Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) Review: Not Worth The Hype
Samsung has been the frontrunner in the mobile phone game for a decade or and then, and it has shaped the industry into what nosotros see today. In this procedure, Samsung has popularized many trends – like wireless charging, infinity displays – and defied many others – like the notch. Samsung Galaxy A9 is a device which does both – defies the trend of triple cameras simply tries to popularize the concept of 4 cameras instead. Does information technology succeed?
Since the moment I started using the Milky way A9, I have honestly just had mixed feelings almost the answer to the question, peculiarly taking a look at Samsung's audacious pricing which starts at Rs 36,990.
The thought of "4 cameras" is something that instantly grabs attending, but the impression might change in one case yous starting time using the phone. Withal, its taffy-inspired colors surely make it an eye candy for the younger users out there.
Afterwards all, this Samsung Galaxy A9 is well-nigh exploring uncharted avenues and the South Korean giant's option to introduce four cameras is definitely worth weighing to verify whether having iv cameras covers all bases. You may call it a gimmick that a slowly plunging (at least in context of popularity) company is using to keep its consumers entertained if not entirely engaged.
Then, in this review, we'll take a await at Samsung'due south claims with maximum veracity and least bias. While the quad cameras are arguably its most intriguing aspect, nosotros will take a look at what else the smartphone offers, and whether it'southward a good all-round package.
Let's begin past taking a look at the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Specifications
Evidently, the biggest and the most gripping highlight of the Galaxy A9 is its set of four cameras on the back, simply that's not all. Let's take a wait:
| Display | 6.3" Full Hd+ Super AMOLED, 1080×2220 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 |
| RAM | 6/viii GB RAM |
| Storage | 128 GB, expandable upto 512GB via microSD |
| Battery | three,800mAh |
| Primary Camera | Principal Photographic camera : 24MP AF, F1.7 + Telephoto : 2X optical zoom, 10MP AF, F2.iv + Ultra Wide : 120°, 8MP, F2.4 + Depth : 5MP, F2.two |
| Secondary Camera | 24MP (F2.0) |
| OS | Android 8.0 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor |
| Network and Connectivity | LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/northward/air-conditioning (2.4/5GHz), VHT80, Bluetooth v5.0 (LE), USB Type-C, NFC, GPS, Glonass |
| Trunk | 162.5 x 77 ten vii.eight mm, 183g |
The Milky way A9 as well comes with the same specifications that y'all might find on a Xiaomi smartphone at almost half the price, but that's what you have to pay for a ride aboard the "brand value" train. While I realize these specifications might not exactly be exciting, Samsung seems to be confident that information technology will titillate (at to the lowest degree) Samsung fans.
But before I take any more digs at the pricing, let me tell you well-nigh what all comes in the box.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Box Contents
The box packaging of the Galaxy A9 is pretty standard and you go the following within it:
- Samsung Galaxy A9 handset
- 15W charging brick
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Samsung in-ear headset
- TPU clear example
- SIM ejector
- Manuals and paperwork
I admire the fact that Samsung is including in-ear style earphones within the box, which I am actually very fond of because of their clarity and a good corporeality of isolation. Farther, the clear case is where Samsung has begun following the suit of Chinese competitors trying to lure Indian users by adding freebies. This case is pretty durable, and since it'southward clear, information technology does not steal the thunder away from the dazzling back.
At present that nosotros've already begun talking about the sparkling back, let me also have you lot through the overall build and design of the Milky way A9.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Design and Build Quality
There's no harm in pointing that Samsung's take on design is not also diverse and it almost seems that the entire design team is concentrated on making the side by side Galaxy S-series or Notation series product more highly-seasoned than the previous one while about the same blueprint trickles down to its smartphones intended for lower toll brackets.
The same can exist seen here, with simply distinguishing factor (from the Galaxy A7) being the iv cameras on the dorsum. The indigestible pattern slapped with and then many cameras is almost intimidating and apropos. With its rounded rectangle design – the essence of which can also exist spotted within the Samsung Experience UI – the phone looks a bit outdated.
The neon colors of the Milky way A9 somehow manage to save it from beingness a tiresome phone, just it is unlikely to appeal customers in all age groups. If you're someone who might actually be attracted by this, allow me tell you that these accents actually use a slope and would announced differently based on how you hold information technology. I personally prefer the "Lemonade Blue" (random history lesson: pink lemonade is actually more popular and was invented accidentally) over the "Bubblegum Pink" but that is probably because of the gender-specific social conditioning.
