Samsung Galaxy Note 9

[Suckfest 9001]

I'm part of the camp that read this thread, saw the usual praise from jamzr, Sevanw, and co., and thought "oh boy finally Samsung looks to have cracked it!" So bought it for cheap-ish on sale, used it for about two weeks, and returned it vowing never to go back again.

I've done this song and dance with the Note 3, 5, was going to do it with the 7 until it started going explodey, Note 8, and finally Note 9. I'm not going to call the Note 9 a bad phone, but it's so far behind in many categories compared to other Android flagships and compared against the XS Max. The gimmicks are fun but the core functionality is clunky and they still haven't figured out how to get rid of the janky nature of it. Bit of an echo chamber in here and it's pretty toxic and not really representative of how people truly feel about these phones in the real world.

 

[Hinds90]

I haven't experienced any jankyness with mine. It just works. I don't use any of the gimmicky stuff but what's a gimmick to me is probably a great feature to someone else. Maybe wait until the official one ui software is released as it looks more iOS like.

 

[jamezr]

I'm part of the camp that read this thread, saw the usual praise from jamzr, Sevanw, and co., and thought "oh boy finally Samsung looks to have cracked it!" So bought it for cheap-ish on sale, used it for about two weeks, and returned it vowing never to go back again.

I've done this song and dance with the Note 3, 5, was going to do it with the 7 until it started going explodey, Note 8, and finally Note 9. I'm not going to call the Note 9 a bad phone, but it's so far behind in many categories compared to other Android flagships and compared against the XS Max. The gimmicks are fun but the core functionality is clunky and they still haven't figured out how to get rid of the janky nature of it. Bit of an echo chamber in here and it's pretty toxic and not really representative of how people truly feel about these phones in the real world.

Probably should skip the Note 10 because the basics won't change that much. The Note line is not for you given the history you listed. No worries man...find what works for you and stick with it...no matter what brand name it has.

What is one man's treasure is another man's....not so treasure
Hope you find what works for you

 

[Nilhum]

Well, I have gotten used to the Note 9 now and appreciate it a bit more. Still very disappointing about the battery. Stand by time is mediocre and SOT is roughly 4-5 hours for me. I enjoy using the s-pen now and the device is much faster than my previous iPhone X at opening apps and keeping them in the background, despite the A10 being faster. Love secure folder and keeping certain content there. The screen is nice but the curved portions are just poor design. The S pen does not work at the curves and I find mistouches much easier than the iPhone X.

Overall, I like the phone. I will end up going back to iPhone 2 years from now or go with a cheaper android device. Got the note 9 for $700, so for that value it is amazing.

 

[kkh786]

I've not been a Samsung fan historically but it all changed in 2018. I was always a Nexus line then a Pixel line fan (in the Android scene).

However, firstly my experience with the S9 + Gear Sport combo and now the Note9 + Galaxy Watch combo has been a total revelation. The Samsung user experiences with both combos have been silky smooth from day one. Samsung has come a long way from the dreaded TouchWiz days. Now the software experience is very much synergised with their historically top of the class hardware experience!

I now feel I'm mostly over my attachment to iOS specifically the iPhone + Apple Watch combo (although I had a little wobble trying out the XS for a few days when it was released but came to my senses soon enough).

Bring on the S10 and Note10!

 

[torana355]

I'm part of the camp that read this thread, saw the usual praise from jamzr, Sevanw, and co., and thought "oh boy finally Samsung looks to have cracked it!" So bought it for cheap-ish on sale, used it for about two weeks, and returned it vowing never to go back again.

I've done this song and dance with the Note 3, 5, was going to do it with the 7 until it started going explodey, Note 8, and finally Note 9. I'm not going to call the Note 9 a bad phone, but it's so far behind in many categories compared to other Android flagships and compared against the XS Max. The gimmicks are fun but the core functionality is clunky and they still haven't figured out how to get rid of the janky nature of it. Bit of an echo chamber in here and it's pretty toxic and not really representative of how people truly feel about these phones in the real world.

Everyone has thier opinion. Mkbhd rated it the phone of the year and many people feel the same way. Stick to your iPhone if it makes you happy

Personally I own a S9 plus and it is almost the perfect phone except it could do with a bigger battery, i dont find it clunky in any way.

 

[Michael Goff]

Why are the S9 and S9+ models getting One UI and Pie in January 2019 whilst the later released Note9 is due to receive the same upgrades in February 2019!?

Hmm.

Because the Galaxy S line sells multiple times the amount the Notes do?

