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Samsung Galaxy S9
- Thread starter jamezr
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Aw, your AR emoji is really cute. I have no idea how to find and post mine here but it doesn't look even a little bit like me, but she's cute.OK, so I will post some thoughts about the S9.
All I will say before you read any further is, I returned the S9 earlier and (reluctantly) went back to an iPhone X.
I really liked the S9, but it was apparent quite quickly that I wasn't going to get last long term with it for a few reasons.
Firstly, I like but I don't LOVE the design of the Samsung S series. It's certainly one of the better looking phones right now, and I like that there's no notch (kudos Samsung), but I just don't feel any sort of instant attraction to it like I do with other devices.
Putting to that to one side though, there are bits I loved about it. The back of the device is gorgeous, love the blue and even the pink is nice. Not fussed on black.
Finger print scanner is finally in a decent position, and worked flawlessly. Glad they re-positioned it.
The screen is a strange one for me. I didn't really like it. I find Samsung screens a little bit neon. Retina burning almost. It reminded me of the OG Pixel I had which was the same - way way too over saturated. Obviously, take my opinion with a pinch of salt as most people love Samsung screens and think they're the best around.
I like that they give you the option to choose a style of screen though. I went for 'basic' (I think it was called that) which muted everything slightly, albeit then a bit too much.
After I set everything up, I noticed some lag. Bear in mind I've been using a Pixel (well, Pixels) since January and they are sensationally fast.
The lag wasn't anything crazy, and nothing to put me off the device, but it was there. Just the odd little stutter and stammer in certain apps and moving around the OS.
I quickly learned that I don't like the Samsung design language. The on screen navigation buttons for instance, and the Samsung app designs - that line design? I really don't like it.
I also didn't enjoy the actual app designs in the stock launcher. They're a bit all over the place unless you add the background to the apps, but then I didn't really like that either. App icon packs are pretty hard to come by for the stock launcher too.
This morning, I downloaded a Pixel 2 launcher, and I kid you not the lag I was seeing intermittently (and rarely) just vanished. I had zero lag and slow down manouvering round the phone with a different launcher. It also looked so so much better. I could then choose the style of my icons and I ended up with something I was much happier with.
That extended to the app 'drawer' / tray or list (whatever you want to call it!).
I almost didn't like how the app tray could be amended like an iPhone - and you could move apps to where you wanted in the stock launcher. An alphabetical list is more preferential for me.
The orange notification button was a bit in your face - especially over things like Spotify which just looked strange. I know you can turn these off app by app (again, thank you Samsung) but it was just an odd setup.
With the Pixel Launcher I got those lovely dots - which I didn't realise how much I liked until I had them back!
I also like my app drawer with a white background, and with a lighter wallpaper, the Pixel 2 launcher gave me that. So much cleaner.
Beauty of Android though - you can have what you want essentially!
Battery life was abysmal for me today. I got 3 and a half hours screen on time and I needed my charger at home time. It's not Pixel 2 levels of bad with the problems, but it didn't seem right. I know thats not the 'norm' for this device, but it's worrying. I didn't help myself by cranking the screen resolution up, turning off auto brightness and using it most of the day, but it seemed like the battery could have been a bit better.
Still, I had only used it with one full charge so I wouldn't take my experience as much here.
I did like lots about it though - it's not all doom and gloom haha.
When my battery was draining, I had a notification to say that Instagram was using more battery than it should and it gave me an option to then fix this. Very nice.
Samsung's version of Android has some fantastic things thrown in. I don't think I even managed to scractch the surface with the additional benefits over stock but I will tell you my favourite thing and it almost made me keep te phone for it (you will all think it's crazy haha).
Listening to music. When I listen to music on my Pixel (or any other Android device), I detest the fact that the album artwork is not only then plastered all over your lock screen, but it's plastered in a magnified view which looks absolutely awful. I don't choose a nice lock screen wallpaper to have my music app (and it's all music apps - Spotify, Play Music etc) stretch the art work out over it.
It can't be turned off either, the only way around it is to disable all notifications for the app but then you lose the lock screen / notification tray playback controls.
Samsung though? Your lock screen wallpaper stays, and you just get the controls on it - along with the playback controls and artwork coloured box. THANK YOU SAMSUNG.
So so so much love for them doing this.
I hardly got to test the camera - sadly, as I didn't have it long enough. I took one snap just point and shoot on my walk back from the work canteen.
I only needed that to know that this was a truly fantastic camera. I know I'd have loved using this absolutely no question.
Then played about with the portrait style mode on my pink highlighter in the office lol.
I tried this AR emoji. Quite frankly - it's creepy. Creepy is a word I've heard a lot of tech reviewers use in relation to this. I can't help but agree.
Here's mine...
In fairness, it kinda got the hair right, and the eye colour and the stubble, but it's a bit weird!
Other things I liked, well I love that in the stock launcher you can swipe down from the screen anywhere to get into the notification shade thing. Really love that. It's not a big phone, so I wouldn't struggle pulling down from the top, but why bother shifting my grip slightly when Samsung have built that in. Again, thanks Samsung. For a phone like the Pixel 2 XL, stock could benefit from that kind of thing.
