All Samsung Galaxy Note 9 secrets revealed in leaked review

While we patiently wait for the launch of Galaxy Note 9, Russian tech reporter Eldar Murtazin revealed the phone in an unboxing and review video. Samsung is scheduled to announce the device on August 9th in New York but Eldar got his hands-on the device a month early.

Murtazin says he had the opportunity to see the device and to evaluate the hardware on a recent trip to the USA. Moreover, he also shared some of the key hardware and software aspects of the device. You can head below to take a look at what’s new in the Galaxy Note 9:

• Design Disappointment – the bad news first: the Galaxy Note 9 looks almost identical to the Galaxy Note 8
• No In-Display Fingerprint Reader – as expected, this technology has been pulled and will instead launch inside the Galaxy S10
• Repositioned Fingerprint Sensor – Samsung is wisely moving this from the side to below its rear cameras
• Horizontal Dual Cameras – speaking of which, the Galaxy Note 9 has horizontal dual rear cameras unlike the vertically mounted cameras on the Galaxy S9 Plus
• Upgraded Photography – primarily software-based, Murtazin says improved algorithms have boosted overall performance as well as optical stabilisation. He does, however, confirm that the device has the same variable apparture camera as the S9. No mention was made of the front camera, which is what really needs work.
• Brighter Display – Murtazin doesn’t mention its enlarged display but says brightness has increased from the Galaxy Note 8
• Massive Battery – a huge 4000mAh battery will last up to two days and in his testing delivered 25 hours of video playback at maximum brightness. Impressive
• Weight Gain – no number is given, but Murtazin says the Galaxy Note 9 is heavier than the Galaxy Note 8 due to its larger battery
• More RAM – a 6GB base model will be offered alongside an upgraded 8GB version, though it’s unclear in which markets they will be sold
• Big Storage Boost – 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models are coming. Again, the big question remains ‘Where’
• All-New S Pen – Bluetooth support has been added, accuracy increased and software support expanded notably for business users. He notes capabilities such as unlocking your handset with the device, and mentions but does not confirm the ability to use the pen as a headset.

Murtazin noted that the overall performance of the device is amazing. However, Samsung does disappoint in few key areas like no in-display fingerprint sensor. Samsung is rumoured to be working on Galaxy S10 as well so we can hope some of the new features to be added to the S10 as well. The pricing of Galaxy Note 9 will be a key for Samsung. Murtazin notes that Samsung is now targeting the business user, and will not be aiming the device as the wider consumer anymore, which suggests much higher prices. However, we will have to wait till 9th August to know more about the device.

Source: Mobile Review; Via: T3; Forbes