In early 2017, Samsung established a new benchmark for premium smartphones with the impressive Galaxy S8, and the South Korean electronics giant is certainly aiming to replicate that achievement in 2018.
Last year, the Galaxy S8, together with the Google Pixel, became a favored option over Apple's iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Samsung undoubtedly expects similar triumph in 2018.
As is customary, Samsung will unveil its new flagship at a special event before February's Mobile World Congress.
Official details remain scarce—only the enigmatic invitation shown above has been released. Based on that, it appears Samsung will emphasize camera enhancements as the standout feature of the Galaxy S9.
(Image: Samsung)
Samsung pioneered the edge-to-edge screen and facial recognition unlocking. However, other features such as the Bixby voice assistant have not gained widespread popularity.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy S9 is expected to offer numerous compelling features—though it will come at a premium price.
Here is a comprehensive overview of what is currently known.
Section Guide
Recent Rumors
Rumours suggest the Samsung Galaxy S9 will have advanced facial recognition technology (Image: Maxwell Weinbach)
Only weeks remain until Samsung officially presents the Galaxy S9, and fresh rumors are spreading regarding the handset.
According to a report from XDA Developers, the device may incorporate an upgraded facial recognition system dubbed 'Intelligent Scan'.
XDA identified this possible feature within a beta build of the Oreo OS intended for the Galaxy Note 8.
The system is said to merge face detection with iris scanning to enhance precision and security, performing reliably even under bright conditions.
Earlier Galaxy devices already featured an iris scanner, but XDA asserts that 'integrating it with facial recognition should make phone security more effective.'
Launch Schedule
(Image: Getty)
As previously noted, Samsung plans to unveil the device on February 25.
Following the announcement, there is typically a few-week delay before retail availability. A cautious estimate places the Galaxy S9 in stores by late March.
Bloomberg reports that the Galaxy S9 will hit shelves in March.
The publication states: 'The South Korean tech company intends to debut the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus in late February and begin selling them as soon as March, according to sources with knowledge of the plans.'
Samsung Galaxy S8 (Image: Getty Images North America)
The sources, who requested anonymity due to confidentiality, indicated that the new devices will resemble current Galaxy models but will feature improved camera setups.
If accurate, this timeline would place the launch five months after the Note 8 debut, intensifying competition with Apple's iPhone X.
Galaxy S9: Core Information
Pricing Projections
(Image: Daily Mirror)
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Do not anticipate the Galaxy S9 being inexpensive. The most affordable S8 model currently costs £689.
It is improbable that Samsung will reduce the price for its successor, so a starting price of at least £689 is expected. The question is whether Samsung will follow Apple's lead and offer configurations exceeding £1,000 for top-tier specs.
Design and Appearance
(Image: Androidandme.com)
A purportedly leaked image displaying final versions of the S9 and its larger counterpart, the S9+, has surfaced on social platforms.
The picture above depicts both devices from the rear; while they resemble the popular Galaxy S8 from last year, several notable distinctions exist.
First, the larger model now features a dual-lens camera, akin to Apple's high-end iPhone X.
Second, the fingerprint sensor has been moved from beside the camera lenses to a position beneath them.
This change likely addresses complaints about the S8 and S8+, where many users found the fingerprint scanner awkwardly placed.
The image originally appeared on the Chinese social network Weibo and was noticed by Androidandme.com.
The site cautions that the unverified image should be treated skeptically but acknowledges that 'it appears authentic.'
Additionally, several tweets from frequent leaker @OnLeaks showcase sophisticated renders of the forthcoming phones, depicting a stylish duo that refines the S8's excellent design.
The renders are attributed to tech site 91mobiles, which has shared multiple images of the upcoming flagship devices.
Technical Details
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Even if the exterior design stays similar, the internal components will differ. Samsung is expected to upgrade the processor and potentially increase RAM and storage to enhance the new model's appeal.
Nevertheless, a BGR article indicates that leaked specifications suggest the new phone does not outperform the iPhone X.
The report claims the device will feature a new octa-core Exynos processor, 4GB of RAM, and the newest Android version. However, alleged benchmark scores fall short of the iPhone X's performance.
Recent leaks provide Samsung enthusiasts with hints about the expected specifications for both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus.
Based on posts from Chinese social media platform Weibo, Samsung will equip the two models with different internal components.
The S9 is said to come with 4GB RAM and options of 64GB or 128GB storage, whereas the S9 Plus will offer 6GB RAM and storage choices of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB.
The update further mentions that Samsung may also produce a 512GB variant for markets with sufficient demand.
Feature Highlights
(Image: Samsung Mobile)
Samsung is known for equipping its phones with cutting-edge features. In 2017, the company introduced Iris Unlock, the Bixby voice assistant, and the innovative DeX station that transforms the phone into a desktop computer.
None of these features achieved mass-market adoption, but Samsung is expected to continue developing them throughout 2018.
