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Galaxy S9 Guides

a community for owners of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

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  • How-to Guides
    • Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guides
      • Official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update
      • Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • How to use the new navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to remap Bixby button on Galaxy S9 and S9+ after updating to Android Pie?
      • How to use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update?
      • How to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9)?
      • How to use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
    • Meaning of Galaxy S9 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • How to use Samsung DeX with Galaxy S9 and S9+ and other Samsung phones?
      • How to use Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use app pair on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable
      • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use a USB flash drive on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to charge Galaxy S9 battery?
    • Galaxy S9 SIM card guide
      • How to use two SIM cards on Galaxy S9, S10, and S20?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 dual messenger to run two accounts of messenger apps simultaneously on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to back up Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+?
      • How to reset Galaxy S9 and S9+? What is Galaxy S9 factory data reset?
    • How to disable Bixby button in Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?
    • Understand and Use Galaxy S9 Home screen
      • How to use Galaxy S9 edge screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to show photos on Galaxy S9 Home screen?
      • How to pin files to Galaxy S9 Home screen (add file shortcuts to Galaxy S9 Home screen)?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 Apps screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 Home screen edit mode to customize Galaxy S9 Home screen?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 home screen landscape mode?
      • How to hide Galaxy S9 apps screen and how to hide Galaxy Apps button?
      • How to use and customize Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons?
      • How to manage Galaxy S9 Home screen panels on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use and customize Galaxy S9 lock screen?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 notification panel on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • Understand and use Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, app icon badge)
      • How to use quick setting buttons on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use quick-open notification panel on Galaxy S9 and S9+ to check notifications?
    • Galaxy S9 layout (and layout of Galaxy S9+)
      • How to use adapt sound on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • 5 ways to take screenshots on Galaxy S9 and S9+ without using any apps
      • How to use Galaxy S9 touchscreen gestures?
      • How to use wireless printing on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 themes to customize the look and feel of Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • Unbox Galaxy S9: understand package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box
    • How to reboot into Galaxy S9 recovery mode and to clear Galaxy S9 cache partition on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to reboot Galaxy S9 and S9+ if Galaxy S9 hangs?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 safe mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?
      • 6 ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings
      • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • New features
    • Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • How to use the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the new navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to remap Bixby button on Galaxy S9 and S9+ after updating to Android Pie?
      • How to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9)?
      • How to use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update?
    • Top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+
    • How to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?
    • How to use and customize Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons?
    • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • Understand and use Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, app icon badge)
    • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 home screen landscape mode?
    • Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings
    • How to use dual aperture to manually switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture in Pro mode?
    • Galaxy S9 layout (and layout of Galaxy S9+)
    • How to use app pair on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • Camera
    • How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?
    • How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
    • Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings
    • 6 ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+
    • How to use dual aperture to manually switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture in Pro mode?
    • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to show photos on Galaxy S9 Home screen?
  • Official User Guides
    • Official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update
    • Official Samsung Galaxy S9 user guides (Oreo)
  • Accessories
    • How to use Samsung Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (S-view cover)?
    • Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover guide
    • How to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Samsung DeX with Galaxy S9 and S9+ and other Samsung phones?
      • Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable
      • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use a USB flash drive on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

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

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

Table of Contents hide
1) #1. Android Oreo
2) #2. Dual-aperture in the main camera: one of the most welcomed new features of Samsung Galaxy S9
3) #3. Intelligent scan
4) #4. Better positioning of the fingerprint scanner: Good, but not great new feature of Samsung Galaxy S9
5) #5. Sloooooooooow motion
6) #6. Stereo speakers
7) #7. The fastest Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810 processor
8) #8. 128gb and 256gb storage options are available
9) #9. Improved DeX pad: one of the most practical new features of Samsung Galaxy S9
10) #10. AR emoji
11) What’re your thoughts on the new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+?

#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 can be combined in Galaxy S9 and S9+. You can use them together to compliment each other.

Samsung touts this new feature of Galaxy S9 and S9+ as intelligent scan, which can automatically choose the most proper method depending on light sensor readings.

#4. Better positioning of the fingerprint scanner: Good, but not great new feature of Samsung Galaxy S9

The positioning of the fingerprint scanner in Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8 was a joke when Samsung ditched the hardware Home button.

Almost all owners of these devices complained about the awkward positioning of the fingerprint scanner.

