Understanding Galaxy S9 Variants: A Deep Dive

Galaxy S9 / S9+ (SM-G960F / SM-G965F)

Definition

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ (model numbers SM-G960F for S9, SM-G965F for S9+) are flagship Android smartphones developed and marketed by Samsung Electronics. Unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 25, 2018, and released globally on March 16, 2018, they are the successors to the Galaxy S8/S8+. Positioned as premium devices targeting power users, photography enthusiasts, and multimedia consumers, the S9 series introduced groundbreaking camera innovations (notably variable aperture) and refined the S8’s design with enhanced ergonomics. The SM-G960F/SM-G965F models are the global LTE variants, optimized for European, Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets, supporting multi-band 4G LTE, GSM, and UMTS networks.

Key Hardware Specifications (SM-G960F vs. SM-G965F)

Component	Galaxy S9 (SM-G960F)	Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965F)
Display	5.8-inch Super AMOLED; 2960×1440 resolution (570 ppi); 18.5:9 aspect ratio; HDR10 support; Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front/back); Always-On Display (AOD)	6.2-inch Super AMOLED; 2960×1440 resolution (529 ppi); 18.5:9 aspect ratio; HDR10 support; Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front/back); Always-On Display (AOD)
Processor	Samsung Exynos 9810 octa-core chip (4×2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 + 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G72 MP18 GPU	Samsung Exynos 9810 octa-core chip (same as S9); Mali-G72 MP18 GPU
RAM	4 GB LPDDR4X	6 GB LPDDR4X
Storage	64 GB/128 GB/256 GB UFS 2.1; microSD card slot (up to 512 GB, hybrid SIM tray)	64 GB/128 GB/256 GB UFS 2.1; microSD card slot (up to 512 GB, hybrid SIM tray)
Rear Camera	Single 12 MP sensor; variable aperture (f/1.5-f/2.4); optical image stabilization (OIS); dual-pixel autofocus (DAF); 4K video recording (2160p @ 30/60 fps); 1080p slow-motion video (960 fps “Super Slow-Mo”)	Dual 12 MP sensor system:- Wide: f/1.5-f/2.4, OIS, DAF- Telephoto: f/2.4, OIS, 2× optical zoom; 4K video (same as S9); Super Slow-Mo
Front Camera	8 MP sensor; f/1.7 aperture; autofocus; 1080p video recording (30 fps)	Same as Galaxy S9
Battery	3000 mAh lithium-ion battery; 15W adaptive fast charging; Qi wireless charging (WPC/PMA standards)	3500 mAh lithium-ion battery; 15W adaptive fast charging; Qi wireless charging (same as S9)
Biometrics & Sensors	Fingerprint scanner (rear-mounted, below camera); iris scanner; facial recognition; accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, barometer, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor	Same as Galaxy S9
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.18 (up to 1.2 Gbps download); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz); Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; USB Type-C (3.1 Gen 1); 3.5 mm headphone jack	Same as Galaxy S9
Build & Durability	IP68 water/dust resistance; metal frame + glass back; dimensions: 147.7 × 68.7 × 8.5 mm; weight: 163 g	IP68 water/dust resistance; metal frame + glass back; dimensions: 158.1 × 73.8 × 8.5 mm; weight: 189 g
Operating System	Launched with Android 8.0 Oreo; upgradable to Android 10 (One UI 2.5)	Same as Galaxy S9

Core Features & Innovations

1. Variable Aperture Camera (Industry First)

The most iconic feature of the S9 series was the 12 MP rear camera with variable aperture (f/1.5-f/2.4), a first for smartphones.

f/1.5 Mode: Activated in low-light conditions to capture 2× more light than f/2.4, resulting in brighter, clearer photos with reduced noise.
f/2.4 Mode: Used in bright light to improve depth of field and reduce overexposure, delivering sharper details in landscapes and outdoor shots.
The S9+ added a telephoto lens for 2× optical zoom, enabling portrait photography with background bokeh and enhanced zoom capabilities.

2. Super Slow-Mo Video (960 fps)

The S9 series introduced Super Slow-Mo video recording at 960 fps (1080p resolution), 4× slower than standard slow-motion (240 fps).

Captures 0.2 seconds of action and stretches it to 6 seconds of playback, ideal for analyzing fast-moving moments (e.g., water splashes, sports action).
Includes Motion Detection to automatically trigger recording when movement is detected, eliminating the need for manual timing.

3. AR Emoji & Animoji Competitor

Building on Apple’s Animoji, Samsung launched AR Emoji, which uses the front camera to create personalized 3D avatars that mimic user facial expressions and movements.

Avatars can be customized with hairstyles, clothing, and accessories.
AR Emojis are shareable via social media, messaging apps, and can be used as stickers or live wallpapers.

4. Refined Design & Ergonomics

Samsung addressed the S8’s key flaw—an awkwardly placed fingerprint scanner—by relocating it below the rear camera (instead of next to it) on the S9 series, making it easier to reach with the index finger.

Retained the S8’s “Infinity Display” with minimal bezels and no physical home button.
IP68 rating ensured protection against immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

5. Enhanced Audio & Multimedia

AKG-Tuned Stereo Speakers: Dual speakers (bottom + earpiece) with Dolby Atmos support, delivering immersive 3D audio for movies, games, and music.
3.5 mm Headphone Jack: Retained the port (a rarity among 2018 flagships) for compatibility with wired headphones and audio accessories.
DeX Mode: Transforms the phone into a desktop computer when connected to a monitor via a DeX Station or USB-C to HDMI adapter, supporting mouse and keyboard input.

SM-G960F/SM-G965F Model Specifics

The SM-G960F (S9) and SM-G965F (S9+) are global variants distinct from US models (e.g., SM-G960U, SM-G965U with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processors):

Powered by Samsung’s in-house Exynos 9810 chip, optimized for global LTE bands (supporting up to 40 LTE bands).
Compatible with GSM/UMTS/LTE networks in Europe, Africa, Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.
Lack support for CDMA networks (common in the US with carriers like Verizon and Sprint), making them unsuitable for CDMA-only regions.

Release & Market Reception

1. Launch Details

Pricing: Galaxy S9 (64 GB) launched at €799; Galaxy S9+ (64 GB) at €899 in Europe.
Color Options: Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Titanium Gray, Lilac Purple, Sunrise Gold (limited edition).

2. Critical Reception

The S9 series received positive reviews for its camera innovation, display quality, and audio performance. Critics praised the variable aperture and Super Slow-Mo features but noted incremental design changes compared to the S8. Common criticisms included:

Small battery capacity (3000 mAh for S9) leading to average battery life.
Limited software support (only 2 major Android updates, from Oreo to Android 10).

3. Discontinuation & Legacy

The Galaxy S9 series was discontinued in 2020, replaced by the Galaxy S20 lineup. Its legacy lies in popularizing variable aperture cameras and pushing the boundaries of smartphone video recording, setting a precedent for future Samsung flagships (e.g., S20’s 8K video, S21’s computational photography).