This product seems to be having issues, I am getting only 3.5 hrs of on screen time and barely a day with low usage.
Also, it seems that Samsung has not learnt anything while they came up with so called "One UI" , it still is a carppy overlay which does not live up to anything new that android offers (except for partly adapted "Glide" gestures for home screen)
Samsung does not offer multi-user support anymore (!! why !!) neither does it allow usage of different sims in Secure folder (if that is an alternative for multi user.) Plus, I cannot have more than one secure folders while i can always have more than 2 users in the OOTB/stock Android!
The messaging app is also having a bad UI for dual sim user, you will end up sending messages from one sim to another due to bad placement of buttons. So I switched to Truecaller messaging app since I already had it in my phone.
The dialer UI again is "wanna be alple" types now! Where now one has to go to 3 different tabs(recent, keypad, contacts) to do overlapping stuff sans the slight advantage that a unified interface can give with an option to switch between Keypad and keyboard.
The delete history in the dialer is hidden feature, here again true caller came much handy for me.
I compared the battery life with OnePlus 7T, (which supposedly has worst battery life in one plus latest series). Guess what! my phone is giving lesser battery life!
I did a reset of my phone, tried with one sim only plus only 6 new apps(true caller, 3 banking apps, WhatsApp etc.) apart from default ones. I disabled the Facebook app as well. I now got only 4 hours of screen time! (Wow!)
My S10 is giving a far better battery life than this one.
I would recommend a OnePlus or a Nokia for the UI, One plus/Apple again for the hardware, Apple/ Nokia (Only the ones with Zeiss optics) for its camera and Note 9 / Apple for its sound quality of speakers (not headsets).
For headsets, I am using a Jabra Elite 65t, which sounds better on my iPhone instead of Note 9/ S10.
The only BIG advantage I see is the "S" PEN which it's undoubtedly a magnificent add-on to this device. (But ONLY if you get enough battery life to play with it!)
Conclusion: You can always buy other products in the market like OnePlus, if you are not keen to use S Pen as samsung (nowadays) only provides slightly better experience than most others (whether Software or Hardware). There is always some other phone maker who can give you better than what samsung provides.
UPDATE AFTER 4 MONTHS
With already low battery performance, now suddenly the fingerprint has stopped working. When i updated my phone software for it, now my phone is on a loop to bootscreen and not entering home.
I have been wondering lately if samsung, like many other cheap players, has been selling faulty/refurbished devices as new via online channels (we know, Note 9 is a bit of an older model), (a price customer pays after discount?)
BUY CAUTIOUSLY PLEASE!
Please note: my S10 is working absolutely ok and was bought in August.(Store purchase) The issues are Only with Note 9 bought via Amazon.
FURTHER UPDATE AFTER VISITING SERVICE CENTER FOR FINGERPRINT
It is strange that samsung is so good at avoiding its customers during service lifecycles.... When I call the customer care number displayed all over the SERVICE CENTER (1800 40 SAMSUNG), I understand that it is not a valid number. It seems that they do not want me to reach them.
Anyways, Service center kept me waiting for around 1.5 hrs after having the phone and told me that it will take 2 hours more coz they want to test it completely. After my asking a bit more, they accepted they di not have any inventory.
Now I have to wait for 3/4 more days for replacement as they will keep my phone with them.
Thanks again for a bad Samsung experience!
| OS | Android 8.0 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Product Dimensions | 0.9 x 7.6 x 16.2 cm; 201 Grams |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| Item model number | Galaxy Note 9 |
| Wireless communication technologies | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Connectivity technologies | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB |
| GPS | GLONASS |
| Special features | Touchscreen, Dual SIM, Primary Camera, USB |
| Display technology | AMOLED |
| Other display features | Wireless |
| Device interface - primary | Touchscreen |
| Other camera features | 12MP (Front camera) |
| Form factor | Touchscreen Phone |
| Colour | Midnight Black |
| Battery Power Rating | 4000 |
| Whats in the box | Handset(Non-removable Battery Included) |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Country of Origin | India |
| Item Weight | 201 g |
