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Samsung's Android Pie rollout in the US is off to a modest start
Weeks after the international rollout, Samsung is finally ready to deliver Android Pie and One UI to Americans... although you might not want to smash that check-for-updates button just yet. The company has confirmed to Engadget that it's pushing Android Pie to Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus owners in the US, but only on Comcast's Xfinity Mobile right now. Galaxy Note 9 owners and those on other carriers (including will receive their updates in the "coming days and weeks."
Bixby will start collecting sports scores and news next month
Bixby Home is getting smarter. Well, in the sense that now in the US, Samsung's virtual assistant will offer sports scores and up-to-the-minute news coverage through a partnership with theScore. Swiping right on "select" Galaxy device home-screens including the S9 and S9 Plus gives access to the stats and news. To make the feature a little more useful, you can even follow your favorite teams and leagues so only the news that matters to you will show up.
Up close with the Galaxy S9 in 'Sunrise Gold'
Samsung teased a gold color variant of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus two days ago, and now it's officially announced the availability. Starting June 24th, you'll be able to get the "Sunrise Gold" version of the flagship at Best Buy (in stores and online) as well as Samsung.com. For those keeping score, that means the S9s are now available in four colors in the US -- Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue and the new gold hue. Elsewhere in the world, folks can also get a silver version. We took an early look at the Sunrise Gold S9 and S9 Plus, which isn't different from the original handset in any other way.
Samsung’s Galaxy S9 now comes with up to 256GB of storage
While we thought the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ received only incremental changes over their predecessors, but now both are getting another modest upgrade. Soon you'll be able to buy the phone in 128GB and 256GB.
Samsung is 'looking into' Galaxy S9 touchscreen issues
Tonight Samsung has responded to growing reports of Galaxy S9/S9+ phones with touchscreen problems. Android Police and PiunikaWeb point to a few threads on Reddit and Samsung's own support forums where owners have noted issues with their phones registering touches. Where on the device they see this issue has varied, and some said they were able to resolve it with a factory reset or turning up the sensitivity but most needed a new phone. A Samsung spokesperson said to Engadget that "We are looking into a limited number of reports of Galaxy S9/S9+ touchscreen responsiveness issues," and encouraged any owners with problems to contact the company directly. Of course, we've seen worse hardware issues, and iPhones have had their own bouts with things like "touch disease" but we'll be watching carefully to see if this issue is truly widespread or limited to just a few devices. At Samsung, customer satisfaction is core to our business and we aim to deliver the best possible experience. We are looking into a limited number of reports of Galaxy S9/S9+ touchscreen responsiveness issues. We are working with affected customers and investigating. We encourage any customer with questions to contact us directly at 1-800-SAMSUNG.
Samsung Galaxy S9 teardown helps explain its camera tricks
Samsung's Galaxy S9 and S9+ revolve around their camera features, but some of the hardware functionality behind them has been a little mysterious. The picture is a little clearer, however, as iFixit has torn down the S9+ and provided a better look at the phone's camera tech. To start, the signature variable aperture camera is possible thanks to a simple design -- where typical dedicated cameras have five-blade apertures, Samsung is using just two ring-like blades. That limits its functionality, of course (you can only choose from two apertures), but helps the camera stay relatively small.
Microsoft is selling customized Samsung Galaxy S9 phones (updated)
Remember those Microsoft-customized Samsung Galaxy S8 phones? Well, apparently it's happening again. Microsoft is selling both a Samsung Galaxy S9 ($720) and the S9 Plus ($840) in its online store. Hardware-wise (and price-wise), these phones are identical to any other Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. Things are basically identical on the software front, too, though Microsoft noted in a statement to Engadget that these phones can be customized with its own apps after purchase.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus review: Excellent, not monumental
When my mom asked if she should upgrade from her Galaxy S8 to an S9, I struggled to find an answer. After spending about ten days with Samsung's latest flagship, I'm still torn. Besides the fact that I'd rarely recommend people upgrade from a year-old phone in general, this generation of the S series also lacks any thrilling new features. I'm not going to fault Samsung for that, though. It's basically impossible to dream up revolutionary new technology every year. And sometimes it's the small improvements that count. But with the Galaxy S9 and S9+, none of the new additions are must-haves. That's not to say these are underwhelming devices -- the Galaxy S flagships are still among the best Android phones around.
Here's what you missed at MWC 2018
This year's Mobile World Congress has been strangely quiet. Despite Samsung's return to the event to launch its latest flagship phones and Google unveiling new Android Go devices, the convention has been almost uneventful. In fact, the most interesting thing to have happened this show has been snow falling in Barcelona, with temperatures dipping close to 38 degrees Fahrenheit (almost 0 degrees Celsius). Although Nokia's parent company tried to drum up interest by reviving an old favorite like it did before, people just didn't care as much the second time around.
Testing the Galaxy S9+ on a night out in Barcelona
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ didn't bring revolutionary changes to the table, but promised a "reimagined" camera that's supposed to change the way we use our mobile shooters. Most of the biggest changes Samsung implemented revolve around improving low-light photography, so what better way to make full use of our scenic surroundings here in Barcelona than to take the S9+ out for an evening sightseeing tour? Here's what we learned (other than that the Gothic Quarter is really pretty, and it can get pretty cold in Spain).
