First Impressions

[uawildcat]

Here are a few first impressions:

1) The ocean blue color is much deeper and more attractive than it appeared in online photos. I like it!
2) It's big, fast, beautiful and very well-made
3) Transferring content from my iPhone 8 Plus went perfectly. All messages and call logs transferred, and it only failed to match about 2-3 apps out of 70-ish I had on my iPhone.
4) I haven't used a Note since the Note 4, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed using the S-Pen. I used it to mark up a few photos before sending last night - it's so much better than using a finger!

Did you use the Smart Switch to transfer from the iphone?

 

[EMGSM]

Yep... just a few swipes on the sensor and BAM! Registration complete!

I definitely like what I see so far

 

[jsk0703]

Noticing that the new SPen tip has more friction than the one on the N8. Not a big deal but it takes some getting used to.

 

[Nakrohtap]

Isn't Bixby 2.0 a Samsung update and not exclusive to the Note9? I have 2.0 on my Note8. It's a nice update, but shouldn't be one of the things you like about the Note9, unless I'm missing something.

 

[Nakrohtap]

I got my S9+ a few days before the Note 9 event, so after that I went in and pitched a fit and got them to make an exception so even though I'm outside of my return window - they taking the phone back anyway. I don't play that "sorry about your luck" stuff. Nah a knew phone on deck as soon as I get the other one - I'm talking to the district manager, regional manager etc - somebody is taking this S9+ back lol.

Anyway, yeah got it all worked out - moral of the story - don't let CS reps fool you - you kick and scream enough and someone will help you out.

I kind of cringe when I hear about stuff like this. Were you aware of the 14 day return policy and just trying to get special treatment? If you didn't know, that's one thing.
Also, why would you buy an S9+ if you knew the Note9 was coming? It was no secret it would be released on 8/24. Did you need a phone right away to tide you over for a few weeks?

 

[Jona005]

I'm loving the dual speakers. It may be a miniscule thing but music sounds so much better to me compared to the one speaker on my n8. Also liking the fingerprint sensor location.

 

[djrakowski]

Did you use the Smart Switch to transfer from the iphone?

Yes... No problems whatsoever. Just a few apps didn't match in the Google Play Store

 

[gregg6942]

I got mine yesterday morning & haven't put it down yet. I'm really liking the Spen updates, playing with the camera has been extremely fun. The blue is not as bad as I had thought, it's very dark at times & almost seems black. I too am having a hard time with the fps placement, am so used to the Note 8, but it's lightening quick. Set up was a breeze and the battery lasts forever. I am glad I upgraded to this, even tho I hate the yellow color of the Spen!

 

[amyf27]

It should get better as we use it more, too.

Yes Bixby even says Teach Me if she doesnt get it right.

 

[Pedro Rodriguez11]

I like to come in here to read the positive feedback. It keeps me from canceling my mystery pre order.

 

[amyf27]

Loving this phone. A little bigger, thicker, heavier than the Note 8. Seems more streamlined, no lag issues and it just works fantastic.

Current case is great though it is a clear Case Mate tough case, it still has a grumpiness to it in the hand. Was supposed to get my all black UAG Monarch case today but dont see it yet.

 

[buzzy3970]

Yes Bixby even says Teach Me if she doesnt get it right.

A lot of people sleep on Bixby. I still use Google now more because it's very intuitive, but it's miles better than that fruit company's AI that shall not be named lol...

 

[amyf27]

A lot of people sleep on Bixby. I still use Google now more because it's very intuitive, but it's miles better than that fruit company's AI that shall not be named lol...

Google voice I very very quick in most instances. I've got both setup so I have a backup.

 

[buzzy3970]

Google voice I very very quick in most instances. I've got both setup so I have a backup.

Yeah I actually think having both provides a good balance because they do different things. I love how Google now always tells me about my morning commute. It has saved me hours in traffic on big accident days.

 

[andross77]

Hey guys, just had it for a few hours. T-Mobile 512gb, Ocean Blue. Previous phone: T-Mobile Note 8.

1) Definitely notice the slight weight increase and slightly boxier form. Feels real good.

2) Screen is cooler than my note 8. My note 8 had a perfect screen from everything i could tell but having them side by side with same "adaptive display" and in the same lighting, the Note 8 has a reddish hue and the Note 9 just looks cool white/blue which i vastly prefer to a warm display. This can obviously be changed in settings so not a big deal.

