Is The Samsung Galaxy S9 Worth The Upgrade From The S8 What People Say After Switching

For many Galaxy S8 owners, the release of the Galaxy S9 sparked a familiar dilemma: is it really worth upgrading when the previous model already felt so advanced? After all, the S8 was a landmark device—featuring an edge-to-edge display, solid performance, and refined design. But with incremental innovation being the norm in flagship smartphones, even subtle upgrades can make a real-world difference. To answer whether the jump to the S9 was justified, we’ve analyzed user feedback, hands-on experiences, and technical comparisons from those who made the switch.

Design and Build: Subtle Refinements, Not a Revolution

The Galaxy S9 retained the same iconic Infinity Display design language as the S8—curved edges, slim bezels, and a sleek glass-and-metal body. At first glance, the two phones are nearly indistinguishable. However, closer inspection reveals minor but meaningful changes. The S9 features slightly more symmetrical speaker grilles flanking the camera module, and the fingerprint sensor was repositioned directly beneath the lens instead of awkwardly beside it—a small tweak that significantly improved usability.

While build quality remained top-tier on both devices, users reported that the S9 felt marginally sturdier due to internal structural enhancements. The IP68 rating for dust and water resistance carried over, meaning both could survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Still, the physical similarity led some early adopters to question if Samsung was simply rebranding rather than reinventing.

Tip: If you're using a case, the S8 and S9 cases are not interchangeable due to slight dimensional differences and altered button placement.

Camera Performance: Where the S9 Truly Shines

If there’s one area where the S9 clearly outperforms the S8, it’s photography. While both models feature a 12MP rear sensor, the S9 introduced a groundbreaking dual-aperture lens—f/1.5 and f/2.4—that automatically adjusts based on lighting conditions. In low light, the wider f/1.5 aperture captures significantly more light, reducing noise and improving detail in night shots.

Real-world users noted dramatic improvements in indoor and nighttime photography. One photographer in Seoul shared: “I took back-to-back photos at a dimly lit restaurant. The S9 image was brighter, clearer, and retained natural colors, while the S8 version looked grainy and underexposed.”

The front-facing 8MP camera also received software upgrades, including better facial recognition algorithms and improved autofocus, making selfies sharper and video calls more reliable.

“Smartphone cameras used to be compromises. With the S9, Samsung proved they could rival dedicated point-and-shoots in real-world conditions.” — David Lin, Mobile Imaging Analyst at TechPulse Asia

Performance and Software: Faster, Smoother, More Efficient

Under the hood, the Galaxy S9 packed either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (U.S.) or Exynos 9810 (international), both representing a noticeable leap over the S8’s Snapdragon 835 and Exynos 8895. Benchmark tests showed CPU improvements of around 25–30%, with GPU gains reaching up to 35%. This translated into faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.

Users upgrading from the S8 reported quicker wake times, reduced lag during heavy usage, and improved thermal management. The S9 ran cooler under load, thanks to better heat dissipation and a more efficient chipset architecture. Additionally, the inclusion of UFS 2.1 storage across all variants meant faster read/write speeds, which benefited everything from file transfers to app installations.

Software-wise, the S9 launched with Android 8.0 Oreo and Samsung Experience 9.0, offering refinements like enhanced battery optimization, improved Bixby integration, and new AR Emoji features. Although these weren’t game-changers, they added polish to an already mature platform.

Audio and Multimedia Upgrades That Users Loved

One of the most praised—but often overlooked—upgrades on the S9 was its audio hardware. Samsung partnered with AKG to tune the stereo speakers, and the results were immediately apparent. Volume output increased by about 20%, and audio clarity, especially in mid and high frequencies, was vastly superior.

Several users mentioned watching HDR content on Netflix or YouTube and noticing richer soundscapes, deeper bass, and less distortion at maximum volume. For audiophiles, the retention of the 3.5mm headphone jack combined with support for high-resolution audio (24-bit/192kHz) and UHQ upscaling made the S9 a rare flagship that still catered to wired audio enthusiasts.

