Samsung smartphones come with a very useful feature that you rely on in difficult situations for help. It’s aptly called Emergency mode and lets you access important emergency features and helps conserve the handset’s battery power to extend its standby time for as long as possible. It also limits the device’s functionality in order to conserve battery life.
The home screen is changed to a simple black theme and simplified when the Emergency mode is enabled. The brightness and frame rate are lowered while the CPU speed is limited. It restricts app usage to the essential apps that you select and turns off mobile data when the screen is off. Other connectivity features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are disabled as well. The location settings remain as they were in the Emergency mode once it’s turned off.
It’s basically the ultra power saving mode with the ability to send a distress signal from your phone. Once the Emergency mode is enabled, you can turn on the flash to use it as a torch, send your location to a contact through text message, sound an emergency alarm on your phone, browse the internet and make/receive phone calls.
How to use Emergency mode on Samsung smartphones
Step 1: Press and hold the power button for a few seconds and then tap on Emergency mode.
Step 2: Read and agree to the terms and conditions, then select Turn on in the popup window that shows up to enable emergency mode.
Step 3: Use the “+” button to add one additional app to the simplified home screen if you need. Only select apps work in this mode.
That’s it. Emergency mode is very easy to enable and use and will certainly come in handy if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation. Tap on the relevant options to activate the emergency alarm and torch or to share your location and make a phone call.
Samsung has made it very simple to understand and use. The emergency alarm is a particularly good option as it loudly beeps when enabled. To turn off the Emergency mode, just tap on the overflow menu (the three-dot icon) in the top right corner and tap on the relevant option. You can also manage your emergency contacts by tapping the Manage emergency contacts option in the overflow menu.
Samsung has been on a roll in the Indian smartphone market launching new budget smartphones almost every other week. The company has been launching so many models to prevent its market share from eroding further. Recently, it launched the Galaxy J8 to take on the likes of the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1.
The Galaxy J8 has the typical traits of a budget Samsung smartphone with relatively weak internals, but the company has improved the device in other aspects. If you are interested in buying the Galaxy J8, check out our FAQ below to know everything about the device.
Q) What are the full specifications of the Galaxy J8 FAQ?
A) The full specs of the Galaxy J8 are as follows:
Dimensions: 159.2 x 75.7 x 8.2 mm
Weight: 191g
Display: 6-inch 720p+ Super AMOLED
Chipset: 1.8GHz octa-core Snapdragon 450
GPU: Mali T830-MP2
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB, microSD card slot
Rear camera: 16MP PDAF, F/1.7 aperture, 5MP F/1.9 secondary camera, LED flash, Full HD video recording
Front camera: 16MP, F/1.9 aperture, Front flash
Sensors: Fingerprint scanner, Accelerometer, Proximity, Hall sensor, Face unlock
Connectivity: LTE, Dual-SIM slots, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n(2.4), Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB
Battery: 3500mAh non-removable
Others: Android 8.0 Oreo, Chat-Over-Video,
Q) Is the battery of the handset removable?
A) Since the Galaxy J8 features a unibody aluminum build, its battery and rear cover is not removable.
Q) Is the Galaxy J8 water-resistant?
A) No, the handset is not water-resistant.
Q) Is there Always-On Display on the Galaxy J8?
A) Despite coming with a Super AMOLED Display, the Galaxy J8 lacks Always-On Display.
Q) What kind of SIM card slot does the phone have? Can I use two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time?
A) The Galaxy J8 features two nanoSIM card slots along with a microSD card slot.
Q) Is the display on the Galaxy J8 protected by Gorilla Glass?
A) No, the display is not protected by Gorilla Glass.
Q) Is there a gyroscope on the Galaxy J8?
A) No, the handset does not feature a gyroscope sensor. This means that any apps which rely on the gyroscope to work properly will fail to work on the J8.
Q) What about auto brightness?
A) No. Since the Galaxy J8 lacks an ambient light sensor it does not have auto brightness.
Q) Where is the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy J8 located?
A) Its located at the rear just below the camera sensor.
