The Gen XY Lifestyle
Samsung Galaxy S9: A new standard for smartphone cameras
The camera is undisputedly the single most important feature in a phone. Have a good, headline-making camera and it’ll have a shot at being a hit. And the new Samsung Galaxy S9 shows that the race shows no signs of abating.
The new S9 is possibly the best-equipped camera phone out there right now – or at least in two weeks time when it hits the stores. So what’s there to look forward to? Here’re the top ten reasons why:
10. AR Emoji
Emojis as we know, have, for some of us, replaced conventional words in texts and now are important in conversations today. It’s based on a data-based machine learning algorithm that analyses 2D images of your face to create a 3D model that can imitate expressions better than you can, sometimes. It may not be something everyone will find useful, but it’s a fun demonstration of how advanced the hardware is.
9. For the connected environment
The S9 is the first smartphone to support the new SmartThings app, making it a management hub for every facet of the connected lifestyle at home, at the office or on the go. The SmartThings app is designed to work with non-Samsung devices as well.
8. Desktop experience
The new DeX Pad lets you connect the Galaxy S9 to a larger monitor, keyboard and mouse, which makes document editing or even full-screen gaming easier. The new design also allows you to use your phone as a touchpad.
7. Security with convenience
With the various methods of authentication available on the S9, Samsung uses them collectively to improve security and convenience, depending on the context. Intelligent Scan is a new verification method that uses both iris scanning and facial recognition technology to quickly and conveniently unlock a user’s phone in various situations. Dedicated Fingerprint gives you the option to access Secure Folder with a fingerprint different from the one used to unlock the phone.
6. Live translation
One the new features to come to Bixby, Samsung’s AI assistant. hold up the camera on the text you want translated and Live Translation will translate and put a visual overlay over the foreign words.
5. Improved health monitoring
The S9 includes a new inbuilt optical sensor that provides richer, more accurate information on your health status, including a new feature called Heart Load Factor, which measures the real-time demand placed on the heart.
4. Class-leading specifications
With the flagship Samsung phone, you’re almost guaranteed to have the best of the best:
- Wireless charging
- Expandable memory of up to 400GB (microSD)
- Equipped with defense-grade security platform Knox 3.1
- NFC and MST equipped
- Iris, fingerprint, and facial recognition
- IP68 water and dust resistance
3. Entertainment upgraded
The flagship Galaxy phones are often the cream of the crop when it comes to the screen display and performance. The ‘Infinity Display’ returns with its almost edge to edge design with a bright Super AMOLED panel for Samsung’s signature rich colours with adaptive contrast enhancement for better visibility in sunlight. The Galaxy S9 also features stereo speakers tuned by AKG and supports Dolby Atmos, which recreates an all-encompassing sound.
2. Super slow-mo
You can now create dramatic slow-motion video at 960 frames per second, a la the Sony Xperia phones. It can capture two seconds of footage that it can stretch out into poetic movement. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ also offer automatic Motion Detection, that detects things moving in the frame and automatically begins to record. You can select background music from 35 different options or add your own tunes, and then turn them into GIF files as well if you are so inclined.
1. Low light camera
The first of its kind in a smartphone, the S9 and S9+ features two mechanical aperture (f1.5 and f2.4) choices – smartphones tend to have only one. The advantage of this is that it is much easier to achieve the right exposure – and get good results, with far fewer grainy and washed out photos.
Pricing for S9 or S9+ and other details
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be available from 16 March 2018 at the following prices:
S9 64GB S$1,198
S9+ 64GB S$1,348
S9+ 256GB S$1,498
Other perks you should know about:
- Trade Up: Have an old Samsung phone? Check if its eligible for a trade up. Use the Samsung Trade Up (SG) app to trade-in your old devices (that are eligible) to receive an exclusive trade-in value of up to S$610.
- Concierge: The Samsung Concierge Care Pack (S$128) now has more value-added services and comes complimentary with every purchase of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ and is valid for 12 months.
- Pre-Order/Registration of Interest: You can do so at Best Denki, Courts, Gain City, Hachi, Harvey Norman, Newstead, Lazada and Samsung Store websites from 1 March 2018, Thursday, 12pm. Alternatively, you can visit Samsung Experience Stores during opening hours. Purchasers of Galaxy S9+ 256GB will also receive a Wireless Charger Stand (Black) worth S$108 while stocks last.
