Galaxy S9 new features

How to use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?

The lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update lets the phone be ready when you want to use it.

Although it is a minor feature, many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners like this feature in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ because it is very practical.

This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the details of the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update and shows you how to enable and use it on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

What is the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Often, when you pick up the phone, you actually want to use the phone.

Now, in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung finally added this lift to wake feature. So, when you pick up (lift) the phone, the screen will wake up automatically. You do not need to press any buttons.

Surely, this is extremely useful when you just want to check time or notifications on Galaxy S9 lock screen.

If iris scanner or face recognition was enabled, it may unlock the phone at the same time when the screen wakes up (if you are staring at the screen).

Of course, many other Android manufacturers introduced similar features for some time already. For example, Motorola added the active display in the first-gen of Moto X. Samsung now is now catching up in adding more cool features in the One UI.

Please note, the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ will not work if you are using the LED cover or the clear view cover when the cover is closed. These two cases are designed to lock the screen when they are closed.

How to enable and use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

By default, the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is disabled after you update the phone.

You need to enable it if you intend to use this feature on Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus.

In Galaxy S9 settings, tap the Advanced features as shown in the screenshot below.

In the advanced features page, tap Motions and gestures as shown above.

Now, in the motions and gestures page, you can find the lift to wake.

As shown below, you can tap the switch on … Read the rest

Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

One UI, night mode, lift to wake, floating keyboard, lock home screen layout, lockdown mode, new camera app, navigation gestures, and adaptive battery are the most exciting new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

simon · 8 Comments

If your Galaxy S9 or S9+ was updated to Android Pie, you should enjoy many new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

As the first major update of Galaxy S9 and S9+, Android Pie (Android 9) update brings not only Android Pie features to Galaxy S9 and S9+ but also a totally new UI (One UI). Some Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners may be overwhelmed by so many new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

If you haven’t updated your Galaxy S9 or S9 to Android Pie (Android 9), you may follow this guide to check whether the update is available in your region.

If you want to download the official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update, please check this page.

This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the top 9 most useful new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+: One UI, night mode, lift to wake, floating keyboard, lock home screen layout, lockdown mode, new camera app, navigation gestures, and adaptive battery.

# 1. One UI: the most eye-catching new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

In the Android Pie update, Samsung debuted the new UI: One UI, to replace the old Samsung Experience.

Do not confuse one UI with Android One. They are totally unrelated.

The One UI was designed to make the phone look beautiful and help the owner focus on what really matters.

In addition to a new set of app icons for Samsung apps (phone, camera, contact, messages, gallery, My files, calendar, smart switch, clock), the default font and the use of white space deliver a fresh look.

The new full-screen navigation gestures were also added and they are even different from the stock Android Pie navigation gestures.

You can also use the rotation toggle button in the navigation bar to change and lock screen orientation on-the-fly very easily.

#2. Night mode: the most wanted new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ for night owls

Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners complained about the white color scheme. It is painful to use the white theme in low-light conditions.

Although you can change the Galaxy S9 home screen theme to a dark one, some Samsung apps may not follow the theme.

Blue light filter may … Read the rest

Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guides

Use the new features of Android Pie (Android 9) update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

simon · 2 Comments

Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ has been rolled out since December 2018.

More and more Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners are enjoying the new features of Android Pie update. Samsung also updated the official user guide with Android Pie update.

Android Pie (Android 9) is a major update for Android. There are many new features in Android Pie.

On top of the standard Android Pie features, Samsung also updated the UI for Galaxy S9 and S9+ to One UI.

So, many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners sometimes get confused on how to use the new features in Android Pie (Android 9) update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

A series of guides on new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ have been prepared and tested since December 2018.

Now, we are releasing these Android Pie guides for Galaxy S9 and S9+ here.

This is a live post. A new guide is released only after it passes all our testing and verifications. We will update this post once a new guide is released.

Here is the list of released or coming-soon guides on the new features of Android Pie (Android 9) update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

If you cannot find the Android Pie guides you need, or if you have any questions on Android Pie features on Galaxy S9 and S9+, please let us know them in the comment box.

We will try to release the guide earlier, and the community will help you get the answer or solution.

1. Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

As the first major update of Galaxy S9 and S9+, Android Pie (Android 9) update brings not only Android Pie features to Galaxy S9 and S9+ but also a totally new UI (One UI).

This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the top 9 most useful new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ including One UI, night mode, lift to wake, floating keyboard, lock home screen layout, lockdown mode, new camera app, navigation gestures, and adaptive battery

Read on …

2. The official Galaxy S9 and S9+ user guides with Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

You can read online or download the official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update in your local language for your … Read the rest

How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?

simon · 2 Comments

Samsung DeX Pad lets you instantly transform Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9 into an Android PC.

Compared to Samsung DeX Station, Samsung DeX Pad has an improved design and offers generous accessories in the box. For a detailed comparison of the Samsung DeX Pad, DeX Station and DeX Cable, please check this guide.

This Galaxy S9 accessories guide shows you the contents in the Samsung DeX Pad box, the layout of the DeX Pad, and how to use Samsung DeX Pad.

What is Samsung DeX Pad?

Samsung DeX Pad, announced together with Galaxy S9 and S9+, is the 2nd generation of Samsung DeX dock accessories. But it is NOT a replacement of Samsung DeX Station. Rather it is a compliment to the DeX Station.