Now, the genesis in Samsung finally found a better place for the fingerprint scanner in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Fingerprint scanner in Galaxy S9 and S9+ is now placed under, not the side of the camera as shown in Galaxy s9 layout.

Although the Samsung fingerprint scanner is still rectangular and does not function as a button, the chance of scanning your fingerprint in the camera lens is lower.

#5. Sloooooooooow motion

Another Galaxy S9 camera improvement is the slow-motion mode.

With the new storage strategy for the image sensor, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ can save frames and pictures super fast.

One indicator of the fast processing is the 960 frames per second  (fps) in slow motion mode.

Even better, such a slow-motion mode can be automatically triggered when you are watching a game.

You may check this guide on how to use super slow-motion mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#6.  Stereo speakers

Galaxy S9 and S9+ still have the 3.5mm audio jack, although a few arrogant Android vendors (HTC is an example) removed it.

In addition to keeping the audio jack, Samsung also improved Galaxy S9 speaker. The bottom speaker is used together with the earpiece to deliver real stereo audio.

So, when you play music or video through the tiny phone speaker,  you can get louder and stereo sound.

If you are using a headphone, you can also boost the sound quality with the not-new adapt sound.

#7. The fastest Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810 processor

Although most 2018 flagship smartphones will feature Snapdragon 845 processor, Galaxy S9 (and S9+) is the first smartphone equipped with this fastest mobile processor.

In the international market, Samsung’s own Exynos 9810 processor, which is close to Snapdragon 845, will be used.

These are the best mobile processor money can buy in today’s market. Better performance is guaranteed even though Samsung always messes up something here and there.

#8. 128gb and 256gb storage options are available

The base storage of Galaxy S9 and S9+ is 64GB, which is sufficient for most users.

But Samsung also offers 128GB or 256GB storage options of Galaxy S9 and S9+ in most markets to cater to some savvy users.

On top of the up to 256GB internal storage, you can use a micro SD card up to 400 GB.

Of course, the micro SD card shares the slot of SIM card 2 for dual-SIM versions of Galaxy S9 and S9+.  This means you have to choose by using a micro SD card or using the 2nd SIM card for that slot. You cannot use both. You may check this guide on how to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 to free up phone storage and move apps to SD card.

#9. Improved DeX pad: one of the most practical new features of Samsung Galaxy S9

When Samsung DeX Station was first introduced for Galaxy S8 and S8+, some users were excited about it because they can use the phone as an Android PC.

With the announcement of Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung also announced the new DeX pad.

In addition to its smaller size, the new DeX pad got some improvements including:

  1. 2K display (2560*1440) is supported. The old DeX station only supports up to 1080p if the phone is running Android Nougat firmware.
  2. You can use the phone as a touchpad when it is connected to the DeX pad.
  3. An external mouse/keyboard is not required.

But unfortunately, the Ethernet port was removed in the DeX pad for some possibly stupid reasons. This guide compares Samsung DeX Pad against Samsung DeX Station and DeX Cable.

This guide explains the detailed usage of Samsung DeX and answers questions you may have with Samsung DeX.

#10. AR emoji

AR emoji, incorporating your own look into some animated emojis, is one of the exciting new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+.

There are lots of options and customizations for your AR emojis. It is apparently superior to Animoji in iOS.

For phones that do not support AR emoji, these emojis will be viewed as animated GIFs.

What’re your thoughts on the new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+?

Of course, some new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+ including app pair,  improved camera Pro mode, were not discussed in this post.

If you have any questions about the new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, please leave them in the comment box below.

The community will help you find the answer.

You can also share your thoughts on the new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in the comments.

For the user guide for new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 new features guides page.

For using Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 how-to guides page.

For using Galaxy S9 camera, please check Galaxy S9 camera guides page.

For accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 accessories guides page.

For the official Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ user guides (in PDF format), please check Galaxy S9 user guides page.

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Filed Under: Galaxy S9 New Features, Galaxy S9 News Tagged With: Android Oreo, app pair, AR emoji, DeX, dual aperture, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 edge screen, Galaxy S9 layout, Galaxy S9 multiwindow, Galaxy S9 navigation bar, Galaxy S9 new features, Galaxy S9 slow-mo mode, intelligent scan, Pro mode, Samsung DeX, Samsung DeX Pad, Samsung DeX station, super slow-motion

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