Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review

We are at that time of year again where the key smartphone manufacturers get ready to unveil their big guns leading up to the peak autumn sales period. Latest new kid on the block is Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9, which in a nutshell has taken last year’s Note 8 up a notch in most areas. The current trend of small improvements across a selection of features continues here, with the days of the big reveal on completely new form factors being well behind us.

So what’s different?

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is slightly bigger, more colourful, and a little more powerful than all previous Note phones, but all this comes at a cost: it’s also a little more expensive, too.

The biggest things to highlight if you’re considering an upgrade to the latest flagship are:

• It has a huge 6.4” Super AMOLED display, and actually doesn’t feel all that much bigger in the hand than its predecessor

• The battery has been upgraded to 4000mAh which will support all-day performance – great for business users who rely on their device for managing their workload on the go

• Internal memory options are either 128GB or 512GB, and with the latter you can double its memory with a 512GB microSD card to get the first mainstream 1TB smartphone – that’s a capacity normally found on laptops

• The camera is an improvement on the Note 8 with a 12MP rear dual-aperture that is capable of recording super slo-mo videos and an 8MP front camera. It also has an exclusive auto scene optimiser and flaw detection features

The S-Pen

The S-Pen is usually the defining factor for Galaxy Note customers. Popular in the creative field or for workers who want a quick and easy way of recording notes and ideas on location or commuting, it’s had a makeover for the Note 9.

The S-Pen is now Bluetooth enabled which allows it to work with the Note 9 from a distance of up to 30 feet away, plus it comes with loads of shortcuts (all customisable) to make your Galaxy Note 9 the ultimate accessory for work or play.

For example, taking out the S Pen when the phone’s screen is off automatically launches a note-taking app, great for jotting down new ideas on the go. Bluetooth features include launching the camera app, controlling music playback, and using the stylus as a remote for a presentation.

Price

Ok so let’s cut to the chase. The Note 9 hasn’t undercut the iPhone X as many were hoping. Instead it’s on a par, with the entry level 128GB model coming is at a whopping £899 (although that is twice the storage of the 64GB iPhone X) and then prepare to part with £1099 for the 512GB version.

So who should get one?

Well according to Samsung this smartphone is aimed at “power users”. That’s no shock when you look at the spec and the price. They see Note 9 customers as people who spend loads of time on their phone and want the best of the best – they buy the best music equipment, the best TV, and so on.

So in a business scenario we recommend this for all those image conscious entrepreneurs who want to be showcasing the latest in innovation where budget isn’t a consideration. On a wider level, if you look past the initial cost and weigh up some of the features in line with what operating efficiency they could bring to your business, the return on investment could actually be worthwhile.

Currently on pre-order, get in touch with one of our advisors to see what deals we can offer you if you are interested in the Note 9.