The Galaxy S9+ vs. the competition: Beyond the dual cameras
This year's bigger Galaxy handset focuses on its picture-taking capabilities: The S9+ is Samsung's first flagship with a dual camera, which brings it in line with competing phones like the Pixel 2 XL as well as its sibling Galaxy Note 8. There's also a plethora of new software tricks to make the most of its new picture taking rig, which you can read all about in our hands-on. However, if you're all about the number crunching, check out the table below, where we'd laid out the key specs of the S9+ as well as its closest competition, including both flavors of iPhone. Of course, numbers aren't everything, so you'll have to stay tuned for our full review of the S9 and S9+ in a few weeks.
Galaxy S9 US pre-orders focus on trade-in deals
Now that Samsung's Galaxy S9 and S9+ are official, American carriers are tripping over themselves to offer launch details ahead of March 2nd pre-orders and the March 16th launch... and trade-in deals are a common theme this time around. T-Mobile, for instance, is promising $360 off the price of the S9 or S9+ if you turn in an eligible phone (typically a high-end Apple, LG or Samsung phone from the past couple of years). Verizon, meanwhile, is offering between $100 to $350 in credit if you hand in a qualifying phone from Apple, Google, HTC, LG, Motorola or Samsung. Comcast's relatively new Xfinity Mobile is getting in on the action as well, with promises of at least $200 and as much as $450.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ hands-on: The devil is in the details
Getting to know the Galaxy S9 is like unwrapping a present you think you've already opened. On the surface, it looks familiar, but once you peel back the layers, you'll notice the contents are new. That's not to say that the changes between the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S8 are insignificant. There's a ton of them, and you'll have to look carefully to spot them all, but when considered as a package, this update feels more incremental than monumental. At least, based on our brief time with it.
Samsung Galaxy S9: What to expect from Unpacked 2018
Samsung is primed to unveil its latest flagship, the Galaxy S9. Fortunately for anyone desperate to hear what's coming on February 25th, there's been no shortage of leaks and renders before the big day. It's not good news for the secret-keepers at Samsung but gives us plenty of threads to pull at ahead of the big reveal in Barcelona. How will the Galaxy series fare against the latest trio of iPhones? Can it best the talking-poop emoji?
MWC 2018: What to expect from the world’s biggest phone show
Team Engadget is en route to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, and while the show officially starts on Monday, you'll start to see some of this year's key news and announcements as soon as this weekend. We don't want you going into things blind, though, so here's a primer on what to expect from the world's biggest and best phone-makers once MWC 2018 gets off the ground.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus dual cameras detailed in latest leaks
At this rate, there might not be much mystery left to the Galaxy S9 when Samsung reveals it on February 25th. WinFuture and Evan Blass have posted a flood of leaked images and details that appear to confirm key features of the S9, particularly its cameras. Sure enough, the larger (6.2-inch) S9 Plus should have dual 12-megapixel rear cams that will give it a clear hardware advantage over the 5.8-inch standard S9 -- your choice won't boil down to screen size like it did with the S8.
Samsung's Galaxy S9 may offer its own version of Apple's Animoji
Samsung has a history of going toe-to-toe (or sometimes, finger to finger) with Apple on features with its Galaxy S phones, and the Galaxy S9 may be no exception to the rule. ETNews sources have claimed that the S9 will include a "3D emoji" feature that -- surprise! -- counters the Animoji you find on the iPhone X. The smartphone would reportedly use upgraded facial recognition (no word on how closely it matches the iPhone) to create 3D faces that mimic your facial expressions and add a little spice to your messages. The technology would also lead to "more secure financial transactions," which implies that you could use your face for Samsung Pay in the same way that iPhone X owners can stare at their device to use Apple Pay.
Samsung Galaxy S9 may pack more reliable face recognition
Samsung has hinted that the Galaxy S9 might include more advanced face recognition, but we're now getting clues as to what's involved. SamCentral's sleuthing in the settings APK for the Galaxy Note 8's Oreo beta has discovered a hidden Intelligent Scan feature that uses both camera-based face detection and the iris scanner in tandem for "better accuracy and security" and improved results in "low or very bright" lighting. Given that the iris scanning on the S8 and Note 8 can be finnicky, this could deliver a much more consistent experience when you're unlocking your phone or accessing secure info.
Samsung Galaxy S9 box leak hints at variable aperture camera
Sometimes leaks are obviously legitimate, and sometimes people go out of their way to dupe us with an elaborate hoax. And sometimes, you just can't call it -- say, when an image pops up on Reddit allegedly showing the box a Galaxy S9 will eventually be tucked up in. The gloves, the clinically white work space, the layout and font; nothing seems too suspect. And given we know the S9 and S9+ will be announced next month, this is when you'd expect the leaks to start flowing. Assuming this is, in fact, final Galaxy S9 packaging, then what does it tell us about Samsung's next flagship? Well, that it's much like the S8, but with a few new features thrown in.
Samsung’s new wall-mountable soundbar has a built-in subwoofer
CES 2018 is right around the corner and we're starting to get a peek at what we'll be seeing there. Today, Samsung announced that it will be showing off its new wall-mountable soundbar, the NW700 Sound+. Samsung says that the soundbar, which is just over two inches wide, is 41 percent narrower that its previous model, but that doesn't mean Samsung has skimped on the sound. The NW700 Sound+ has a built-in subwoofer and distortion-cancelling tweeters. It also has three sound modes including Standard and Surround Modes and a Smart Mode that automatically adjusts volume and surround sound effects.
