By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Facing slower sales, Samsung doubles down on features with pricey Galaxy Note 9
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Mobile > Cellphones > Facing slower sales, Samsung doubles down on features with pricey Galaxy Note 9
CellphonesMobile

Facing slower sales, Samsung doubles down on features with pricey Galaxy Note 9

Alfred Siew
Last updated: August 29, 2018 at 12:14 AM
Alfred Siew Published August 10, 2018
7 Min Read
SHARE
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 launched in Singapore today looks the part but is costly. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

Samsung showed off a new Galaxy Note 9 packed with more memory, storage and battery capacity in Singapore today, convinced that these features would win over users despite its high price.

The latest version of the company’s large-screen flagship phone comes with as much as 512GB of storage, more than many mid-end laptops today.

Pop in a 512GB memory card and you get as much as 1TB on the smartphone – surely enough to never have to delete any Instagram selfie or cat picture.

The Galaxy Note 9 has a price to match too. At S$1,728 for the high-end model, it costs more than many laptops with bigger screens and faster processors.

The finish is attractive on the Galaxy Note 9, as expected of a Samsung flagship. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

As far as phones go though, this is one for folks who believe in going big or going home. The more expensive of the two versions out in Singapore comes also with a generous 8GB of memory. That’s as much as many laptops today.

The cheaper version sports a still-handy 128GB of storage and 6GB of memory, which are good enough really for most users. It’s still not cheap at S$1,398.

For that kind of money, you’d expect nothing but the best hardware. Inside the Galaxy Note 9 is an octa-core processor and support for fast 4G downloads of up to 1.2Gbps. That’s if your telco supports it (Singapore only has 1Gbps in some areas).

Perhaps more practical is the 4,000mAh battery, which is larger than the 3,300mAh from last year’s Galaxy Note 8. Samsung is promising enough juice all day long and you will be hard pressed to bet against the Galaxy Note 9 for that.

You really shouldn’t be surprised since the phone does have the heft for that kind of power pack. Weighing a hefty 201g, a bit more than last year’s 195g, the Galaxy Note 9 is big and chunky. If you’re looking for sleekness, look for the Galaxy S9 instead.

The Galaxy Note 9 is a bulky phone, like Galaxy Notes in recent years. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

The screen is slightly bigger too, up from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches, though you’d hardly see the difference if you held both phones in your hands.

From what I can see from a review unit I got hold of today, the Super AMOLED screen is what you expect from Samsung. Clear, sharp and vibrant with a great resolution of 2,960 x 1,440 pixels, it sets the standard yet again.

What Samsung has also placed in its advanced flagship is the camera array first seen on the Galaxy S9+ earlier this year. That means a dual-lens setup with variable aperture, which is a handy feature (read our Galaxy S9+ review).

You can choose to shoot in wide-angle mode with the 12-megapixel camera that offers either f1.5 or f2.4 aperture, which opens up a lot of creative options. Or you can go for the telephoto option with a 12-megapixel, f2.4 setup.

Here, you get up to 2x optical zoom if you want to retain clarity while shooting from slightly further away. That’s handy to have in situations where you can’t get close enough to a subject.

There are the small details on the new phone as well. One thing that Samsung hasn’t really gone to town with is the retention of the headphone jack. Fortunately, you don’t need to plug in an adapter.

That may seem like much but many music lovers will thank the Korean company for not blindly following Apple’s bad example.

Another thing that stood out for me today was the placement of the fingerprint sensor at the back. It’s now below the camera array instead of being next to it. That means your finger will find the sensor more easily.

The fingerprint sensor has been moved from the side of the camera array to below it. Good move. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

It’s ironic that I have almost forgotten to discuss one of Samsung’s top selling points for the new Note – the souped-up S Pen stylus.

Besides being used to poke at the screen and scribble, it now lets you control the phone remotely, say, if you are presenting a slide on the phone when it’s connected to a projector.

It’s a cool feature to accomplish a task that is mostly entrusted to a laptop today. Perhaps Samsung is telling you this new phablet can replace your laptop.

The stylus now not only lets you draw on the screen but also works as a remote controller for the phone. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

That would be a neat story, after all. With enough juice to last a day and memory and storage rivalling many laptops, the Galaxy Note 9 seems well positioned, at least on paper. Little wonder Samsung is asking a king’s ransom for it.

But the Korean company has a problem – users are holding on to their phones a little longer after seeing only small changes each year. Plus, there’s competition from increasingly attractive makes from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei and Oppo.

We are currently testing the Galaxy Note 9. Look out for our review soon!

You Might Also Like

Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits

Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Impressive flagship design, performance

Hands on: Oppo Find N2 Flip looks promising for those seeking foldable phones

Geek Buy: Logitech MX Master 3S offers a comfy grasp

TAGGED: Galaxy Note 9, phablet, samsung, Singapore price and availability

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Alfred Siew August 10, 2018
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
Avatar photo
By Alfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article YouTrip mobile wallet lets users pay in 150 currencies and avoid fees
Next Article Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 brings upgrades to a flagship tablet
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Foodpanda to use Gogoro electric scooters in battery swapping trial with Cycle & Carriage
Enterprise Internet March 23, 2023
RedCap: A new cellular IoT technology for the 5G era
Enterprise Software Telecom March 23, 2023
Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits
Gaming March 21, 2023
Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame
Cellphones Imaging Mobile Software March 19, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?