All Galaxy S8 body colors and which one should you buy? Galaxy s8 which color is better

At the end of March 2017, Samsung introduced new flagship devices - the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 + smartphones. Their key feature is the elongated screens that cover almost the entire bezel. What is the difference between flagships, which model is worth buying and how life is with 18.5: 9 - let's talk about it today.

Probably everyone who is at least the slightest bit interested in the mobile device market was waiting for new items. And the Korean manufacturer has once again confirmed that it is an unrivaled leader in the creation of top-end devices. Samsung has reached a new level of quality that other manufacturers will not be able to achieve easily. The Samsung Galaxy S8 P lus and Galaxy S8 are some of the prettiest phones ever. But that's not all. More technologically advanced and innovative smartphones with powerful hardware and great design simply cannot be found.

Together with the top-end filling, the devices received such proprietary "highlights" as an iris scanner, wireless charging, etc.

The models differ from each other only in screen sizes, battery capacity, weight and dimensions.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 + specifications: I want to give a standing ovation

Let's start our review of the Samsung Galaxy S 8 and its more advanced sibling with the most notable detail - the screens. The S8 has a 5.8-inch screen with a cool 2960-by-1440-pixel resolution. Do you think this is a lot? No matter how it is. Compared to its older brother, the G8 just seems plain. The Galaxy S8 + (I would like to call it the Samsung Galaxy S8 E dge by analogy with the previous line) is equipped with a 6.2-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18.5: 9. At the same time, the phone does not look like a huge "shovel" precisely due to the elongated body. Moreover, the smartphone turned out to be narrower than.

More clearly, the characteristics of the flagships are presented below. Since the difference between them is insignificant and lies only in the size of the screens and the capacity of the batteries, the data are collected in one table.

Comparison table

Samsung Galaxy S8 received 64 GB, which can be increased up to 256 GB. RAM 4 GB. It seems that this volume is enough for the eyes.

Depending on the market, smartphones received different processors. In the US, the devices came out on the top-end Snapdragon 835 chipset, and in other regions - on the Exynos 8895. In fact, there is no difference in performance and speed between them. They work equally well both when performing everyday tasks and during games.

The Galaxy S8 has the same battery capacity compared to last year's Samsung devices (3000mAh), while the Galaxy S8 + even dropped to 3500mAh. Enough battery capacity during normal use for about a day. The batteries support wireless and fast charging technologies.

In general, the characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are a real joy for connoisseurs of top-end devices.

Appearance: you just need to pick up

You can say a lot about the fact that the S8 and its older brother are worth every ruble spent on their purchase and admire the design - for those who have not seen the flagships with their own eyes, this still does not help to understand how perfect they are made. Was it possible to assume three or four years ago that such devices will appear in the future - definitely not.

In general, the Galaxy S8 and the "+" version inflict a serious moral blow: after them, all the other latest flagships seem outdated and clumsy, and their cases and design are ugly.

The Galaxy S8 / S8 + essentially continue the design of last year's S line, but with significant changes.

1. First, the company refused to place touch and physical buttons on the front panel - they became on-screen. Due to this, it turned out to increase the screen diagonal and reduce the frames.
2. Second, the matrix of the screen has increased, while maintaining the dimensions of the smartphone. Due to the record-breaking narrow body, the smartphone is comfortable to hold with one hand.

For the body of the flagships, Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass and metal are used. Glass front and back panels flow into each other. The panels are framed by a thin aluminum frame. The device is quite heavy and slippery to the touch.

The front panel above the screen houses the front-facing camera, speaker grill, and LED indicators and sensors. On the bottom, virtual buttons have found their place. Always On Display makes the Home button visible even when the phone is locked.

The back panel houses the company logo, main camera lens, heart rate monitor, LED flash and fingerprint sensor. The latter displeased some users with its unfortunate location. In an attempt to reach him, many people smear their fingerprints on the camera. Trying to reach the scanner on the Galaxy S8 + is a daunting task for those with tiny hands.

Screen

As mentioned above, the Galaxy S8 / S8 + smartphones received displays of different sizes, but with the same other characteristics. The diagonal of the screen in the junior device is 5.8 inches, in the older one - 6.2 inches. Better, visually pleasing and simply more beautiful displays in mobile devices do not exist today. This is the latest generation of SuperAMOLED matrices. For the new flagships, Samsung used the same technology that is used in the TVs of the South Korean company. Thanks to the built-in RGB color indicator, the picture on the screen adjusts to the external conditions.

There is also a night mode with a blue filter, which reduces eye strain in the evening.

