The Samsung Galaxy Note 9, released on August 24, 2018, was Samsung’s flagship phablet, succeeding the Galaxy Note 8. Priced at $999 for the base model, it targeted power users with its large 6.4-inch AMOLED display, S Pen stylus, and robust feature set. Building on the Galaxy S9+’s foundation, it introduced a larger battery, enhanced S Pen functionality, and improved cameras. This review provides a detailed analysis of the Galaxy Note 9’s hardware and software specifications, evaluates its performance, and compares it with other 2018 smartphones in a similar price range to assess its market position.
Hardware Specifications
Physical Design and Build
The Galaxy Note 9 features an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, supporting wireless charging. Measuring 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm and weighing 201 grams, it’s larger and heavier than the Galaxy S9+ (189g) due to its bigger display and battery. The design refines the Note 8’s aesthetic with slimmer bezels and a repositioned fingerprint sensor below the camera for better ergonomics. Durability tests by Consumer Reports showed excellent scratch resistance but poor performance after 100 drops, with a cracked screen, indicating a case is advisable. Screen repairs cost ~$239 without warranty.
Available in Ocean Blue, Midnight Black, Metallic Copper, and Lavender Purple, the Ocean Blue variant with a yellow S Pen was particularly striking. The IP68 rating (1.5 meters for 30 minutes) ensures water and dust resistance, tested successfully in real-world scenarios.
Display
The Note 9 boasts a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display (2960 x 1440 resolution, 516 ppi), supporting HDR10 for vibrant colors and deep blacks. With a peak brightness of ~710 nits, it excels in outdoor visibility, surpassing the iPhone XS Max (625 nits). The 18.5:9 aspect ratio and curved edges deliver an immersive experience, with an 83.4% screen-to-body ratio. Always-On Display shows notifications and time efficiently, and the display covers DCI-P3 and sRGB gamuts, earning praise for color accuracy, though some noted oversaturation in default settings.
Processor and Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (US/China, 10nm, 8-core, 2.8 GHz Kryo 385) or Exynos 9810 (global, 10nm, 8-core, 2.7 GHz Mongoose M3), the Note 9 matches the S9+’s performance. Paired with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM (8GB for 512GB model), it handles multitasking, gaming, and apps like Adobe Premiere Rush seamlessly. Benchmarks like AnTuTu (630,000) and Geekbench (Single-core: ~3,700, Multi-core: ~9,000) show it trailing the iPhone XS Max’s A12 Bionic (690,000) but competitive with other 2018 Android flagships. The 10nm process is less efficient than the A12’s 7nm, leading to slightly higher power consumption.
Storage
Available in 128GB (6GB RAM) and 512GB (8GB RAM) variants (UFS 2.1), the Note 9 includes a microSD slot (up to 512GB), offering up to 1TB total storage—a standout feature compared to the iPhone XS Max. The 128GB base model was ample for most users.
Battery
The 4,000mAh battery, a significant upgrade from the Note 8 (3,300mAh), supports up to 18 hours of video playback or 85 hours of audio. Real-world tests show 7–8 hours of screen-on time, outlasting the iPhone XS Max (3,174mAh) and matching the Huawei Mate 20 Pro (4,200mAh). It supports 15W fast charging (50% in ~40 minutes with included charger) and 9W wireless charging. Battery life is excellent, handling heavy use (gaming, streaming) with ease, though 4K recording may require a recharge.
Cameras
The Note 9 features a dual 12MP rear camera system, identical to the S9+: a wide-angle lens (f/1.5–f/2.4 variable aperture, OIS) and a telephoto lens (f/2.4, 2x optical zoom, OIS). The variable aperture optimizes low-light (f/1.5) and bright conditions (f/2.4), with improved software processing over the Note 8. Features include Super Slow-Mo (960fps at 720p), AR Emoji, and scene optimizer. It records 4K video at 60fps with stereo audio. The 8MP front camera (f/1.7, autofocus) delivers sharp selfies but lacks the iPhone’s TrueDepth precision.
Camera performance is strong, with vibrant colors and good low-light shots, rivaling the Huawei P20 Pro but trailing the Google Pixel 2’s computational photography in night shots. The iPhone XS Max’s Smart HDR offers better dynamic range in some scenarios. AR Emoji was less refined than Apple’s Animoji.
