Samsung S9 Vs S8 Is The Upgrade Actually Worth It In Year

Four years after its release, the Samsung Galaxy S9 remains a point of curiosity for users still holding onto the Galaxy S8. With both devices now well beyond their prime support window, the question isn’t about raw specs or launch hype—it’s about practical value today. For someone considering an upgrade from the S8 to the S9 in 2024, the decision hinges on real-world usability, longevity, and whether the improvements justify the effort and cost. This article breaks down every key difference and evaluates if the S9 still offers meaningful gains over its predecessor.

Design and Build: Subtle Refinements, Same Foundation

The S8 and S9 share nearly identical design language. Both feature curved 5.8-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED displays, glass backs, aluminum frames, and IP68 water resistance. The front is dominated by the iconic \"Infinity Display,\" with minimal bezels and a central fingerprint sensor awkwardly placed beside the rear camera.

The physical differences are minor: the S9 is slightly heavier (163g vs. 148g) and marginally thicker (8.5mm vs. 8.0mm), but these changes are imperceptible in daily use. The speaker grilles at the bottom were repositioned on the S9, moving from below the USB-C port to either side of it, improving stereo separation.

Tip: If you're upgrading purely for aesthetics, skip it—the S9 looks and feels almost identical to the S8.

Display and Audio: Nearly Identical, But S9 Wins on Sound

Both phones deliver stunning visuals with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility. There’s no measurable difference in brightness or color accuracy under normal conditions. However, the S9 introduced stereo speakers tuned by AKG and powered by Dolby Atmos. This was a significant leap in audio quality—louder, richer, and more balanced than the S8’s single top-firing speaker with a weak auxiliary bass response.

If you consume media on your phone—watching videos, listening to music, or gaming—the S9’s audio enhancement alone may justify the upgrade. It’s one of the first mainstream Android phones to treat sound as a premium feature rather than an afterthought.

Performance and Software: Marginal Gains, Similar Longevity

Under the hood, the S9 shipped with the Snapdragon 845 (or Exynos 9810, depending on region), compared to the S8’s Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895. While the 845 offered roughly 25–30% better CPU and GPU performance, real-world usage in 2024 shows little advantage. Both chips struggle with modern apps and multitasking due to aging architecture and limited RAM (4GB).

Software support is where both phones fall short. Samsung provided four years of major OS updates, meaning both likely maxed out at Android 10 with security patches ending in 2021 or 2022. Neither device receives official updates anymore, making them vulnerable to newer security threats and incompatible with some current apps.

“Even flagship hardware from 2017 and 2018 wasn’t built with five-year app compatibility in mind. By 2024, software decay becomes the limiting factor—not processing power.” — David Lin, Mobile Systems Analyst

Camera Comparison: S9 Brings Meaningful Improvements

This is where the S9 pulls ahead most clearly. The S8 features a solid 12MP f/1.7 rear camera with optical image stabilization, but the S9 upgraded to a variable aperture lens—f/1.5 and f/1.7—that adjusts based on lighting conditions. In low light, this makes a tangible difference, capturing brighter, clearer photos with less noise.

The front-facing camera also improved from 8MP on the S8 to 8MP with autofocus on the S9, enhancing selfie quality, especially at close range. Additionally, the S9 introduced Super Slow-mo video at 960fps (compared to 240fps on the S8), allowing for dramatically smoother slow-motion clips.

Feature	Samsung S8	Samsung S9
Rear Camera	12MP, f/1.7, OIS	12MP, f/1.5–f/1.7, OIS, Dual Aperture
Front Camera	8MP, fixed focus	8MP, autofocus
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps, 240fps slow-mo	4K @ 60fps, 960fps Super Slow-mo
Low-Light Performance	Good	Noticeably Better

While modern mid-range phones surpass both in computational photography, the S9’s hardware edge over the S8 remains relevant for photography enthusiasts who rely on optical capabilities rather than AI enhancements.

Battery Life and Charging: No Major Change

Battery capacity is nearly identical: 3000mAh on the S9 versus 3000mAh on the S8. Real-world usage shows similar endurance—about one full day with moderate use. Neither supports fast charging out of the box beyond 15W, though both support wireless charging and reverse wireless powering (a feature introduced later via update).

However, battery degradation is a critical consideration in 2024. Most original S8 and S9 units have undergone 1,000+ charge cycles. Even if functional, their batteries likely hold only 60–70% of original capacity. Replacing the battery can restore usability, but third-party services vary in quality.

Tip: Before upgrading, consider a professional battery replacement. A fresh 3000mAh cell can extend your phone’s life by 1–2 years.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah has used her Galaxy S8 since 2017. By 2023, she noticed sluggish performance in messaging apps, frequent app crashes, and poor low-light photo quality. Her battery lasted only half a day. She found a used S9 for $80 and upgraded.

The immediate improvements? Clearer night photos, louder speakers during YouTube videos, and slightly faster app launches. But she quickly realized that Instagram and TikTok still lagged, and Chrome tabs reload constantly due to limited RAM. After six months, she decided to move to a newer budget phone instead. “The S9 felt like a stopgap,” she said. “It reminded me how far smartphone tech has come.”

Is the S9 Upgrade Worth It in 2024?

The answer depends on your expectations and current situation:

• If you’re still using an S8 and want better camera performance and audio—especially for videos and content consumption—the S9 is a logical step.
• If you prioritize battery life, modern app compatibility, or security updates, neither phone meets current standards.
• If you’re paying more than $100 for an S9, you’re likely overpaying given its age and limitations.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade from S8 to S9 in 2024?

1. ✅ Is your S8 experiencing hardware failure (cracked screen, failing battery)?
2. ✅ Can you get the S9 for under $100 (used/refurbished)?
3. ✅ Do you value better low-light photos and stereo sound?
4. ❌ Are you expecting smooth performance with modern apps like TikTok or Google Maps?
5. ❌ Do you need regular security updates or long-term software support?

If three or more checkmarks align with the “Yes” items, the upgrade might make sense. Otherwise, look beyond the S-series legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy S9 still run WhatsApp and banking apps?

Most do, but compatibility is not guaranteed. Some financial institutions and messaging platforms require Android 11 or higher, which neither the S8 nor S9 officially support. Workarounds exist, but they may compromise security.

Is the S9 waterproof after all these years?

IP68 rating does not last forever. Seals degrade over time, especially after repairs or drops. Don’t rely on water resistance in a six-year-old device.

Does the S9 support 5G or modern Wi-Fi standards?

No. The S9 supports LTE and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It lacks Bluetooth 5.0 optimizations and modern location services, resulting in slower connectivity and reduced efficiency.

Final Verdict

The jump from the Galaxy S8 to the S9 was meaningful in 2018. Today, it’s marginal. The S9 offers better audio, a smarter camera, and slightly faster internals—but none of these address the core limitations of outdated software, aging batteries, and diminishing app support.

If you find an S9 at a negligible cost and need a temporary replacement, it’s a reasonable bridge. But for anyone seeking reliable, secure, and future-proof performance, even modestly priced modern smartphones like the Samsung A34, Google Pixel 7a, or iPhone SE (2022) offer far greater value.

🚀 Ready to move forward? Instead of chasing old flagships, explore refurbished mid-range phones with current software support. Your productivity, security, and user experience will thank you.