"Hey Siri" support and possibly wireless charging case alongside AirPower charging mat.
Samsung's Galaxy S9 Called 'Worthy Rival' to iPhone X as Reviews Hit
Galaxy S9 and S9+ reviews are officially out, and they're mostly positive. The consensus is that Samsung's latest smartphones are iterative but improved versions of its already-impressive Galaxy S8 devices.
We've linked a handful of the reviews below for anyone interested, but since we're an Apple-centric website, we've chose to specifically highlight some comparisons made to Apple and the iPhone X in particular.
The Wall Street Journal's David Pierce believes that Samsung and the Galaxy S9 once again "set the bar for smartphone design":
The Verge's Dan Seifert said Samsung's new "AR Emoji" feature is "built just to compete with Apple" and "not very good":
However, he adds that the Galaxy S9's iris scanner and facial recognition system are both slower than Face ID on the iPhone X.
We've linked a handful of the reviews below for anyone interested, but since we're an Apple-centric website, we've chose to specifically highlight some comparisons made to Apple and the iPhone X in particular.
Highlights
The Wall Street Journal's David Pierce believes that Samsung and the Galaxy S9 once again "set the bar for smartphone design":
Nobody makes better-looking phones than Samsung. Last year's Galaxy S8 was a particular gem of a device, glassy and stark with that "infinity display" stretching almost entirely across the front. It was thoughtfully designed on a level only Apple used to be able to achieve. As a result, it flew off shelves.CNBC's Todd Haselton described the Galaxy S9 as "a worthy rival to the iPhone X" in his review. However, he said Samsung still lacks a Galaxy S smartphone that "pushes the boundaries a bit more" like the iPhone X.
So why change anything? Nine versions in, Samsung feels it has landed on the right design for its Galaxy S phones. A company spokeswoman compared Samsung's approach to the way a luxury car maker might build new models: Nip and tuck, but dont change what people already love.
I don't normally compare Android phones with the iPhone because the product ecosystems are so different […] There's no question the Galaxy S9 is a worthy Android rival to the iPhone X, with a great screen, camera, wireless charging and more. If you're buying an Android phone and don't like Apple products for whatever reason, this is a safe bet.
This brings up a larger point: Samsung's Galaxy S9 feels a lot like the move from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 8. It's an upgrade, but not really a huge bump in a lot of ways. Samsung needs something in the Galaxy S range that pushes the boundaries a bit more, like the iPhone X does in Apple's lineup.Samsung finally included stereo speakers on the Galaxy S9, and Haselton believes they sound "noticeably better" than those on the iPhone X.
The Verge's Dan Seifert said Samsung's new "AR Emoji" feature is "built just to compete with Apple" and "not very good":
There are a couple issues with Samsung's AR Emoji. First, Samsung isn't using any special tech to capture your face or movements, it's just relying on the front or rear camera, so tracking is bad. Second, the characters it creates are on the wrong side of creepy, and everyone I've tested it with has been completely turned off with the results. The animal characters are similarly weird. It's definitely something that Samsung built just to compete with Apple, and it's not very good.Quartz's Mike Murphy said what irks him most about the iPhone X is that it can only be unlocked with Face ID or a passcode, whereas the Galaxy S9 has a fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, facial recognition, or a passcode.
However, he adds that the Galaxy S9's iris scanner and facial recognition system are both slower than Face ID on the iPhone X.
While it's nice that there are multiple ways to unlock the S9, the iris and face scanners aren't as quick as the iPhone X. The iris scanner requires you to hold the phone pretty much at eye level and takes a few moments to scan, whereas Apple's Face ID technology seems to work almost instantaneously, at a range of angles.Mashable's Raymond Wong touted the Galaxy S9 camera's variable aperture, but he said low-light photos aren't necessarily better than those shot with an iPhone X or Google Pixel 2. Most reviews agree it is a matter of personal preference.
Yes, the camera is smart enough to identify the amount of light in a scene and switch to the suitable aperture, but the photos don't stomp all over the iPhone X's or Pixel 2's shots, even in low light scenarios.
