awesome. I still see people using them and they hold up surprisingly well.

 

[Akin Ozer]

AR emojies are funny and fine.