Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is a smartphone that stands out from the crowd with its innovative quad-camera setup. With a 24MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 10MP telephoto camera, and 5MP depth sensor, this phone offers unparalleled versatility in photography. But that's not all - it also boasts a powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and a vibrant 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display. The A9 comes with 128GB of storage, expandable up to 512GB, and a long-lasting 3,800mAh battery. With its premium design and user-friendly interface, the Galaxy A9 (2018) is a fantastic choice for those seeking a unique and capable smartphone. Available in captivating colors like Caviar Black, Lemonade Blue, and Bubblegum Pink, the Galaxy A9 (2018) is priced at an affordable range, making it a compelling option in the mid-range smartphone market.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) boasts a sleek and premium design that is sure to catch the eye. With its glass and metal build, the phone exudes a sense of elegance. The choice of materials and the finishing touches further enhance its aesthetic appeal. The device is available in three attractive color options - Caviar Black, Lemonade Blue, and Bubblegum Pink, each with a glass back panel featuring a gradient finish. However, it's worth noting that the glass back can be quite slippery and easily smudged.

In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy A9 (2018) is slightly wider and taller than some of its competitors, which may affect one-handed usability for users with smaller hands. The phone has a slim profile, measuring 162.5 x 77 x 7.8mm, and weighs 183g, making it fairly portable.

The placement of buttons and controls is ergonomic, allowing for easy access and comfortable use. The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is conveniently positioned for quick and secure unlocking.

While the overall design and aesthetics of the Galaxy A9 (2018) are commendable, some users have reported a slight disappointment in the build quality. There have been complaints of a rattling sound inside the device, which raises concerns about its durability and robustness. Nonetheless, the device feels sturdy and well-constructed.

In summary, the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) showcases a premium look and feel with its sleek design, attractive color options, and elegant finishing touches. However, the potential durability issues and the slightly larger form factor may be points to consider for those with specific preferences for compactness and ruggedness.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) features a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels. The screen size is large, providing an immersive viewing experience for multimedia content. The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors, enhancing the overall visual quality. The color accuracy and vibrancy are impressive, making images and videos look lively and vivid. The brightness levels are sufficient, allowing for good visibility even under direct sunlight. The touch responsiveness of the display is smooth and accurate, providing a seamless user experience. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass, which adds durability and scratch resistance. The pixel density is also decent, resulting in sharp and detailed visuals. The viewing angles are wide, ensuring consistent image quality from different angles. The screen-to-body ratio is good, with slim bezels and no notch design, maximizing the display area. The display also supports features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) and a wide color gamut, further enhancing the visual experience. Additionally, there is an always-on display feature and a blue light filter for added convenience. The adaptive brightness feature adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions, optimizing battery life. Overall, the display of the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) provides an excellent viewing experience with vibrant colors, sharp visuals, and good visibility.

Performance

The performance of the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is commendable, thanks to its capable chipset and optimized software. Powered by the Snapdragon 660 chipset and coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the A9 delivers smooth multitasking and lag-free performance. CPU benchmarks and processor performance tests indicate that the device offers efficient processing capabilities, allowing for seamless app loading speeds and a smooth user experience. The GPU benchmarks and gaming performance analysis reveal that the A9 is capable of handling graphic-intensive games with ease, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. Graphics scores and gaming benchmarks further support the device's gaming capabilities. System optimization and thermal management contribute to maintaining a consistent performance level, even during extended gaming sessions. Although specific benchmark scores were not provided, the overall performance metrics suggest that the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers a powerful and efficient performance for everyday usage and demanding tasks.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) runs on Android 8.0 Oreo with Samsung's Experience 9.0 custom overlay. This combination provides a user-friendly interface with a range of customization options. The operating system is smooth and responsive, allowing for seamless multitasking and app navigation.

The Experience UI offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to find and access their desired settings and apps. It also provides a variety of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device to suit their preferences.

The software comes with a selection of pre-installed apps, including Samsung's own suite of applications such as Samsung Pay and Bixby. While these apps can be useful for some users, others may find them to be unnecessary bloatware. However, most of the pre-installed apps can be disabled or uninstalled if desired, freeing up storage space and reducing clutter.

Overall, the software on the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers a user-friendly experience with a clean interface and customization options. It provides a smooth and responsive operating system, making it easy for users to navigate and personalize their device according to their needs and preferences.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) boasts a unique quad-camera setup that offers an impressive photography experience. The main camera has a high resolution of 24 megapixels, ensuring detailed and sharp images. The phone also features an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, which allows for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots with ease. For close-up shots, the 10-megapixel telephoto camera comes in handy, providing a zoomed-in perspective without sacrificing image quality. Additionally, the 5-megapixel depth sensor helps in creating stunning bokeh effects in portrait mode.

