Should you upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Note9?

Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy Note9 is finally available. If you're undecided on whether you should upgrade or not, we're here to help. First of all, here's a quick video recap of what's new in the Note9:

Play

For a more in-depth look at the Note9, check out these articles:

• Read (1): Samsung Galaxy Note9 review: No compromises
• Read (2): Samsung Galaxy Note9: Local pricing and pre-order promos
• Read (3): The best cases to protect your Samsung Galaxy Note9
• Watch (1): Using the S Pen as a remote control on the Galaxy Note9
• Watch (2): Turn your Galaxy Note9 into a desktop PC with just an adapter!
• Watch (3):  Tracing a photo with the S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy Note9

Should you upgrade?

Next, let's compare the Note9 against older Samsung devices to see what you're getting if you upgrade.

From S9/S9+ to Note9

The S9 and S9+ look fairly similar to the Note9 and use the same processors. The S9+ has the exact same rear camera setup too, so the only real reason to upgrade is for the Note9's S Pen.

What stays the same

• Very similar design (Note9 is thicker and heavier)
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• On the S9+: Same secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Portrait Mode
• Expandable storage via MicroSD card (but only up to 256GB)
• Stereo speakers
• Fingerprint scanner
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• AR Emoji
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Iris scanning
• Face unlock
• Most Bixby features
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• 3.5mm headphone port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Larger display: 6.4-inches
• More RAM: 6 or 8GB
• More storage: 128GB or 512GB
• MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Desktop mode without DeX dock

From Note8 to Note9

The Note8 looks very similar to the Note9, however there are a few major upgrades that might make upgrading a consideration. If you upgrade, you get a superior dual rear camera, a faster processor with more RAM (if you opt for the 8GB option), more storage space, larger battery, stereo speakers, and the new Bluetooth S Pen. 

What stays the same

• Almost identical design (Note9 is slightly thicker and heavier)
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• Same front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Iris scanning
• Face unlock
• Portrait Mode
• Expandable storage via MicroSD card (but only up to 256GB)
• Most S Pen features
• Most Bixby features
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• 3.5mm headphone port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• More storage: Either 128GB or 512GB
• More RAM (on 8GB model)
• Slightly larger display: 6.4-inches
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Desktop mode without DeX dock
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Upgraded Bixby Vision
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers

From S8/S8+ to Note9

The S8 and S8+ were the first Samsung phones with Infinity displays, so they still look quite similar to the Note9. Upgrading will get you a dual rear camera, much better processor, a lot more storage space, stereo speakers, and all the features that come with the S Pen.

What stays the same

• Very similar design (Note9 is heavier and thicker)
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• Same front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Iris scanning
• Face unlock
• Most Bixby features
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• 3.5mm headphone port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• More RAM: 6 or 8GB
• More storage: 128 or 512GB
• Larger screen: 6.4-inches
• MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Desktop mode without DeX dock
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Portrait Mode
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Upgraded Bixby Vision
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers

From S7/S7 Edge to Note9

Upgrading from the S7 or S7 Edge is a much bigger jump. You get a larger 18.5:9 aspect ratio display, S Pen, much better processor, much better cameras, stereo speakers, and Bixby. 

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Completely different design with 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved Infinity display
• Larger display: 6.4-inches
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• More RAM: 6 or 8GB
• More storage: 128GB or 512GB
• MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Desktop mode without DeX dock
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Portrait Mode
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Bixby
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Rear fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port

From Note 5/S6 Edge+ to S9/S9+

If you're upgrading from the Note 5, you get to experience Samsung's dual curved display. You also get a much larger bezel-less display, a much better S Pen with a thinner tip and 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, and much better cameras. 2015 was also a bit of an odd year for Samsung, because none of its phones had expandable storage or any form of dust and water resistance (the previous year's S5 had both). If you're still holding onto one of these phones, it's time to upgrade.

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port

What you get for upgrading

• Completely different design with 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved Infinity display
• Larger display: 6.4-inches
• Always-on display
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• More RAM: 6 or 8GB
• More storage: 128GB or 512GB
• Expandable storage: MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Improved S Pen with 0.7mm tip and 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Desktop mode without DeX dock
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Portrait Mode
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Bixby
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Rear fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

From S6/S6 Edge to Note9

If you're upgrading from the S6, you get to experience Samsung's dual curved display. You also get a much larger bezel-less display, much better cameras, and all the features that come with the S Pen. And like the Note5 and S6 Edge+, neither of these phones have expandable storage or any form of dust and water resistance. If you're still holding onto one of these phones, it's time to upgrade.

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port

What you get for upgrading

• Completely different design with 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved Infinity display
• Larger display: 6.4-inches
• Always-on display
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• More RAM: 6 or 8GB
• More storage: 128GB or 512GB
• Expandable storage: MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Desktop mode without DeX dock
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Portrait Mode
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Bixby
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Rear fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

From S5, Note 4, Note Edge or older to Note9

This one is a no brainer. If you're still using an S5, Note 4, Note Edge or anything older, it's really time to upgrade. The S5, Note 4, and Note Edge were the last of Samsung's old plastic smartphones, and the Note9 bears almost no resemblance to them. Upgrading will get you a more premium metal and glass build, a much bigger, higher resolution bezel-less always-on display, a much faster processor, wireless charging, much better cameras, a much better S Pen, and much better biometric security features.

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port
• Slightly worse IP67 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Completely different design with 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved Infinity display
• Larger display: 6.4-inches
• Always-on display
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• More RAM: 6 or 8GB
• More storage: 128GB or 512GB
• MicroSD card compatible up to 512GB
• Larger battery: 4,000mAh
• Bluetooth Low Energy S Pen with remote control feature
• Improved S Pen with 0.7mm tip and 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
• Android 8.1 Oreo OS
• Desktop mode without DeX dock
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Portrait Mode
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• Front-facing 8-megapixel f/1.7 selfie camera
• Bixby
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Rear fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• Wireless charging

What you lose for upgrading

• Removable battery

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.