Q) Is there Samsung Pay support on the Galaxy J8?
A) No, the handset does not come with Samsung Pay support.
Q) How many fingerprints can one register on the Galaxy J8?
A) 5.
Q) Can you record slow-motion videos on the Galaxy J8?
A) No, you cannot. The handset is limited to recording videos in Full HD resolution at 30fps.
Q) Which version of Android does the handset run on?
A) Android 8.0 Oreo. The handset also features Samsung’s Experience UI on top with plenty of customization options and features.
Q) Does the Galaxy J8 support LTE and VoLTe networks? Will a Reliance Jio SIM work on the phone?
A) Yes, it supports LTE and VoLTE out of the box. Like with many other phones, the handset will also work with a Reliance Jio SIM out of the box.
Q) Is there dual VoLTE support on the Galaxy J8?
A) No, the handset does not have dual VoLTE support. This means you cannot use two Jio SIM cards on the phone at the same time.
Q) Is fast charging supported on the Galaxy J8?
A) There’s no fast charging support on the handset.
Q) How much free storage space does the Galaxy J8 have out of the box?
A) Almost 51GB.
Q) Can you uninstall or disable pre-installed apps on the handset?
A) Yes, you can uninstall or disable some pre-installed apps on the Galaxy J8, but not all.
Q) Does the Galaxy J8 feature capacitive keys?
A) No. Since the handset comes with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio display, it makes use of on-screen navigation bar.
Q) Does the Galaxy J8 feature face unlock?
A) Yes, the Galaxy J8 features face unlock.
Q) What contents do you get inside the retail box of the Galaxy J8?
A) You get the phone, a 2A charger, a USB cable, SIM ejector tool, earphones, and some regulatory papers. No case or screen guard is bundled with the phone.
Q) Does the handset support USB OTG?
A) Yes, the Galaxy J8 supports USB On-The-Go. This allows you to directly connect pen drives, external hard disks and more using an adapter to the device.
Q) How many variants of the Galaxy J8 is Samsung selling in India?
A) Only one which comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Q) What color variants of the Galaxy J8 is Samsung selling in India?
A) Samsung is selling the Galaxy J8 in black, gold, and blue colors in India. All three variants, however, come with a black front.
Q) When does the Galaxy J8 go on sale and where?
A) You can buy the Galaxy J8 from Flipkart, Paytm Mall, and Samsung’s own online store. You can buy the phone from here. The company is offering one-time screen replacement and Rs 2,000 as cashback on Paytm Mall or for ICICI debit/credit card holders.
Q) What’s the price of the Galaxy J8?
A) The base variant of the Galaxy J8 is priced at Rs 18,990.
Best power bank for the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+
Your quest for the best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ ends here. There are quite a few options available for customers who want reliable external battery packs that they can carry around with them and charge their new Samsung flagship as and when required. This list has some of the best options available right now that provide the good value for money.
Many customers will think about purchasing an external battery pack for Galaxy S9 after they pick up the device. That’s because the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have the same battery capacities as their predecessors and official Galaxy S9 battery life stats aren’t that different from the Galaxy S8.
Battery cases vs power banks: What’s better?
It depends on your preference. External power banks tend to have higher capacities and they can be used to charge multiple devices. You can chuck one in your bag and forget about it. Battery cases snap on to the device and add significant weight and heft to it. Sure, you can charge up the device and then take off the case but then you’re left without protection on the phone. With an external battery pack, you can use any case and simply disconnect it when you don’t want to carry it around. Moreover, heavy users can get multiple charge cycles out of an external power bank while most battery cases are only good for one full additional charge cycle.
Best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+
ZeroLemon ToughJuice
The ZeroLemon ToughJuice is first on our list of best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. It has a very high capacity of 30,000mAh, that’s ten times more than the Galaxy S9’s 3,000mAh battery. It can charge up to five devices simultaneously through its one dedicated USB Type-C port for Fast Charging and four USB Type-A ports.