When I shift my attending towards the front, I find the sight rather soothing. The front end of the smartphone accommodates a vi.3-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED "Infinity Brandish" panel which has immaculate quality. As we already know, many other leading smartphone brands including Apple and OnePlus rely on Samsung for its OLED displays, and the console justifies its monopoly in the game. I'm delighted to see that the sparkling colors do not make their mode to the front end and the minimal bezels here are blackness.
The dorsum is fabricated out glass just there's no wireless charging support. While the display is protected nether Gorilla Glass 6, the exact generation of Corning's protective drinking glass shielding the glass back is non articulate.
Along the edges, y'all discover ports and mics, buttons and slots, as usual. The right side carries the volume rocker, and the power button while the left side features a dedicated button for Bixby, which I accidentally pressed many times while taking screenshots and ended upward loathing myself because Bixby is just non my thing – as I'yard sure it'southward not for many others either.
On the top is the SIM tray, which conveniently accepts two SIM cards and a microSD, forth with a noise-canceling microphone. The bottom of the Galaxy A9 is reserved for a USB type-C port, headphone jack, and a solo speaker.
Overall, the Milky way A9 does feel slightly hefty and using it would exist a two-manus affair if you lot have small or medium-sized hands. At 183 grams, the phone is not necessarily lite but yous wouldn't feel the bloat unless yous're using a thick protective case. Simply then, this is too something that you lot'd get used to, over time.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Display
As I noted in the previous section, Samsung is really at the top of its game when it comes to the quality of AMOLED displays which is why we tin can encounter that fifty-fifty some of its rather affordable smartphones come with AMOLED displays. Fifty-fifty on the Galaxy A9, we tin can see that the brandish is something that y'all cannot really mutter about. It is super bright, very rich when it comes to colors, vibrant, and has a skilful contrast.
Colors, whether natural or artificially enhanced, pop out – thus, laying out a dramatic and vivid picture. And while the display is not certified for HDR content officially, watching videos with a wide dynamic range actually feels similar a bliss. The text appears clear and crisp and I accept had no problem, whatsoever, while swiping across, tapping, or typing on the screen.
The display is also certified with Widevine L1 license for HD and Full Hard disk drive content via paid video services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play Movies etc. and while I'm not actually a binge-watcher, I constitute myself easily drifting on to the next episode, and consuming much more video content than I usually practise.
With this large screen, Samsung has omitted the notch and while, it is as tall as the one on OnePlus 6T, the bezels on the pinnacle and the bottom of the display make the smartphone slightly larger than what is exactly appealing to the middle, simply the expansive display should help yous forgive this slight demerit.
The display, existence an AMOLED, likewise remains always on and similar whatever other Samsung smartphone, the interface is neatly laid and you lot also get colored badges for incoming notifications in this country.
I really enjoyed the display and have no complaints nigh information technology at all.
If you're looking for the all-time display on a smartphone under Rs 40,000, the Milky way A9 should definitely be among your primary choices.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Camera
The camera is not but ane of the USPs of the Milky way A9 but too what Samsung is presumably using to justify the loftier price. Nosotros tried to get a variety of shots with the Milky way A9 and have attempted to bring you a wholesome motion picture of what the smartphone is capable of.
The quad photographic camera comprises a 24-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.7 sensor aimed at providing aplenty musculus power for night light shots, a ten-megapixel telephoto sensor for 2x zoom, an 8-megapixel ultra-broad sensor for a 120-caste field of view, and lastly a 5-megapixel sensor for sensing depth to render images with bokeh effects.
Allow's take a look at some of the samples of the Galaxy A9'south cameras.
Samsung Milky way A9 Camera Samples: Daylight
In daylight, the Galaxy A9 manages to capture colors really well, but falls flat when information technology comes to details, specially when the object is as well close or too far.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Camera Samples: Depression Lite
When there'due south low light, the smartphone actually struggles to capture details, especially when the object is moving. Unlike daylight pictures, hither the saturation is overblown and makes the image expect unnatural. Further, the smartphone oftentimes fails at retaining ample light in the image.
Wide-Bending
The wide-angle sensor increases the depth of view from 78-degrees to 120-degrees, offering a wider frame, although at the expense of a slight fish-eye effect. I am really fascinated by this lens and it is probably the simply thing that the Galaxy A9 is amend at than most other phones in its competition.
