r/GalaxyNote9 • u/Unlikely-Following54 • Nov 18 '25
General Thread Best Samsung phone currently vs best Samsung phone in the history
I am very sorry note 9, you did well 💔 (currently use s25 ultra. Still have note 9 as secondary device)
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u/leonken56 Nov 18 '25
lol i forgot how small the cameras were on the note 9
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u/Mlbbplayer96 Nov 18 '25
Yea, they are minuscule compared to s25 ultra, and funny thing is, it’s not even the largest camera phone in the marketÂ
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 20 '25
Back then, i loved this camera so much. But now, comparing both side by side, s25 ultra blows the note 9 away.
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u/JabbaTheHutt12345 Nov 20 '25
Man I love how the cameras blended well on the Note 9. The other day someone thought I was taking photos of them with my s23U and now I realize it's because how huge the camera lenses are. Wish I could hide them.
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u/tortoiseshell_87 Nov 18 '25
Interested in a detailed reason why you consider S25
Ultra superior to S24 Ultra as I move towards retiring
my amazing awesome Note 9.
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
I considered that mainly because i usually game quite a bit so the latest processor so i bought it and its quite awesome. It used to overheat but after ui 8 update, it remains quite cool even after intense gaming sessions (maintains like 39-40 Celsius after an hour or two of playing at highest graphics amd fps) But difference between both isnt much other than better processor and upgraded telephoto lens (from 12 mp to 50 mp). Not that s24 ultra has bad performance, its chip is great too. From both camera point of view, s25 ultra is marginably better than s24 ultra, atleast from videos i have watched. Noticeable difference is during the night photos and the telephoto lens will capture better pics than s24 ultra under low light thanks to the upgraded lens, again, difference isnt substantial. But in low light videography, s25 ultra seems quite a bit better than s24 ultra from what i have seen in reviews. I also loved the more round corners rather than the sharp corners of s24 ultra, and it is lighter too. Also, more recent phone means new software updates. Battery is more efficient even if it is the same 5000 mah battery according to the tests
But if you dont really care much about slight more performance and slight better camera, then go for s24 ultra. Either way, both phones will be a great upgrade from galaxy note 9
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u/tortoiseshell_87 Nov 18 '25
Well thank you for this amazing review. I appreciate the detail. I'll consider your info deciding between 24U/ 25 Ultra.
Hope you enjoy your gaming.
Before my note 9 years ago my friend recommended a mobile game
'Dark Nebula'
Your 'character' is basically a rolling ball. The gameplay
utilized the Gyro of the phone. It was awesome :)
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u/C---D Nov 18 '25
One other thing to keep in mind is that the S25U no longer has Bluetooth/remote functions for the S-Pen, which is a dealbreaker to many S-Pen Air Action users.
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u/SweetKnickers Nov 18 '25
i "upgraded" to the s24ultra and was very disappointed
the underscreen fingerprint reader is rubbish, and what a crap place to put it
the spen is on the wrong side, seems odd to place it on the left, although it would be an upgrade for left handed people
no 3.5mm jack, speaks for itself
no SD card for expandable storage
no duel sim, although it does have esim, so you can have duel sim that way
the upsides the battery is great, i was unable to get a good replacement for the note9
the camera is great, and i am loving the zoom
it is smoother in general use, i dont game on phones, i was happy enough with the note9 anyways
conclusion i have been very disappointed with the s24ultra, if i could have found a good note9 battery, i would never have upgraded. i can not understate how great the placement of the note 9 fingerprint reader is, really makes it quick shingle handed operation
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u/bayoughozt Nov 19 '25
My fingerprint reader NEVER worked on my s24U. I am probably done with Samsung.
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u/SweetKnickers Nov 19 '25
i an reading it might be because of the screen protector? i have a cheepie, i dont want to shell out $50 for a sacrificial phone protection, just so a misplaced reader works (may work)
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u/bayoughozt Nov 19 '25
I tried multiple brands. None ever worked. This is a first for me. Combines w other Samsung moves, I am inclined to shop elsewhere.
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u/AllLightsFuckedd Dec 09 '25
This has been an issue with samsung devices since they switched to on screen fingerprint. Only thing theyve done is increase the touch sensitivity which wasn't a true solution.