The one downside here is that it has a microUSB input so you can’t use your Galaxy S9’s charger to fill up this power bank. It’s also the most expensive option on our list as it’s priced at $54.99 on Amazon.
RAVPower
Consider the 20,100mAh RAVPower USB Type-C power bank if you don’t require ten times the battery capacity of your Galaxy S9. It supports both Quick Charge 3.0 and USB Type-C input/output so the power bank can be fully charged in under five hours and it can charge compatible smartphones from 0 to 80 percent in under 60 minutes.
The 20,100mAh battery is packed inside a body that has a classic matte design with a scratch resistant surface. One of the best-selling external battery packs on Amazon, it’s available for $49.99.
Samsung Fast Charge Battery Pack
This power bank is obviously a bit expensive despite its low capacity because it’s Samsung-branded. The 5,100mAh Samsung Fast Charge Portable Battery Pack provides up to two additional full charges for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. It supports Samsung Fast Charge which enables compatible devices like the Galaxy S9 to charge up to 1.5x faster than standard USB charging options. It can also be used to charge any other USB compatible device. The battery pack supports pass-through charging which means you can charge it and your phone at the same time. Just connect your phone to the portable battery and then start charging the battery.
The Anker PowerCore earns a place on this list of best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ because the company is well regarded for its quality accessories. This power bank has a 13,000mAh capacity which is enough to provide almost four full charge cycles for the new Samsung flagship. It has USB Type-C input which means you can use your phone’s charger to fill up this power bank. It doesn’t support Qualcomm Quick Charge but can deliver a max speed charge of up to 3A with Anker’s Power IQ and VoltageBoost technologies.
Measuring 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.8 and weighing 8.5 oz, it’s also quite easy to carry around. The Anker PowerCore is available from Amazon for $29.99.
Heloideo Power Bank
This is the cheapest and also the most unique option on our list of best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. It may only have a 5,000mah capacity but this slim power bank has a built-in AC plug which means you can directly plug it into a wall outlet to charge it up. It has a built-in USB Type-C cable within its 0.6-inch thin body. You can buy it on Amazon for $27.99.
❤ Samsung Galaxy: Top 5 Samsung Galaxy S8 wireless chargers for your office
Samsung Galaxy S8 wireless chargers for your bedside table, desk or your executive table. Here’s top 5 of the most reliable and bang for the buck units you can buy right now.
PASONOMI Fast Wireless Charger
This wireless charging stand from PASONOMI is a great option for the Galaxy S8 or any Samsung Galaxy phone with wireless charging because it supports fast charging. That means you’ll be able to fully charge your phone in under 2 hours!
It’s an intelligently designed charger with two charging coils positioned so that you’re even able to charge your phone while watching videos in landscape mode. There’s also a nice LED strip that will indicate the charging status, and the whole thing has a sleek and futuristic vibe to it.
The stand is available in your choice of black or silver and is only $22.
iOttie iON Wireless Qi Charging Pad
This wireless charger from iOttie might seem like the bulkier option based on pictures, but it’s actually very intelligently designed. It’s Qi-compatible with a triple-coil charging zone that’s capable of 5V/1A output with a non-slip ring to hold your phone in place on top while it charges. And that hollow opening in the middle isn’t just for the stylish look — it’s also a docking bay for the iOttie PowerPack 3400mAh External Portable Charger which is super convenient and cool.
You can even get a bundle pack that includes the iOttie PowerPack 3400mAh External Battery for just $40, so you can have a fully charged battery pack to take along with you if you think you’ll need it. Otherwise, you can get the wireless charging pad for just $20.
TYLT Qi Wireless Charging Stand
TYLT has been in the wireless charging game for years, proving itself to be one on of the most trusted third-party manufacturers. This is another angled wireless charging stand that lets you keep your phone accessible while it charges at your desk.
What separates TYLT from the rest is its bold color options — you can get this charging stand in black, red, blue and yellow starting at just $21.
Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charger pad
For the same fast charging speeds in a less-expensive (and smaller) package, look for Samsung’s last-generation flat wireless charging pad.