3) Never turned on "Download Booster" on my Note 8 and decided to flip it on for Note 9. Then started downloading a bunch of apps. In-SANE! PUBG (1.6gb) downloaded in under a minute I think, not sure. Of course in Atlanta, I get T-Mobile speeds of 100-180mbs down regularly and my wifi is 300mb Comcast, but still. Was an incredible difference to Note 8. Also, as fast as I was clicking apps to download, the previous one was done. That has never happened in any high smartphone I've ever had before.

4) Fingerprint Scanner change is a small thing but huge improvement for my smallish hands. I know most reviewers are pretty "meh" about it but I would say it's a very nice change. (I never got around to owning the S9 or S9+)

5) random, but S-Pen clicker top seems slightly less solid than on Note 8

6) Only listened to a few videos and not a fan of the weird speakers. Would have been much better if both front facing. The bottom firing seems quite a bit louder than the earpiece speaker and it just sounds uneven when you are trying to listen. Definitely much louder than the Note 8 and i'm sure i'll get used to it soon though. Just annoying enough to comment on though.

Ok that's it i'm sure i'll have more. It was a little anti-climactic opening it today since I had the Note 8 and they are basically twinsies but i'm glad to have the ultimate Swiss Army Knife phone now and the improvements over Note 8 are substantial (much faster CPU, stereo speakers, more network bands, tons of storage, better camera, s-pen tricks, etc Love it and won't be buying another phone until the Note 10 comes out in a year. Feels good after buying 4-8 phones a year up until the Note 8. Now just 1 a year but don't feel like I'm missing out on anything with this Note 9.

 

[boltsbearsjosh]

I kind of cringe when I hear about stuff like this. Were you aware of the 14 day return policy and just trying to get special treatment? If you didn't know, that's one thing.
Also, why would you buy an S9+ if you knew the Note9 was coming? It was no secret it would be released on 8/24. Did you need a phone right away to tide you over for a few weeks?

Nah, not really to be completely honest. I came over from iPhone X. Was just over it. Hadn't really been paying attention to the Note scene so I just grabbed an S9+ and then when I got home and jumped on these forums again I found out the Note 9 event was happening like, the next day or so I think.

Meh, think what you want about me. Wasn't trying to get special treatment at all. I originally asked a rep if there was an exception that could be made so I could do the exchange and originally they said it wasn't an issue. Got a little complicated but in the end it worked out.

Shrugs...

 

[jwatson77]

Which theme is that?

 

[jwatson77]

Loving the new phone. It's super snappy and my set up went smooth. I only ran into a couple of snags.

1. SwiftKey is showing up gigantic on the screen when I'm in top resolution. My Note 8 fixed this until it was updated. This is annoying and I hope they fix it soon.

2. The theme from the Samsung store I'm using is greying out the option to turn off the icon frames. Because I use Nova, it's not a huge deal, but the air menu has ugly white circles

I'm sharing some pictures of my new phone and homescreen. Enjoy your phones!

https://1drv.ms/u/s!An62jOP9aYbogaIxqhKxYianGmKn6g

https://1drv.ms/u/s!An62jOP9aYbogaIybsQOt2CcRIYKTw

https://1drv.ms/u/s!An62jOP9aYbogaIzxiGzE7mzBA_6WQ

https://1drv.ms/u/s!An62jOP9aYbogaI0V9U2Xa-LkyZTZQ

What theme is this?

 

[bassplayrguy]

Yes it does! I have several commands configured that do different things. And that was just one example. That's why I feel so strongly that people should just give Bixby a chance and really learn what it does before just disabling it. It's still new tech and not perfect, but VERY useful.

I say, hi bixby i'm going to a movie and she turns my screen brightness to 1% and shuts my ringer off. "leaving work" she texts my wife that I'm on my way home. So many great things! I just laugh when ppl say bixby is worthless because I know they haven't given her a shot.

 

[bassplayrguy]

Went with the 512 and have to say this is the most complete perfect phone I've ever used. The Note 8 was great as well as the S9+ But a few things kept them from perfection. Note 8 was finger print scanner placement speaker and battery life. S9+ just didn't have an Spen and battery life was ok. Now having 512GB of storage 4Kma battery and 8GB of ram with all the tweaks and improvements to the Spen I can say for me it's a beast of a device at which I can't think of anything else to improve it on. some will say it doesn't have the latest android "letter" but real Note users know that the Samsung experience is years ahead of "stock" android anyways.

I wish I could like this comment more than once . I may dislike it just so I can like it again. I was just saying today that the note 8 was a great phone but the Note 9 gives you the few things you knew were missing.