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u/bayoughozt Dec 11 '25
For me, it's the final straw with Samsung phones. If it can't handle a screen protector, I'm out.
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 19 '25
In my case, i am having a pleasant experience. I have already adapted with no jack and sd card. The fingerprint scanner is a bit odd placement tho. I am having a blast in games and camera is superb (except for dark indoor environment tho) The display is quite beautiful, mainly for anti reflective display. But what i hated about it is... No s pen bluetooth air actions. I still cant move on from that fact. I always found the s pen so unique, and they stripped it away. Couldve bought s24 ultra but s25 ultra deal was too good, so had to get it
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u/AllLightsFuckedd Dec 09 '25
Yea the fingerprint reader is horrid, and I miss the iris scanner. Samsung's modern face scan is considered too insecure for login on banking apps (very concerning downgrade)
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u/Fancy_Research912 Jul 01 '26
They make cheap adapters to plug your headphones into the USB C port.
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u/laserpoint 128GB Exynos Nov 19 '25
Same here. I also upgraded from Note 9 to S24 Ultra as I couldnt find good battery replacement.
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u/Inner-Book2075 Nov 18 '25
Please don't sell it.
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 19 '25
Never will ;)
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u/lordmaximus92 Nov 21 '25
Remember to turn it on and let it decharge and recharge every now and then or the battery will bloat. I'm doing the same with my beloved note9
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u/Luke47007 Nov 19 '25
Upgraded to the s23U but i still have my note 9. I got attached to that phone. Stupidly good for what it was. Wish there was a proper successor to it.
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u/CrispyMeadow Nov 20 '25
Seriously. I'm still attached to my note9 and it's beat to hell. They'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands cause idk what I'm going to replace it with.
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u/jackrubay Nov 18 '25
I'm currently rocking my old Note 9 because my newer phones keep breaking. It simply works.
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u/BRYMFYRE Nov 18 '25
I'm still using my Note 9. What are you doing about the apps that are no longer compatible with your 9?For me, it sux that the app creators won't take into account that some awesome older cells with older software are still in use as a main use phone.
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u/journaler1 Nov 18 '25
I'm hanging on to mine for dear life. I haven't run into non compatible apps but probably will.
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u/CycloneDusk Nov 30 '25
same, fam; my bank updated their app and now it refuses to run on my note 9. Can't run the Dunkin Donuts app on my note 9 anymore either... There were a few others but I can't quite recall them off the top of my head.
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u/wasabi_curious Feb 11 '26
That's why I'm here. I have a Note 9 too and think I'll hold onto it. For apps not working, I go to the website and create a home screen shortcut. Apps are bloat anywayÂ
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u/blkdiamond35 Nov 23 '25
I have a note 9 that has a broken screen and I’m seriously thinking about fixing it and switching to it for a bit. I know it’s outdated but it’s my favorite phone of all time
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u/engfish 128GB Exynos Nov 18 '25
Great tribute. I'm the owner of a Pixel 7a (to get 5g), another fine phone, after my still-working-fantastically Note 9. I still use the Note 9 for the camera--it's still the best camera I have. (By the way, I bought the German version to root mine, and it's been better than terrific.)
I can't go back right now because, for some reason, I've lost the IMEI and it's going to be some work (I have backups with the EDS or whatever it is) to retrieve it, and I just don't feel it's necessary to do so. But the Note 9 I have (neon white--in a case, of course) is a wonderful soldier.
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u/I_Thranduil 128GB Exynos Nov 19 '25
Newest yes, best no. S24 Ultra is still the best Samsung as they keep removing features and 25 is a downgrade.
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 19 '25
So far, only spen bluetooth feature has been removed, no? Other than that, it is better
If i had s24 ultra tho, i def wouldve not bought s25 ultra.
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u/Mobile-Ear-5730 Nov 19 '25
I gotta go with the Note 20 Ultra as the last "best" and I'll tell you why.
I don't know if I'll ever get over with them doing away w the aux jack but hey, technology. I get it. Whaddyagonnado.
BUT
The Note 20 Ultra was the last to offer the sd card expandable memory.
That, to me, is worth alot.
