The Galaxy S8 is one of the best Android phones you can buy, even though it was released more than six months ago. However, not everything is great about the Galaxy S8. It had a few drawbacks that left users wanting for more. The upcoming Galaxy S9 is only a few months away. We expect Samsung to fix the Galaxy S8 drawbacks with the Galaxy S9. Yes, there is still scope to improve the Galaxy S line in a big way. Here’s our Galaxy S9 wishlist.
Samsung already offers expandable storage via microSD card slots. It already has a flagship line (Galaxy Note) with the stylus. But here’s what we think Samsung should improve upon with the Galaxy S9.
Galaxy S9 wishlist: Keep the headphone jack
Sounds silly? The Galaxy S8 features the 3.5mm audio jack. I had to add this to my wishlist because the headphones jack is slowly disappearing from the premium smartphone segment despite being one of the most loved features. First, Apple ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack with the iPhone 7. Then Google dropped the audio jack from its brand new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones.
We want Samsung to keep the headphone jack on the Galaxy S9. Sure, you could still listen to the music via wireless headphones or use a USB-C dongle. But Bluetooth headphones don’t deliver the same audio quality as wired headphones, and using the USB dongle means you can’t listen to the music and charge your phone at the same time.
Samsung is one company that is always open to the user feedback. So, we hope the company would keep the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy S9.
An optical fingerprint sensor
Samsung has been working to integrate an optical fingerprint reader into its flagship smartphones for over a year. But it is still facing technical issues with the feature. Apple has moved to Face ID 3D facial recognition system, which KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Android vendors will not be able to replicate at least for a couple of years. Samsung knows that keeping the fingerprint sensor where it is on the Galaxy S8 is not the best solution.
One of the biggest complaints about the Galaxy S8 is its rear-mounted fingerprint reader. It’s difficult to reach. It increases the chances of users accidentally smearing the rear camera lens. And it’s practically useless for a large number of people. An optical fingerprint reader will not only make it easier for users to unlock the phone and authenticate payments, but also make the phone look more beautiful than ever before.
A larger but safe battery
Following the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, Samsung became more cautious than ever before with the batteries inside its flagship smartphones. The Galaxy S8 has a bigger display than the Galaxy S7, but the two have the same battery size. The Galaxy S8 offers only a decent battery life. We expect Samsung to increase the battery size in the Galaxy S9 without compromising on the quality and safety.
The Galaxy S9 is rumored to have the same screen size as the Galaxy S8. So, a bigger battery coupled with a more energy-efficient Snapdragon 845 chipset would significantly boost its battery life.
Galaxy S9 wishlist: A flat-screen option
The Galaxy S8’s curved Infinity display looks gorgeous. The S8 is one of the most beautiful smartphones. But not everyone likes the curved display. Also, it’s more vulnerable to breaking. Offering buyers more than one choice is advisable in the fiercely competitive smartphone industry.
Galaxy S9 wishlist: A dual camera setup
Almost all the premium smartphones released in the second half of 2017 had a dual camera on the back. The Galaxy S8 had a single camera, but Samsung added a dual camera system on the Galaxy Note 8. Samsung’s rival Apple offers dual cameras on the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X. Samsung is highly likely to add a dual camera system on the back of the Galaxy S9.
Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL don’t have a dual camera, but they still allow users to capture photos in portrait mode similar to dual camera phones. If Samsung takes a Galaxy Note 8-like approach with the S9 camera, we can expect the phone to have a wide-angle and a telephoto lens with dual optical image stabilization and 2x optical zoom.
Galaxy S9 wishlist: A customizable Bixby button
Samsung’s flagship phones come loaded with two AI assistants: Bixby and Google Assistant. The company has added a dedicated button on the side to activate the Bixby Assistant. Earlier, the Galaxy S8 users were able to remap the Bixby button and assign it to another app, but then Samsung blocked them from doing so. Samsung now allows users to turn off the Bixby button. It would be nice if the Galaxy S9 gave users the freedom to assign any app of their choice to the Bixby button, especially considering Bixby isn’t that great an AI assistant.
Galaxy S9 wishlist: Dual front speakers
Okay, the audio quality on Samsung’s flagship phones can easily be compared to a mid-range smartphone. The Galaxy S8 has a bottom firing speaker that is decent at best. Flagship phones such as the HTC U11 Plus and Google Pixel 2 deliver high-quality sound. We would want Samsung to include dual front-facing speakers on the Galaxy S9 to enhance the audio experience. You may argue it would be difficult to implement because of the Infinity display and slim bezels. Google has done it with the Pixel 2 XL, so it shouldn’t be impossible for Samsung.
What do you wish to see in the Galaxy S9? Let us know in the comments below.