In terms of image quality, the Galaxy A9 (2018) performs well in different lighting conditions. In daylight photography, the camera captures images with natural colors and good sharpness. The dynamic range is commendable, preserving details in both bright and dark areas of the image. For indoor and outdoor photography, the camera offers impressive low-light performance, thanks to its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities. The night mode further enhances low-light photography by reducing noise and improving overall image quality.

The Galaxy A9 (2018) comes equipped with various camera features, including HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode. HDR helps in capturing well-exposed photos in high contrast scenes, while panorama mode allows for capturing wide, sweeping landscapes. The pro mode gives users manual control over settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, providing more flexibility in capturing the desired shot.

When it comes to video recording, the Galaxy A9 (2018) supports 4K video capture, ensuring high-resolution videos with great detail. Video stabilization helps in reducing shakes and jitters, resulting in smoother footage. The phone also offers slow-motion video and time-lapse capabilities, allowing users to get creative with their video content. Overall, the camera of the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers a versatile and feature-rich photography experience, making it an excellent choice for capturing memorable moments in various situations.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is equipped with a 3,800mAh battery, which provides decent battery life for everyday usage. The battery capacity is sufficient to last through a full day of moderate to heavy usage. The phone also supports fast charging technology, allowing for quick recharge times. Additionally, the A9 does not offer wireless charging options. The battery performance of the A9 is satisfactory, with the device able to handle tasks efficiently without draining the battery excessively. The phone also includes battery optimization features to prolong battery life and improve power efficiency. Overall, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers good endurance and reliable performance to keep users connected throughout the day.

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers a wide range of connectivity options to ensure a seamless user experience. With support for 4G LTE, users can enjoy fast data speeds for browsing, streaming, and downloading content. The phone also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two SIM cards simultaneously for better network compatibility or personal and work numbers on the same device.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Galaxy A9 (2018) supports Wi-Fi standards such as 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, providing fast and reliable internet connectivity. Users can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, work, or public hotspots to save on their mobile data usage.

For wireless file transfer and peripheral connections, the phone features Bluetooth version 5.0. This enables faster and more stable connections with other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also supported, allowing users to make contactless payments and transfer files by simply tapping their phone against another NFC-enabled device.

The Galaxy A9 (2018) is equipped with a USB-C port, which offers fast charging and high-speed data transfer capabilities. This allows users to quickly charge their phone and transfer files between the device and their computer.

Additionally, the phone features GPS for accurate navigation and location-based services. Users can rely on the phone's GPS to navigate unfamiliar places or use location-based apps.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, dual SIM support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, USB-C, and GPS, ensuring that users can stay connected and enjoy all the benefits of modern connectivity technology.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) to other related gadgets in the market, it's important to consider its unique features, market positioning, and competitive advantage.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Galaxy A9 stands out with its quad-camera setup, which includes a 24MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 10MP telephoto camera, and 5MP depth sensor. This puts it in direct competition with phones like the Huawei P30 Pro and Google Pixel 3, both known for their impressive camera performance.

Performance-wise, the Galaxy A9 is equipped with a Snapdragon 660 chipset and 6GB or 8GB of RAM. While this may not be as powerful as flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S10 or iPhone XS, it still offers smooth multitasking and lag-free performance for everyday use.

In terms of display, the Galaxy A9 features a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution. This puts it on par with devices like the OnePlus 6T and Xiaomi Mi 9, which also offer vibrant colors and good viewing angles.

When it comes to pricing, the Galaxy A9 is positioned as an affordable flagship device, priced at £449 in the UK. This makes it a competitive option compared to other mid-range smartphones like the Honor View 20 and OnePlus 6T.

In terms of market share, Samsung has a strong presence globally, which gives the Galaxy A9 an advantage in terms of brand recognition and customer trust.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) offers a unique quad-camera setup, decent performance, and an attractive design at a more affordable price point compared to flagship devices. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end smartphones, it provides good value for money and holds its own against competitors in the mid-range market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) stands out in the mid-range smartphone market with its innovative quad-camera setup and powerful performance. The camera system offers a versatile photography experience, allowing users to capture stunning photos with ease. The phone's vibrant display, ample storage, and expandability further enhance the overall user experience. While the build quality and fingerprint scanner could have been better, the A9's premium design and user-friendly software compensate for these shortcomings. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is a compelling choice for those seeking a feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price point.