This UFO-like charging pad can charge all Qi-compatible devices and is Fast Charge-compatible with your Galaxy S8. It also comes with a Samsung Fast Charge wall charger, which is a requirement to get the fastest speeds. At about $40 retail this is a better choice than the convertible stand, and you can frequently find refurbished models on sale for much less.
Samsung Fast Charge Convertible Wireless Charging Pad
Samsung has come out with a completely redesigned wireless charging pad/stand, which launched alongside the Galaxy S8. Besides the premium leather-like appearance and ingenious design which allows you to easily convert this pad into an angled charging stand, you can be sure that this charging pad was created with your Galaxy S8 in mind.
The charger comes with a spare Samsung Fast Charge wall charger — because let’s be honest, you can never have too many Samsung wall chargers — and allows you to fast charge your Galaxy S8 wirelessly at your home or office. At $50, this is the most expensive option on the list, but if premium quality and functionality are your top priorities, this is the one you want.
❤ Samsung Galaxy: Top 5 Samsung Galaxy S8 covers you gotta check out
Want a Samsung Galaxy S8 cover that comes with style and for the right price? Here’s some you can check out to protect that precious glass from shattering when it falls to the floor.
Skech Crystal Clear Case
We don’t blame you if the idea of covering up your gorgeous Galaxy S8 design has you shaking your head, but this phone is easily damaged. Skech might have the perfect compromise for you with its Crystal Clear S8 cover. The back is hard polycarbonate, and the frame is a softer material designed to absorb impact shock. There are thin button covers and accurate cut-outs for the ports, camera, and everything else. It’s slim, so you can’t expect rugged drop protection, but it will ward off minor bumps and scratches. It also has an anti-yellowing coating, so there’s no need to worry about UV rays.
Nomad Folio Wallet Case
Classic, durable, and practical, this genuine leather wallet case from Nomad could be the ideal companion for your Galaxy S8. It has a thin, plastic shell inside that holds your phone firmly in place and it’s wrapped in brown or grey American patina leather. The inside cover sports three neatly stitched card slots and there’s a larger pouch at the back for cash. There are generous openings for access to buttons, ports, camera, and everything else.
Snakehive Pastel Collection Leather Wallet
Made from beautiful nubuck leather, these folio cases from British accessory brand Snakehive come in a variety of colors well-suited for summer shenanigans. The pastel shades range from mint green and peach, to a lemon, lilac, and honeysuckle. There are two-tone versions available, too. Each case is stunning on the outside, and practical on the inside, with three card slots, a note compartment, and a phone holder that still provides complete access to your device’s buttons and connectors. The magnetic tab keeps the folio closed, and the cover can be flipped around to make a handy stand. The folio case is also available for the Galaxy S8 Plus.
Case-Mate Brilliance Tough Case
If you love sparkles, then this Galaxy S8 case is for you. Encrusted with real crystals and a metal accent, this eye-catching case comes in champagne, rose gold, or lace. You don’t have to sacrifice functionality for style, either, because this is a dual-layer case that meets military drop test standards. A few buyers have reported problems with lost crystals, but given it comes with a lifetime warranty, you can contact Case-Mate for a replacement if you run into any issues.
Peel Super Thin Case
The Galaxy S8 is such a sleek beauty that you might recoil at the thought of slapping a chunky, plastic case on it. That’s why Peel designed these svelte, minimalist shells — to provide a thin, 0.35-millimeter layer of protection without spoiling the feel or look of the phone. There are no loud logos here and all your phone’s buttons, ports, and other features, including the curved edges, are easily accessible. The Samsung logo shines through subtly on the gray and silver versions, or you can opt for a matte-black configuration.
❤ Samsung Galaxy: Top 5 Samsung Galaxy S8 screen protectors for you
Need the perfect Samsung Galaxy S8 screen protector for your specific needs and style? Here’s some you can check out to protect that precious glass from shattering when it falls to the floor.
This is a full coverage Galaxy S8 screen protector that’s actually manufactured in the US. It’s thin as well as flexible, so it has no problems covering the curved sides of your Galaxy S8. Made from military-grade thermoplastic urethane, it’s designed to absorb impact and resistant against scratches and punctures. The screen protector also has a UV Clear Coat layer, which should prevent it from yellowing.
