I'm doing the same the galaxy 9 does not seem like a big enough upgrade... Note 9 would have to show me something that wows me... If not waiting for the note 10
I think the s9 plus isn't really an upgrade. Overall I consider it a draw with the Note 8. S9 has slightly better camera, AR emojis, and slightly newer processor. Note 8 has slightly bigger screen AND as the spen which gives the Note 8 major points over functionality the s9 plus doesn't have.
I find the Spen a lot more useful than emojis or super slow Motion video.
For the common person, and youngsters who use silly stuff like emojis, then yea S9 Plus a fine choice but I think for the power users who are advanced like most on the Note 8 forum then the logical choice is stick with buying the Note line of phones.
I don't use the Spen a lot, but it's nice to have and a powerful too. I don't care about emoji crap.
Granted, if lets say the Note 9 had an insane price tag of like at least $1,000 then YES I will consider purchasing a s9 Plus then and use my Tab s3 for spen. That price point is doubtful so I'll be sticking with the Note line then.
I do wonder about Note 8 sales as well and if they will be lower than last year since the Note wasn't skipped. You won't have Note 5 people buying the Note 9 like you did with the Note 8 last year.
Also, if it's similar to the Note 8 you might have the same problem with sales like the S line is having right now due to being so similar to the s8.
For those reasons I can't seem them pricing the Note 9 over a grand.