Samsung Galaxy A9x: A Mid-Range Camera Pioneer

Galaxy A9x

1. Basic Overview

The Samsung Galaxy A9x is a mid-range smartphone released by Samsung Electronics in August 2018, exclusively for the Chinese market. Positioned as a camera-focused device in Samsung’s A-series lineup, it filled the gap between the entry-level A-series models and the flagship Galaxy S/Note series, targeting photography enthusiasts who sought advanced camera features without a premium price tag.

The Galaxy A9x was notable for being one of Samsung’s early mid-range phones to adopt a rear quad-camera system—a feature that was rare in the mid-tier segment at the time. It launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and Samsung’s Experience UI 9.5, and later received an update to Android 9 Pie with One UI 1.0. Due to its regional exclusivity and the rapid iteration of Samsung’s A-series, the Galaxy A9x was discontinued in 2019, replaced by the Galaxy A70 and A80 models. It remains a niche option in the second-hand market, valued for its camera versatility and balanced performance for daily use.

2. Key Hardware Specifications

Component	Technical Specifications
Display	6.3-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display; 2340×1080 (FHD+) resolution; 409 ppi; 19.5:9 aspect ratio; 60 Hz refresh rate; Gorilla Glass 3; minimal bezels with a waterdrop notch for the front camera
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core chip (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53); Adreno 512 GPU; 14nm manufacturing process
Memory (RAM)	6 GB / 8 GB LPDDR4X RAM (non-upgradable)
Storage Options	128 GB UFS 2.1 storage; microSD card slot (expandable up to 512 GB via hybrid SIM slot)
Rear Camera System	Quad-camera setup (a highlight for mid-range 2018 models):- 24MP Wide: f/1.7 aperture, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), 1.0 μm pixels- 10MP Telephoto: f/2.4 aperture, 2x optical zoom, portrait mode support- 8MP Ultra-wide: f/2.4 aperture, 120° field of view (FOV), landscape/architecture photography- 5MP Depth: f/2.2 aperture, depth sensing for bokeh effectsFeatures: 4K video recording (30 fps), 1080p video (60 fps), AI Scene Optimizer, Super Night Mode
Front Camera	24MP Selfie Camera: f/2.0 aperture, AI beauty mode, portrait mode with adjustable bokeh, 1080p video recording (30 fps)
Battery	3,800 mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery; 18W wired fast charging; no wireless charging support
Connectivity	4G LTE (Cat 15/Cat 13); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band); Bluetooth 5.0; NFC (for mobile payments in China); USB-C 2.0 port; 3.5 mm headphone jack; GPS/GLONASS/Beidou
Dimensions & Weight	162.5 × 77 × 7.8 mm; 183 grams
Build & Durability	Plastic frame and back panel; Gorilla Glass 3 front; no official IP rating for water/dust resistance
Security & Sensors	In-display fingerprint sensor (optical type); facial recognition (2D); accelerometer; gyroscope; proximity sensor; ambient light sensor
Audio	Single bottom-firing speaker; 3.5 mm headphone jack; Dolby Atmos support

3. Core Software & Feature Highlights

3.1 Quad-Camera System Capabilities

The quad-camera setup was the Galaxy A9x’s biggest selling point, bringing flagship-level camera versatility to the mid-range segment:

2x Optical Zoom Telephoto Lens: Enabled sharp close-up shots without quality loss from digital zoom, ideal for portrait photography and capturing distant subjects (e.g., landscapes, wildlife).
120° Ultra-Wide Lens: Expanded the field of view to capture more scenery in a single frame, perfect for group photos, architecture, and wide landscapes— a feature that was mostly limited to flagship phones in 2018.
Depth Sensor: Delivered natural-looking bokeh effects in portrait mode, allowing users to adjust the level of background blur before or after taking a photo.
AI Scene Optimizer: Recognized up to 20+ common scenes (e.g., food, flowers, night sky) and automatically adjusted camera settings (exposure, white balance, saturation) for optimal results.
Super Night Mode: Combined multiple exposures to reduce noise and brighten dark areas in low-light conditions, improving night photography performance compared to other mid-range phones of the era.

3.2 Display & Performance

Super AMOLED Panel: The Super AMOLED display offered vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios, a significant advantage over the LCD panels used in most competing mid-range phones. The waterdrop notch design maximized the screen-to-body ratio while housing the front camera.
Snapdragon 660 Processor: The Snapdragon 660 was a reliable mid-range chip in 2018, delivering smooth performance for daily tasks (web browsing, social media, video streaming) and casual gaming (e.g., Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile at medium settings). It balanced performance and power efficiency, ensuring decent battery life for daily use.
Optical In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: The A9x was one of Samsung’s early mid-range phones to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor, replacing the traditional rear-mounted sensor for a cleaner design. While slower than flagship ultrasonic sensors, it provided convenient and secure unlocking.

3.3 Software Experience

Android 8.1 Oreo (Experience UI 9.5): At launch, the device ran Samsung’s Experience UI, which featured a customizable home screen, edge panels for quick access to apps, and Samsung’s signature productivity tools (e.g., Secure Folder, Multi Window).
Android 9 Pie Update (One UI 1.0): The One UI update redesigned the interface for one-handed use, with shifted UI elements and simplified menus. It added features like Digital Wellbeing (screen time tracking) and Dark Mode, improving the overall user experience.
Regional Optimization: Tailored for the Chinese market, the Galaxy A9x included pre-installed local apps (e.g., WeChat, Alipay) and supported Chinese mobile payment standards via NFC.

4. Market Reception & Limitations

4.1 Positive Feedback

Camera Versatility: Reviewers and users praised the quad-camera system, noting that it outperformed most mid-range competitors in 2018, especially in ultra-wide and portrait photography.
Super AMOLED Display: The Super AMOLED panel was a standout feature, offering a more immersive viewing experience than LCD-equipped rivals.
Balanced Performance: The Snapdragon 660 provided reliable daily performance, and the expandable storage option was appreciated by users who needed extra space for photos and videos.

4.2 Limitations & Criticisms

Regional Exclusivity: The Galaxy A9x was only released in China, limiting its availability globally and reducing its market impact outside the region.
Plastic Build Quality: The plastic frame and back panel felt less premium compared to the metal or glass builds used in flagship Samsung phones, a common trade-off for mid-range pricing.
No IP Rating: The lack of water/dust resistance made the device vulnerable to accidental spills and dust accumulation, a drawback for users with active lifestyles.
Limited Software Updates: The device only received one major Android update (from Oreo to Pie), falling short of Samsung’s later commitment to multiple years of updates for A-series models.

5. Legacy & Positioning

Regional Market Focus: The A9x highlighted Samsung’s strategy of tailoring specific models to key regional markets (like China) to compete with local brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo.

Mid-Range Camera Innovation: The Galaxy A9x pioneered quad-camera systems in Samsung’s mid-range lineup, setting a precedent for subsequent A-series models (e.g., Galaxy A51, A71) that emphasized camera versatility as a key selling point.

In-Display Fingerprint Adoption: It helped popularize in-display fingerprint sensors in mid-range phones, accelerating the shift away from rear-mounted sensors in the segment.