S Pen
The Note 9’s S Pen introduces Bluetooth functionality, enabling remote control for camera shutter, presentation slides, or media playback (up to 10 meters). It charges in 40 seconds when docked and supports note-taking, screen-off memos, and air gestures. The S Pen is a unique selling point, unmatched by competitors, enhancing productivity and creativity.
Connectivity
The Note 9 supports dual SIM (hybrid slot in some regions), LTE Cat.18 (up to 1,200 Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC. It includes USB-C 3.1, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BDS. Connectivity is reliable, with fewer issues than the iPhone XS Max’s early LTE problems. The 3.5mm headphone jack is a key advantage over Apple and some Android rivals.
Sensors
Includes a rear fingerprint sensor, iris scanner, face recognition (less secure than Face ID), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, ambient light, barometer, and heart rate sensor. The iris scanner struggles in low light, and face recognition is less reliable than Face ID.
Audio
Stereo speakers, tuned by AKG, deliver rich, loud sound with Dolby Atmos support. The 3.5mm jack supports high-quality audio, and bundled AKG earbuds are a bonus. Audio quality matches or exceeds the iPhone XS Max and Pixel 3 XL.
Software Specifications
Operating System
The Note 9 shipped with Android 8.1 Oreo and Samsung Experience 9.5 (later One UI). Key features included:
- Bixby: Voice assistant with Bixby Vision for object recognition and translation.
- S Pen Features: Screen-off memos, remote control, and air gestures.
- Samsung DeX: Desktop mode via USB-C (no dock required, unlike Note 8).
- Edge Panels: Quick access to apps and tools.
- Secure Folder: Encrypted app and file storage.
It received updates to Android 9 Pie and Android 10 with One UI 2.0, with support ending in 2022 (four years), shorter than the iPhone XS Max’s seven years (up to iOS 18) but standard for 2018 Android devices. One UI improved usability, but bloatware (e.g., Samsung apps, carrier apps) was a common complaint.
Software Issues
Early Android 8.1 builds had minor lag and battery optimization issues, improved with Android 9. Bixby was less intuitive than Google Assistant or Siri, and duplicate apps (e.g., Samsung’s browser vs. Chrome) annoyed some users. Updates resolved most issues, but the Note 9 lacks the longevity of newer Samsung flagships (e.g., S23 with seven years of updates).
Performance and User Experience
The Note 9 delivers a smooth experience, with fast app launches, fluid animations, and robust multitasking, especially with 8GB RAM in the 512GB model. The Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 handles demanding games like PUBG and video editing without overheating, though the iPhone XS Max’s A12 Bionic is faster in sustained tasks. The AMOLED display is stunning for media, gaming, and productivity, with customizable settings.
Battery life is a highlight, lasting a full day even with heavy use, and the S Pen adds unmatched versatility for note-taking, sketching, and remote control. The cameras perform well across conditions, though the Pixel 3 XL and iPhone XS Max edge out in low-light and dynamic range. Features like the 3.5mm jack, microSD slot, and DeX enhance flexibility. One UI is feature-rich but less polished than iOS, and Bixby lags behind competitors.
Comparison with Smartphones in the Same Range
The Note 9 launched at $999 (128GB), placing it in the ultra-premium segment. Below is a comparison with 2018 competitors in a similar price range: Apple iPhone XS Max ($1,099), Google Pixel 3 XL ($899), Huawei Mate 20 Pro (~$1,050), and OnePlus 6T ($599, included for value context). Prices reflect 2018 MSRP for base models.
