Galaxy S9 Guides

a community for owners of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

Galaxy S9 Camera Guides

How to use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Everything about Samsung camera Pro mode on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S7, S7 edge, Note 9 and Note 8.

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use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode gives you full control of your shootings: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, autofocus mode,  filters, white balance, and exposure. If you properly use the Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode, you may get far better pictures than using the Auto mode (default).

But for many users without photographic backgrounds, sometimes, it is overwhelming to adjust the settings for Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode to get the desired photos.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide explains the what Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode is, when you may need it, and all settings for Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode.

Please note, Galaxy S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9 have a similar Pro mode to that on Galaxy S9 and S9+.  So, this guide also applies to the Pro mode in these Samsung phones.

What’s Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode? When do you need it?

In the old days, smartphone cameras are usually inferior to many middle-range (sometimes, even entry-level) point-and-shoot cameras. And it is impossible to compare them to DSLRs.

But in recent years, with the advances in camera sensor technology and software, more and more high-end smartphones can replace middle-range point-and-shoot cameras. Some Android phone vendors started to offer some photographic features that used to be exclusive in DSLR cameras

Since Galaxy S6, Samsung has included the Pro mode in many of its phones. But the quality of photos taken in the Pro mode depends on the phone hardware and software.

With Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode, some users now can easily get many far better photos than in the Auto mode.

Galaxy S9 camera Pro mode allows you:

  • Adjust the ISO value
  • Adjust the aperture to use the dual apertures as explained in this guide.
  • Adjust the shutter speed.
  • Adjust the autofocus mode.
  • Choose camera filters.
  • Adjust the white balance.
  • Adjust exposure compensation.
  • Save photos in RAW format.

You may want to try the Pro mode whenever you are not satisfied with photos taken in the Auto mode or other camera modes.

For example, in the low-light conditions, you may play with the ISO value and shutter speed to get less noisy photos in Pro mode. The Auto mode in this situation sometimes works well; sometimes not.

Or, if the lighting conditions vary dramatically in different parts of the photo, you can choose the proper ISO value,  shutter speed, white balance, … Read the rest

How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Everything about super slow motion mode on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9.

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use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+Galaxy S9 super slow-motion mode (super Slow-mo) is a new camera feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+. You can take slow-motion videos at 960fps with this camera mode.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains what you can do (and cannot do) with Galaxy S9 super slow motion mode, how to use the super slow-motion mode, how to edit super slow-motion videos, how to add music to the video, and how to share super slow-motion videos  with others as videos or GIF animations.

Samsung ported this camera mode to Galaxy S8 and S8+ in Android Oreo update. You can find the super slow-motion mode (super slow-mo) on Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, Note 9, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+ and s few other Galaxy phones with Android Oreo. So this guide applies to all these phones with the super slow-motion mode, although screenshots in this guide were taken from a Galaxy S9+.

What is Galaxy S9 super slow-motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

The normal slow-motion mode in most smartphones today can record videos at about 60fps (frames per second). Some high-end phones, like Pixel 2, iPhone X  may record slow motion at 240fps.  Galaxy S9 and S9+ allow you to record a video in 960fps with the super slow-motion mode.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ is not the first smartphone with 960fps slow-motion mode. Sony offered this feature in Xperia XZ Premium in 2017. But the phone did not sell well in most markets.

In Galaxy S9 and S9+, you have the traditional slow-motion mode (60fps), and this special super slow-motion mode (super slow-mo).

Compared to standard slow-motion mode, Galaxy S9 super slow-motion mode has the following limitations:

  • The video resolution is limited to 720p (1280*720). The standard slow-motion on Galaxy S9 or S9+ has a resolution of Full HD 1080p (1920*1080).
  • The length of one super slow-motion event is limited to 0.2 seconds (high quality) or 0.4 seconds (standard quality).
  • In the multi-take mode, you can include up to 20 slow-motion events in one video.
  • Super slow-motion mode usually requires more light to get a decent video.
  • If you want to share the video, you need to export the video first because other phones may have problems to play the video directly.
  • The videos are always saved in the internal storage even you use an SD card on the
… Read the rest

How to use dual aperture to manually switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture in Pro mode?

Dual aperture allows you to switch the aperture between f/1.5 and f/2.4 for the rear camera in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

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use dual aperture to manually switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture in Pro modeDual aperture, which allows the system to choose the suitable Galaxy S9 camera aperture depending on lighting conditions,  is one of the significant improvements in Galaxy S9 (and S9+) camera compared to previous Galaxy phones.

However, in most camera modes, choosing Galaxy S9 camera aperture will be done automatically, and therefore you cannot manually select one of the two apertures.

The Pro mode is an exception, which allows you to manually choose Galaxy S9 camera aperture.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide explains dual aperture feature in Galaxy S9 and shows you how to manually choose Galaxy S9 camera aperture in the Pro mode.