In low light, however, details are visibly lost due to the smaller f/2.4 discontinuity of the wide-angle sensor.
Telephoto (2X Zoom)
The Milky way A9 also packs in a 2X lens which helps bring distant objects nearer, but it might non be the all-time option when it comes to depression light considering of the smaller discontinuity compared to the principal 24-megapixel sensor.
Portrait Manner
The bottom-most sensor on the Galaxy A9 works as a defended 5MP depth sensor and despite that, the portrait mode shots are far from impressive. As you tin encounter border detection is not the best in course.
When there are more than one faces in the frame, the Galaxy A9 focuses on a single person and blurs out the rest.
Selfies
On the front end, there's a 24-megapixel sensor and to be honest, it is not surprising at all. Often, the front camera feels sloppy and to be able to click the best selfie for your Instagram account, you really demand a lot of patience and multiple attempts.
In low low-cal, peculiarly, the forepart camera fails to maintain a loftier dynamic range or match the lighting as per the object in focus, leaving the background over or underexposed.
The Galaxy A9 too gets a selfie panorama mode, but I would have appreciated had Samsung put three cameras on the back and one more on the forepart – similar Pixel three – for wide-angle selfies.
Selfie Portrait
The photographic camera'due south struggle with retaining particular is fifty-fifty more apparent when you're clicking a selfie in portrait mode and information technology simply struggles to detect edges cleanly. When it does manage to go the edges right, the over-smoothening of images can make yous groan.
Video
The Galaxy A9 is capable of capturing 4K UHD videos and hasEIS, which but works when you're shooting at Full HD. The videos are just boilerplate and while the stabilization is solid, you'll be required to lower down the resolution and thus, sacrifice on quality.
I've embedded the below with the exact timestamp where you lot tin see how the A9 performs while taking videos.
Comparison
While Samsung promoted the Galaxy A9 as a camera-centric smartphone, information technology does not live upward to the expectation. Meanwhile, we take looked at how two other similarly priced smartphones – OnePlus 6T and Pixel 2 perform.
And so hither'due south a quick comparison:
The OnePlus 6T Captures More than detail than the A9!
As y'all can see that the Pixel two shines out every bit the best out of the group while the Milky way A9 performs the worst compared to both smartphones in all situations. The A9 only excels when it comes to exposure.
We'll also bring you a detailed comparison soon, with more than images and in different lighting atmospheric condition to help you lot approximate better if the winner is not yet clearly visible.
Samsung Milky way A9 Performance
Performance is i area where Samsung Galaxy A9 falls brusk of the competitors. While noteworthy smartphones in the segment come with flagship Snapdragon CPUs, the A9 is all the same stuck with Snapdragon 660, which has very much made a dwelling for itself in the mid-range segment of smartphones. The processor can be seen usually powering phones in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment, simply Samsung still banks on it despite the almost flagship-similar pricing.
We would have forgiven the choice had it not hampered the performance of the device. To cut information technology short, the Galaxy A9 is not equally powerful as its peers. When it comes to gaming, the smartphone tin handle bones to moderately heavy games but as y'all move up the pyramid, the Milky way A9 starts showing its truthful colors – and they are non as shiny or attractive as the smartphone'south blazing dorsum.
You get options between 6GB and 8GB RAM variants – priced at Rs 36,990 and Rs 39,990, respectively – and nosotros tested the 6GB variant. I did not have any problem while multitasking and the phone can continue at least 10-12 apps alive at the same time – although these apps went into hibernation when left inactive for a long elapsing.
Gaming
Playing demanding games such as PUBG Mobile and Cobblestone 9 on the Galaxy A9 is taxing and most made me lose my calm. This is because, the graphics appear distorted and there are plenty of frame drops; the gameplay was noticeably jittery. After spending pregnant fourth dimension with the Poco F1, I wouldn't have gone through the hurting of playing games on this device if it wasn't for the review.
PUBG Mobile was laggy and at that place are noticeable frame drops, even at Medium graphics settings. So every bit long as yous're playing light games like Guns of Smash, Pocketknife Hit, Horizon, SBK 16, y'all won't accept whatsoever problems, just with heavier games like PUBG Mobile, Cobblestone nine, Mortal Kombat X, you lot will either suffer due to the choppy frame rate and the low graphics fidelity, which is neither justified nor adequate at this price.
