The Samsung Galaxy S9 was released in 2018 to compete with other premium smartphones like the iPhone X by Apple. The phone performs well with a beautiful design and Samsung’s high-end specs, such as Bixby and Augmented Reality. However, it is not perfect for everyone and has a few drawbacks that may make you rethink your choice about purchasing it. This article has compiled several reasons to avoid a Samsung S9, which you should consider before buying this Samsung flagship phone.
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Release date | March 2018 |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Display size | 5.8 inches |
| Battery capacity | 3000mAh |
| Price | $110 |
| Memory size | 64GB |
| Weight | 0.27 kg (9.6 ounces) |
Middling battery life
For a flagship smartphone, a 3000 mAh battery does not exactly meet today’s smartphone standards. When the Samsung S9 was released, its battery capacity was inferior to most of its contenders.
The Samsung S9 is almost similar to its predecessor, the Samsung S8, coming with the same battery. However, it is packed with advanced features and components. But the middling battery life of the previous phone cannot meet the demands of the more powerful components and applications. However, the phone claims to offer extreme power-saving options that will get you about 3 hours extra while on 3%, but this depends on your screen time and the apps you use. To get the most out of this phone, you must boost your charge regularly.
Similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8
The Samsung S9 will remind you of the previous S8 in several aspects, save for an upgrade in the processor and camera. Exterior differences are minimal. Both feature a reflective glass back and an aluminum strip along the edge, giving them a premium look.
While they both have a fingerprint sensor at the back, the S9 has its sensor below the camera instead of next to it, like on the S8. As for the screen size and resolution, you will get the same things with either phone; a 5.8-inch display and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The S8 and S9 house the same 3000 mAh battery with little difference in battery life. So really, you can get almost everything the S9 offers at a cheaper price with the Samsung S8.
| Samsung Galaxy S9 | Samsung Galaxy S8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 3000 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Camera (Rear) | 12MP f/2.4 and f/1.5 | 12MP f/1.7 |
| Display | 5.8-inch OLED (1440 x 2560) | 5.8-inch OLED (1440 x 2560) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 | Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8890 |
| Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
Fragility
The Samsung S9 features a polished metal frame sandwiched between 3D curved Corning Gorilla glass on both the front and back. While the glass gives the phone a premium look and allows for wireless charging, it is fragile. The glass can easily break when dropped or subjected to impact. Not to mention, it can easily pick up fingerprints and get scratched by keys or coins in your pocket. The metal frame is also prone to damage, so you want to avoid dropping or bumping it. Additionally, S9’s frame is slippery, so you’ll need a grippy case to prevent it from slipping out of your hand.
iPhone Gimmicks
The Samsung S9 has several iPhone X gimmicks, like a version of Animoji called AR Emoji, which allows users to create emojis, avatars, and stickers that look like them. You can customize them to look any way you want. The Intelligent Scan in this phone lets you unlock it using a biometric method. It combines iris scanning and facial recognition like the iPhone X does with Face ID.
Bixby is Not Up to Standard for a Modern Voice Assistant
Bixby is Samsung’s voice assistant. It has undergone significant improvements and is now a serious competitor to Siri and Google Assistant. However, it is still lacking in some departments. Samsung insists on including a dedicated physical button to summon in Bixby just below the volume buttons. While this is a nice addition, it can be frustrating. You may find yourself inadvertently pressing the button even when turning down your phone’s volume. We recommend disabling it if it becomes a nuisance.
Alternatives To a Samsung S9
If Samsung S9’s drawbacks are just too much for you, you can consider some other comparable models. Check out these four best alternatives to the S9.
iPhone 11
- IOS 12
- 4G
- 64 GB memory storage capacity
- Compatible with carriers on the GSM network only
Apple has always manufactured premium-quality phones, and the iPhone 11 is no exception. If you are not stuck with the Android ecosystem and wouldn’t mind trying something different, we recommend the iPhone 11. This phone offers unparalleled performance thanks to its powerful and advanced components. Released in 2019, iPhone 11 has a 6.1 inches display, 64GB storage, Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, and a 3110 mAh battery, a tad superior to the Samsung S9.
The iPhone 11 has a dual camera system that takes incredible pictures and videos. The S9’s camera is decent but nothing compared to the Dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide cameras of the iPhone 11. Moreover, this phone operates on Apple’s iOS, which is more secure because of its closed nature.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Powerful A13 processor | Expensive |
| Great cameras | No 3.5mm jack |
| Impressive battery life | The screen’s resolution can be better |
| iOS provides a smoother user experience | |
| Great build quality | |
| Wireless charging |
Huawei P20 Pro
- A sleek, 6.1-inch touch-sensitive display
- 6GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Fast charging phone with 4000 mAh battery
- Dual-SIM (GSM Only, No CDMA)
The Huawei P20 Pro came out the same year as the Samsung S9, and it stands out against many phones mainly because of its color options and triple camera system. The camera is probably its most outstanding feature. It combines three lenses to take incredibly great pictures during the day and can also manage well in low light.
Under the hood, this phone has a 4000 mAh battery that puts one hell of a fight against Samsung’s. Its battery is guaranteed to see you through nearly 36 hours on a single charge, but this will ultimately depend on your usage. The Huawei P20 Pro also has a Kirin 970 CPU, 6 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fast face unlock | No wireless charging |
| Great battery life | Middling performance |
| Three-camera system that takes quality pictures in low light | No headphone jack |
| Great display |
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
- 6.4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen
- Dual 12MP camera, 128GB storage
- Fully unlocked, ready to use
- Long lasting battery
- Great handset for the price
If you’d prefer another Samsung model as your primary phone, consider the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 as an alternative to the S9. This phone packs top-tier features, and one of its earmarks is the S Pen which picks up several Bluetooth tricks. For instance, you can open the camera and even take pictures with the S Pen. The stylus is also handy for note-taking, drawing, creative love messages, and phone navigation.
The Samsung Note 9 is designed to prioritize one-hand operation, but it surpasses expectations with features such as the S Pen and 3D Touch home button. It comes with a 4000mAh battery that can last you a day.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Impressive battery life | The fingerprint sensor is too close to the camera |
| Beautiful 6.4-inches display | Pricier than the S9 |
| S Pen support | |
| Great camera, even in low light |
OnePlus 7T
- 5G Android Smartphone
- 8GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Triple camera (main, ultrawide, telephoto)
- Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
- US unlocked device
OnePlus phones are not that common, but they deserve credit. The OnePlus 7T is a fantastic smartphone and a worthy competitor to the Samsung S9. The phone features cutting-edge technology, including Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and Face Unlock. Its in-display fingerprint sensor allows you to unlock your phone. Simply touch the screen to unlock your device.
With a bigger screen, RAM, storage, battery, and a better camera, the OnePlus will deliver unparalleled performance. Still, on the display, it is a 90Hz screen that serves up content fast. The screen is also HRR10 and HDR+ compatible and can display content with more contrast information and color.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Decent battery life | No headphone jack |
| Screen is HDR10/HDR+ compatible | No wireless charging |
| 90Hz screen | Big camera bump |
| Great performance | |
| Fantastic cameras | |
| Fast charging | |
| Smooth UI experience |
Wrap up
Samsung Galaxy S9 remains a good phone for everyday tasks like making calls and watching videos. However, when compared to other premium phones, it falls short. We just think it can offer much more for a phone at its price point. If you cannot compromise, several good alternatives in the market will deliver good performance.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Roman Arbuzov/Shutterstock.com.