The screens in the S 8 / S 8+ are, without exaggeration, outstanding. Bright, clear, saturated - at the moment they have no analogues. Despite the narrow edges, erroneous clicks when touching them with the palm were not noticed.

The only disadvantage of elongated displays is that you have to stretch your fingers with all your strength to open the notification panel at the top of the screen. The owners of small palms were especially unlucky.

And one more nuance: not all applications and games can adjust to the non-standard screens of the Galaxy S8 / S8 +.

Cameras

Galaxy S8 (like its older brother) received a 12-megapixel main one. It is the same as last year's Galaxy S7 E dge smartphone, but thanks to the updated camera software, the pictures on the new flagship are better. Nature photos look stunning on Samsung: they are bright and vivid.

There are no complaints about the 8-megapixel front camera - it shoots well even indoors.

There are many settings, modes and effects for both cameras that will be appreciated by users who like to take a lot of pictures.

Operating system version and pre-installed applications

Both flagships run OS with Samsung Experience 8.1 proprietary shell. The new launcher of the company is definitely a success. The application menu is called instantly, if necessary, you can do without it altogether by placing program icons on the desktops. In short, Samsung was able to bring the graphical interface almost to perfection.

There are a lot of preinstalled applications on smartphones, about 20. This includes proprietary Samsung software, programs from Google and Microsoft. It is a little annoying that there are applications and services that duplicate each other, for example, cloud storage. Even more frustrating is the fact that preinstalled programs cannot be uninstalled without poot rights.

The cost of the flagships and the closest competitors

The average price for the Samsung Galaxy S8 is about 55,000 rubles, but now the smartphone can be purchased at a significant discount for 49,990 rubles. The price tag for the Galaxy S8 + has also been reduced - now you can buy it in one of the popular digital technology stores for 54,990 rubles, while its usual cost is 60,000 rubles.

We will not argue about whether it is worth it - to pay 60 thousand for the phone. If you have such an amount and can spend it without prejudice to your household budget, it's worth it.

As for the competitors of Samsung's new flagships, they can literally be counted on one hand. These include: LG G6, S ony Xperia XZ Premium and Apple iPhone 8.

Samsung Galaxy S8: user reviews

Needless to say, the happy owners of flagship devices do not find flaws in them? The vast majority are satisfied with the screen, autonomy and performance of the phones. The design of the devices did not leave anyone indifferent. Users also note the excellent shooting quality of both the main and front cameras.

A certain part of users did not like the glass panels of smartphones, which is why the case turned out to be rather slippery and there is a danger of dropping the device.

By the way - Samsung Galaxy S 8 is an expensive toy. When buying a smartphone with a glass case, you need to understand that careless handling can lead to a fall, which it may not survive.

The location of the fingerprint scanner and the Bixby voice assistant are the main complaints among smartphone users.

Flagship advantages

We note only the most interesting features, otherwise the listing of the advantages may be delayed:

• huge screens with the most optimal dimensions;
• amazing cameras;
• the latest powerful processor;
• innovative technologies;
• great design.

Flaws

By the way, the disadvantages of smartphones were literally “tortured out”, since, in all honesty, they are flawless:

• the body of the device is rather slippery;
• not everyone likes the location of the fingerprint sensor;
• the main camera is not the newest;
• high price.

conclusions

Samsung's new flagships were the most anticipated devices of 2017. Despite the fact that their design and characteristics became known even before the announcement, their appearance at the presentation made a splash. And now, after a while, the enthusiasm for the almost perfect smartphones of the South Korean company has not diminished. But what to say - go to your nearest digital store and just pick up the Galaxy S8 or its older brother. Which one to choose depends, perhaps, only on personal preference.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is a brutal representative of the Galaxy S8 line

The South Korean manufacturer did not limit itself to the release of only two top-end devices. Today, the Galaxy S8 lineup includes the Samsung Galaxy S8 Note (which we'll cover in a separate article) and the Galaxy S8 Active. The latter is interesting in that it is a protected phone for brutals. It will be indispensable when traveling or working in difficult conditions that ordinary smartphones cannot survive.

Outwardly, the S8 Active does not look as elegant and beautiful as ordinary flagships, but it has all the branded features of the line: thin frames, top-end hardware and a recognizable elongated display.

To protect the device more reliably, its screen had to be made flat. The back panel is encased in durable plastic, the display is additionally protected from falling from a height of up to one and a half meters. sides and ledges at the corners. There is also protection against water and dust ingress.

The inside of the smartphone is the same as in the Galaxy S8.

Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 (Violet) features a 5.8-inch curved display. The housing is protected from dust and moisture, which allows you to use the device even in the rain. The octa-core 2.3 GHz processor keeps the model running fast. The microSD card expands the storage capacity from 64 GB to 256 GB. The phone reproduces 16 million colors, so it displays a detailed picture. Control is carried out by means of touch keys or voice commands.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 (Violet) smartphone reliably protects information from unauthorized persons, since unlocking occurs after fingerprint or iris identification. Due to the high resolution of the main (12 megapixel) and front (8 megapixel) cameras, clear and realistic pictures, selfies and videos are obtained. The arsenal includes proximity, magnetic field and atmospheric pressure sensors. The brightness of the screen is automatically adjusted based on the amount of light. Thanks to MS Office support, the user can edit documents right in the phone itself. The model works up to 20 hours without recharging at peak loads.

Smartphone without borders

Samsung Galaxy S8 redefines classic smartphone design. The borderless * screen, curved on both sides, emphasizes the harmony of style and innovation.

* Lack of side frames in the front plane of the screen.

Borderless screen

The main design feature is the almost complete absence of side frames and rounded edges of the screen. Thanks to its symmetrical design and ergonomics, it will be comfortable to use even with one hand.

A Dual Pixel camera * capable of anything and more

Capture memorable moments with the Samsung Galaxy S8! The quality of your photos is comparable to professional ones, whether you shoot on the move, day or night.

* Dual pixel. Professional SLR technology.

The most secure data protection

The iris scanner * in the Samsung Galaxy S8 provides a high level of convenience and security. The technology allows you to reliably protect your personal data, as well as easily unlock your smartphone.

* The recognition quality of the iris of the eyes may be impaired by direct exposure to sunlight, or by wearing glasses or contact lenses.

Extended capabilities

Smartphones are equipped with the latest 10nm processor for fast performance with minimal battery consumption. Expandable memory will keep all your movies, music and photos. And thanks to its IP68 water and dust resistance, you stay connected even in the rain.

* Withstands 30 minutes immersion in fresh water to a depth of 1.5 m.

Smart Switch Data Transfer

Transfer everything you need from your old smartphone to your new Samsung Galaxy S8 using the included OTG adapter.

The well-known publisher of leaks with the pseudonym evleaks continues to share information about the upcoming Samsung flagships. The other day, he posted renders of three Galaxy S8 color options called "black sky", "gray orchid" and "arctic silver".

With one of his tweets, evleaks also confirmed rumors regarding European prices for Samsung's new products. According to him, Galaxy S8 will cost 799 euros(~ 50,000 rubles), and the Galaxy S8 + will cost 899 euros (~ 56,000 rubles). For 150 euros (~ 9,400 rubles), you can purchase a special DeX cradle for connecting smartphones to monitors as a PC. The new generation GearVR was priced at 129 euros (~ 8,000 rubles), and the Gear360 camera - at 229 euros (~ 14,300 rubles).

All the accessories he indicated will be shown at the presentation along with the flagships, although GearVR, as you know, was already at MWC 2017.

Let's supplement this with data on modifications of the Galaxy S8 with various processors. So, the variant with Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 will be supplied only to Japan, the USA and China, while smartphones with proprietary Exynos 8895 chipsets will be released to other markets, including the Russian one. For us, this is rather even a plus, since practice shows that such modifications of Samsung flagships are more energy efficient.

Once again, we remind you that the announcement will take place already March 29, and the first sales start on April 21. When the Galaxy S8 arrives in Russia, we will announce later.

Live photos

Contents of delivery

• Smartphone
• Fast charger with USB Type C cable
• A clip to remove the SIM card tray
• AKG Wired Stereo Headset
• OTG adapter for connecting external devices
• USB Type C to microUSB adapter
• Instructions

