Introduction Of Samsung Galaxy Note 9

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (2018) remains an entrancing second-hand purchase for buyers who spotlight a large, vivid Super AMOLED display, the productivity-boosting S Pen, robust battery capacity and expandable storage. Expect dated SoC performance and limited official software updates; verify battery health and security patch level before procure.

What’s in the box

At launch the Note 9 was accepted with the phone, S Pen, USB-C cable, charger, wired AKG earbuds, SIM eject tool, quick start guide and a warranty card. Packaging and accessory sets vary between retail, carrier and refurbished units; check seller listings for comprehend items.

Design & build quality

Dimensions and ergonomics

The Note 9 weighs roughly 161.9 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm and weighs around 201 g, a large, substantial handset. Its proportions are intentional for two-hand use: one hand for navigation, one for note taking with the S Pen. The slightly curved display edges and narrow bezels reduce perceived width, but the device still reads as a true “phablet.” Ergonomically it sits comfortably for increased reading and media consumption; pockets and smaller hands may realize it bulky.

Build materials and IP rating

Samsung used a glass-sandwich construction with a canister chassis. The Gorilla Glass front and back give a premium feel but make the phone breakable in fall events if not protected. The S Pen docks flush into the body, a unique mechanical convenience. Note 9 encompasses an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, a real benefit for everyday resilience and reassurance against spills.

Display 

The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display is a standout. With a native resolution of 2960×1440 and wide color gamut, it delivers deep blacks, vivid colors and excellent contrast. The panel supports HDR10 and maintains respectable peak brightness, making outdoor readability good for a device of its age. Many owners default to FHD+ to extend battery life; WQHD+ remains useful when you want the sharpest text and images. For media, comics, longform reading or design work the panel still impresses compared to designate phone screens.

Performance & hardware

Platform and configurations

The Note 9 shipped with two main processor families: Exynos 9810 for most international variations and Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 for Certain Markets (notably the US and China). RAM came in 6 GB (typical 128 GB model) or 8 GB (512 GB model) configurations, with UFS storage and microSD expansion up to large capacities. This hardware was flagship-grade in 2018 and still handles daily fertility tasks in 2026, though modern apps and multitasking patterns will reveal limitations.

Real-world responsiveness

In everyday use the Note 9 is smooth for email, messaging, video course and basic multitasking. App cold-starts and heavy web pages show noticeable differences conversely  modern silicon when compared side-by-side with 2024–2026 flagships. Gaming titles run, but with lower fidelity settings and occasional thermal throttling under sustained load. The generous RAM helps with background app retention, which gives the impression of nimble multitasking in procedure workflows.

Benchmarks 

Raw standard numbers from 2018 era SoCs (Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810) are well below modern mid- and high-end 2024–2026 chips. That said, benchmarks tell only part of the story: the Note 9’s storage performance (UFS), thermal headroom and well-optimised Samsung software mean it remains functional for many users. For benchmarks and direct numeric comparisons consult test labs and review archives if you want exact scores.

Cameras  photos & video

Rear cameras

The Note 9 pairs a main 12 MP sensor with a variable interstice (f/1.5–2.4) and a 12 MP telephoto sensor (f/2.4). Optical image stabilization on both lenses helps in low light and for handheld video. In daylight the camera produces punchy, saturated images typical of Samsung’s processing profile. In low light the vacillating aperture system was innovative at launch and still provides usable shots; however, modern computational photography algorithms on later phones may outpace the Note 9 in dynamic range and particular retention.

Front camera and video

The front (selfie) camera is an 8 MP sensor (f/1.7) that’s capable for video calls and social media selfies. Video reproduction supports up to 4K recording with decent stabilization and stereo audio capture, though some contemporary features (like advanced HDR/AI enhancements) won’t be present.

Practical camera advice

If photography is a priority, evaluate sample shots on a candidate used unitcheck daylight and low-light images, and test video recording to spot contraction artefacts or lens issues. The Note 9’s camera hardware remains useful, but modern flagships will generally deliver perceptibly fitter night and HDR photography.

Battery life & charging

A subtitle feature at launch was the 4000 mAh battery  large for the Note lineup. For moderate usage in 2026 a well-maintained Note 9 should still do a full day; heavy users may need an evening top-up. Charging uses troubled fast charging (roughly 15–18 W nominal) and supports Qi wireless charging. The practical risk when buying used is battery degradation; many used units will have reduced capacity unless the battery’s been replaced. Expect shorter runtimes if the original battery is still introduced and at end-of-life.

Software & updates

The Note 9 launched with Android 8.1 and Samsung Experience; it later received One UI 2.5 based on Android 10 in official channels. Samsung’s support policy in 2018 did not provide the multi-year OS custom guarantees that later models received, so the Note 9 did not get the extended major-OS cadence newer devices have. That means official major updates stopped earlier than on modern Samsung flagships; security patch cadence also slowed and eventually terminated in official channels. If you need the very latest Android features and regular official security updates, bear this constraint in mind.

Repairability & maintenance

Teardowns show that Note 9 repairability is typical of surcharge glass-sandwich phones: adhesive bonded display, non-removable battery without disassembly, and component-level modularity that skilled technicians can handle. Screen replacements are common; battery swaps are straightforward for reputable shops. Third-party repair shops and official Samsung repair services offer screen and battery replacements  prices vary widely by region and time. If buying used, factor restore costs for screen and battery into your negotiation.

Repair cost considerations

Screen replacement and battery replacement are the two most common services. Official Samsung repair centers nonfictional quoted mid-hundreds in USD for screen replacements; third-party shops are often cheaper but warranty and part quality vary. Expect regional price differences; always get a local quote before finalising a purchase.

Where to buy & pricing overview

Used and refurbished phones are ordinarily available on marketplaces (eBay, Swappa), certified refurbishers (BackMarket) and local classifieds. Prices vary heavily by condition, carriage (locked/unlocked), included accessories, storage variant and whether the battery has been replaced. When evaluating listings, prioritise sellers with strong return policies, clear photos of the device power-on screen, serial/IMEI listings and, when possible, a recent battery health readout. (For exact current price ranges and to populate JSON-LD offers fields, use web.run to fetch marketplace listings and comprise citations in the live article.)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large, high-quality 6.4″ Super AMOLED display.
• S Pen with Bluetooth remote features for productivity.
• 4000 mAh battery (excellent for its time).
• Expandable repository via microSD and generous Onboard Storage options.
• Headphone jack and stereo speakers.

Cons

• Official major OS updates ended at Android 10 (One UI 2.5); security patches are limited.
• Camera processing and computational photography trail modern flagships.
• Heavier and profuse than many 2024–2026 phones.
• Potential battery degradation for second-hand units.
• Support and warranty are typically expired (for retail units).

FAQs 

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 remains an astoundingly capable smartphone in 2026 for users who value productivity over novelty. Its large, Vibrant Super AMOLED display, iconic S Pen functionality, stereo speakers, headphone jack, and expandable storage still deliver a premium everyday experience, peculiarly at today’s used prices.