The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is one of the best Android smartphones you can buy in 2018, and one of the best smartphones overall. Samsung has been making big-screen smartphones since when it wasn’t cool, and experience and maturity help the Galaxy Note 9 shine even more than the Note 8 it replaces. It also helps Samsung make the most of the iPhone XS Max in several places.
With the current Google Pixel 3, you’ll be giving up some cool Pixel AI features and running Android Oreo, but there’s an Android Pie update in the works that will bring you some of the latest Android features. near future.
We still have all the essential Samsung features you love or hate, like Multi Window mode and Bixby. The Note 9 is packed in an upgraded S Pen that makes it more useful and is a solid upgrade overall.
Rather than scrolling through the specs and trying to relate the Note 9 details to you, I’ll share my Galaxy Note 9 review as a list of what I love and hate about this $1,000 new phone. I use an iPhone XS Max and some type of Android phone as my daily device. Last month, Verizon loaned me the Galaxy Note 9 so I can share my views on this device.
Is Galaxy Note 9 a Good Phone?
Before I move on to what I love and hate about the Galaxy Note 9, I wanted to answer the most common question I get from friends and family about new phones: “Is this a good phone?”.
Yes, the Galaxy Note 9 is a good phone. It does everything you want in a premium smartphone very well. It’s not perfect, but it’s an excellent smartphone for many users. If you like a big-screen Android phone, the Galaxy S9+ might be enough for you, but using DeX without the dock and other upgraded features, you’ll miss the S-Pen.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is expensive, but the cost isn’t shocking as it’s now down to monthly payments and with the Galaxy Note 9 deals, the initial sticker price is over $1,000.
Android users looking for a big-screen smartphone should check out the Galaxy Note 9. This is a great option and the best option if you want an S-Pen or stylus with your phone. If you just want a big screen, be sure to check out the Galaxy S9+ and Pixel 3 XL.
Like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the Galaxy Note 9 isn’t a big draw for those with the latest generation, but if you’re using a Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S8, it’s a very tempting upgrade.
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I Love Galaxy Note 9 Screen
Note 9 screen is awesome.
Samsung produces the best looking displays in the industry. It’s a pleasure to look at the Galaxy Note 9 screen while watching movies, and it works perfectly for watching 4K movies from Google Play, which we got as a free upgrade.
The Super AMOLED display is simply stunning. When watching The Big Lebowski in 4K, the Note 9’s screen nails the blacks in countless night scenes better than many TVs. Watching movies on the Note 9 with the big screen is not only possible, it’s also fun.
With great brightness levels, an easy-to-read screen outside, and beautiful colors, the Galaxy Note 9 display is top-notch and one of my favorite things about the phone.
I love the new S Pen Features
I love the new S Pen features.
The S Pen has always been the best stylus solution for a smartphone. It is much better than any passive stylus or third-party stylus for Android or iPhone. One of the biggest reasons to buy the Galaxy Note and new Bluetooth features have always been.
While I don’t often find myself taking notes on my iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil, the Note 9 is with me more often and in more settings where note-taking is important. On the Note 9, I often find myself using the S Pen to take notes. It’s easy to use and pretty accurate for taking notes.
The new S Pen features allow you to use it as a Bluetooth controller and that’s great. I like to use it to control the camera and skip music tracks. If you plug in your Note 9 with an HDMI cable, you can also use it while presenting.
I Love Note 9 Camera
Note 9 camera is solid.
The Galaxy Note 9 camera is a solid performer that takes beautiful photos and videos without the need to carry a dedicated camera. You can zoom in with the telephoto lens, and you can also take portrait mode photos with a blurred background.
The camera uses AI to detect the type of scene and then adjusts the settings to take better-looking pictures of what you’re photographing, without having to switch settings. This is great because many users I know do not change the camera settings on their phones when taking pictures. AI assistance really helps make all your Note 9 photos look better. It’s not a gimmick, so it stands out as something I really like with the Note 9.
The Pixel 2 XL camera is still better in portrait mode and handles contrast better in many situations, but the Note 9 camera isn’t a hump.
I Love Galaxy Note 9 Battery Life
Note 9 battery life is great for my use.
Even on days of heavy use, Galaxy Note 9 battery life lasts all day without falling into dangerous zones. The new 4,000mAh battery can handle more demanding processors and offers roughly the same battery life as the Note 8. It will also last slightly longer than the Galaxy S9+ in our unofficial tests.
At the end of the day, it’s a solid indicator of battery life. I still need to charge it every night, but in the early evening I don’t find myself getting low on charge.
I Love Note 9 Design
I like the Note 9 design more than the Galaxy S(+ design.
Yes, the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy Note 8 look pretty much the same, but I still love the look and feel of this phone. It’s better suited to me than the Galaxy S9+ when it comes to general grip and usability.
I really like the color options Samsung has used for the Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note 9. They’re offering something new and you can get them on premium phones, while Apple keeps the most colorful options in its midrange lineup.
While I personally no longer care if my phones have a headphone jack or not, its inclusion is something some users will love and it may not be on the next Galaxy Note.
I Love the Software and Themes, You’ll Love the Fortnite Bonus
Note 9 software is good, themes are a nice touch, and you get a Fortnite bonus.
Galaxy Note 9 software is great. Is it stock Android? No. Is Pixel stock Android? No. Does anyone now know what Stock Android looks like or why it’s such a good thing? Maybe?
Samsung offers the Note 9 with Android Oreo and Samsung Experience. This includes many Samsung apps and extras like Samsung Pay and Bixby, which is awesome.
Android has a skin above it, but it’s an improvement, not an intrusive. I especially like the option to use themes to change the Galaxy Note 9 to suit my style.
I can’t get into Fortnite like I do PUBG, but if you play Fortnite, you’ll love the free V-Bucks and special skin you get when you buy the Note 9.
I hate Bixby
Bixby doesn’t cut it on the Note 9.
I tried to use Bixby on Galaxy Note 9 but it’s not Siri and Google Assistant. I don’t like Samsung making a button specifically for this feature that I can’t customize. Hard buttons shouldn’t be locked that way unless a service is as good as their alternatives.
Samsung should offer the option to use any assistants or remap the button, or at least stop taking active measures to prevent users from using the button as they wish. Or Samsung may already enable Alexa on the Note 9.
I Hate Iris Scan Performance
Iris scanning is not as good as Face ID.
Iris scanning on the Note 9 is cumbersome to set up and nowhere is it as reliable as Face ID on the iPhone XS Max. It took me 20 tries to get the iris scan even for setup on the Galaxy Note 9, which is the same issue I had on the Galaxy S9+.
Once I was able to get this setup, I was still less impressed with the reliability of the iris scan. The iris scan is very slow and very often I still have to enter a PIN to get into the phone. I’m doing this with my Note 9, instead of hitting OK when I’m done I can set the phone to automatically unlock after I enter the PIN.
