We can finally dispense with the endless leaks and rumours – the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has officially arrived! Here are the specifications, pricing details and release date for the Australian market.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9: What’s New (And What’s Not)
Beneath the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 shares much in common with its immediate predecessor, the Galaxy S9+. It has the same Quad HD+ Super AMOLED with a native resolution of 2960×1440 pixels, albeit in a slightly larger display.
It also shares the same RAM configuration, Octa-core processor, AKG stereo speakers, Android Oreo operating system and 12MP dual camera. (The camera has been given a few software tweaks but is otherwise identical.) In fact, the only significant improvement is the larger 4000mAh battery that promises to last all day. You can also get more storage if you’re willing to pay for it, with a 512GB option (the S9+ maxed out at 256GB.)
According to Samsung, the Note 9 has been enhanced from a Water Carbon Cooling system and an on-device AI-based performance adjusting algorithm to help with stability, but otherwise this is a very similar phone to the S9+… until you get to the S Pen stylus.
This is the chief point of differentiation from the S9 and the Note 9’s biggest selling point by a considerable margin. So what’s new?
For the first time ever, Samsung has added connectivity to the S Pen via Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) support. This will allow users to take photos, present conference slides and control video playback with the click of a button. Samsung expects to see more functionality in the form of third-party apps specifically designed for the Note 9.
Like the S9+, the Note 9 boasts fast wireless charging, IP68 water and dust resistance, defense-grade Knox security and the usual assortment of biometric sensors. Naturally, Samsung DeX is also back, which allows users to transform their phone into a virtual desktop via the titular dock, sold separately.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Specifications
Here’s a look at the chief specifications:
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 |
|
| Operating System | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Display | 6.4-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED, 2960×1440 (516ppi) |
| Body | 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm, 201g (IP68) |
| Camera | Rear: Dual Camera with Dual OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) – Wide-angle: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF, F1.5/F2.4, OIS – Telephoto: 12MP AF, F2.4, OIS – 2X optical zoom, up to 10X digital zoom Front: 8MP AF, F1.7 |
| AP | 10nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Max. 2.7 GHz + 1.7 GHz) 10nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Max. 2.8 GHz + 1.7 GHz) |
| Memory | 6GB RAM (LPDDR4), 128GB + MicroSD slot (up to 512GB) 8GB RAM (LPDDR4), 512GB + MicroSD slot (up to 512GB) |
| Sim Card | Single: one Nano SIM and one MicroSD slot (up to 512GB) |
| Battery | 4,000mAh Fast Charging compatible on wired and wireless Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC Wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA |
| Network | Enhanced 4X4 MIMO / CA, LAA, LTE Cat.18 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB Type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou) |
| Payment | NFC, MST |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Heart Rate Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Iris Sensor, Pressure Sensor |
| Authentication | Lock Type: Pattern, Pin, Password Biometric Lock Types: Iris Scanner, Fingerprint Scanner, Facial Recognition Intelligent scan: Combines iris scan and face recognition for convenient unlocking and in some cases provides enhanced security for certain authentication services |
| Audio | MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DSF, DFF, APE |
| Video | MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM |
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Australian pricing
The 128GB Galaxy Note 9 will cost $1499 to buy outright in Australia. That’s a bit of a hike compared to the S9, which started at $1199. The 512GB model is even pricier at $1799.
That’s… quite a lot of money for a smartphone. We had previously applauded Samsung for eschewing ridiculous iPhone X pricing, but it seems they’ve had a bit of a rethink. Tch. (To be fair though, the entry-level Note8 also had a $1499 price tag in 2018 – and that one came with less storage.)
As always, you might be able to shave a few bucks off the RRP by buying from online retailers like Kogan, but don’t expect to save much for the first few months. On the plus side, the Note 8 should drop further in price any day now.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/08/telstra-deals-on-the-new-galaxy-note9/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/08/galaxy-note-9-410×231.jpg” title=”Here Are Telstra’s Galaxy Note 9 Plans” excerpt=”If you fancy a shiny new Galaxy Note9, Telstra is offering some pretty sweet deals. Along with the Note9, which comes with 512GB of storage for the price of 128GB, Telstra is throwing in a Galaxy Tab A at no extra cost. The device is being offered under Telstra’s new plans, which aim to simplify life for consumers.”]
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Australian availability
Galaxy Note9 will be available starting August 24, 2018. Eager beavers can pre-order the device from today. (More on which below.)
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 colours
In Australia, the Galaxy Note9 will be available in ‘Midnight Black’,’Metallic Copper’ and ‘Ocean Blue’. Curiously, the blue version will come with a yellow S Pen (so those leaked images weren’t bogus after all). The other phone colours will have a matching stylus, however.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 pre-order gift
It has become a tradition for Samsung to offer pre-order goodies with its flagship phones and the Note 9 is no exception. Anyone who purchases the device before August 24 will receive the high-capacity 512GB version for the price of the 128GB model. That’s a saving of $300. Not bad!
By contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S9’s pre-order offer was a free Samsung Convertible Fast Wireless Charger valued at $119.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 telco plans
If you can’t afford to buy the Note9 outright, you’re going to need a mobile contract with your telco of choice. Here are the plans that have been released thus far. You can find additional info on each plan here.
128GB Model:
Optus Contract
Optus Lease
Telstra Contract
Telstra Lease
512GB Model:
Optus Contract
Optus Lease
Telstra Contract
Telstra Lease
Vodafone 12 months
Vodafone 24 month
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