The manufacturer promises an easy, error-proof as well as bubble-free installation. It claims that the product offers a glass-like surface and is “self-healing”, so it can repair minor scratches on its own. However, the screen protector is not compatible with the majority of cases.
The product is reasonably priced and comes with a risk-free lifetime replacement warranty. You can get your hands on it for $7.85 on Amazon.
iTURBOS Galaxy S8 screen protector (plastic)
The first Galaxy S8 screen protector on the list is the iTURBOS 3D curved PET screen protector. It’s 0.15 mm thin and offers five layers of protection. The screen protector covers the entire screen of the device including the curved edges, and has cutouts on the top for the camera, speaker, and all the sensors.
The product has a scratch-resistant coating that gives you an additional level of safety and is highly transparent with a light transmittance of 99 percent. This means that the screen protector shouldn’t have a negative effect on the display brightness of your Galaxy S8. It also has an anti-fingerprint layer, so you won’t have to wipe it down every five minutes.
The retail box includes two Galaxy S8 screen protectors, two wet and dry wipes, as well as two dust removal stickers you’ll need when applying the screen protector. You can get it on Amazon for $7.99 via the button below.
ArmorSuit Galaxy S8 screen protector (plastic)
ArmorSuit’s Galaxy S8 screen protectors also offer full coverage and is made from a scratch-proof, optically clear, military-grade, and yellow-resistant material. It features the self-healing technology, which helps eliminate minor scratches on the film. Although it’s plastic, the screen protector is advertised as having a glass-like surface and isn’t a fingerprint magnet like a lot of its competitors.
It has five protective layers described as silicone adhesive, impact cushion, scratch resistant, fingerprint reduction, and self-healing effect. The product is case-friendly and actually made from the same material used to protect military aircrafts, helicopters, and space shuttles. The package contains one screen protector, a spray solution, a microfiber cloth, and installation instructions.
The ArmorSuit screen protector comes with a lifetime warranty, so in case it peels off, gets scratched, or has installation flaws, you’ll receive a new one free of charge. It’s made in the US and will set you back $7.85.
The Spigen NeoFlex is an edge-to-edge screen protector made from a flexible urethane and is scratch resistant. It has a case-friendly design and is compatible with Spigen cases, although the manufacturer does state that the screen protector must be applied while the case in on the device.
The installation is easy as it should be and it’s quite normal for bubbles or a rainbow effect to appear during the process. Both will disappear once everything dries, which can take up to 12 hours. The product comes with a two-year warranty and also has self-healing characteristics, meaning it can repair small scratches by itself.
The retail package contains two screen protectors and is currently available for $7.99 on Amazon. You can get it via the button below.
Supershieldz Galaxy S8 screen protector (plastic)
This screen protector is made from a high-quality Japanese PET film and has three layers: a scratch resistant surface polymer, a hardened protective mask to prevent deep cuts damaging your device, and a patented silicone gel that creates a vacuum to securely cling to the screen.
The product doesn’t have an adhesive and won’t leave any residue when or if you decide to remove it. It offers full-screen protection and what the manufacturer calls “Real Touch Sensitivity”, which promises a natural feel despite the fact this the screen protector is plastic.
The Supershieldz screen protector is easy to apply (100 percent bubble-free), comes with a lifetime replacement warranty, and is quite affordable. It currently retails for $6.99 on Amazon, , making it the most affordable Galaxy S8 screen protectors on this list.
❤ Samsung Galaxy: How to take screenshots with the Galaxy S8
Make Samsung Galaxy S8 screenshots fast! Do you want to know the different ways on how you can take a screenshot with your Galaxy S8? Read on, here’s a complete list for you.
Use Bixby
If you’re a super sleek and an advanced tech person, you just use Bixby to make a quick screenshot with your Galaxy S8.
Just say “Hi, Bixby”.
Then say, “Take a Screenshot”.
