Samsung galaxy s9 +, user experience

It is the culmination of an era. The Samsung Galaxy S9 + collects the latest in Samsung technology, with improvements in key areas such as the camera or power. Of course, at this point, it can give the impression that the new releases are just tweaks and a tune-up of previous phones. Enough to offset the 950 euro payment that it costs in official stores? We have been lucky enough to test for a few days the mobile candidate to be the 2018 reference, these are our opinions.

Samsung Galaxy S9 +

screen	6.2-inch, 18.5: 9 Curved QuadHD Super AMOLED
Main chamber	Wide angle: 12 megapixels AF f / 1.5-2.4 Image stabilizer Telephoto: 12 megapixels AF f / 1.5
Camera for selfies	8 megapixel AF, f / 1.7, Full HD video
Internal memory	64/128/256 GB
Extension	microSD up to 400GB
Processor and RAM	Exynos 9810 10nm, 64-bit eight-core, 6GB RAM
Drums	3,500 mAh with fast charging and fast wireless charging
Operating system	Android 8 Oreo / Samsung Touchwiz
Connections	BT, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC
SIM	nanoSIM
Design	Metal and glass, IP68 certified, fingerprint reader. Colors: black, blue and purple.
Dimensions	158mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm (183 grams)
Featured Features	Smart scanner (face recognition and simultaneous iris reader), AR Emoji, noise reduction photography, super slow motion, Bixby vision to calculate calories in food
Release date	March 2018
Price	950 euros

When they know you from afar

Do you know those famous actors that you see in the distance and you can already recognize their name? This is purple lilac, the new color of the Samsung Galaxy S9 +. The purple version is a brand image success, and we are sure that it will be one of the fashionable colors of 2018. Do not be surprised if they look at you on the street when you carry this mobile on you, because the truth is that the attention and a lot. In addition, one of the things that we liked the most is that it changes its tonality according to the light of the environment. If you are on a sunny day, it will seem that the mobile is closer to pink, while on a cloudy day or in a dark room you will see the mobile closer to dark purple. Of course, always with a shiny metallic touch.

It is a color that transcends gender and that will surely appeal to both men and women. Of course, our impression is that it will be more successful among the latter. For the rest, users who have already had a Samsung Galaxy S8 + will not have much trouble recognizing the terminal. The Samsung Galaxy S9 + uses the same curves both on the screen and on the sides of the equipment, with a very elegant profile. The screen again occupies almost the entire front -infinite screen of 18.5: 9-. What is striking is that the S9 + is slightly thicker and heavier (from 8.1 millimeters to 8.5 millimeters and from 173 grams to 185 grams). It is not a difference that you will notice a lot in day-to-day use, but it is surprising because the same battery capacity has been maintained.

The mobile camera par excellence

Regardless of the design, the first thing we instinctively do when picking up a mobile is to see if it takes good photos. Samsung knows this well and has put all the meat on the spit at this point. Compared to last year, the Samsung Galaxy S9 + incorporates a double camera on the back. We have been left with the desire to see it also in the normal S9, but it seems that the Korean wants to put the accent on this vitaminized version

And what is new about talking about a double camera at this point? One of the aspects in which Samsung has influenced the most is the dual aperture of this camera. Users can vary between the classic aperture of f / 2.4 and that of f / 1.5. The first type of aperture is designed to get detailed photos in well-lit scenes. While the second is intended for dark environments. And the results are, without a doubt, of enormous quality. The work to reduce noise is amazing and the camera handles very well in all kinds of scenes. The results are very close to professional photography.

Of course, sometimes the night photos come out somewhat burned to continue showing all the details. That can be a disadvantage for photo purists looking for more natural colors. This is also influenced by the experience of the Super AMOLED display, which shows more saturated and brighter colors.

Super slow motion and animojis

In addition to the dual aperture, the Samsung Galaxy S9 + launches two functions that can give us play. We have already seen super slow motion in models like the Sony Xperia XZ1. The S9 + camera is capable of recording at 960fps, when it is normal to move between 30fps and 60fps. With this difference, even the finest details are appreciated.

It is a really spectacular mode , especially if we record videos in good light. In darker environments, this mode loses some of its showiness, since there is usually a lot of noise. The main problem that we see in this mode is that the super slow motion time is very short in different situations (just over a second of real action). In addition, we miss a greater control of the recording.

On the other hand, animojis are Samsung's answer to Apple with its iPhone X. Basically, they are animated avatars that move with us when we look at the camera. Among the available options we find different characters such as panda bears or even Mickey Mouse. However, it must be said that his performance has not finished convincing us, since the avatar's expressions are quite limited and we have not come to recognize ourselves in our alter ego.

