Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs Note 8: Here's what’s really new

NEW DELHI: With the launch of the new Galaxy Note 9, the obvious question arises that should you buy the older Galaxy Note 8? And more importantly, are there any real difference in the user experience between both the Note devices? For the layman, this question can be simply answered by knowing how much you would actually use the S-Pen. If you are just looking at spec-sheet differences, there are not any major differences.

What’s really new in the Samsung Galaxy Note 9?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 could be a major upgrade for someone looking at using the device from the standpoint of enhancing productivity. However, if you want a flagship device with a powerful processor and battery life but with limited use of the S-Pen then the Note 9 could make little sense. The focus of the new Galaxy Note 9 is totally on enabling more by using the S-Pen.

There are two crucial feature in the new Note 9 which can really help professionals get rid of their laptops. These are -- inbuilt-Dex support and the new Bluetooth-enabled S-Pen stylus which makes the Note 9 way more superior when compared to the Note 8.

Dex support: In the new Galaxy Note 9, you can just use any USB Type-C to HDMI dongle to connect the Galaxy Note 9 to any monitor to show a presentation or any other content on the big screen while you continue to work independently on your device. So, despite the device being connected to a screen, you can use it to take calls or play games or to do anything else. In other words, the Samsung Dex worth Rs 10,000 is now included inside the Note 9 in the form of superior software.

If you wish to add a wireless keyboard and mouse along with external USB drives to your Note 9, then you will have to purchase a connector hub separately to completely transform the Note 9 into a full-fledged PC.

Bluetooth-enabled S-Pen: Galaxy Note 9’s S-Pen supports low-power Bluetooth making it way more useful than ever. With Bluetooth, several new features are now available for the S-Pen. You can use it as a clicker during a presentation or a remote trigger to capture photos and more. You can even control playback of videos. Samsung is planning to open the SDK for the S-pen to offer more features in future.

Samsung claims that the Note 9 will alert users about the battery life of the S-Pen and it takes just 40-seconds to get fully-charged. Uses will just have to insert the S-Pen in the Note 9 to charge it. The big screen of the Note 9 comes handy while the enhanced performance can tackle a heavy gaming session at the end of the day.

Spec-sheet comparison

Display
Galaxy Note 8: 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED
Galaxy Note 9: 6.4-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED

Processor
Galaxy Note 8: 2.35 GHz Octa-core Exynos 9985
Galaxy Note 9: 2.7GHz octa-core Exynos 9810

Rear Camera
Galaxy Note 8: Dual-lens 12MP wideangle and 12MP telephoto

Galaxy Note 9: There is a dual-camera setup at the back with a 12MP wide-angle sensor with f/1.5 and f/2.4 dual aperture and a 12MP telephoto sensor with f/2.4 aperture. Both the lenses have optical image stabilisation.

Front camera
Galaxy Note 8: 8MP A/F f/1.7
Galaxy Note 9: 8MP A/F f/1.7

Operating system
Galaxy Note 8: Android 7.1
Galaxy Note 9: Android 8.1


Battery
Galaxy Note 8: 3,300 mAh
Galaxy Note 9: 4,000mAh

(Disclaimer: The author has travelled to New York, US to cover the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 launch event on the invite of Samsung India.)