Specifications

• Android 8, Samsung Experience 9
• S9 display - 5.8 ", Quad HD + (2960x1440), 570 ppi, automatic brightness control, SuperAMOLED, adaptive color and brightness adjustment, color correction, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• S9 + display - 6.2 "Quad HD + (2960x1440), 529 ppi, automatic brightness control, SuperAMOLED, adaptive color and brightness adjustment, color correction, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• Exynos 9810 chipset, 8 cores (4 cores up to 2.35 GHz, 4 cores up to 1.9 GHz), 64 bit, 10 nm, models available in some markets with Snapdragon 845
• 4 GB of RAM (LPDDR4), 64 GB of internal (UFS 2.1), memory cards up to 400 GB, a combo slot (S9 + 6 GB of RAM), there are also versions for 128 and 256 GB of internal memory;
• nanoSIM, up to two cards, one radio module
• Battery Li-Ion 3000mAh (S9), 3500mAh (S9 +), built-in WPC / PMA wireless charging, fast charge in 70 minutes up to 100 percent
• Front camera, 8 megapixels, autofocus, f / 1.7
• Main camera, 12 megapixels, DualPixel, f / 1.5 / 2.4, OIS, LED flash, 4K video recording, multiframe (in S9 + dual camera, live photo mode, background blur)
• Samsung Pay (NFC, MST)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (2.4 / 5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT +, USB Type-C, NFC
• GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
• Fingerprint sensor (on the back)
• Iris scanner, face scanner - unlike S8 / S8 +, combined, works in complete darkness
• Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Heart Rate Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Pressure Sensor
• Two simultaneous connections of Bluetooth devices, the ability to simultaneously listen to sound from different programs on different accessories
• LTE cat.18 (depends on operator support)
• IP68 water resistant
• Dimensions: S9 - 147.7x68.7x8.5 mm, weight - 163 grams; S9 + - 158.1x73.8x8.5 mm, weight - 189 grams

Positioning

In 2017, Samsung revised its approach to its own product line, it was completely redesigned and rethought, although so far the mainstream consumer does not see this. The accelerated time to market for the S9 / S9 + is driven not so much by competition with Apple as by the need to free up a window for a new product that may appear later (while its fate is in question for 2018, we will most likely see small batches in some markets and at very high price). But in 2019, there will be four top smartphones in the Samsung lineup, Sx / Sx + / Note X and a certain Z. does not disappear anywhere, although such and often groundless discussions are thrown into various media. Next comes the Note line, which continues to exist at the same prices and positioning, and finally, the top of the line is closed by the Z model, which can be called both a technological and fashion flagship. In terms of technology, other companies will not have anything similar in the foreseeable future, hence the positioning as the most expensive and advanced device. It is impossible to expect that such a model will become mass or take a huge market share, it is at the top of the pyramid.

In 2018, the S line gets a division that was not previously there, the younger model becomes a little simpler in terms of the camera, while the older model has a dual camera, as in the Note 8 and subsequent devices. Here you can see the borrowing of Apple's positioning, when there is a regular iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, they have about the same difference.

For Samsung, the new flagships are models in which they left all the developments that the company already had, plus they focused on the camera, which was heavily redesigned. In terms of software, the Nines are the first attempt by the company to try to make smartphones with such an emphasis on the social component, when all the camera's capabilities are aimed at giving the user the simplest, if not automatic, way to share content with others. And this approach can be beneficial.

From the point of view of price positioning, we see a slight increase in prices in Russia (60 and 65 thousand rubles for each of the models), but in Europe and the USA the growth is more noticeable. It is in the ninth series that Samsung will for the first time apply what it tried in 2017 around the world, namely, maintaining the cost of goods at the same level, the absence of constant discounts that were offered quarter after quarter. This is a direct borrowing of Apple's strategy, and the irony is that today Apple's partners, on the contrary, are cutting prices, and very dynamically, for the same iPhone X, which is associated with rather sluggish demand and large stocks on the shelves. But they do it at their own expense, Apple does not compensate for price reductions in any way, for them it is a winning situation when partners - operators and retailers pay for sales.

For the whole world, Samsung sets about the same price for the Galaxy S9 / S9 Plus. If for the G8s the difference between European prices and Russian ones was noticeable, which created a large gray market, then with the Nines the company will try to avoid this. It is unclear how successful such an attempt will be, there is a feeling that at some point in some specific countries there will be price dumping on the part of partners. But globally, the company aims to maintain prices so that the models are perceived as devices of the same price throughout the year.

Perhaps this is what no one will talk about publicly during the announcement, but this Samsung approach is capable of dramatically changing the market, as other companies with Android smartphones will try to follow this trend - not all, but some. Someone will cut prices on a quarterly basis, someone, on the contrary, will consider that it is more profitable to keep food prices at the same level.

For buyers, the S9 / S9 + look like full analogs of the S8 / S8 + with seemingly insignificant differences, the situation is repeated with the transition from the sixth to the seventh generation. But in practice, the perception of devices is as much different as in the S6 / S7, but for this you need to try the devices. In terms of saturation with various functions, the S9 / S9 + are the flagships of 2018, they do not yet have direct competitors in terms of the same set of characteristics. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Galaxy S9 + and Galaxy Note 8

Galaxy S8 + and Galaxy S9 +

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 +

Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 +, Galaxy S8 + and Galaxy Note 8

Design, dimensions, controls

You may or may not like the current design of Samsung's top smartphones, but the fact that it is unique and unparalleled, I must admit. Most people like this design, although there are those who claim that they will never buy a device with curved edges, since there is no point in this.

