Galaxy Note 9 specs and features will be on the mind of many Android fans now, after the Korean corporation unveiled its Galaxy S9 flagship. Despite the flagship status of the Galaxy S series, it is the Galaxy Note range that has delivered the most innovative and exciting features over the last few years.
However, early reports on the next generation phablet suggest that one of the desired features among Android fans may not materialize. The infamous analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, suggests that Samsung has already abandoned any intention to include an embedded fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy Note 9.
This will be particularly disappointing for some potential purchasers of the Galaxy Note range, as KGI had previously promised that this would indeed be one of the features included in the Galaxy Note 9. This had apparently been earmarked for the next generation phablet when Samsung made the decision not to include it in the Galaxy S9. Leak patents had also pointed to Samsung’s desire to embed features underneath the display of the device.
But it seems that the Korean corporation has encountered technical and logistical difficulties, meaning that the embedded fingerprint sensor will once more be put on ice. Kuo indicates that the feature currently encounters difficulties with screen protectors, while differing environments can influence the success rate of the fingerprint reader once it is placed beneath the display of the device.
Nonetheless, new features and specs will be included in the Galaxy Note 9, making it another excellent purchase for Android fans. Firstly, it is likely that a new processor will be inherent within all versions of this next generation smartphone, although it is also possible that the Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 845 chips from the Galaxy S9 series could be used.
One of the Galaxy Note 9 specs that is unlikely to be improved, though, is the 6GB of RAM memory found in last year’s release. This already seems an adequate quantity, and Samsung is unlikely to upgrade this figure in 2018. It is notable that this is already double the memory included in Apple’s recent iPhone X release.
The display of the Galaxy Note 9 will also be a major area of focus, and the Korean manufacturer has a number of options available here. This will obviously be one of the critical specs for consumers, and this could provoke Samsung into releasing a 4K resolution Galaxy Note 9.
Certainly this would be one of the most attractive specs if it was to be delivered by the Korean corporation, and there is plenty of logic in doing so. Firstly, 4K resolution has become more mainstream lately, and this could incentivize Samsung to include it as one of the major features of the Galaxy Note 9. Additionally, Samsung has become associated with outstanding display technology, and it would make sense for the Korean corporation to be the first mainstream mobile manufacturer to deliver 4K.
Camera features will also be a major focus of the Galaxy Note 9, and it will be intriguing to see what specs are included in the phablet’s snapper. Some reports have suggested that the megapixel rating of the camera will be as high as 30-megapixels, but this would be somewhat surprising if it does indeed materialize.
Samsung is more likely to focus on other camera features, with the low-light shooting of the unit likely to be a particular priority. With the Galaxy S9 having delivered the most advanced aperture ever seen in a mobile device, there is a distinct possibility that Samsung will improve this further still for its powerful Galaxy Note range. Camera specs are certain to be a highlight of this handset.
The S Pen stylus is also one of the standout features of the Galaxy Note series in general, and this peripheral may benefit from some improved specs in 2018. The S Pen has repeatedly been linked with innovative new features, and it is possible that the speaker system and vibration functionality reported on previously could emerge this year.
Another area where Samsung will wish to improve on its 2017 performance is the artificial assistant niche. Bixby has proven to be a welcome addition to the Galaxy Note range, but it doesn’t have the flexibility of some of the other personal assistants available on the market. Samsung has reportedly been beavering away behind the scenes to ensure that its 2018 iteration of Bixby is technically impressive, meaning that it can more readily match up to Apple’s established Siri.
This can be considered particularly important for Samsung, as it is clear that artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger deal in the technology niche. When one considers the growing smart speaker market, it is clear that Samsung would like to gain a foothold in the niche ASAP. This is particularly true considering major corporate rivals such as Apple, Amazon and Google have already committed significant resources to developing both smart speakers and attendant AI technology.
When the next Android release arrives, it will indeed probably contain significant new provisions for artificial intelligence, putting pressure on Samsung to deliver something special with its next Bixby. Hopefully this will result in a more intuitive system for the Galaxy Note 9, which could make the AI assistant one of the standout features of the device. More intelligent responses to questions and a more believable flow of conversation can possibly also be anticipated for Bixby 2.0.
Finally, pricing will be critical for the Galaxy Note 9, with the previous release in the series having been rather expensive. Although Samsung shifts more units of its mobile devices than any other corporation on the planet, it will still be challenged by the slightly receding mobile marketplace, meaning that the Galaxy Note 9 must enter the market at an appropriate RRP.
So the onus will be on Samsung to deliver a Galaxy Note 9 with outstanding specs and features, but also one that comes in at a price point under the psychologically critical $1,000 mark.