As always, the Samsung store for themes, wallpapers etc was lovely. Rivalling Sony's Xperia store for me if not slightly better.
That's the kind of additional stuff I really like.
All in all, the phone is brilliant. I can see why people love Samsung phones and prefer them over other Android devices. For me though, whilst it's brilliant in packing itself with useful OS features and handy extras over stock, it then loses a certain polish that stock brings.
Whilst it has certainly made me look at stock Android a bit differently now and wishing there were more Samsung esque features in it, I still would choose that over what Samsung currently offer every day of the week. But that album artwork is a huge one. Whoever at Android thinks this is still a great option and won't provide users with the option to at least disable it, needs firing immediately.
I personally think I could have continued to use the S9 and grown to appreciate it much more. But rather than do that, and enjoy it until the next new Android came to then sell it, I've decided to go back to iOS with the X where I know exactly what I am getting and where I know I will be happy.
Ideally, I'd still be rocking my Pixel 2, but there we are! Sorry for the longish post, I wanted to at least try and explain my very short time with the S9 and note a couple of thoughts seeing as I've not been a Samsung user for a while. Sometimes it's good to read from differing perspectives I guess!
I am glad you are able to get an X. That might work best for your work situation and iOS might be able to sandbox whatever battery vampire app you might be harboring. I hope so. My daughter's iPhone is draining fast on some of the same apps my Samsung handles fine, so I think it's a luck of the draw thing.
Overall the battery life isn't great on the S9+ either, for me and my husband but it's good enough to last us a typical day. Neither of is is even trying to optimize battery life yet.
I'm glad you at least got to try the S9 and it was great getting your perspective on it. You have an eye for details I totally miss. I don't have the eye for aesthetics and design that you have. Lol, but now that you made that point about the cover art I won't be able to unsee it on Snowball.
I don't see any lags or stutters on mine but I am on the plus version so maybe the extra RAM makes a difference. I do feel it's just a hair slower or less fluid somehow.
Aneres11, what you need is the Nova launcher. I never use the TW launcher. Nova is just way better. Also, not to sound harsh but those icons your using.....YIKES! Some are rounded, some are a circle, some are square, .....just don't look good imo. With Nova there are many icon packs to choose from.
Also you can switch the buttons to have the back button on the left it that's where you prefer it. The option for you is there to have it how you like it.
Myself I just don't care for the edge. I prefer the flat screen version but oh well, they don't make it anymore.
Also you can switch the buttons to have the back button on the left it that's where you prefer it. The option for you is there to have it how you like it.
Myself I just don't care for the edge. I prefer the flat screen version but oh well, they don't make it anymore.
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So I'm two weeks in now with my pre-launch S9 and to my own surprise I haven't yet touched my iPhone 8 Plus.
I'm actually enjoying the Samsung UX. There are nuggets of thoughtful functions all over then UX.
Samsung have come a long way with their UX so much so that I am not tempted to jump to stock just yet.
Thumbs up (so far..)!
I'm actually enjoying the Samsung UX. There are nuggets of thoughtful functions all over then UX.
Samsung have come a long way with their UX so much so that I am not tempted to jump to stock just yet.
Thumbs up (so far..)!
I’ve tried Nova and I don’t like it. I find it to be too customisable to the point where it’s all a bit confusing.
The icons you see there are what you get in the Pixel and that’s just what I’m used too. Personally I like that they’re all the same kind of size I’m not too fussed that some are different shapes as they generally all stay within the same sizing which is the biggest gripe I had with the stock S9 icons.
And I did swap the Android buttons round.
. First thing I did actually!I had the same issue with Nova when I tried it on my HTC 10. Goodness, I tried all kinds of launchers on that poor phone!I’ve tried Nova and I don’t like it. I find it to be too customisable to the point where it’s all a bit confusing.
The icons you see there are what you get in the Pixel and that’s just what I’m used too. Personally I like that they’re all the same kind of size I’m not too fussed that some are different shapes as they generally all stay within the same sizing which is the biggest gripe I had with the stock S9 icons.
And I did swap the Android buttons round.
I prefer to roll with whatever launcher these phones come stocked with. I like to get a feel for what the manufacturer’s vision for their hardware is.
Completely agree.
Stock Pixel icons are the best IMO. To my eyes anyway but as seen above others find them offensive.
Nice that they can at least be changed to suit your personal style.
Any of you affected by this?
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/03/21/galaxy-s9-s9-units-large-dead-zones-touchscreen/
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/03/21/galaxy-s9-s9-units-large-dead-zones-touchscreen/
I haven’t encountered that at all on my S9+.
I haven't experienced that either....
Yes BUT only when I attempted to use a screen protector. I am rocking a naked screen now and it seems fine.