 

[The Game 161]

Seems for most note 9 is the best complete package phone

My Apple Watch is what is keeping me from giving it a try

Anybody with galaxy watch how does it compare?

 

[Klyster]

I use a Note 9 and a S3 Frontier.
I enjoy both. The frontier had batter drain bug for a while but I'm back to 3 day battery life again.
I use the watch as a bridge device, saves me time at work.

I cant compare them to apple watch or iPhone as I dont use either.

 

[The Game 161]

I use a Note 9 and a S3 Frontier.
I enjoy both. The frontier had batter drain bug for a while but I'm back to 3 day battery life again.
I use the watch as a bridge device, saves me time at work.

I cant compare them to apple watch or iPhone as I dont use either.

Are there any sport score apps on it? And apps like pocket cast?

I would need things like that for my watch

 

[Klyster]

Are there any sport score apps on it? And apps like pocket cast?

I would need things like that for my watch

I'd love to be able to tell you yes, there may be but I'd guess not.
I did find this though... https://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-gear-s/589397-pocketcast-gear-s.html&psig=AOvVaw2-kjQjLYmH8ifUxGuqtdk6&ust=1546596550176785

 

[The Game 161]

Right I’m going to get the note 9 end of this month to see how I like it

Had my iPhone for years so going to see how I like it again. Features seem endless so might take me a while to get used to it going from the Xs max

 

[Shanghaichica]

Right I’m going to get the note 9 end of this month to see how I like it

Had my iPhone for years so going to see how I like it again. Features seem endless so might take me a while to get used to it going from the Xs max

Are you keeping your max too?

 

[Sevanw]

Right I’m going to get the note 9 end of this month to see how I like it

Had my iPhone for years so going to see how I like it again. Features seem endless so might take me a while to get used to it going from the Xs max

I would always recommend the Note over the S line, but this year I can't help but say, the S10 over the Note9 without doubt. I only say this because the new tech is gonna HUGE. And by HUGE, I'm referring to a much better processor, UFS 3.0 storage, LPDDR5 RAM, new display tech, much better cameras with improved image processing. This is a huge year, not a tock year. But come the Note10, game over for everything else.
Oh and one other thing, let's not forget the freebies Samsung usually offers at the launch of a new device. Who knows, there might even be something more this year, considering its the 10th anniversary year.

 

[The Game 161]

Are you keeping your max too?

Yeah to see what I prefer really. Just fancied a change

 

[The Game 161]

I would always recommend the Note over the S line, but this year I can't help but say, the S10 over the Note9 without doubt. I only say this because the new tech is gonna HUGE. And by HUGE, I'm referring to a much better processor, UFS 3.0 storage, LPDDR5 RAM, new display tech, much better cameras with improved image processing. This is a huge year, not a tock year. But come the Note10, game over for everything else.
Oh and one other thing, let's not forget the freebies Samsung usually offers at the launch of a new device. Who knows, there might even be something more this year, considering its the 10th anniversary year.

Agreed, said on here previously if I’m going to not have an iPhone the note series is what I would get. Will give note 9 a go then get the note 10 if I love it. Which from the sounds will be phone of the year once again

 

[mi7chy]

One of the first devices to support call anti-spoofing STIR/SHAKEN IETF standard.

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/caller-verified-note9

Useful links if you want to understand how it works.

https://transnexus.com/whitepapers/stir-and-shaken-overview/

https://transnexus.com/whitepapers/understanding-stir-shaken/

 

[kkh786]

Android Pie+One UI update is allegedly rolling out to more countries now (after Germany)!

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Android Pie+One UI update is allegedly rolling out to more countries now (after Germany)!

Interesting, I just read that it is pushed back until February according to 9to5google.com

 

[jsn76]

Downloading One UI update now with the January security update in Australia

 

[Michael Goff]

Oh joy. Let's hope this isn't true.

 

[jamezr]

View attachment 816735
Oh joy. Let's hope this isn't true.

so the latest OS is rolling out in a few weeks and that's a bad thing?

 

[Michael Goff]

so the latest OS is rolling out in a few weeks and that's a bad thing?

No, it's a bad thing that it got pushed back. Also, the latest OS got released when? The Note 9 costs what?

 

[jamezr]

Those questions you already know so not sure what your point is to be honest?

 

[Michael Goff]

Those questions you already know so not sure what your point is to be honest?

My point is that it is frustrating to me that I paid 1000$ to Samsung and they pushed back the update by months while the cheaper phone already has it. And the fact that you're pretending it's okay is mind boggling.