In the absence of competing solutions, Samsung decided not to reinvent the wheel and repeated the successful design, externally S9 / S9 + are very similar in shape to Note 8, they are more rectangular, so to speak. In any case, outwardly they look exactly like this, and the design has changed for the 2018 line, it corresponds to the same A8 / A8 +, this can be seen from the rear panel and camera windows.

But at the same time, the devices are as close as possible to the previous generation, the dimensions coincide almost one to one. It turns out that if you had an S7 / S8 or their Plus version, then you know exactly how this device will feel in your hands, how much space it will take in your pocket. Take a look at the photos to compare the S8 + and S9 +, as well as the Note 8.

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 +

Galaxy S8 +, Galaxy S9 + and Galaxy S9

Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S9 +

In terms of materials, not much has changed, the coating of the metal chassis (7000 series aluminum) has changed, it has become stronger and more resistant to scratches. Glass is the latest generation of Corning Gorilla Glass, I'm not sure what it will be called at the presentation, it is somewhat different from the current one, but the changes are not fundamental. The oleophobic coating was made more durable, but this is also not essential, by and large.

For those who missed the more human location of the fingerprint sensor, a holiday has come, it has moved under the camera, now even on the S9 + you can press it without looking, there is no problem with that.

The level of protection against water is IP68, everything is familiar here. Stereo speakers are one of the device's specialties, I miss it on previous smartphones, everything has changed here. The AKG speakers (the brand belongs to Samsung) are tuned, the sound is louder than on the S8, the devices clearly outperform the previous models in this parameter, they sound very good. I can't say that in the speakerphone mode the changes are such that you will download, but they are, the sound has become cleaner and you feel stereo.

The ergonomics of the solution are good, in the previous generation there were no reasons to complain, this generation is also good. The device fits perfectly into the hand, like a glove. The fingerprint sensor is about correcting errors.

As usual, we are offered different color solutions, I like all the colors. Black is a classic, but other colors are quite playful (in Russia, the first wave will not be pink).

It is extremely difficult to distinguish S9 from S8 by the front panel, although one difference is still present, the eye of the iris scanner is made invisible, few people will pay attention to this, but the company got confused by such a trifle.

Display

Outwardly, this is almost a complete repetition of what we saw in the Note 8, as well as the S8 / S8 +, the screens are similar in their functions, capabilities, and the changes are hidden under the hood, not visible to the average consumer (energy saving, adaptive backlighting, picture analysis on a new generation screen and other "little things"). But from a consumer point of view, these are just some of the best screens, let's briefly list what they can do.

The S9 has a screen diagonal of 5.8 inches, the older device is 6.2 inches, just like in the previous generation, it is SuperAMOLED with QHD + resolution (geometry 18.5: 9). The devices have two RGB light sensors (front and rear).

In the settings you will see a choice of a color profile, the ability to adjust the color temperature for individual colors, everything is familiar. In the additional settings there is a mode of increased sensitivity (work with gloves), for some time it was absent from the devices, and now it was returned back.

In the sun, the screens remain perfectly readable, I like the way the picture looks, it is as natural as possible, for example, when photographing, you see what you get in the end.

In AlwaysOn Display mode, a clock or a picture can be displayed on the screen, notifications from applications, there are no special changes compared to previous models, this mode works well. Competitors have nothing like this yet.

As before, it is possible to change the screen resolution, the default is FHD +, but the difference with QHD + in everyday tasks is not striking. I advise you to use QHD + for games or VR glasses.

Battery

Nothing has changed, the Li-Ion battery is 3000 and 3500 mAh, that is, a complete repetition of the previous generation. Fast charging allows you to charge the device in 70 and 80 minutes, respectively, wireless charging can be either fast or regular.

Due to the new chipset, the operating time of the devices did not increase dramatically, but, let's say, the power consumption was leveled in scenarios when the battery charge was draining before our eyes, the eighth version of Android also gives its advantages. On average, I have enough "nines" for a day with 4-6 hours of screen operation (depending on the backlight, always automatic, about 40% of maximum brightness). Those who squeeze out 6-8 hours of screen work on S8 / S8 + will be pleased with these models, they work for a long time. I also got the impression that the power consumption of the modem has been greatly reworked; when working in LTE, the power consumption is not as noticeable as before. For example, when transferring 1 GB over the mobile network, it took about 7% of the battery charge on my S8 +, and about 4% on the S9 +. That is, for those who transfer a lot of data, the savings will be noticeable.

But you should expect on average the same runtime as the previous generation. And if you get some kind of winnings in practice, then consider it a nice bonus. It all depends on your scenarios.

