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For now, I'm keeping my Note 8. It's working great and it's still close to the Note 9.

Does anyone know if the 9's s pen would fit into the Note 8 (I realize that you probably can't charge it?)? Maybe, in the future, with a software update, we'll be able to use the bluetooth of the 9's pen with the 8?

Also, can you use the 9's Dex dongle with the 8? Again, maybe needs software?
 
Yes, it works almost anywhere. It basically mimics the magnetic strip. The only type of terminal it doesn't work at is the kind that doesn't read the magnetic strip until there is a card insterted. Think gas station terminals where you first insert the card and then pull out quickly, the strip reader doesn't activate until the card is inserted.
Makes sense, thanks for the info.
 
For now, I'm keeping my Note 8. It's working great and it's still close to the Note 9.

The call of 1TB beckoned me :)

I'm all about the maximum storage. I have the Note 8 and iPhone X. I settled on the X as my primary phone because of how well it integrates with Macs, the whole ecosystem thing - though the Note 8's 464GB was nice. But I'm going to rock the Note 9 for the month or two before the next iPhone. If they offer 512GB (which I expect they will), I will probably gravitate towards iPhone. But if they stay stuck at 256GB storage, then the Note 9 is looking awfully good.

Either way, you can't lose with either phone.
 
Well, that and you are using year old software.

This is technically true but I don’t know that it has a lot of relevance to Samsung devices. I’m actually a fan of the current iteration of their skin. I think they offer so many value add tweaks that it’s actually ahead of where stock Android is (I own a Pixel 2 XL).

My take is unless you’re really concerned about security patches, I don’t think the update situation with Samsung is a fair complaint.

Side note to folks on VZW: my experience with the performance of a VZW carrier S9 plus was night and day vs and unlocked version. The latter performed amazing and was almost as fast and smooth as stock. The VZW carrier version was laggy. I had two seperate experiences with each, so probably not a fluke. Moral of the story: if you’re on VZW, go unlocked.
 
This is technically true but I don’t know that it has a lot of relevance to Samsung devices. I’m actually a fan of the current iteration of their skin. I think they offer so many value add tweaks that it’s actually ahead of where stock Android is (I own a Pixel 2 XL).

My take is unless you’re really concerned about security patches, I don’t think the update situation with Samsung is a fair complaint.
I don't know exactly how it works or if this is a logical presumption but one would think you'd get updates for a generation longer if you start with v9 instead of v8.
 
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The latest software isn't the end-all-be-all.

More recently the updates are fine tuning or incremental. I now have Pie but besides the AI for recommended apps, the update has not had a material improvement on my usage.

By the time a Samsung no longer gets updates, the latest software will be the least of your worries as the phone is likely feeling slow and behind in camera technology.

In some cases people even want to downgrade software as their phone becomes more sluggish.
 
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Side note to folks on VZW: my experience with the performance of a VZW carrier S9 plus was night and day vs and unlocked version. The latter performed amazing and was almost as fast and smooth as stock. The VZW carrier version was laggy. I had two seperate experiences with each, so probably not a fluke. Moral of the story: if you’re on VZW, go unlocked.

But don't you also forgo having wifi calling (and maybe VoLTE?) if you don't have the Verizon model? I know this is a limitation on AT&T and thought I recall seeing the same complaint about using unlocked Samsung devices on Verizon's network.
 
For now, I'm keeping my Note 8. It's working great and it's still close to the Note 9.

Does anyone know if the 9's s pen would fit into the Note 8 (I realize that you probably can't charge it?)? Maybe, in the future, with a software update, we'll be able to use the bluetooth of the 9's pen with the 8?

Also, can you use the 9's Dex dongle with the 8? Again, maybe needs software?

I'd like to see how much of a difference there is between the 8 and 9. I might pick up an 8 on sale if the differences are minimal.

I wonder if the pen from the 9 will work with the 8?
 
That's awesome. Vloggers will love it. However, small bluetooth key fobs for shutters cost peanuts on eBay.

Yes there are. But this one comes with the phone without having to carry anything else. Then it is a tv remote and all the other S-Pen features.
 
Man that camera is awesome! Here is a video between the iPhone X and the Note 9 cameras. Really shows how bad the X camera is in certain instances.


And here is against the Pixel XL 2. Dang that Pixel camera is still great.

 
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Can the S pen be used as a TV remote?

I thought it was just for PowerPoint presentations.
I thought i heard or read it would act as TV remote. But I can't find it anywhere...so will back off of that claim :)

Your favorite apps, but better.
The S Pen doesn't just snap selfies and switch slides. Use the S Pen to shuffle music or pause and play shows from up to 30 feet away.1 Connect your S Pen to a variety of installed and third-party apps3 or set custom commands for more control than ever.
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-note9/s-pen/
 
Man that camera is awesome! Here is a video between the iPhone X and the Note 9 cameras. Really shows how bad the X camera is in certain instances.
As an owner of it, I've never been impressed with the iPhone X camera. It's nothing special. I actually think most of the comparison shots I get on my current Essential phone are equally comparable, especially in good lighting. Some cases I actually prefer the Essential images.
 
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I expect the remote photo taking abilities of the S-Pen to become more widespread in accessories such as Bluetooth earbuds etc.

I initially thought one issue from it is that, in some situations, you may not be close enough to your phone to tell if the subject is in focus, so you may need a few goes to get it right. But you'll be most likely checking the focus before stepping away from the phone, so as long as it can maintain that focus, it should be ok.
 
Does anyone know if the Gear S3 or this new Galaxy Watch can detect abnormal heart rates/heart problems like the Apple Watch?
 
But don't you also forgo having wifi calling (and maybe VoLTE?) if you don't have the Verizon model? I know this is a limitation on AT&T and thought I recall seeing the same complaint about using unlocked Samsung devices on Verizon's network.

This is my question also. Does anyone know if you lose any Verizon features like WiFi calling, VoLTE or visual voicemail with an unlocked version on Verizon’s network.
 
But don't you also forgo having wifi calling (and maybe VoLTE?) if you don't have the Verizon model? I know this is a limitation on AT&T and thought I recall seeing the same complaint about using unlocked Samsung devices on Verizon's network.

I cant speak to WiFi calling, but I had VoLTE. And visual voicemail.
 
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Ordered. 8/512/Blue.

Am I *really* spending $1200 on a phone for the second time within 12 months and probably a third when the iPhone X Plus hits??

Honestly with Dex, the s pen, and 512 gb of storage I can understand the price. Even more so for people who work from their phones a lot. I mainly use my phone's for media consumption and I'm still considering it.
 
Honestly with Dex, the s pen, and 512 gb of storage I can understand the price. Even more so for people who work from their phones a lot. I mainly use my phone's for media consumption and I'm still considering it.

What phone do you have now? I’m going to keep my X and snagged the Tab S4 for media consumption. AMAZING display! Oh my.
 
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