What does dual aperture mean for Galaxy S9 camera aperture?

In photography, aperture, which controls how collimated the admitted rays are,  is one of the three legs of the exposure triangle.

Photographers use the combinations of aperture, ISO and shutter speed to get desired photos for various scenarios.

In most digital cameras or more expensive DSLRs, you usually have a certain level of control of the aperture.

But in smartphones, due to the compact size, the aperture of the camera lens is usually fixed.  Therefore, the camera app can control exposure through ISO and shutter speed.

Samsung introduced the dual aperture in the real camera od Galaxy S9 and S9+ so that the system can adjust the aperture based on lighting conditions.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ camera only supports two discrete apertures f/1.5 and f/2.4.  The system cannot set an aperture between these two values.

Typically, when ambient is very dark (in the night),  the system will set the aperture to f/1.5.  This allows more light to pass through the lens to get brighter photos.

When the ambient is very bright (e.g., under the sun), the aperture will be set at f/2.4. The photo will generally look more crispy than using f/1.5

How to use dual aperture to switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture manually?

Although dual aperture is a good feature for the rear camera, Samsung does not want you to mess up Galaxy S9 camera aperture. Therefore, aperture switching was programmed as an automatic Galaxy S9 camera feature.

In other words, it does not allow you to manually switch the Galaxy S9 camera aperture in most Galaxy S9 camera modes.

The only exception is the Pro mode, which allows you to control almost all aspects of the camera settings manually.

Please note, Pro mode is … Read the rest

Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings

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Galaxy S9 camera settings will help you get the desired photos and effectively use the camera in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide explains the meaning and usage of all entries in Galaxy S9 camera settings.

Why do you need to understand Galaxy S9 camera settings?

Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners probably just start the camera app, shoot the photo, then share it.

It works well in most situations owing to the decent Auto mode in Galaxy S9 and S9+ cameras.

But sometimes, you may need to change some Galaxy S9 camera settings, e.g., using the timer, changing the video size to save storage, taking motion photos ……

Galaxy S9 camera settings allow you to customize the camera app so that you can take the desired photos and videos.

In the new Galaxy S9 camera app, the simplified interface means more customizations in Galaxy S9 camera settings.

How to access Galaxy S9 camera settings?

You can start the camera app in Galaxy S9 in different ways as explained in this guide.

Once you are in Galaxy S9 camera app interface, you can tap the gear icon as shown below to open Galaxy S9 camera settings.

How to access Galaxy S9 camera settings?

How are Galaxy S9 camera settings organized?

As shown in the following 3 screenshots, Galaxy S9 camera settings are organized into 3 sections/groups.

  • Rear camera (#1-#6)

This section includes settings related to the rear camera only.

For Galaxy S9+, there are two rear cameras. But there are no separate settings for the individual rear camera.

In fact, Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have the identical camera settings.

  • Front camera (#7-#13)

This section covers the front camera specific settings.

Some of the second level setting pages, e.g., timer and HDR settings,  are similar to those of the rear camera.

The purpose of such settings is to keep separate settings for the front and rear cameras.

  • Common (#14-#25)

The settings in this section apply to both the front and rear cameras.

Galaxy S9 camera settings Galaxy S9 camera settings

Galaxy S9 camera settings

Understand and use Galaxy S9 camera settings

Corresponding to the numbers in the previous 3 screenshots, here are the explanations of Galaxy S9 camera settings.

1.

… Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?

Get to know the new Galaxy S9 camera app interface

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use Galaxy S9 camera appAs explained in the new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+, the camera in both phones was significantly improved with an updated Galaxy S9 camera app.

Samsung revamped the user interface of Galaxy S9 camera app to make it more user-friendly (arguably) with different ways to access Galaxy S9 camera modes and effects. This new Galaxy S9 camera app interface is different from that in Galaxy S8.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide explains the items in Galaxy S9 camera app user interface (UI) and how to use them.

This guide is based on Galaxy S9 with Android 8 (Oreo).  You may check this guide on the Android 9 (Pie) update for Galaxy S9, and this guide for Android 1o update for Galaxy S9 and S10. So, if you are on Android 10, your camera app should look like this.

How to access Galaxy S9 camera app?

There are at least 6 different ways to access Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+:

  1. Galaxy S9 camera quick launch;
  2. App icon in Galaxy S9 lock screen;
  3. App icon in Galaxy S9 Home screen;
  4. App icon in Galaxy S9 Apps screen;
  5. Bixby voice command;
  6. Google Assistant voice command.

You can also access the camera app from Galaxy S9 edge screen.

Although the identical Galaxy S9 camera app will be used, there are some restrictions if you access the camera without unlocking Galaxy S9 or S9+.

How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?

By default, when you start the Galaxy S9 camera, the Auto mode is activated, as shown below.