Done!
Use Edge Panel
The edge panel trick in your Galaxy S8 and S8+ will enable you to take oval or rectangle screenshots that you can then customize into a great-looking GIF ready for sharing on your messaging apps.
Activate Edge Panels by going to Settings > Display > Edge screen > Edge panels.
Go to the screen you want to capture.
Open the Edge panel and slide until you find the Smart select section.
Select from Rectangle, Oval or animation.
And finally, select the area of the screen you want to turn into a GIF or take a screenshot of.
Use Smart Capture
With Smart Capture, you can extend your usual one screen piece screen photo into a rolling screenshot. This is perfect for long web pages or conversation threads that you want to share or document.
Go to the screen you want to take a screenshot of.
Use anyof the above two methods to capture a screenshot.
Once you take a screenshot, tap on Scroll capture(previously “capture more”) from the options that will show up at the bottom of the screen.
Keep tapping the Scroll capture button to keep going down the page until you are done.
Use Swipe Gestures
Swipe gestures is by far the fastest and easiest one to use among all the choices with your new Galaxy S8. You just Swipe your screen from right to left while in contact with the screen and you’re done.
Activate gestures first by going to Settings > Advanced features.
Enable Palm swipe to capture.
Go to the screen that you want to take a screenshot of.
Now swipe the edge of your hand from right to left or left to right, horizontally. This edge-to-edge swipe gesture may take you a few tries to master.
Again, your phone will buzz a little and show you a quick animation to confirm the screenshot.
Use Key Combinations
The classic yet effective screenshot technique on all Galaxies before the Galaxy S8 and S8+, is the key combinations. This involves hardware keys like home, volume up and power button to get the job done.
Open the screen or app that you want to capture like inside an app or even at the home screen.
Press and hold Power and Volume Downkeys together.
Galaxy S9 drop test shows improvement despite shattering on first drop
Even though Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ mostly retain the design language of their predecessors, the company has made many improvements inside and outside the devices. Improved durability is one such area where the new series is better than its predecessor according to Samsung.
To achieve this, Samsung has put a 20% thicker Gorilla Glass 5 on the front of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at 0.6T, compared to Galaxy S8’s 0.5T. Samsung has also used the AL 7003 high-strength aluminum on the S9 which doesn’t deform as much as the AL 6013 used on the Galaxy S8. With these and many other minor improvements, the S9 and S9+ are supposed to be more durable than the previous Samsung flagship phones.
Galaxy S9 also beats iPhone X in durability
SquareTrade has put Samsung’s claims about Galaxy S9’s durability to test, and they come out as mostly true. SquareTrade used drop machines to drop the Galaxy S9 and S9+ from 6 feet high on the front, back, and sides of the devices to test their durability. Though the Samsung’s latest flagship phones fared better than their predecessors, they still cracked and shattered at first drop. SquareTrade also conducted a tumble test and bend test, a test which has become rather common after Apple’s infamous bendgate, and the results are largely on expected lines. While the Galaxy S9 and S9+ do better than the previous flagship models, they are far from indestructible.
Based on these and many more tests, SquareTrade has awarded Breakability Scores of 71 for the Galaxy S9 and 76 for the Galaxy S9+, placing them in Medium Risk and Medium-High Risk categories respectively. The new flagships not only did better than their predecessors but also fared better than the iPhone X, which should give Samsung fans some internet bragging rights.
While the new flagship phones are more durable than last year’s models, they still shatter when dropped, and so it is advisable to use a case or a cover if you’re clumsy with your phone. You might even want to consider the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors available now. Hopefully, durability becomes the next big trend now that the war on bezels is finally nearing completion.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are the Korean company’s flagship handset for 2018. They pack in iterative upgrades over their predecessor, though Samsung has paid some serious attention to the camera this time around. Like previous flagship Galaxy devices, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ also feature an IP68 certification which makes them dust and water-resistant.
But before you go around dunking the Galaxy S9 into water or any kind of liquid thinking its IP68 certification makes it waterproof, there are a few things you need to know. Just because the Galaxy S9 features an IP68 certification, it does not mean that Samsung will honor any kind of liquid damage to the device.
