After months of speculation and leaks, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 has finally been unveiled. Were the rumours true? Can you get your hands on one soon? And what are the pre-order offers? Find out here.
There are in fact two new Note9 models — a 128GB and 512GB.
Let’s start off with the key specs we know you want and love:
- 6.4-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED 2960 x 1440 display
- 10nm 64-bit Octa-core processor
- Android 8.1 Oreo OS
- 6GB or 8GB RAM
- 128GB or 512GB RAM + MicroSD slot up to 512GB
- Dual 12MP rear and 8MP front cameras
- 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm, 201g
- USB Type-C connection
- Iris, fingerprint and facial recognition scanners
Garry McGregor, Vice President, Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics Australia, said: “The Galaxy Note9 sets a new benchmark for what Australians should expect from a premium smartphone. It is built on years of innovation, refinement, and listening to our customers to deliver the features they need so they can achieve more in their day.
“Mobile technology powers our lives and today’s power user needs a device that can keep up with their demands, including a long-lasting battery to get you through the day, ample storage and of course speed. The Galaxy Note9 delivers all this and more. We know Australians are going to love this device and we’re excited to support it with a great pre-sale offer.”
What we can see from the specs is that many of the rumours and leaks that have been floating around are in fact true.
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Perhaps the biggest is the huge battery upgrade, making it the largest ever in a Samsung Note device.
It has gone from the Note8’s 3300mAh to 4,000mAh — which is 21% bigger and according to Samsung, designed for ‘all day performance’. This is also an improvement on the Galaxy S9+ which sports a 3,500mAh battery.
There is also a marked upgrade in storage, with the base model now doubled from the Note8’s 64GB up to 128GB.
A faster network speed has been included, bumping it up to 1.2Gbps. Of course, hitting that speed will depend on individual network operators within Australia.
The screen is also a little bit bigger, coming in at 6.4-inches over the 6.3 on the previous generation.
One glaring non-change are the cameras, which are the same as the Galaxy S9 range. We’re probably going to have to wait for the S10 in 2019 for any large hardware improvement on that front.
However, Samsung have stated that due to software upgrades users will still see an improvement in picture quality. It’s calling it an Intelligent Camera.
This includes the ability to recognise 20 different types of ‘scenes’ now, improved lowlight (HDR and a sharper Live Focus) as well as advanced flaw detection including image blur, lens smudge and back light.
And then there’s the S Pen, which Samsung has said is the biggest purchase driver for the Note series.
Each Note9 comes with one to match, except for the Midnight Blue which is confirmed to have a yellow version — which we saw leaked several weeks ago.
There were also rumours that this would be the most impressive S Pen yet.
The new S Pen contains a Bluetooth low energy module and antenna, meaning that it can be used as a remote control when the Note9 is plugged into a TV or monitor via the updated DeX — allowing you to click through slides, photos, YouTube videos, etc.
The DeX no longer needs a docking station, and can be connected via a HDMI cable. It now uses HDMI adapters3. When connected to a monitor, Galaxy Note9 can power a virtualised desktop and even serve as a fully-functional second screen whilst using the phone as a trackpad.
If you need to be able to use your phone independently during a presentation, you can do so without the activity appearing on the TV — which is useful for taking notes, or slacking off. Whatever you’re into.
It takes 40 seconds to charge in its Note9 Cradle, which will then provide 30 minutes of autonomy or 200 button clicks.
The S Pen can also control the camera for selfies and group photos, removing the need for the old stretched arm aesthetic or timer. You can just place the phone on a shelf and go for your life.
You can draw on photos with the S Pen as well as take notes when your screen is still locked.
Gaming is a focus for the Note9, coming with a water carbon cooling system, 3x bigger thermal spreader and an on-device AI based performance adjuster — keeping it both stable and conveying the heat out of the phone faster.
In Australia the Samsung Note9 will come in Ocean Blue, Midnight Black and in select retailers — Metallic Copper. Sadly, we won’t be seeing the Lavender Purple.
The Note9 will be available from August 24, with the 128GB version having an RRP of $1,499 and the 512GB coming in at $1,799. And the base model offering here is in line with what the Note8 was originally priced at when in launched.
Samsung does has a presale offer available between August 10 and 23. During that period you can buy the 512GB Note9 for the same price as the 128GB version — $1,499.
The author traveled to New York as a guest of Samsung.
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