Samsung Galaxy S9 launches in a WEEK: UK Price, Release Date, Specs, Everything We Know

Samsung will debut the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ during a keynote event ahead of Mobile World Congress next weekend.

The South Korean company sent-out invites for its exclusive launch event last month.

“The Camera. Reimagined,” the invitation teases, complete with a large number 9.

The invite confirms the next Unpacked launch event will be held on Sunday, February 25th 2018.

Samsung adds: “If a picture is worth a thousand words, the latest member of the Galaxy family has a lot to say.

“On February 25, Samsung Electronics will showcase the next generation of Galaxy devices that reimagines the camera and redefines the way you share your moments.”

Ahead of the Galaxy S9 launch event, there has been a torrent of leaks from case manufacturers, online tipsters, and even mobile carriers.

Here is everything we think we know about the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+.

Design

Out of the box, not a lot will purportedly change between the Galaxy S8 and its successor.

Samsung is widely-tipped to keep a similar design to its best-selling Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will share the same 5.8-inch and 6.2-inch dual-curved, edge-to-edge Super AMOLED “Infinity Display” as the Galaxy S8 and S8+, respectively.

In fact, the only significant design change between the previous generation and the upcoming refresh will be on the back of the phone.

Leaked images published by renown tipster Evan Blass reveal a redesign of the fingerprint scanner.

The scanner will be placed underneath the camera lens – instead of beside it, like it was on the Galaxy S8.

This should reduce the chance of users accidentally hitting the camera module with their digit while reaching for the rear-mounted scanner.

Samsung even included a warning inside the Galaxy S8’s default camera app stating – “a clean lens makes for better shots. Clean your camera lens to keep taking better pictures.”

The Galaxy S9+ will be further distinguishable from the Galaxy S8 thanks to its dual-camera system.

The two lens will be aligned vertically, like the iPhone X.

Camera

From the cryptic invite unveiled by Samsung ahead of the launch, it appears the camera will be the biggest focus for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.

Earlier this month, a series of promotional images purportedly shot with the Galaxy S9 surfaced online.

The photographs showed an immense amount of detail, contrast, as well as macro capabilities.

Samsung has also released three teaser trailers in Korea which tease some of the new functionality coming to the camera.

The first teaser trailer for the Galaxy S9 hints at the long-rumoured 3D emoji feature, similar to the Animoji that launched with the iPhone X.

However, unlike the latter which lets phone owners animate cartoon animals, Samsung looks set to create animated versions of the Galaxy S9 user.

This is similar to the Bitmojis integrated into SnapChat.

One source, speaking anonymously to 9To5Google, said the Galaxy S9’s Animoji competitor will capture a scan of the user’s face and transform that picture into a full-body cartoon character.

Apple restricts its Animoji feature to the iMessage chat app.

It’s unclear whether Samsung will impose similar restrictions, or whether the South Korean firm will allow users to share the animations more widely.

Elsewhere, the teaser trailers, which have been aired in Korea, hint at new slow-motion capabilities, first hinted at following the debut of the Exynos 9810.

Samsung’s latest flagship phone will purportedly be capable of recording 1080p video footage at 480 fps.

For comparison, that’s twice as slow as the 1080p video capture at 240 fps the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X are capable of shooting.

The much-rumoured f/1.5 aperture and the low-light capabilities are also hinted at in the final teaser trailer, which shows the clarity of night photography with the handset.

The larger Galaxy S9+ is also expected to include a dual-camera system on the rear of the phone, enabling users to take photos with an artificial depth effect.

Samsung’s previous flagship handset, Galaxy Note 8, had a similar set-up.

Users were able to adjust the strength of the artificial bokeh effect behind the subject of the photo.

Price

According to a report by ETnews earlier this month, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will be far more expensive than their predecessors.

Speaking to the Korean news source, an official from a local mobile network revealed: “Although the domestic price of the Galaxy S9 will increase, it will be decided at a level where consumers do not feel burdened.”

The price of the Galaxy S9 in Korea is tipped be between W950,000 and W999,000, whereas the Galaxy S8 was W935,000.

At the higher of the two speculative prices it would add around £50 more to the cost of the handset.

The S8 will currently set you back £689 SIM-only so this could mean the S9 will push through the £700 barrier.

There’s no official word on costs and we won’t know a UK price until February, but if you were hoping for a bargain the S9 won’t be it.

Luckily, Samsung has already announced its Galaxy A8 device which will launch in April and looks set to bring flagship specs at a much lower price.

Official costs for this device could also be revealed at Mobile World Congress and, if these early A8 reviews are to be believed, it might be one to watch out for.

Release Date

Samsung Galaxy S9 will be announced on Sunday February 25th.

If the South Korean company follows the same pattern as previous years, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will likely be available to purchase the following month in select markets.