Many extra features and outstanding performance

Premium mobile and years of experience behind. Samsung has created an entire ecosystem of top-notch proprietary apps and functions. And that is noticeable from the first moment. The Touchwiz experience has improved a lot over the years, especially since the Korean decided to lighten its layer of unnecessary apps (now they are only offered as an optional download). Everything is taken care of in detail so that it is comfortable to use the phone.

Starting from the way in which the mobile is unlocked. One of the most pleasant surprises has been the iris scanner system. This mode combines the use of iris recognition and facial recognition. The result is frankly spectacular. The vast majority of times it works almost instantly, even in a dim room. At first we thought we would try this feature and then abandon it for the fingerprint reader. But the truth is that after trying it, it has become the main unlocking method, for convenience and speed.

And beware, another of the great changes that are appreciated (and a lot) is the position of the fingerprint reader. You will surely remember the controversy last year by the reader, who was on the same line with the rear camera. Samsung has reconsidered and this year we found it below the camera. Thanks to this, it is much more comfortable and fingerprints on the lens are avoided. Also, his own performance is at a great level.

We are talking about a large 6.2-inch mobile. A size that makes multitasking a very useful feature at certain times. The power of the Exynos processor and the 6 GB of RAM of the Samsung Galaxy S9 + are noticed from the first moment. The apps open almost instantaneously and handling two applications at the same time is agile and non-stop. This power is also very noticeable in applications with a lot of content such as Instagram or in heavy games.

Bixby, it's not our time yet

Bixby is like the Erasmus student who sticks to you at university but doesn't know how to speak your language well. He's smart and he's full of potential. In time, he may even become your best friend. Only right now you don't really know what to do with it.

The intelligent assistant Samsung increasingly has more features. But we still lack the basics: that he speaks in Spanish. You can speak to him in English, if you manage well in this language. It is highly integrated into the mobile interface, also through a physical button to activate it. Honestly, it seems to us one of the most controversial points of Touchwiz (Samsung's interface), since it is not clear why the Korean has given it so much weight in the design and interface of the mobile. As we said, we will have to wait for the company to bring us the Spanish version to know its real potential.

Very bright and even more panoramic display

That infinite screens have come to stay seems obvious by now. And not only for the top range, many manufacturers are taking these screens to mid-range or even entry-level mobiles. Samsung was one of the great forerunners and continues to advance on this path. The S9 + screen occupies almost the entire front with an 18.5: 9 aspect ratio. That is, it is a little longer than that of the Samsung Galaxy S8 +. As for its technology, there are no variations. A Super AMOLED panel with QuadHD resolution. Despite some criticism of the color saturation of these screens, for me there is no rival. The brightness they achieve, the deepest blacks or the lowest energy expenditure are their great points in favor.

Fair battery

If there is any point where the S9 + raises more questions, it is the battery. Its 3,500 milliamps are a good figure, but the truth is that it costs the mobile to finish the whole day without having to look for a plug. Above all, if you intend to constantly use your mobile to check messages, watch Instagram, play different games and surf the net.

This problem is partially reduced by fast charging. A few minutes plugged into the network translates into several hours of use. That is, if you are not going to go on a trip or be away from home all day, you can use it without worrying about the battery percentage. But if you are a hard user as it is usually called, you are likely to have more headaches.

Price and reviews

The Samsung Galaxy S9 + has an official price of 950 euros. In short, we are facing one of the great "cucumbers" of 2018, there is no doubt about that. A mobile that borders on excellence in most sections, especially the camera. The first contact has been impressive. We have loved the photos in low light conditions, which achieve an amazing level of detail. And also the super slow motion mode, which allows you to create really curious clips. We have been less enthusiastic about Animojis, who still have a long way to go (new updates will likely arrive in the coming months).

Little to say about power. The Samsung Galaxy S9 + is one of the most powerful on the market today and its 6GB of RAM never falls short. And all this crowned by its new purple Lilac Purple, very spectacular and attractive. I dare to predict that it will be the color of the year.

The best of the Samsung Galaxy S9 +

The camera's exceptional results in low-light scenes

6.2-inch SuperAMOLED display

It has 6 GB of RAM and one of the most powerful processors on the market

Your iris scanner has amazing performance

We love the new purple color

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It could get better…

The battery is somewhat fair

We have missed more options for super slow motion

Animojis have a long way to go