Samsung Galaxy S9+ Review

Primary camera

A large number of the new capabilities of modern smartphones are due to the enhanced hardware capabilities of the chipsets that empower them. The Exynos 9810 inside the Galaxy S9+ allows the usage of deep learning-based software. Based on this, the processor accurately identifies items or persons in the photos for fast image searching or categorization. It also makes possible to scan the user's face in 3D for face tracking filters as well as offers strong security when unlocking a device with one's face. The Exynos 9810 supports 4K UHD video recording and playback with a frame rate up to 120 fps. Furthermore, the advanced MFC (Multi-Format Codec) supports 10-bit HEVC and VP9 codecs that can render 1024 different tones for each primary colours (red, green and blue). Finally, the SoC features a dual-ISP (Image Signal Processor) - a high-performance and a power-efficient one that supports up to 4 image sensors. In addition, the AF statistics engine enables faster and more accurate phase-detection AF and improves various image processing algorithms, including face beautification. Аdvanced stabilization and real-time out-of-focus photography in high-resolution image and video of up to UHD resolution are supported as well.

The Galaxy S9+ is the first smartphone from the Galaxy S series that gets two rear cameras. The first camera employs Samsung's newest ISOCELL image sensor - the Samsung SAK2L3. This is a 3-stack, 1/2.55", 12MP image sensor with a 1.4μm pixels size and an integrated DRAM layer that supports super-slow-motion video shooting at up to 960 fps, low-light shooting, real-time HDR imaging, 3-Dimensional Noise Reduction (3DNR). This sensor is coupled with a 77° wide-angle lens with variable aperture from f/1.5 to f/2.4. However, it shoots only with f/1.5 or f/2.4 - no other aperture options in between. The aperture can be set from the PRO mode. The second camera employs another 12MP sensor with a 1.0µm pixels size and a telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. Every shooter supports Smart OIS, Object tracking AF, HDR and both are aided by the High CRI LED flash. The Dual Pixel technology is on board as well allowing each pixel to employ to photodiodes that respectively work as a phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agent. This SuperSpeed Dual Pixel tech is available for each of the rear cameras. The rear module takes photos with a maximum resolution of 4032 x 3024 pixels and shoots the following types of videos: 4K at 30 fps, 2K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps, and 720p super-slow-motion ones at 960 fps.

Secondary camera

The front-facing camera is equipped with an 8-megapixel Samsung S5K3H1 1/3.6" image sensor from System LSI with a 1.22μm pixel size. It is coupled with an 80° wide-angle lens with f/1.7 aperture. The same hardware setup is used for the front-facing camera of the Galaxy S8/S8+ and the Galaxy S9. The selfie camera takes photos with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels and shoots 2K videos at 30 fps. It supports Auto HDR, AR Emoji, Wide selfies and improved bokeh effect on portraits.

Camera App

The Camera application is completely re-designed in order to serve the new camera capabilities better. The shutter button is placed in the centre of the button with the video recording button to its left and the shortcut to the list of photos to its right. Above them, there's a list of various shortcuts for quick settings such as the shortcut to the camera settings, full screen and flash options, a choice of filters and camera switch. Above this list, you will see the Bixby Vision button in the left and the icon designating the level of optical zoom (up to 2x), avaialble only on the S9+. At the top of the screen, the various shooting modes are listed and include the default Auto one, Super Slow-Mo, AR Emoji, Hyperlapse, PRO mode for adjusting the aperture (available only for the first camera), ISO, white balance, focus, exposure, shutter speed, filter, Panorama mode, and Food mode. When you touch the video recording button, the recording starts immediately. There is no Selective focus available on the Galaxy S9 but there is a Live Focus mode, which allows you to create a quality background blur and apply beautification effects if you're shooting portraits with it by adjusting the depth of field. The Camera Settings for the front and rear shooters are listed in one place. For the rear camera you can set picture size/resolution, the video size/resolution (depending on the type of video - regular, timelapse, super-slow-mo), timer, HDR (rich tone), and Tracking AF. For the front camera, you get all these without the tracking AF and super-slow-motion options. There are others, instead, such as save pictures as previewed, shooting methods, face shape correction. Camera settings that are general include motion photo, video stabilization, grid lines, camera modes editing - you can choose which modes to appear on the top of the screen for each camera. The additional toggles allow you to add location tags to your photos, review pictures immediately after you take them, set a quick launch and a voice-triggered shutter button, activate the floating camera button, plus edit the actions that should be taken if you hold on the shutter button (burst shot by default) and press the volume key (take photos by default). The interface for the front camera is the same for most parts. It is the shooting modes that are different. The default one is called Selfie and is accompanied by an advanced beautification feature. You also get Selfie Focus that enhances the background blur for self-portraits, an advanced AR Emoji feature which allows you to make an emoji of yourself, and Wide Selfie if you want to include more people in your photo. If you open a photo with the Gallery app, you will see a group of redesigned editing features with an integrated Bixby button. These include transforming options, adding effects, stickers and doodling - that's a lot less compared on the editing options available on the Galaxy S8. If you open a photo with the Photos app, you get the usual editing options plus the new Google Lens that intelligently recognizes the object(s) on the photo and suggests useful search results related to the object(s).