Consumer Reports impressed by Galaxy S9 and S9+ durability, speed, and sound
Samsung’s efforts to make the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ faster and more durable and equipping them with fantastic stereo speakers seem to have paid off, at least when it comes to Consumer Reports’ smartphone rankings. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ sit at the top of the ratings at Consumer Reports thanks to their impressive performance in the durability, speed, and sound categories. Not surprising, given these are the segments in which Samsung’s latest flagships offer the most substantial upgrades, in addition to the primary camera.
Galaxy S9 and S9+ are stronger, faster, and sound better
For the durability test, Consumer Reports puts phones through 100 drops in a tumbler, and the Galaxy S9 was able to make it through the entire test with only minor scratches. The Galaxy S9+ didn’t fare so well, getting through the first 50 drops but cracking in the next 50. Still, both the S9 and S9+ did better than the Galaxy S8 and S8+, the displays on which “were badly broken and not functional” after 50 drops. The stronger metal and thicker glass on Samsung’s latest flagships are clearly working their magic as far as durability is concerned, although we’d still recommend slapping a case on your Galaxy S9 or S9+, or at least a screen protector.
In the speed and sound categories, the new Snapdragon 845 processor (the variant tested) and the Dolby Atmos-equipped stereo speakers allowed the Galaxy S9 and S9+ to take the lead over all other smartphones. However, battery life was found to be lower than the Galaxy S8 and S8+. The Exynos variant has already been criticized for having poorer battery life than the Snapdragon version, but it looks like the latter didn’t do better than Samsung’s first phones with an Infinity display, either, despite the official battery life figures suggesting otherwise.
Consumer Reports also “penalized the phones for oversharpening photos,” though the publication agrees the S9 and S9+ take better low-light photos than their predecessors, even if the improvement isn’t easily noticed until pictures are compared side by side (and we have plenty of those in our Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8 camera comparison, so don’t forget to take a look). All in all, the publication thinks that while the Galaxy S9 and S9+ aren’t a giant leap forward for Samsung’s flagship lineup, these phones are still worth a look for anyone shopping for a top-end phone.
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There is a problem with drain battery in stand-by mode in s9+, 1,5% – 2% per hour with phone in standby with screen off. It is a high consumption compared to other mobile phones that consume 1% in 3/4 hours. Try to put the cell phone in airplane mode, consumption is about 1.3% per hour, inconceivable compared to others who in this mode consume 1% every 6/7 hours !! While consumption using the mobile phone is good, yet Samsung has not admitted this problem that only affects the Exynos
Disagree on the battery…my S9+ SD edition gets about 17 hours of total battery and 5 hours on screen time. I don’t have enough time in the day to stare at my phone more than that.
Yes s9 + takes great pictures but Note 8 also takes great pictures
the actual photographer who is already the photographer must be good.
Turkey also famous The photographer has a nice promise
If a user with the best machine had taken the best picture
The writer with the best typewriter also wrote the best novel. 🙂
You are right. I have a Note8, my wife an S9 plus. Both are great cameras and the skill of the photographer is also important. There is less noise from a well taken night shot on S9 plus than the Note8, but in pro mode you can virtually noise free shots on the Note8 too.
I went to a concert – a sold out Gig – not a single blurry pic. at the very front of the crowd and no noise in the pics. that’s a big difference from other phones including the previous S8s. Also, consumer reports don’t know what they’re talking about… since their stint on the iPhone 6s, Galaxy S6 and S5 – don’t trust their reviews.
I can’t understand this alleged short battery life on the Exynos version S9 and S9 plus.. My wife has the Exynos S9 plus and her battery life is epic. She’s a moderate user and is getting a day and a half, compared to a day on my Note8 and she watches quite a lot of YouTube and her SOT is around 3-4 hours, though maybe people who don’t have an actual life communicating with real humans and spend all their time looking at their phones might have a different experience. Who knows?
I disagree with what this article stays about the photo over sharpening and not easy noticeable over photos taken on the S8 and note 8 it easy to see the difference and that’s not me saying the S8 or Note 8 took bad photos I get the feeling sammobile just dont like the Samsung S9 As the constantly saying negative things most of which an true.
@MTBROWN262626
We’ve simply stated what Consumer Reports have said about the camera, it’s not negative. The Galaxy S9+ is amazing, but this is not our take on the phones.
My S9+ has had very different battery life figures, its not consistent at all. Some days I have had 6hrs30 mins screen on time – getting me through a whole day.
Then some days, like 2 days ago. my battery went from 92% to 66% over 4 hours just by listening to music sporadically on the train (not streaming music, downloaded stuff).
Yes, I have good battery life on my S9+ as well. Well, not great, but it’s consistent and seems to do better than the S8+ for me. Exynos variant battery life seems to be poorer compared to the Snapdragon variant, not in general, which I guess is the main issue people have with it.