The iPhone X still takes the prize for color accuracy. The S9 camera still over-saturates and over-processes photos. And the Pixel 2 XL is still the sharpness and low-light champion.
More Reviews
- TechCrunch
- Wired
- Axios
- Android Police
- The New York Times
- The Independent
- The Next Web
- USA Today
- SlashGear
- TIME
- Gizmodo
- BuzzFeed News
- CNET
- Engadget
- Digital Trends
- Pocket-lint
- BGR
- TrustedReviews
- TechRadar
- PCWorld
- T3
[ 312 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
10 months ago
"Nobody makes better-looking phones than Samsung." Really? Was that meant as a joke?
10 months ago
I like my iPhone X, but I just don’t get excited over smart phone tech like I use to. From any company.
A bit stale if you ask me.
A bit stale if you ask me.
10 months ago
"Nobody makes better-looking phones than Samsung." Really? Was that meant as a joke?
I can't see myself ever buying an Android phone but if you don't think the S8 wasn't a beautiful phone, you're kidding yourself.
The X hardly takes the biscuit, does it?
10 months ago
All jokes aside, pricing on those phones is where it needs to be. Apple can learn a thing or two from that. But of course, margins.
10 months ago
I can never think of these phones as anything more than counterfeits that cost the same as the original. It is mystifying to me why anybody would buy one.
10 months ago
"can be pre-ordered on Samsung's website ('https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s9/buy/s/Device/') for $720 and $840"
^^^Apple, can we get into a more reasonable pricing? I am all in Apple gear but the S8/S9 are really great phones at 'reasonable' prices.
^^^Apple, can we get into a more reasonable pricing? I am all in Apple gear but the S8/S9 are really great phones at 'reasonable' prices.
10 months ago
Oh so because they more or less copied the Animoji feature and a less secure Face ID :rolleyes: yet when Apple does it they are not innovating and no one will buy it, talk about double standards :rolleyes:
10 months ago
"So why change anything?"
In other words, Samsung is given a free pass on keeping the phone's physical design largely the same as last year. But when Apple does it, its a sign the company is on the rocks, out of ideas, unable to innovate, etc.
"Worthy rival"
Adjusting for the anti-Apple bias: Not a good rival.
You don't download an iPhone app and find out later that it's actually malware. https://www.scmagazine.com/fake-whatsapp-update-on-google-play-promoted-malware-disguised-as-game/article/709845/
In other words, Samsung is given a free pass on keeping the phone's physical design largely the same as last year. But when Apple does it, its a sign the company is on the rocks, out of ideas, unable to innovate, etc.
"Worthy rival"
Adjusting for the anti-Apple bias: Not a good rival.
You don't download an iPhone app and find out later that it's actually malware. https://www.scmagazine.com/fake-whatsapp-update-on-google-play-promoted-malware-disguised-as-game/article/709845/
[ Read All Comments ]
Steam recently announced that it will stop supporting macOS versions 10.7 ("Lion"), 10.8 ("Mountain Lion"), 10.9 ("Mavericks") and 10.10 ("Yosemite") on January 1,...
Apple this week released iTunes 12.8.1 for OS X Yosemite up to macOS High Sierra. The minor update resolves an issue that prevented iTunes from streaming media to third-party AirPlay speakers, and...
Earlier this month, we told you about an auction for a Steve Jobs business card listing him as Chairman of the Board at Apple Computer. The business card features Apple's classic rainbow logo and...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Speck to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone case bundle for the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X, or 8/8 Plus that comes with a Presidio...
Best Buy today kicked off a new three-day sale that will last all weekend and end on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. CT. The sale is full of great last-minute gift ideas for the holidays, and Best Buy still...
Satechi today announced that three of its USB-C hubs are now available to pre-order in a gold color that resembles the finish of the latest MacBook Air.
Slim USB-C Multi-Port Adapter V2 -...
Apple is reportedly looking to shift production of older iPhones to Taiwanese supplier Pegatron in an effort to avoid losing billions in revenue as a result of its patent dispute with Qualcomm.
...
In macOS, transparency – or more properly, translucency – is a visual effect many apps use to create a sense of depth by hinting at content residing in the background.
An example of...