What does the IP68 certification of Galaxy S9 stand for?
The ‘IP’ in the ‘IP68’ certification of the S9 means Ingress Protection, with the 68 denoting the level of protection. The ‘6’ in the ‘IP68’ denotes that the Galaxy S9 is fully protected against any kind of dust ingress. As for the ‘8’, it denotes the handset is resistant to water ingress for 30 mins for up to 1.5m depth but only in fresh water. This is the highest level of IP certification available for consumer devices. This is higher than that of the iPhone X and iPhone 8 but in line with other Android flagships that are also water-resistant. Almost every major flagship handset launched in the last year or two has featured a certain degree of water and dust-resistance.
The Fine Print
The important thing to note, however, is that the IP rating of the device does not make it resistant to all and any kind of liquid. Pressurised water can easily breach the water resistance seal of the handset and seep inside it thereby damaging the internals. Similarly, salt/sea water is a strict no-no. Do NOT take your Galaxy S9 with you to the beach for swimming thinking this will cause it no harm. Seawater can cause a lot of damage to water resistant devices. If you do end up dropping your Galaxy S9 in salt/sea water, quickly take it out and even if it is working fine, wash it thoroughly with fresh water and then dry it properly. Do this even if the handset is working fine after being dunked in seawater. The damage caused might not be immediately visible but it will after a few hours. If you spill any other liquid on the handset, do the same thing as they can wear off the oleophobic coating on its display.
Wear and Tear
The Galaxy S9 achieve its IP68 certification by sealing the internal chassis using rubber gaskets. The IP certification of the device will deteriorate over time, though this should not make a huge difference. Most importantly, though, if you drop your Galaxy S9 and its frame or the structure of the chassis is compromised in any way, its IP rating can be affected. Similarly, if the front or rear glass panel of the device shatters, the IP rating of the device will be affected. In such cases, you should always be careful of dunking the phone in water as too much pressure can end up breaching the internal sealing.
No Warranty
Irrespective of the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S9 is IP68 certified and Samsung proudly highlights this in its marketing materials, the company does not cover the handset for any kind of liquid damage under its one-year limited warranty. So, if you somehow do end up causing liquid damage to your Galaxy S9, don’t expect the Korean to replace or fix your phone for free.
Watch the Galaxy S9 camera switch aperture in this short video
One of the major highlights of the Galaxy S9 (and S9+) is a camera with variable aperture. Well, to be more precise, the camera can switch between two fixed apertures, depending on how bright or dark a scene is, which is why Samsung is calling it Dual Aperture. The Galaxy S9 also has the largest/widest aperture – f/1.5 – seen on a phone. A lower value indicates a larger aperture, which means the opening through which light enters the camera is wider. As a result, compared to the f/1.7 cameras seen on Samsung flagships until now, the Galaxy S9 can capture brighter photos in low-light situations.
Dual Aperture system enables great photos in bright and dark scenes
A wider aperture also results in shallower depth of field, enabling the camera to blur out the background to a higher degree than what a narrower aperture would allow. When things are too bright, however, a wider aperture can be detrimental, and since the Galaxy S9’s camera can go as wide as f/1.5, a dual-aperture system becomes necessary. That is why the S9 and S9+ can switch to a narrower aperture of f/2.4 when the occasion calls for it, resulting in sharper photos that aren’t as overexposed as they would be if the aperture was fixed at f/1.5.
Since the Galaxy S9 camera has a physically adjusting aperture, one can see how the lens opening becomes wider or narrower when aperture is switched between f/1.5 and f/2.4. We have had a few requests asking us to post a video showing the changing aperture, and while many of you have probably seen it in action in videos from other publications already, we have also uploaded our own for those who haven’t.
Check it out below, and watch out for our official Galaxy S9 review to see how well the Dual Aperture camera works in practice. Also check out a few super slow-motion videos taken on the Galaxy S9 and read our hands-on experience with both the S9 and S9+.