The devices have a power saving mode, in which you can arrange the operation of smartphones in such a way as to extend their operating time as much as possible, it can literally increase significantly.

Memory, chipset, performance

The basic version of the S9 will be available with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal memory (memory cards up to 400 GB). The S9 + will have different options, but 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Each model has options for 128 and 256 GB of memory, most likely, they will be widely available in Asia and the United States, in Russia there will be a later option for 256 GB of internal memory.

In the US and China, the models will be powered by Snapdragon 845, these are the first devices with this chip. Traditionally, Qualcomm says battery life has increased by 30%, but other components of the phone have to be considered. In my opinion, the gain in operating time will not be so noticeable, about 10-15 percent for the same use cases. For Russia and Europe, the model comes in a version for two SIM-cards with Exynos 9810. The device has a huge performance margin, it will be enough for the eyes for the next couple of years.

Look at the synthetic test results for each device. For starters - S9.

And here are the results for the S9 +.

The devices have maximum performance, and this is not bad, since they guarantee a large margin of safety. No lags in the menu, in launching third-party applications. Android 8 redesigned the way the system handles system and non-system applications, due to the additional buffer everything is very smooth and fast. Even the early prototypes from the end of 2017 are still fast and smooth, with no problems. Usually people complain about performance when they use third-party shells or somehow interfere with system applications, there are different options.

Communication capabilities

LTE cat.18 support depends on the operators, but everything is also fine here, in fact, these models are the first to be ready for new networks that are just emerging in the world.

USB 3.1 (Type C) is supported, for the first time a smartphone has Bluetooth 5.0, aptX and other codecs for sound.

From the point of view of wireless interfaces, there are improvements to Wi-Fi, new algorithms are used. As usual, Samsung has adapted everything that has emerged during this time. For example, I liked the inclusion of Wi-Fi depending on the geotag, that is, the device itself can remember where you used Wi-Fi, and automatically connect to the network when, for example, you come to work, you don’t need to turn it on with your hands. The Wi-Fi repeater function has not disappeared anywhere, it is present in this device.

Of the features of the implementation of Bluetooth 5.0, I note the possibility of simultaneous connection of two headsets or other audio devices, that is, you can listen to the same music or watch a movie with another person. It's just a gorgeous feature that was definitely missing, although few will need it.

Another point that I liked was the ability to choose applications and in which connected Bluetooth devices the sound will be played. That is, you can choose that the sound from the video player is broadcast to an external speaker, and messages are read out only in the headset. Cool? Definitely yes, but you have to spend time to customize everything for yourself. Or such a scenario: you give your child a phone so that he watches a movie and the sound goes through a wireless speaker or wireless headphones, while you yourself listen to music or a podcast in other wireless headphones. This function works perfectly, and it is very convenient, I tried it in practice several times, I regret that it did not exist several years ago.

Camera

One of the key features for the "nines" is a completely redesigned main camera, while the front camera, although improved, is insignificantly (the resolution is still the same 8 megapixels).

To begin with, both smartphones received the same main module of 12 megapixels, it, of course, has optical stabilization. The aperture is variable (!), That is, it can be either f / 1.5 or f / 2.4. In the S9 +, the second camera module is used for optical zoom, as well as various effects. A new algorithm was used for focusing, and if the phase detection autofocus in the S8 / S8 + was fast, now it is just very, very fast. It should also be noted that the file format has changed, now the color is encoded in 10 bits (previously 8 bits, but available when HEVC is selected), the picture has become more natural, sharp color transitions are gone.

One of the pleasant features is that the quality of shooting at night has increased markedly. Even in complete darkness, the devices take pictures perfectly, there is less blur, a clearer picture (there is noise, but they are less - the company says that the number of noise due to the multiframe technology has dropped by 30%, this can be seen when shooting in complete darkness). The impression is that the camera in the S9 / S9 + made a significant leap, although it seemed that this is already unlikely and the current flagships are good. The percentage of high-quality photos on these models is noticeably higher. Just look at some sample shots that will give you a general idea of ​​how you can shoot in total darkness.

The interface of the Camera application has been redesigned, it completely resembles that on the iPhone, which raises many questions, the modes can be changed by swiping on the main screen, but at the same time all settings have been preserved, on the S9 + the optical zoom key has moved to the corner of the screen, which is convenient, since it there always.

