The Galaxy Note 9 runs Android 8.1 Oreo and version 9.5 of the Samsung Experience UX. It’s mostly the same as the Galaxy S9, but the Note 9 gets two important features that aren’t currently present on previous devices. The first is an upgraded version of Bixby, but in our testing period, all we saw was a new user interface for Bixby Voice. That new interface is awesome, to be honest, with a darker look that’s sleek and modern. Bixby 2.0 is also supposed to be smarter and allow more natural conversations, but this functionality isn’t available just yet.
Bixby continues to be great when it comes to controlling various aspects and settings of the device, but we will only be able to give full judgement when we have tested it extensively. As for the Bixby button, you can still press it accidentally at times, especially when you access the volume down button for screenshots or for adjusting volume, but this should only be a problem in the first few days. Oh, and the button can’t be remapped (not that we expect Samsung to ever allow that), and support for languages is still quite limited.
The second major feature is DeX Mode. The Galaxy Note 9 can turn into a desktop PC with just a USB Type-C to HDMI cable. It still works with the DeX Station or DeX Pad so you can take advantage of wired keyboards and mice, but neither is a necessity anymore. We didn’t get to try it with a Type-C to HDMI cable, but should you have one, you will be able to quickly get started on an external monitor, with the Note 9’s display acting as a touchpad. DeX Mode is incredibly useful and is another feature that puts the Note 9 in a different league as far as productivity is concerned. We just don’t think it’s coming to the Galaxy S9 or other devices, as they don’t have the same cooling capabilities as the Note 9.
When it comes to S Pen features, there’s nothing new here other than the remote functionality discussed earlier. You can translate on-screen text by hovering over it with the stylus, create animated GIF messages through Live Message to send to friends and family, snip any portion of the screen and save it as a screenshot, and write memos even when the phone’s display is off. Other Samsung features such as theme support, Secure Folder, Edge screen, Always On Display, and Samsung Pay remain unchanged as well.
Of course, the biggest question is when the Android 9.0 Pie update will arrive on the Galaxy Note 9. Samsung didn’t mention anything at the launch event, which is normal, and we can expect to be waiting until early next year for the update.
Bixby continues to be great when it comes to controlling various aspects and settings of the device, but we will only be able to give full judgement when we have tested it extensively. As for the Bixby button, you can still press it accidentally at times, especially when you access the volume down button for screenshots or for adjusting volume, but this should only be a problem in the first few days. Oh, and the button can’t be remapped (not that we expect Samsung to ever allow that), and support for languages is still quite limited.
The second major feature is DeX Mode. The Galaxy Note 9 can turn into a desktop PC with just a USB Type-C to HDMI cable. It still works with the DeX Station or DeX Pad so you can take advantage of wired keyboards and mice, but neither is a necessity anymore. We didn’t get to try it with a Type-C to HDMI cable, but should you have one, you will be able to quickly get started on an external monitor, with the Note 9’s display acting as a touchpad. DeX Mode is incredibly useful and is another feature that puts the Note 9 in a different league as far as productivity is concerned. We just don’t think it’s coming to the Galaxy S9 or other devices, as they don’t have the same cooling capabilities as the Note 9.
When it comes to S Pen features, there’s nothing new here other than the remote functionality discussed earlier. You can translate on-screen text by hovering over it with the stylus, create animated GIF messages through Live Message to send to friends and family, snip any portion of the screen and save it as a screenshot, and write memos even when the phone’s display is off. Other Samsung features such as theme support, Secure Folder, Edge screen, Always On Display, and Samsung Pay remain unchanged as well.
Of course, the biggest question is when the Android 9.0 Pie update will arrive on the Galaxy Note 9. Samsung didn’t mention anything at the launch event, which is normal, and we can expect to be waiting until early next year for the update.