In terms of general use, the operation is just average and not surprising at all. But I was dazzled the nigh when I saw this phone score comparably to the Realme U1 on benchmarks, which costs less than half of what Samsung is asking for the A9.
Benchmark Scores: AnTuTu, GeekBench 4, 3D Mark
The Snapdragon 660 on the Milky way A9 paired to 6GB of RAM (on our test unit) offers middling operation, resulting in scores on par with other Snapdragon 660 devices. Farther, the Samsung Experience can sometimes become overwhelming, which might as well lead to lower than expected scores.
Hither are the AnTuTu, GeekBench 4, and 3DMark scores associated with the smartphone:
In a price-wise comparing, the Galaxy A9 is mercilessly browbeaten by its biggest challenger the OnePlus 6T, which is powered past the virtually powerful processor currently available for Android phones.
Sound
In terms of audio or video playback, the Galaxy A9's solo speaker seems very powerful and punchy, although I found myself longing for more bass. However, the bundled earphones have swell sound quality and you also become Dolby Audio support which boosts the output slightly when you connect any wired or Bluetooth headset, and so much then that listening to music at the maximum volume tin exist tough most of the time.
Overall, I have no complaints with the audio experience on the Milky way A9, and this is in line with superb multimedia capabilities of the smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Software Experience
Samsung Experience ix.0 based on Android viii.0 is what drives the Galaxy A9 on the user experience (UX) forepart. I have to acknowledge that I'm not a fan of this interface, even though it is a gazillion times better than the lousy TouchWiz UI which Samsung phones had a few years ago.
My reason for non liking this user interface (UI) is that it looks like a crossbreed of stock Android and other UIs with absurd shapes and no app drawer, every bit preferred by many Chinese vendors. Samsung appears to have put in an extra effort to ensure that fifty-fifty though it has elements of both these UIs, it does not wait or role like either.
From the stock Android interface, Samsung Experience skin borrows an app drawer, clean quick settings panel as well every bit the settings interface while it appears to be inspired past MIUI-like skins when you lot find bloatware such as Daily Chase and a series of Samsung apps including Samsung Mall, Samsung Max, My Galaxy etc.
The company likewise promotes its own app store, recommending you to download and buy wallpapers, themes, ringtones etc from the "Galaxy Apps" store.
The Galaxy A9 besides comes with Samsung Pay which works over NFC equally well equally facilitates UPI payments, which ways in India, you'll either exist limited to select POS terminals which support NFC or "Wave Due north Pay". The shortcut for Samsung Pay keeps prompting you to add your cards, and is most intrusive.
Another peeve I have with the Samsung Feel interface is that despite the large screen, Samsung has been reluctant to include navigation gestures. Information technology will be interesting to run across how the UI fares when the Android Pie update brings a much cleaner One UI.
All the same, there are some points that show the Samsung Experience UI in good calorie-free likewise. Firstly, information technology seems pretty polished and in that location are no bleeding edges when it comes to delivering what it promises. Multi-window and Picture-in-picture show piece of work similar a charm and while the animations are slow, they exercise not announced sloppy in whatever way.
To sum information technology up, the UI is non terrible but non as make clean or simplistic as stock Android. So, upgrading from a smartphone running vanilla Android to some other by Samsung could counterbalance down some users, But if yous're groovy on learning new ways of accomplishing the usual chores, you might accept an easier time.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Battery
Without a doubt, the Galaxy A9 is a swell and noteworthy smartphone when it comes to multimedia. Naturally, one of the areas where a dandy phone for entertainment is expected to excel is in terms of bombardment life and here, the Milky way A9 is A-one. Samsung has installed a 3,800mAh battery on this device which lives upward to the general trend observed on Samsung devices.
During moderate usage, the telephone easily lasts between 22 to 24 hours with more iv and a one-half hours of using the screen. When running heavy and demanding tasks, the A9 lasts well over 14-15 hours and you can easily watch videos or rampage on shows at maximum screen brightness for more than than seven hours hands.
When it comes to charging, the bundled charger rated at 15W takes merely i hr 25 minutes to go from ten% battery to 100% battery. The technology governing this is called Adaptive Fast Charging using which the Galaxy A9 consumes 35 minutes to become from 10% to 50%. While information technology cannot exactly be chosen mind-blowing, the rate of charging on this device is impressive and convenient.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Milky way A9 scores all the basic options such as Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, LTE, as well as NFC. For wired connections, you get the 3.5mm headphone jack as well as the a USB-C port, which BTW cannot be used for sound playback through Type-C earphones.