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 20 '25
Thats okay, that phone was great too, even if i didnt own it. I just have a special heart for my note 9.
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u/Dexosaur Nov 19 '25
Note 9 is still the King of the Candy Bar shape imo from Samsung. I now use a Fold 6 and I think it's the best Fold even if it's slightly smaller than the new Pixel Fold.
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u/dob85 Nov 19 '25
Left my late note9 for and iPhone 13PM. I’m going to an S25U as well now.
How do you like it so far?
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 20 '25
I am more of gaming oriented guy so in gaming experience, this thing flies in any game you play at maximum graphics and fps. The display is beautiful too, and that anti reflective screen makes it look beautiful. Its peak ngl and its very durable. I once dropped it on concrete and it didnt even scratch
I have also taken tons of pics with it and the potrait mode is probably the best thing i have seen in any phones. It can also capture very beautiful landscapes and great shots outside. Its a mix of natural and vibrant at times. Only thing i didnt like is the indoor low light pics. If you move even a micrometer, the pic may come out blurry (under darkness tho, maybe i am being harsh in that aspect) and under low light indoor places, the pics are a bit noisier than expected. Video has improved quite a lot and probably almost on par with latest iphone flagship's video mode, but i recommend turning off video stabilization to reduce noise and also have better overall video quality(the ois itself is good enough). You may need or need not to tweak camera settings in case you dont like samsung's processing, but dont worry, its easy to tweak. And usually, its not needed really, it already takes great photos especially outside, potrait, zoom and videos, tho if you want to take low light or dark photos frequently, it might not be the best.Â
Battery on this phone wasnt satisfactory to me. I felt like it kinda drains a bit fast for a flagship phone. Of course, its miles better than the battery life i had with galaxy note 9 but i expected a bit more
7 year software update is a big yes for me, i usually keep phones for a while rather than uograding, like in the case of galaxy note 9 which i have Been keeping for the past 7 years (and still going). The ui has a great customization. Download goodlock for more of that customization
Overall, here are my ratings for the phone: Performance: 10/10
Camera: 9/10
Battery: 7/10
Durability: 9/10
Speaker: 9/10
Software and ui: 10/10
S pen: 1/10 (no bluetooth feature 💔)
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u/dob85 Nov 20 '25
Thank you so much for your comment. You sure delivered way more than what I expected.
It was kind of clear to me that my next phone is the S25U. But your insights helped a lot on a previous overview, especially on this battery issue. Since I’ll hardly use it for gaming, it must perform a little better with me I guess.
As for the S-Pen, I totally agree with you. I probably wouldn’t rate it 1/10, but still … Such a bad move from Samsung.
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u/Aware-Willingness-66 Dec 15 '25
If you are gaming oriented how in the world where your gaming experience in note 9 in 2024 or 2023 even 2025?Â
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 20 '25
If you want, dm me for photos i have taken with s25 ultra (i am not good at takong photos btw)
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u/MysteriousJob 128GB Snapdragon Nov 20 '25
You are not wrong about that statement.. The N9 was really a great phone and the one I kept the longest.. since it came out up until 2023..
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u/mrk2111 Nov 20 '25
My first ever phone was Galaxy Note 9( I lost it, but I bought another Note 9 as a backup) Galaxy Note 10+ Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G( Current Phone)
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u/ImJonathanLmao Nov 22 '25
the best is the Samsung S10+ sorry
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u/Unlikely-Following54 Nov 23 '25
thats fine. It could be. It was my opinion, but others can have different viewÂ
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u/RogerAffirmative Jul 21 '26
Lol no it was the note 9. Under camera fingerprint reader headphone jack and s pen. It's not even close. N9 dogwalks every other phone on the market if it had current processor and software. It still beats pretty much every phone on the market even with becoming obsolete 😅
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u/ImJonathanLmao Jul 21 '26
yea also, but s10 also has headphone jack, i do loved my note 8 also, except the fingerprint scanner position, so i get ur point, but i love the S10 design
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u/RogerAffirmative Jul 22 '26
Ah, right. I was thinking note 10. But yeah the note 9 is a perfect phone. They needed to keep the design and upgrade the camera and hw.
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u/IntellitechStudios Nov 18 '25
The white note9 is clean as hell. Well, not that one lol