Samsung Galaxy S9+ Review

Flagship SoCs deliver strong numbers, but results vary by variant

The S9+ shipped in two SoC configurations. The Snapdragon 845 variant uses eight Kryo 385 cores (four at 2.8 GHz, four at 1.8 GHz) with an Adreno 630 GPU and an X20 LTE modem. The model listed in UL's benchmark database reports 6,144 MB of RAM and storage tiers up to 256 GB. On 3DMark Wild Life the SDM845 S9+ median score is 1,409 (graphics test ~8 FPS) and Wild Life Unlimited median score is 1,213 (~7 FPS), illustrating solid but not class-leading GPU throughput for its era.

User reports and community testing noted a split: Snapdragon variants typically delivered smoother UI responsiveness in real-world use, while Exynos 9810 hardware could show higher raw benchmark numbers in some tests. UL also emphasizes that public benchmark medians include suboptimal runs, so scores vary with thermal state and background load.

Best-in-class Super AMOLED with tall WQHD+ resolution

Samsung fitted the S9+ with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED panel at 2960 × 1440 (WQHD+). Review coverage highlights the display as "gorgeous" and "richly-contrasted" with curved edges that continue the design language introduced on the S8 series. Samsung reported a front occupancy increase to 83.68% of the chassis (from 83.32% on the S8+), reflecting slimmer bezels.

The combination of high pixel density, Samsung's AMOLED color and strong contrast is repeatedly praised in hands-on reviews; it remains one of the device's clearest strengths for media, games and reading, provided you accept Samsung's typical saturated color tuning options in software.

Capable dual-12MP hardware, but image processing can overstep

Samsung equipped the S9+ with a primary 12 MP Samsung SAK2L3 sensor plus a 12 MP telephoto auxiliary shooter, and an 8 MP Samsung S5K3H1 front camera. The hardware enables optical zoom and improved portrait shots compared with single-camera designs, and sample galleries published alongside specifications show strong detail and dynamic range in many scenes.

Multiple reviews praise the camera's output but also call out Samsung's post-processing. PCMag specifically notes the camera software tends to oversharpen images; that sharpening can create lively-looking photos but reduces the natural look and can accentuate noise or halos in certain scenes.

3500 mAh with Samsung's variable fast-charging profile

The S9+ uses a 3500 mAh battery and ships with a fast-charging spec listed as 5V/2A ~ 9V/1.67A (adaptive fast charging). That hardware supports faster top-ups than standard 5V chargers but real-world endurance depends heavily on screen brightness, chipset variant and workload.

UL's benchmark pages warn battery-life medians submitted by users vary widely because public tests don't standardize screen brightness; their guidance recommends calibrating to 200 cd/m². Community commentary (AnandTech/Reddit excerpts) also reports that Snapdragon vs Exynos variants and thermals change both performance and battery behavior during extended use.

Refined glass-and-metal design with minimal bezels — incremental evolution

Samsung retained the curved-glass, minimal-bezel look introduced on the S8 series. Thurrott's coverage notes the design changes from the S8+ are subtle: the glass/metal construction, curved display edges and compact top and bottom bezels are largely unchanged, while the display-to-body percentage rose slightly to 83.68%. The result is a polished flagship aesthetic rather than a dramatic redesign.

Physical controls and the overall fit-and-finish were generally praised at launch; the S9+ is presented as an elegant and mature industrial design. That said, buyers coming from an S8+ should expect little in the way of a visual overhaul.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display at 2960 × 1440 (WQHD+) with curved edges and 83.68% front occupancy
• ✅ Flagship silicon options: Snapdragon 845 (four cores at 2.8 GHz + four at 1.8 GHz, Adreno 630) or Exynos 9810
• ✅ 6 GB RAM (UL listing shows 6,144 MB) and storage up to 256 GB on retail models
• ✅ Dual 12 MP rear cameras (Samsung SAK2L3 main + 12 MP telephoto) plus 8 MP front S5K3H1 for portraits and telephoto shots
• ✅ 3500 mAh battery with adaptive fast-charging support (5V/2A ~ 9V/1.67A)

• ❌ Samsung camera processing can oversharpen images, producing an artificial look in some photos (PCMag)
• ❌ Real-world performance and UI smoothness differ between Snapdragon 845 and Exynos 9810 variants (community/AnandTech reporting)
• ❌ Battery life results reported by users are variable; public benchmark medians fluctuate depending on brightness and thermal state
• ❌ Design is an incremental evolution from the S8+ — limited change for owners of the previous generation

How It Compares to the Competition

• Google Pixel 2 XL — Cleaner Android experience and computational photography strengths, but smaller ecosystem of Samsung features and a different display character.
• Apple iPhone X — iOS-centric flagship with strong single-camera processing and system-level optimizations; differs in UI and ecosystem experience.
• OnePlus 6 — Similar-era Snapdragon performance and a cleaner software approach, but fewer camera features and a different display calibration.
• Huawei P20 Pro — Competes heavily on camera hardware and multi-lens setups; Samsung offers a more balanced display and software feature set.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy the Galaxy S9+ if you want one of the best 2018-era smartphone displays, flagship-class silicon (Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810), and dual 12MP rear cameras with optical zoom. It's a good pick for media consumers and photographers who prefer Samsung's hardware and feature set and who can tolerate Samsung's camera processing.

Skip it if: Skip the S9+ if you want strictly natural, unsharpened JPEGs out of the camera (PCMag's oversharpening note) or if you prioritize the cleanest possible Android UI — Pixel devices offer a purer software experience. Also consider alternatives if you need guaranteed consistent benchmark/battery behavior across all retail units, since Snapdragon vs Exynos variants can differ.