When I buy phones, I usually purchase a screen protector before my phone is shipped so I can put it on after unboxing. I did that when I got my S7 Edge, and after a year of dealing with the screen protector lifting on the edges.... after pulling the screen protector off, I couldn't believe I didn't enjoy a naked screen for a full year. When I got my S9+, all I only purchased was a minimalistic case for a better grip. I have no intentions on buying a screen protector. I just want to enjoy the beauty of this screen naked (not me... LOL... The screen!!!
).
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Is it just me or does anyone else notice better clarity when using the S9+ with Gear VR, versus the S8+ or Note 8?
I don't think it's the small difference in ppi. I think it might be a difference in the display coating used.
Never used a screen protector in over five years, and never not a single scratch on my devices. I keep my phone in my front left pocket by itself, no keys, coins, cards, nothing else. And no, I don't overly baby my phones.
I don't think it's the small difference in ppi. I think it might be a difference in the display coating used.
When I buy phones, I usually purchase a screen protector before my phone is shipped so I can put it on after unboxing. I did that when I got my S7 Edge, and after a year of dealing with the screen protector lifting on the edges.... after pulling the screen protector off, I couldn't believe I didn't enjoy a naked screen for a full year. When I got my S9+, all I only purchased was a minimalistic case for a better grip. I have intentions on buying a screen protector. I just want to enjoy the beauty of this screen naked (not me... LOL... The screen!!!
Never used a screen protector in over five years, and never not a single scratch on my devices. I keep my phone in my front left pocket by itself, no keys, coins, cards, nothing else. And no, I don't overly baby my phones.
After many years of using non-drop protection minimalistic air jacket/skin cases, I learned how to prevent dropping my phone. If I'm not looking at it, I put it in my pants pocket. I'll put it on something stable if I have to use both hands, don't put my phone on my lap when sitting, use 2 hands when texting, I use a death grip if I'm handling with one hand. Selfies??? so happy I can move the camera button up into the picture... It gives me more grip on phone, and has more balance.
I skipped the S8 series, but my S9+ looks fantastic in Gear VR.
Does the S9+ stay relatively cool in the Gear VR? My S7 and S7 edge got boiling hot at times so they were doing VR duty for me all this time because I didn't want to stress my S8+. But now the S8+ has been demoted to VR duty and I was shocked how cool it stayed.
I think my S9+ overall runs a smidge warmer than my S8+ but still doesn't get hot so far in regular use.
I can't tell if it's my imagination but my S9+ seems snappier today. I suppose it had been busy down loading a lot of updates since I got it. I noticed lots of my apps were sending notifications that they'd been updated over the time I unboxed this phone.
I've had it two weeks now.. no such issues yet.. touch wood!
My experience with Gear VR ......
S6 ... Would show the overheating warning pop-up in a matter of 15 minutes depending on the temperature of the room. I would have to use it with the A/C on. Not a good experience.
S7 ... Better, but would still get hot after around 30 minutes of use, to the point everything would start pixelating.
Note 7 ... Much better, Would take over an hour for any heat problems to become noticeable.
S8+ ... No heat issues at all. Able to use until the battery is drained. Just occasional stutter depending on the app, game, or video.
Note 8 and S9+ ...No heat issues at all. Able to use until the battery is drained. Very rare stutters. Mostly a smooth overall experience.
When I buy phones, I usually purchase a screen protector before my phone is shipped so I can put it on after unboxing. I did that when I got my S7 Edge, and after a year of dealing with the screen protector lifting on the edges.... after pulling the screen protector off, I couldn't believe I didn't enjoy a naked screen for a full year. When I got my S9+, all I only purchased was a minimalistic case for a better grip. I have no intentions on buying a screen protector. I just want to enjoy the beauty of this screen naked (not me... LOL... The screen!!!
Never used a screen protector on any of my samsung phones...just a case and have not had a screen ever crack or even scratch but I guess I am overly careful with my phones.
They did change it somehow. I really like it now. I perceive less distortion of content at the edges.
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Thank you so much for listing all of that out. I appreciate it, it’s quite a good reference. Too bad we can’t pin this somewhere for VR fans.
Here we go again. Don't they test these phones in the factory or get people to test run them before sales start?
https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...s-beset-by-touchscreen-data-lens-flare-issues
samsung-galaxy-s9-unresponsive-touchscreens-issue-repsonse
galaxy-s9-problems-3431805
https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...s-beset-by-touchscreen-data-lens-flare-issues
samsung-galaxy-s9-unresponsive-touchscreens-issue-repsonse
galaxy-s9-problems-3431805
I'd say there are about just as many issues as there are for any mass produced product....
So you're a newbie and your third message is throwing shade at Samsung...smh....
I didn't write the articles or test run the phone so no need to shoot the messenger
ps maybe new but i have a Note 8 and a iPX.
I have an iP8 + and an Pixel 2 XL and a S9+...funny cause there are more reported problems for iphones than any other phones...... did you comment on those issues? I guess Apple doesn't test either.....I didn't write the articles or test run the phone so no need to shoot the messenger
ps maybe new but i have a Note 8 and a iPX.
PS Had the IPX and returned it thought it was not ready for prime time. FaceID was buggy.....