For the first time for Samsung, the camera integrates its own memory module, which allows you to record video in Super Slo-Mo, that is, 960 frames per second. Previously, such devices were shown by Sony, it was the first (for the iPhone it is 240 frames per second). But the difference between "nines" is that you cannot just select this mode and record clips, and then do something with them, rather Super Slo-Mo is a mode for creativity that creates something automatically. So, you turn on this mode, a square appears, which you need to point to where you expect movement, and keep the camera still, then it will slow down the shooting at the moment when it sees this movement. That is, it will do everything automatically. You do not choose the moment when he slows down the shooting, the device just guesses such a moment.

And here there are many different points that will be interpreted ambiguously. Separately, there is no shooting mode in Super Slo-Mo, which will upset someone. But at the same time, you get ready-made videos, to which you can apply three different effects (repeat, loop or reverse motion). Plus, the device adds music, that is, you get your own video (the music track can also be changed).

And immediately the resulting masterpiece can be posted on social networks, which will be popular. At the presentation, they showed how balls of water scatter, the wine slows down in the glass, and the like, it looks very beautiful, but these are specially selected videos. Look at what I was shown at the presentation.

The disadvantage of this mode, which you find out literally right away: you need enough light, in semi-dark rooms the mode is practically useless (compared with Sony, there is exactly the same nonsense, you need light). Another point is the inability to start recording manually, the phone itself determines when it does it, and you have to catch the right moment. Also, compared to conventional video recording, the quality is still noticeably worse, but the effects save, as well as the fact that such videos make an impression.

Check out some of the videos I did in Barcelona, ​​they describe the possibilities of this mode pretty well.

Since we're talking about video, I must say that recording at 4K 60 frames per second is supported, but then optical stabilization does not work, in other modes it is present. The S9 + needs a second camera for optical zoom and Live Photos when the background is blurred. The difference from the usual S9 in this, and also in the fact that the background can now be blurred using different patterns (for example, the light track can turn into hearts). It’s interesting and curious, but it’s not like that.

Now let me show you a comparison of photos with Note 8, iPhone X and S9 +.

My S9 / S9 + camera left the most pleasant impressions - faster than it was, an additional Super Slo-Mo mode, the ability to get very high-quality images, including in the dark. In short, this is perhaps the best camera phone you can get today. But that's not all about the camera, there are several more modes, which will be discussed below.

AR emoji are the answer to Apple's animoji

Samsung could not stay away from what Apple did with its animoji, and prepared a symmetrical response, AR emoji. The presentation included slides about how many people send emoticons every day, these are billions of messages around the world, I am sure that you use them all the time. And then Samsung decided to make them personal, personal.

So, you take a photo with the built-in camera, choose your gender, and then you get a picture (avatar) that you can wear, choose glasses, hairstyle, skin and hair color. A sort of improved version of you. Unfortunately, the result obtained is still infinitely far from what real people look like (at the presentation it was more or less close, but this is rather an exception).

After the image is created, you get a set of GIFs, these are icons that you can use anywhere, in any program on your phone. See what sets I have, I created them for myself and the girls.

There's a lot of room for experimentation, but the fact is that you can create an unlimited number of emoji emojis at your discretion. And it's cool.

Another mode is the ability to record a video with such an emoji and send it also to anyone in a regular format.

I don’t think it will conquer the world, as well as on the iPhone, but as an entertainment device it is very interesting and may be in demand by some buyers. The disadvantage of the implementation compared to the iPhone is a little more inertia, the development of your emotions is not as smooth as on the iPhone, since only the camera is used. This is a clear disadvantage of the S9 / S9 + compared to the iPhone, but the bottom line is, plus or minus, comparable. There are also fairy-tale characters plus the ability to "pull" various masks on your face. Do I like it all? This is a difficult question, these are just additional chips, and you need to treat them accordingly.

Face & Iris Scanner - Smart Mode

For the first time in "nines" both a face scanner and an iris scanner are used simultaneously. The sensor is located to the left of the speaker, during operation it lights up in red (you should not bring the device close to your face). Unlocking also works in the dark, the speed of work is high enough. Everything is very fast in the light, in the dark - a second or so, the main thing is to look at the device, through this peephole. I liked the improvement in technology, I didn't even bother setting up a fingerprint, since it is not needed.

Multimedia - AKG stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and more

All Samsung devices lacked stereo speakers, they simply weren't there - while the sound was clear and rather loud, but not at all the maximum in its capabilities. For example, if there was one stereo speaker, it was pointless to add Dolby laboratory modes, which, in fact, no one did. With the introduction of stereo speakers on the iPhone X, Samsung set a course to do something similar, but louder and better. And they succeeded in full measure.

The speakers are located in the same way as in previous models, one above the screen, the second on the bottom end, the slot has changed, and the speakers themselves are tuned by AKG (before that this was done only for a tablet from Samsung).