| Feature | Galaxy Note 9 | iPhone XS Max | Google Pixel 3 XL | Huawei Mate 20 Pro | OnePlus 6T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Base) | $999 (128GB) | $1,099 (64GB) | $899 (64GB) | ~$1,050 (128GB) | $599 (128GB) |
| Display | 6.4″ AMOLED, 2960×1440, 516 ppi, HDR10 | 6.5″ OLED, 2688×1242, 458 ppi, HDR10 | 6.3″ OLED, 2960×1440, 523 ppi, HDR | 6.39″ AMOLED, 3120×1440, 538 ppi, HDR | 6.41″ AMOLED, 2340×1080, 402 ppi, HDR |
| Processor | Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 (10nm, 8-core) | A12 Bionic (7nm, 6-core) | Snapdragon 845 (10nm, 8-core) | Kirin 980 (7nm, 8-core) | Snapdragon 845 (10nm, 8-core) |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB | 4GB | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 128/512GB + microSD | 64/256/512GB | 64/128GB | 128/256GB + NM card | 128/256GB |
| Battery | 4,000mAh, 15W fast, 9W wireless | 3,174mAh, 15W fast, 7.5W wireless | 3,430mAh, 18W fast, 10W wireless | 4,200mAh, 40W fast, 15W wireless | 3,700mAh, 20W fast, no wireless |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP (f/1.5-2.4 wide, f/2.4 tele) | Dual 12MP (f/1.8 wide, f/2.4 tele, 2x zoom) | Single 12.2MP (f/1.8 wide) | Triple 40MP (f/1.8) + 20MP + 8MP (3x zoom) | Dual 16MP (f/1.7 wide) + 20MP (f/1.7) |
| Front Camera | 8MP (f/1.7) | 7MP (f/2.2) | Dual 8MP (f/1.8 wide, f/2.2 ultra-wide) | 24MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/2.0) |
| OS | Android 8.1 (up to Android 10) | iOS 12 (up to iOS 18) | Android 9.0 (up to Android 12) | Android 9.0 (up to Android 10) | Android 9.0 (up to Android 11) |
| Water Resistance | IP68 (1.5m, 30 min) | IP68 (2m, 30 min) | IP68 (1.5m, 30 min) | IP68 (2m, 30 min) | None |
| Connectivity | Dual SIM, LTE Cat.18, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0, 3.5mm | Dual SIM (eSIM), LTE Cat.16, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 | Single SIM, LTE Cat.16, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 | Dual SIM, LTE Cat.21, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 | Dual SIM, LTE Cat.16, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm, 201g | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm, 208g | 158 x 76.7 x 7.9mm, 184g | 157.8 x 72.3 x 8.6mm, 189g | 157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2mm, 185g |
| Additional Features | S Pen, fingerprint, iris scanner, 3.5mm jack | Face ID, stereo speakers, no 3.5mm jack | Squeeze for Assistant, stereo speakers | Fingerprint, IR blaster, no 3.5mm jack | In-display fingerprint, no 3.5mm jack |
Analysis
- Galaxy Note 9: Stands out with its S Pen, large 4,000mAh battery, AMOLED display, microSD slot, and 3.5mm jack. Its versatility and productivity features are unmatched, but software updates stopped at Android 10, and the Snapdragon 845 lags behind the A12 Bionic.
- iPhone XS Max: Offers superior performance, seven-year software support, and a polished iOS experience. Its smaller battery and lack of 3.5mm jack or microSD slot are drawbacks at a higher price.
- Pixel 3 XL: Excels in computational photography, delivering superior low-light shots. However, 4GB RAM limits multitasking, and battery life is average. Software support (up to Android 12) is shorter than the iPhone XS Max.
- Huawei Mate 20 Pro: Features a triple camera, 4,200mAh battery, and 40W fast charging. The Kirin 980 is competitive, but US availability was limited, and updates capped at Android 10.
- OnePlus 6T: Offers flagship specs and fast charging at a lower price. Its cameras and lack of IP rating are weaknesses, and software support (up to Android 11) is shorter.
The Note 9’s S Pen and feature-rich design made it a productivity powerhouse, but its shorter software support was a drawback compared to the iPhone XS Max.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning 6.4-inch AMOLED display with HDR10.
- Excellent 4,000mAh battery life.
- S Pen with Bluetooth enhances productivity.
- Versatile dual cameras with variable aperture.
- Expandable storage via microSD.
- IP68 water resistance and 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Included fast charger and AKG earbuds.
Cons
- Software updates limited to Android 10 (four years).
- Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 less efficient than A12 Bionic.
- Bixby less intuitive than Google Assistant or Siri.
- Glass back prone to scratches and fingerprints.
- Iris scanner and face recognition less reliable than Face ID.
- Slightly bulky for one-handed use.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 was a standout flagship in 2018, combining a gorgeous AMOLED display, long battery life, and the unique S Pen for productivity and creativity. Its robust feature set, including a 3.5mm jack, microSD slot, and DeX, made it versatile, though its software support (four years) and processor efficiency lagged behind the iPhone XS Max. Compared to the iPhone XS Max, Pixel 3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, and OnePlus 6T, it offered unmatched productivity features but faced competition from Apple’s ecosystem and Google’s camera prowess.
For power users and Android fans, the Note 9 was a top choice in 2018. In 2025, its lack of further updates limits its appeal, and newer models like the Galaxy S24 Ultra or Note-inspired devices offer superior performance and support.