DeX Pad features a smaller footprint than its predecessor (DeX Station). And one of the significant changes is your phone can lay down on the DeX Pad. So, it is very easy to use the phone screen as a touchpad.

Samsung DeX Pad works with all DeX-enabled devices: Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, Note 9 and Tab S4. It also offers identical Samsung DeX features as the DeX Station and DeX cable.

For the detailed comparison of three current DeX accessories DeX Pad vs DeX Station vs DeX cable, please check this page.

What is included in the Samsung DeX Pad package?

Samsung DeX Pad package includes the essentials you need to use Samsung DeX.

You can find the following items in the package:

One Samsung DeX Pad.
One HDMI cable.
One USB cable. The USB-A to USB-C cable is for you to connect the power adapter/wall charger to the DeX Pad. It can also be used for data transfer between your phone and a PC (e..g, for backing up Galaxy S9). The cable itself is similar to the USB cable included in Galaxy S9 box.
One USB power adapter/wall charger. In most regions, the included wall charger is identical to that in your Galaxy S9 box. Of course, you can use this power adapter to charge Galaxy S9 battery.
One quick start guide in multiple languages.

Basically, you just need a monitor to try Samsung DeX immediately. Remember Samsung DeX Station package does not include the cables and power adapter as explained in … 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.

simon · 2 Comments

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+.

simon · Leave a Comment

Dual 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

Galaxy S9 layout (and layout of Galaxy S9+)

get to know the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+

simon · 8 Comments

To effectively use your new phone, you need to know and understand the Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout.

Sometimes, common sense works; sometimes it may not.

This Galaxy S9 how-to guide explains the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+, the difference between the Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout, and the meaning of essential parts in the layouts of Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Why do you need to know Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout?

Although Galaxy S9 and S9+ are not a revolutionary product, the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+ is substantially different from Android phones from other Android manufacturers.

Even compared to Galaxy S8 and S8+ layout, there are a few changes in the Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout.

You need to know and understand Galaxy S9 layout when you want to know the functions of all buttons in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ layout can also help you find the locations of some parts. For example, a few Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners accidentally inserted the SIM card ejection pin into the top microphone hole. They may spoil the microphone. Had they known the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+, they wouldn’t have made this mistake.

Besides, it is also beneficial to know the location of antennas and wireless charging coils when using some Galaxy S9 accessories.

Anyway, before using your Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+, you should spend a few minutes to learn and understand the layout of S9 and S9+ even if you are a seasoned Samsung phone user.

The difference between Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout

Unlike Galaxy S8 and S8+, which differ only in size, Galaxy S9 and S9+ have a few considerable differences in the hardware configuration.

Due to dual rear camera configuration in Galaxy S9+, the back of Galaxy S9+ layout is different from that of Galaxy S9.

The second rear camera is the only difference between Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ layout: front view

The front view of Galaxy S9 layout is illustrated in the picture below. The front view of Galaxy S9+ is identical except the screen size.

As shown below, you can find in the front of Galaxy S9 and S9+:

touchscreen;
edge screens;
front camera;
LED indicator;
top speaker (earpiece);
proximity/light sensor;
iris recognition camera;

… Read the rest

Top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

New features of Galaxy S9: Android Oreo, dual aperture camera, intelligent scan, positioning of fingerprint scanner, 960p slow motion, stereo speakers, latest processor, 64/128/256GB storage, new DeX pad, and AR emoji

simon · Leave a Comment

Samsung announced Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, the 9th generation of Galaxy S phones, on February 25, 2018, in Barcelona, Spain, immediately ahead of MWC 2018. You may want to know the new features of Samsung Galaxy S9.

As in previous Galaxy S phones, Samsung staffed some new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ to lure new customers and keep existing customers.

This post details the top 10 new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+ to help you decide whether Galaxy S9 or S9+ is the right phone for you.

#1. Android Oreo

Android Oreo is the latest Android OS.

Samsung packed Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Oreo 8.0 out of the box.

You can enjoy many new features and improvements of Android 8.0 in Galaxy S9 and S9+, although Samsung tweaks a lot of the stock Android.

For Galaxy S9 notification dots (notification number badge, app icon badges) on Galaxy S9 and S9+, you may check this guide.

#2. Dual-aperture in the main camera: one of the most welcomed new features of Samsung Galaxy S9

Samsung tried to direct your attention to one of the best new features in Galaxy S9 and S9+: the camera.

And the most prominent features of the Galaxy S9 camera is dual-aperture.

In Auto mode, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ main camera can switch between two apertures of f/2.4 (under normal lighting conditions) and f/1.5 (in low-light conditions) automatically.

In Pro mode, you can set the two apertures manually. Unfortunately, you cannot set anything in between.

Essentially, the dual-aperture camera makes it easier to capture good photos in low-light conditions.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the only smartphones in the market with such a feature.

You may check this guide on how to use the two apertures in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#3. Intelligent scan

Iris scanner and face recognition is not new in Galaxy phones. You can enable either of them to unlock the phone in your Galaxy S8, S8+ or Note 8.

Both methods work well in contrast conditions: iris scanner does not work well under the sun ( or under intense light), and face recognition refuses to work in darkness.

In Galaxy S8 and Note 8, these two methods are mutually exclusive: you can only enable one of them.

As another one of the top new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+, these two methods … Read the rest