Compared to Galaxy S8 / S8 +, the volume of the device is increased by 1.4 times. In practice, it feels just fine, no matter how the phone is in your pocket, you can hear it and hear it very well. But the gain primarily arises when watching videos or listening to music, the sound is loud and clear, there is no distortion. Additionally, you have Dolby Atmos settings that allow you to customize the sound of the unit for yourself.

Comparing the sound of the S9 / S9 + with the iPhone X, I can say that the volume is slightly higher than the Samsung, but the sound quality of the Samsung is noticeably better than the iPhone.

The bundled headphones from AKG are exactly the same as in the previous devices.

In terms of the sound quality of music in headphones, this is a typical device from Samsung; it will suit almost any person, especially if there are no established convictions. In the latter case, everything is very individual, and, as always, I would advise you to listen to the device in order to understand how it suits you.

DeX - a new version of the docking station, additional modes of operation

Together with the S9 / S9 +, a new version of DeX appears, which does not replace the previous one, but acts as an additional one, giving an opportunity for choice for those who are looking for this kind of solution. We had a review about DeX and the capabilities of the station, which turns your smartphone into an almost full-fledged computer, so I will not repeat myself, but will only focus on the most basic features.

Ideologically, DeX has not changed, but the docking station has become flat and more compact, in this connection mode and provided that you do not have a mouse connected to the ports, you get a phone screen in the form of a touch panel, that is, a kind of touchpad.

A number of simple Android games with touch controls have been adapted for DeX, now you can play them comfortably, with a keyboard or mouse it was still not the case. With the software update, a keyboard will also appear on the screen, in fact, DeX will turn into a device that will allow you to work in one form or another without a mouse or keyboard, only having a station and an HDMI cable. In subsequent versions, it will be possible to connect wirelessly to Samsung TVs, but this will obviously not happen this year.

I like the way DeX is developing. Russia has become one of the markets where this docking station has received noticeable penetration, but, interestingly, the company also estimates not just sales, but the number of those who actively use the station, in our country the percentage of such people is maximum. Why do people use and love DeX so much? The answer is simple - this is a fairly simple device that can actually replace a computer for many.

Impressions

There are no complaints about the quality of the connection, the ringtone volume has grown so that the device can be heard simply in any, the most difficult conditions. Watching movies is now a pleasure, since there are Dolby effects, the ability to get the most beautiful sound, the music is exactly the same.

For a whole year I had the S8 + as the main device, and I like it, I talked about my impressions for the year and what I encountered in the video.

And against the background of S8 / S8 +, the new devices are perceived as good acquaintances, you get exactly the same ergonomics, but at the same time greatly improved cameras, fast processors, and better sound. It may seem to some that there are not many improvements, but in everyday life they will be enough for the eyes in order to get a new user experience. Powerful machines with the maximum range of capabilities, with which you can do whatever you want. Excellent by all standards. And I believe that these models will deservedly be in demand no less than the G8s (a year ago they were predicted to fail, but they feel great and have good sales).

From March 16, the devices will be on sale in Russia, the price is 59,900 rubles for the S9 and 64,990 rubles for the S9 +. This is higher than the prices for the S8 / S8 + a year ago (50 and 60 thousand, respectively). But the rise in prices in Europe is greater, now the company is trying to equalize prices in all markets where it operates. In the pre-order, which started with the announcement, the first customers are presented with wireless charging.

A few words about competitors. First of all, this is definitely the iPhone X as the most expensive device. But the choice of the iPhone X is the choice of a loyal Apple audience, which does not look at other models anyway. The device did not take off, it is already being sold for less money than at the start, although only a quarter has passed - there is no great demand. Considering that "nines" come out at a different cost, they are more affordable. And, of course, they are fundamentally different in everything. There will be a separate comparison, as usual, but I am afraid that the iPhone X will not stand it, since it has no special advantages for anyone other than loyal Apple fans (in the comments you will clearly see this for yourself by their tone and intensity, the better the product from Samsung, the sadder and rougher comments from Apple fans).

In the Android smartphone market, the Galaxy line has no direct competitors, all models are offered slightly lower in positioning (but not always in price). In fact, only Samsung models have become the undisputed flagships, which is not bad for the Android world.

For Note 8 owners, the change to S9 + is needed only in one case - if you are very demanding on the camera (but you should not do this, since the Note 9 is just around the corner and there will be a couple of new chips). Owners of all Galaxy generations, except for the eighth, should take a closer look at the devices, as they give new impressions and may really like them. The devices turned out to be cool, but to understand this, you need not read the specifications, but simply support them in your hands.