Display
One standout feature of the Galaxy Note 9 is its display. It boasts a 6.4-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2960×1440 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 516 pixels per inch (ppi). The screen is measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners, giving it a slightly larger footprint than other devices. The Infinity Display design, first introduced in the Galaxy S8 series, continues here with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
Processor
The Galaxy Note 9 is powered by either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor in North America, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Latin America, or a Samsung Exynos 9810 SoC in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the world. Both processors are high-performance options that ensure smooth operation of the device's advanced features. The maximum clock speed for the Snapdragon 845 is 2.7 GHz, while the Exynos 9810 can reach up to 2.8 GHz, making them among the fastest mobile processors available at the time of release.
Memory and Storage
The Galaxy Note 9 offers two different memory configurations to cater to various user needs:
- Base model: 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage
- Higher-end model: 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage
Both models support microSD cards up to 512 GB, allowing users to expand their storage capacity further. This makes the Galaxy Note 9 one of the first Samsung flagships to offer such high storage options.
Camera
Rear Camera
The camera system on the Galaxy Note 9 is one of its most impressive features. It features a dual-camera setup with two 12-megapixel sensors:
- Primary wide-angle lens: Variable aperture of f/1.5 to f/2.4, adjusting to different lighting conditions for better image quality
- Secondary telephoto lens: Fixed aperture of f/2.4, used for zooming in on subjects or creating portrait effects with a shallow depth of field
Both lenses are optically stabilized, ensuring that images remain clear even when the camera is in motion.
Front Camera
The front camera is an 8-megapixel sensor with an aperture of f/1.7, providing high-quality selfies with good low-light performance. The camera app includes various modes such as portrait mode, live focus, and super slow-motion video recording at 960 fps. Additionally, the camera software includes AI scene recognition, which identifies 20 different types of scenes and adjusts the camera settings accordingly to improve image quality.
Battery
The battery life of the Galaxy Note 9 is significantly improved compared to its predecessors. It features a 4,000mAh battery, which is one of the largest capacities available in a smartphone at that time. The battery supports both wired and wireless fast charging:
- Wired fast charging: Up to 15 watts using Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0
- Wireless fast charging: Up to 15 watts via the Qi standard
This ensures that the device can be quickly charged to full capacity, making it ideal for heavy users.
Design and Build
The design of the Galaxy Note 9 is similar to its predecessor, the Note 8. It features curved glass on both the front and back, with a metal frame in between. The glass is not as curved as on the Galaxy S9, and it has squarer corners, giving it a larger footprint than other Samsung devices. The phone is IP68 water and dust resistant, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. The device also includes a USB-C connector that supports Samsung DeX without a dock, allowing users to use their phone as a desktop computer via HDMI.
Sensors and Biometric Authentication
The Galaxy Note 9 is equipped with a variety of sensors to enhance its functionality. These include:
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Fingerprint sensor
- Geomagnetic sensor
- Gyro sensor
- Heart rate sensor
- Hall sensor
- Iris sensor
- Pressure sensor
- Proximity sensor
- RGB light sensor
The fingerprint sensor has been moved to below the camera setup, making it easier to reach with your index finger. The device also features advanced biometric authentication methods, including an iris scanner, facial recognition, and fingerprint scanner. The intelligent scan combines iris scan and face recognition for convenient unlocking and provides enhanced security for certain authentication services.
Connectivity and Audio
The Galaxy Note 9 supports a range of connectivity options:
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM
- Bluetooth v5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps)
- ANT+
- NFC
- Location technologies: GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou
The device also supports gigabit LTE Cat.18 for fast data speeds. In terms of audio, the Galaxy Note 9 features AKG-tuned stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a feature that Samsung has since discontinued in subsequent models.
Software
The Galaxy Note 9 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, with Samsung Experience 9.5 as the user interface. The device also supports microSD cards up to 2TB, allowing users to expand their storage capacity further if needed.
Additional Features
One of the unique features of the Galaxy Note 9 is its support for the S Pen stylus. The S Pen is a pressure-sensitive stylus that allows users to write notes, draw, and interact with their device in various ways. It also includes features like air actions, which allow users to perform actions like taking screenshots or switching between apps without touching the screen.
The Galaxy Note 9 also includes a water carbon heat pipe to help manage heat during prolonged use, particularly during gaming sessions. This feature helps to prevent thermal throttling, ensuring that the device remains cool and performs optimally even under heavy load.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is a powerhouse of a smartphone that offers everything a power user could ask for. With its large Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display, powerful processor options, high storage capacity, advanced camera system, and robust battery life, it is designed to handle demanding tasks with ease. Its IP68 water and dust resistance, along with its sleek design and premium build quality, make it a standout in the market. While it may not introduce any new technology or design ideas, it builds upon previous successes to create one of the best Android phones available at that time.
For those who need a device that can handle everything from work to entertainment, the Galaxy Note 9 is an excellent choice. However, its large size and high price point may deter some users who prefer smaller devices or are on a budget. Nonetheless, for those willing to invest in a premium smartphone experience, the Galaxy Note 9 is an excellent option that delivers on its promises of more power, more features, and more functionality.