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S8	Samsung Galaxy S9
Processor	Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895	Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810
Rear Camera Aperture	f/1.7 (fixed)	f/1.5–f/2.4 (adaptive)
Front Camera	8MP, f/1.7	8MP, f/1.7 + improved AF
Speakers	Stereo (tuned by AKG)	Stereo, louder & clearer (AKG-tuned)
Fingerprint Sensor	Right of camera (awkward placement)	Directly below camera (improved ergonomics)
Battery Capacity	3000 mAh	3000 mAh
Charging	Fast & Wireless	Fast & Wireless (slightly faster efficiency)

User Experiences: What People Actually Said After Switching

A Reddit thread titled “S8 to S9 Upgrade – Was It Worth It?” gathered over 1,200 responses. The consensus? Most users found the upgrade worthwhile, but only for specific reasons. Power users appreciated the camera and performance gains, while casual users felt the changes were too subtle to justify the cost unless their S8 was damaged or outdated.

Mini Case Study: Sarah Kim, a digital marketer from Toronto, upgraded her S8+ to the S9 after 18 months. She primarily uses her phone for social media content creation. “The adaptive camera made a huge difference when filming Instagram Stories in coffee shops or outdoor events. I no longer need to carry a separate compact camera. The audio boost was a surprise win—I edit voiceovers directly on the phone now, and the clarity helps me catch mistakes faster.”

However, not all feedback was positive. Some users expressed disappointment over the lack of a larger battery, despite identical capacity. Others noted that the design stagnation made the S9 feel like a “refresh” rather than a true successor.

Step-by-Step: Should You Upgrade?

Deciding whether to upgrade depends on your current needs and usage patterns. Follow this simple decision path:

1. Evaluate your S8’s condition: Is it slow, damaged, or struggling with modern apps? If yes, upgrading makes sense.
2. Assess your priorities: Do you take lots of photos in low light? Care about audio quality? Need peak performance? The S9 excels here.
3. Check pricing: Since both models are now discontinued, compare used/refurbished prices. If the S9 costs less than $100 more, it’s likely worth it.
4. Consider future-proofing: The S9 received Android 10 updates, while the S8 stopped at Android 9. Longer software support adds value.
5. Test in person: Visit a retailer to feel the fingerprint sensor improvement and hear the speaker difference firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the S9 have a bigger battery than the S8?

No, both the Galaxy S8 and S9 have a 3000 mAh battery. However, the S9’s more efficient processor and software optimizations lead to slightly better battery life in real-world use.

Can I use my S8 accessories with the S9?

Most accessories like chargers, cables, and wireless docks are compatible. However, cases and screen protectors are not interchangeable due to minor design differences, especially around the camera cutout and fingerprint sensor.

Is the S9 still receiving security updates?

As of 2023, Samsung has ended official security updates for the Galaxy S9. However, many carriers and regions provided patches until late 2022, giving it approximately four years of support from launch.

Tip: If you’re buying a used S9, verify the software version and ensure it’s running the latest available firmware for optimal security.

Final Verdict: Who Benefits Most From the Upgrade?

The Samsung Galaxy S9 wasn’t a radical departure from the S8, but it was a thoughtful evolution. For users who valued photography, audio quality, and responsive performance, the upgrade delivered tangible benefits. The repositioned fingerprint sensor alone resolved one of the S8’s biggest usability flaws.

That said, if your S8 is functioning well and meets your daily needs, the improvements may not justify the expense—especially in today’s market where newer models offer far greater advancements. However, for those seeking a reliable, high-performing device with excellent camera capabilities and premium build quality, the S9 represented a worthy step forward at the time.

Ultimately, the upgrade made the most sense for power users, content creators, and anyone frustrated by the S8’s camera limitations or awkward sensor layout. As one long-time Samsung user put it: “It’s not a revolution, but it’s the refinement the S8 deserved.”

💬 Have you upgraded from the S8 to the S9? Share your experience—what surprised you, what disappointed you, and would you do it again?