In Auto mode, in addition to the navigation bar at the bottom, you can find at least 11 items, as marked in the screenshot:

  1. Shutter button.
  2. Video recording button.
  3. Shortcut to Gallery app.
  4. Galaxy S9 camera modes.
  5. Switch between two rear cameras  (Galaxy S9+ only).
  6. Bixby vision.
  7. Galaxy S9 camera settings.
  8. Full-screen view.
  9. Turn on/off the flash.
  10. Galaxy S9 camera effects.
  11. Switch between front and rear cameras.

use Galaxy S9 camera app

1. Galaxy S9 camera spp Shutter button

You can press this shutter button to take photos immediately.

If you tap and hold (long tap) the shutter button, the camera will take photos in burst mode.

Photos taken in Galaxy S9 burst mode will always be saved in the internal storage even if you set the photo location in the micro SD card.

2. Video

… Read the rest

6 ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+

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Galaxy S9 and S9+ feature some significantly new camera features such as the dual-aperture lens, and super slow motion mode. As the first step of trying the new camera in Galaxy S9 and S9+, you need to start Galaxy S9 camera app first.

In addition to tapping the camera app icon, you can have several other ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in S9 and S9+.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide shows you the six ways to open Galaxy S9 camera app in your Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#1. Use Galaxy S9 camera quick launch to start Galaxy S9 camera app

The fastest way to launch Galaxy S9 camera app is to use Galaxy S9 camera quick launch feature, which is enabled by default.

You can quickly press the power button twice to start Galaxy S9 camera app immediately.  Samsung named this as Galaxy S9 camera quick launch.

The good thing about Galaxy S9 camera quick launch is that it works at any times: when the screen is on or off, or when you are using any apps, or when the screen is locked or unlocked.

When you use the Galaxy S9 camera quick launch first time, it will remind you of this feature as shown below.

You can then keep it on or turn it off if you want.

If you want, you can enable or disable Galaxy S9 camera quick launch in Galaxy S9 camera settings.

Use Galaxy S9 camera quick launch to start Galaxy S9 camera app

#2. Use camera app shortcut on Galaxy S9 lock screen to start Galaxy S9 camera app.

By default, in Galaxy S9 lock screen as shown below, there are two app shortcuts on the left and right sides of the bottom.

One is the phone app for you to make emergency calls without unlocking the phone. And the other is the camera app as shown below.

Of course, you can use other apps to replace them in Settings — Lock screen and security — App shortcuts.

You can tap the camera app icon to open Galaxy S9 camera app without unlocking the screen.

If you launch Galaxy S9 camera app without unlocking the screen, you can only access photos taken in this session. You cannot access any other photos or pictures saved in the phone before the screen was locked.

This is a security feature, not a bug. For example, if someone gets your phone, he/she … Read the rest

About Galaxy S9 Guides

Everything about this Galaxy S9 guides community

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About Galaxy S9 GuidesWhat is Galaxy S9 guides community?

Galaxy S9 guides is an online community for owners of Galaxy S9 or S9+ to help fellow owners.

If you have any questions on or encounter any problems with Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can get answers and solutions quickly from the community.

Galaxy S9 guides community is not affiliated with Samsung in any means.  It is simply an owner-help-owner community.

If you need any “official” technical support or need to contact Samsung for warranty or sales related issues,  please approach the local distributor or local Samsung office directly.

We are not able to relay any messages to Samsung.

What does Galaxy S9 guides community offer?

Galaxy S9 guides community offers various how-to guides to help you use Galaxy S9 and S9+.

These Galaxy S9 guides are organized into the following five sections:

  1.  Galaxy S9 new features guide.  The section covers detailed guides for all new features and functions in Galaxy S9 and S9+.
  2. Galaxy S9 how-to guides.  This section is a collection of high-quality how-to guides on how to efficiently use Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+,
  3. Galaxy S9 camera guides. There are many improvements and new features in Galaxy S9 (especially S9+) camera. This section has all the guides you need to use major features of Galaxy S9 camera properly.
  4. Galaxy S9 accessories guides. This section shows you the useful and affordable Galaxy S9 accessories to help you use and improve Galaxy S9 and S9+.
  5. Galaxy S9 user guides. This section is a collection of the official Samsung Galaxy S9 user guides in various languages. You can read and download the official user guide in PDF format in your local language.

Besides, comments are open on all pages.  So, everyone can ask questions if they are not addressed in the guides,  The community will and help them get the answer or solution.

In a nutshell, Galaxy S9 guides community offers a platform for all owners of Galaxy S9 and S9+ to discuss and share the usage and experiences of the phone.

How can you contribute to the Galaxy S9 guides community?

There is no join button in Galaxy S9 guides.  There are no signup forms either.

All Galaxy S9 guides are open to the public.

And of course, it is free.

We do not collect any of your personal info.  You can post your Galaxy S9 … Read the rest