Should you upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+?

Pre-orders for Samsung's latest Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones start tomorrow (1st March). If you're undecided on whether you should upgrade or not, we're here to help. First of all, here's a quick recap of what's new in the S9 and S9+:

• 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+ only: Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 camera
• Upgraded Bixby Vision
• Super slow motion recording at 960fps
• AR Emoji
• Intelligent Scan biometric security that combines Iris and Face scanning
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers

For a more in-depth look at all of the S9's new features, check out these articles:

• Exclusive First Looks: Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
• Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S9 Bixby Vision Food in action
• Hands-on: All the new Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+ camera features
• Samsung Galaxy S9 AR Emoji Preview

Should you upgrade?

Next, let's compare the S9 and S9+ against older Samsung devices to see what you're getting if you upgrade.

From S8/S8+ to S9/S9+

The S9 and S9+ look almost identical to their predecessors, so the main benefit for upgrading is the new rear camera with variable aperture and stereo speakers. If you're happy with the image quality from your S8/S8+, then you can probably skip this round and wait for next year's S10/S10+.

What stays the same

• Almost identical design (S9/S9+ are slightly heavier and 0.5mm thicker)
• Same display sizes (5.8-inch on the S9, 6.2-inch on the S9+)
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• Same battery capacities
• On the S9: same 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
• Expandable storage up to 256GB via microSD card slot
• 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
• On the S9+: 6GB RAM and option for 256GB storage
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• On the S9+: 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 Note8 to S9/S9+

The Note8 has many of the same features as the S9+, including the same secondary rear camera. It also has a very similar display size, so unless you really want that upgraded main rear camera, you should probably skip this upgrade.

What stays the same

• Very similar design (the Note8's edges don't taper as much)
• Very similar display size (the Note8 is 6.3 inches, while the S9+ is 6.2 inches)
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• 6GB RAM and 64GB storage
• Expandable storage up to 256GB via microSD card slot
• Secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera
• Portrait Mode
• 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
• On the S9+: Option for 256GB storage
• 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

What you lose for upgrading

• S-Pen features

From S7/S7 Edge to S9/S9+

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

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• Always-on display
• QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels)
• On the S9: same 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
• Expandable storage up to 256GB via microSD card slot
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Larger display (5.8-inch on the S9, 6.2-inch on the S9+)
• 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved display
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• On the S9+: 6GB RAM and option for 256GB storage
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• On the S9+: 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
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port

From S6/S6 Edge to S9/S9+

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 and much better cameras. The S6 and S6 Edge were also a bit of an oddity in Samsung's lineup because they didn't have expandable storage or any form of dust and water resistance (the previous year's S5 had both).

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels)
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port

What you get for upgrading

• Larger display (5.8-inches on the S9, 6.2-inches on the S9+)
• 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved display
• Always-on display
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• On the S9: 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
• On the S9+: 6GB RAM and either 64GB or 256GB storage
• Expandable storage up to 256GB via microSD card slot
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• On the S9+: 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
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

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 and much better cameras. And like the S6 and S6 Edge, neither the Note 5 or S6 Edge+ offered 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
• QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels)
• Wireless charging
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port

What you get for upgrading

• Larger display (5.8-inches on the S9, 6.2-inches on the S9+)
• 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved display
• Always-on display
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• On the S9: 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
• On the S9+: 6GB RAM and either 64GB or 256GB storage
• Expandable storage up to 256GB via microSD card slot
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• On the S9+: 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
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• IP68 dust and water resistance

What you lose for upgrading

• S-Pen features (if upgrading from the Note 5)

From S5, Note 4, Note Edge or older to S9/S9+

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 S9 and S9+ bear 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, and better biometric security features.

What stays the same

• Super AMOLED display
• Expandable storage via microSD card slot (but only up to 128GB)
• Fast charging
• 3.5mm headphone port
• Slightly worse IP67 dust and water resistance

What you get for upgrading

• Aluminum and glass build
• Larger display (5.8-inches on the S9, 6.2-inches on the S9+)
• 18.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less dual-curved display
• QHD+ resolution (2,960 x 1,440)
• Always-on display
• Much faster Samsung Exynos 9810 processor
• On the S9: 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
• On the S9+: 6GB RAM and either 64GB or 256GB storage
• 12-megapixel main camera with dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens and "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor
• On the S9+: 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
• Re-positioned fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers
• Reversible USB Type-C port
• Wireless charging

What you lose for upgrading

• Removable battery
• S-Pen features (if upgrading from Note 4 or Note Edge)

Should you pick the S9 or the S9+?

So you've decided to upgrade. But should you get the S9 or the S9+? First of all, let's compare the differences.

Screen size

The most obvious difference between the S9 and S9+ is screen size. On the S9 you get a 5.8-inch display, while the S9+ has a 6.2-inch display. Both displays are Super AMOLED and have the same QHD+ 2,960 x 1,440 pixels resolution. Technically, that means the S9 has a higher ppi count than the S9+ (570 vs 529) but with screens this sharp, it's impossible to tell.

Dimensions

In terms of size, the smaller S9 measures 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5 mm and weighs 163g, while the S9+ measures 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm and weighs 189g.

Processor, storage, battery

As for performance, both models use the same Exynos 9810 processor (except for the US, where both use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845), but the S9 has 4GB RAM, while the S9+ has 6GB RAM. Locally, the S9 will only be available in 64GB storage capacity, while the S9+ will be available in both 64GB and 256GB. The S9 has a 3,000mAh battery, while the S9+ manages to fit in a 3,500mAh unit.

Camera

On the back, both phones use the same 12-megapixel main rear camera, with a dual aperture f/2.4 and f/1.5 lens, and a "Super Speed" Dual Pixel sensor. But the S9+ also adds a secondary 12-megapixel, f/2.4 camera that enables up to 2x optical zoom, as well as Portrait Mode for background blurring effects. It appears to be the same secondary camera used on the Galaxy Note8.

In a nutshell...

So which one should you get? In my opinion, the S9+ is the better choice. Either go straight for the 256GB internal storage option, or just settle for the 64GB and pick up a large capacity microSD card. The S9+'s secondary rear camera is worth spending extra on, as the 2x optical zoom is really useful. If you like taking artistic portrait shots, Samsung's Portrait Mode, with its real time adjustable bokeh slider is one of the best implementations I've used. The S9+'s higher RAM should also give it better benchmark performance, and its bigger battery should give it better battery life too. Honestly, the only reasons to get the S9 is if you find the S9+ a little too big to hold comfortably or it's a little out of your price range. Now you just have to decide which color to pick.

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