The smartphone supports dual VoLTE connectivity such that both SIM are capable of sending or receiving calls over data connection without requiring you lot to switch between your primary and secondary numbers. Galaxy A9 has decent connectivity and call quality and this on par with most smartphones nearly tending towards the flagship segment (or sure others which challenge such phones).
Samsung Galaxy A9 Security
The Galaxy A9 gets bones security features such equally fingerprint and Face Unlock. The fingerprint scanner on the smartphone feels cramped and is not fast at all. Farther, the irksome wake upward animation makes information technology almost dreadful. The Face unlocking, besides, misses the mark hither with very slow performance and high dependency on a vivid light source.
I have noticed that using the fingerprint becomes slightly like shooting fish in a barrel if you're using a comprehend because it helps you position the finger correctly. But that isn't very assuring and I hope Samsung improves the fingerprint reader using a software update in futurity.
Samsung Galaxy A9: Pros and Cons
The Galaxy A9 is a smartphone is a hitting smartphone majorly considering of its quad cameras and somewhat because of its bewitching colors. However, after using it for more than 10 days, I can admit that it is not very exciting and has areas where it falls short, and what it does well.
Pros
- Stunning Brandish
- Smashing Battery
- Appreciably fast charging
- Yet has a headphone jack
- Wide-bending camera
- Dual VoLTE and reliable connectivity
Cons
- Quad cameras fail to print
- Average functioning
- No navigation gestures
- Slow fingerprint scanner
- Bloated UI
Samsung Galaxy A9: Quad Cameras Fail to Justify the Hype
Samsung pulled an ambitious stunt by launching the world'due south first smartphone with iv photographic camera merely it appears that it made a hasty move. This is because, despite the four cameras, the Galaxy A9 clicks average pictures and the just saving grace is the broad-angle photographic camera which stirs up things slightly, although declining to completely make up for lacking cameras.
I accept come up to experience that the Galaxy A9 is better suited for entertainment because of its powerful audio delivery and a bright and cute display, which besides supports HD playback on Netflix and other OTT video services.
The boxy design with curved corners makes the A9 look outdated although the dazzling colors brand up for it.
The device is great when it comes to connectivity and the dedicated micro SD slot affirms the fact that Samsung even so expects its users to comport a lot of media with them on the move. Lastly, in terms of performance as well, the Galaxy A9 does not print, although it would not make you feel restricted either. I'chiliad not a big fan of Samsung's UI but it can exist worked with, if y'all have the patience.
If you're in the market for a good camera smartphone, with a budget floating along the Rs 40,000 mark, the Pixel 2 or the Pixel ii Xl (starts at Rs 45,499) will exist improve options than the Samsung Galaxy A9. Additionally, you also go a flagship processor – Snapdragon 835, which might be a twelvemonth old but does not feel as impractical as Snapdragon 660 for Rs 40,000.
However, if performance is your main criteria and you can be okay with a decent camera, OnePlus 6T (starts at Rs. 37,999) should definitely be your option.
The Galaxy A9 only makes sense if you lot're comfy with the Samsung ecosystem or utilize smart devices made past Samsung – such as the Galaxy Watch – and are unwilling to motility out of your condolement zone.
Buy Samsung Galaxy A9 6GB for Rs 36,990 (Amazon, Flipkart, Samsung Store)
Buy Samsung Galaxy A9 8GB for Rs 39,990 (Amazon, Flipkart, Samsung Store)
| REVIEW OVERVIEW | |
| Design and Build 8 | |
| Display 9.5 | |
| Cameras vii.5 | |
| Operation seven | |
| Bombardment ix | |
| Software 8 | |
| Battery 9 | |
| Connectivity 9 | |
| Value for Coin 7.v | |
| SUMMARY With iv cameras in activeness, the Samsung Galaxy A9 might look similar the supreme camera phone. But when it comes to everyday usage and gaming performance information technology does non live up to the hype. The vivid and brilliant AMOLED display and included Dolby Sound makes it good for multimedia and watching videos, but there are a lot of things incorrect, not least of which is the high price tag. | eight.iii OVERALL SCORE |
Source: https://beebom.com/samsung-galaxy-a9-2018-review/
Posted by: haskinhicis1958.blogspot.com
0 Response to "Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) Review: Not Worth The Hype"
Post a Comment